Dealing with Constipation

Most kids experience the discomfort of constipation at one time or another. Just type the words “constipation” and “toddler” into your favorite search engine, and you’ll see hundreds of results from message board moms throughout the country. So, it would seem that the topic has been sufficiently covered. For our daughter, however, constipation is a more serious matter, and it will likely be one she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. In addition to being born with a detached esophagus, Lily was also diagnosed with an imperforated anus; instead of a normal anal opening, she … Continue reading

Castor Bean

Ah, the infamous castor oil. Were you ever subjected to a spoonful of castor oil when you were feeling sick? Castor oil comes from the castor bean — a plant used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Ancient Indians called it eranda, a name from the Sanskrit that is still used today. Castor bean seeds have been found in four thousand year old Egyptian tombs. Ancient Greeks left information on how to extract the oil from the bean. It was only during the eighteenth century that castor bean oil was used internally. Ancient Greeks used the oil only externally. … Continue reading