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Better Nutrition Letters Sabot Publishing, Inc. 4 High Ridge Park Stamford, CT 06905

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Dear Better Nutrition,

I am a regular reader of Better Nutrition magazine and, as such, took your advice, and started using vitamin E on my skin. I have been using it on my face, at nights, and have been putting the oil under my eyes. I do not know if this is a wise thing to do since, sometimes, my eyes appear a little puffy. If this is okay (using the oil under my eyes), what can I use for the puffiness under the eyes?

Sincerely,

Jennifer Foster Kingston, Jamaica (via e-mail)

Editor's Reply

First, off, make sure that your pure vitamin E is the natural form, d-alpha tocopherol, not the synthetic form (dl-alpha tocopherol), and not mixed with anything else. Second, be aware that, in general, most recommendations regarding topical application of vitamin E suggest spot usage for blemishes, scars, and dry spots, as opposed to lathering it all over the face, which would be very sticky, if nothing else.

Although I'm hard-pressed to figure out why your eyelid puffiness would accompany, or follow, your use of vitamin E (if, indeed, there is a relation, here), clearly we should be careful about anything we put near our eyes, even something as benign as vitamin E.

Check with your ophthalmologist to ensure that you don't have a sty or chalazion which is causing the inflammation, or any type of infection. Puffiness under the eyes can also signal the presence of food allergy. Read the food allergy feature this issue (p.36) about trying a food elimination/re-introduction program.

Also, in terms of nutritionally addressing red, irritated eyelids, Denise Mortimore's The Complete Illustrated Guide to Nutritional Healing (Element Books, 1998) suggests that we: (1) optimize our intake of antioxidants, red grape juice, OPC supplements, and B vitamins, (2) take blackstrap molasses and oat germ daily, (3) eat several portions of whole grains each week (unless you have an intolerance), and (4) add extra wheat germ to cereals, salads, and soups (unless intolerant).

Some herbalists also suggest that we place cold compresses made from weak tea-bag dilutions of calendula tea on our eyelids (with our eyes closed).

Good luck, and thanks for your letter.

Dear Better Nutrition,

I read about the herb, Andrographis paniculata, in the June 1999 issue of Better Nutrition ("Herb Update"). What is this herb? Is there a common name for it? Our local health-food store has tried to identify the herb, and only came up with "millet." Please help.

Best regards,

Bud and Barbara Howard St. George, Utah

Editor's Reply

Used for centuries in China, Andrographis paniculata has many possible indications, including promising roles in dealing with cold and flu symptoms, including fever. The last time we checked, it was available as "Kan jang," which happens to be put out by the Swedish Herbal Institute (York Harbor, Maine); there may be other brands out there, too. Thanks for your letter.