Image copyright SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY 
 
 Doctors have issued a warning about the potential harms of undertaking a radical new year detox. 
 
 They highlight the case of a woman they treated last year who became critically ill after taking herbal remedies and drinking too much water. 
 
 The 47-year-old needed intensive care at Milton Keynes hospital. 
 
 She recovered with treatment, but her story is a reminder of the dangers of drastic detoxing, the medics say. 
 
 While it may be tempting to cleanse yourself of the excesses of Christmas, the concept is not necessarily healthy and is not backed by medical science, they report in the British Medical Journal Case Reports. 
 
 The woman they treated had taken a cocktail of herbs and alternative remedies including: 
 
 milk thistle 
 
 molkosan 
 
 I-theanine 
 
 glutamine 
 
 vitamin B compound 
 
 vervain 
 
 valerian root 
 
 Her partner said she had also been drinking lots of water, green tea and sage tea over the few days before she became ill. 
 
 Shortly before being admitted to hospital, the woman collapsed and had a seizure. 
 
 Medical tests revealed she had dangerously low levels of salt (sodium) in her body. 
 
 Researching the herbal remedies used by the patient, her doctors discovered the case of a man with a history of anxiety who had had seizures due to a low sodium level. 
 
 His symptoms developed after consuming a large amount of a herbal remedy that contained: 
 
 valerian root 
 
 lemon balm 
 
 passion flower 
 
 hops 
 
 chamomile 
 
 "The complementary medicine market is very popular in the UK and the concept of the new-year 'detox' with all-natural products is appealing to those less concerned with evidence-based medicine and more with complementary medicine," say the medics in their write-up. 
 
 "Excessive water intake as a way of 'purifying and cleansing' the body is also a popular regime with the belief that harmful waste products can thus be washed from the body." 
 
 However, they warn that "despite marketing suggesting otherwise, all-natural products are not without side-effects". 
 
 The British Dietetic Association says the whole idea of detoxing is nonsense. 
 
 "There are no pills or specific drinks, patches or lotions that can do a magic job," a representative said 
 
 "The body has numerous organs, such as the skin, gut, liver and kidney, that continually 'detoxify' the body from head to toe. 
 
 "Being well-hydrated is a sensible strategy, but drinking too much water can be as dangerous as not drinking enough. 
 
 "It sounds predictable, but for the vast majority of people, a sensible diet and regular physical activity really are the only ways to properly maintain and maximise your health." ||||| Licorice root has a remarkable list of properly documented uses, and might be among the highest overlooked of all natural treatments. It’s useful for several conditions including asthma, athlete’s foot, baldness, body odor, bursitis, canker sores, chronic exhaustion, melancholy, influenza, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, gout, heartburn, HIV, viral infections, fungal infections, ulcers, liver troubles, Lyme disease, menopause, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendinitis, arthritis, tuberculosis, ulcers, and yeast infections. In this particular article, we will be discussing nine of the more commonly used health benefits of licorice root. 
 
 Depression 
 
 There is research that shows that the Glycyrrhizic acid that is in licorice root can help with nervousness and depression by encouraging the function of the adrenal glands. Our adrenal glands control stress hormones including cortisol. When one’s stress hormone levels are low it can often be the cause of persistent fatigue, melancholy, anxiety, and having less resistance to infections and allergens. Licorice root also happens to also have the Asparagine amino acid that is needed to preserve equilibrium in the body’s nervous system. 
 
 Cardiovascular Disease Studies and High Cholesterol 
 
 There has been research that shows that licorice root may control the cholesterol ranges by enhancing the body’s flow of bile. There is also research to indicate that bile acids account for elimination of excessive cholesterol in your body. Also, the antioxidant action of licorice root may enhance capillary health and hinder the growth of arterial plaque. 
 
 Menopause 
 
 The phytoestrogenic and anti-oxidant action of licorice root is thought to be useful for hormonal problems including exhaustion, mood swings, and hot flashes in women who are going through menopause. Consequently, ingesting just one capsule of licorice root daily can help balance and control a woman’s hormone production if she happens to be going through menopause. 
 
 Menstrual and PMS Cramps 
 
 This herb has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and a moderate estrogenic action which might assist with PMS symptoms including breast tenderness, menstrual cramps, nausea and bloating, not to mention mood swings. Consuming licorice root as a tea each day starting about three days prior to one’s anticipated time of the month might help to alleviate PMS symptoms. 
 
 Skin Problems 
 
 Individuals have been making use of this herb as poultices and salves in treating eczema, skin rashes, psoriasis, and itchy and dry skin. A small medical research that was done indicates that the demulcent and anti-inflammatory agents in licorice root gel may decrease the signs of atopic dermatitis (eczema). Just applying a salve made from licorice root onto the area 2 to 3 times daily can help alleviate skin problems. 
 
 Gastric and Abdomen Troubles 
 
 One benefit of licorice root that is used pretty frequently is that it can be used to deal with digestive abnormalities and many issues with the intestines. The licorice root’s flavonoids can help with discomfort and inflammation of the digestive system. Also, soothing agents in licorice root may quiet and soothe the digestion system, which in turn can help to promote a healthy bowel. Easy treatment would be to have some licorice root tea 2 to 3 times a day. 
 
 Herpes and Shingles 
 
 Licorice root extract has been utilized in treating herpes simplex, sores, and shingles. Several studies show that the antiviral action of the herb may suppress the return and progression of cold sores due to the herpes virus. Easy treatment for shingles and herpes would be to ingest a capsule of this root extract 2 times a day, and to use a salve made of the same extract on the affected region between four and five times a day. 
 
 Weight Reduction 
 
 Research demonstrates that individuals had a significant reduction in body fat mass after getting three grams of licorice root extract every day for 2 months. Nevertheless, the eating of licorice root isn’t something that anyone should do for long periods of time. Consequently, although most research indicates routine use of licorice root for two month periods of time, it is preferred to quit the use of the herb for 1 week after every two weeks throughout the two month interval. For weight loss, having a well-balanced diet along with regular exercise might lead to a substantial decrease in body fat. 
 
 Salivary Glands 
 
 Licorice isn’t a normal or usual herbal treatment for treating problems that include your salivary glands. Even though some treatments use licorice to assist in soothing a sore throat, there currently is no proof that the herb has any impact on saliva production. However, as I said, there have been many herbalists who have recommended the herb be used for this very purpose. 
 
 Do You Know the Side Effects of Licorice Root? 
 
 The long-term consumption of licorice root might cause hypertension, hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels), cataracts, and the retention of fluid in the body. Consequently, it’s not advised for individuals with heart problems. People that are allergic to Fabaceae (legume, pea, bean, or pulse) could be allergic to licorice root also since the herb is actually a member of the Fabaceae family. 
 
 Because of the estrogenic action in the root, it will be something that pregnant ladies will absolutely want to avoid. It’s recommended to talk to your primary care physician to go over any potential problems that licorice root might cause if you’re getting any hormonal medications, or any other medicine or supplements for that matter. ||||| Image: AP 
 
 A 50-year-old construction worker who consumed four to five energy drinks a day for three weeks was recently diagnosed with acute hepatitis, a condition characterized by liver inflammation. While not the first case of its kind, the incident points the largely ignored dangers of excess niacin consumption. 
 
 A new case report published in the British Medical Journal highlights the need for consumers to be aware of all the ingredients found in popular food and drink items, and to avoid the over-consumption of dietary supplements. Doctors who treated the unnamed man believe his sudden bout of hepatitis was caused by his excessive energy drink consumption, which included the ingestion of copious amounts vitamin B3, also known as niacin. 
 
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 As a construction worker, the man began to consume energy drinks to help him power through his labor-intensive workday. Aside from hitting the energy drinks with unusual fervor, he didn’t make any other changes to his eating and drinking habits. Soon afterwards, the man started to become unusually fatigued, and he began to experience abdominal pain. When this turned to nausea and vomiting, he figured he had the flu—but the man became particularly alarmed when he developed dark urine and jaundice (his skin was turning yellow). Wisely, he went to the emergency department. 
 
 A physical examination affirmed the jaundice and right upper abdominal tenderness, while lab tests revealed high levels of transaminases—liver enzymes indicative of damage and evidence of chronic hepatitis C infection. A biopsy of the liver confirmed he had severe hepatitis. 
 
 Monster Energy contains 200 percent of the daily recommended intake of niacin. (Image: Flickr/homard) 
 
 Doctors who treated the man believe the hepatitis was triggered by his excessive energy drink consumption, with niacin being the key ingredient. Interestingly, the patient’s intake was around 160 to 200 milligrams (mg) daily, which is considered below the level expected to cause toxicity (a similar case was reported before, but the patient consumed 300 mg of niacin daily!). The problem, say the doctors, was that toxicity arose as a result of an accumulation effect; each bottle of his energy drink contained 40 mg of niacin, or 200 percent of the recommended daily value. 
 
 
 
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 The brand consumed by the patient wasn’t listed, but energy drinks with added niacin include Monster, Rockstar, and Red Bull. The patient was told to discontinue consumption of all energy drinks, and was advised to avoid any similar niacin-rich products in the future. 
 
 “As the energy drink market continues to rapidly expand, consumers should be aware of the potential risks of their various ingredients,” conclude the authors in the case report. “Vitamins and nutrients, such as niacin are present in quantities that greatly exceed the recommended daily intake, lending to their high risk for harmful accumulation and toxicity.” 
 
 Niacin is found in many energy drinks, and when taken in safe quantities, it can help improve cholesterol levels, lower cardiovascular risk, maintain skin health, treat headaches, and even improve liver function. But when taken in excess, it can cause nausea, stomach upset, muscle breakdown, and abnormal liver tests. Vitamin B3 can also be found naturally in food items such as yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, nuts, green vegetables, and beans. Vitamin B3 deficiency is rare in developed countries, leading doctors to advise against self-medicating with niacin. 
 
 Note: We changed the wording in the headline from “contract” to “develop” to better distinguish between hepatitis that’s transmissible and the kind that can result from various causes, including toxins, drugs, alcohol, various nutrient overdoses, viruses, and ischemia. 
 
 [BMJ Case Reports]
– After a woman wound up in the hospital in the UK last year after ingesting a medley of herbs for a New Year's "detox," doctors are issuing a warning: There is such a thing as too much water, and people need to be careful with supplements, even if they are all-natural herbs. In this case, the 47-year-old woman said that aside from mood issues she was healthy when she upped her fluids and use of herbal remedies, including milk thistle, molkosan, l-theanine, glutamine, vitamin B compound, vervain, sage tea, green tea, and valerian root. Doctors in September reported in the British Medical Journal Case Reports that she suffered from acute severe "hyponatremia," which occurs when there is abnormally low sodium in one's blood. She had gone to the ER after suffering a seizure. Most cases of hyponatremia occur after someone consumes a ton of water—more than 2.5 gallons in a day—but this woman's fluid intake wasn't that high. Then, a possible clue: Doctors found a similar case of a man with the same condition who also hadn't hit that intake level but had ingested valerian root. The doctors note that two case studies are insufficient evidence, but suggest it's possible the root "altered this threshold [of fluid intake], allowing severe hyponatremia to develop at an earlier stage." The British Dietetic Association tells the BBC that the whole notion of detoxing is without merit, as many of our organs (even our skin) regularly detoxify the body. It may sound less sexy, but they add that for most people "a sensible diet and regular physical activity" is best. (Experts are also rolling their eyes at the souping trend.)