Does alcohol destroy brain cells? The answer would seem to be No.

It may be bad for you in many other ways, but it won’t get to those little grey cells and reduce you to idiocy, it’s now thought.

But be warned, excessive consumption of the comforting tincture can bring on Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which definitely reduces memory.

As for brain cells, you would need to pass out, and be close to death, before alcohol destroyed a single brain cell.

So take heart, but always be moderate.

Swings and roundabouts.

Can you protect yourself against too much alcohol consumption? Herbalists believe you can.

The milk thistle plant whose seeds are beneficial

The seeds of the milk thistle plant contain a powerful antioxidant called silymarin, which is said to protect not just the liver, but also the gall bladder and spleen against the demon drink.

Milk thistle is a member of the daisy family of plants and is rich in flavonolignans, a group of compounds which help to repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxins.

Silymarin also has anti-inflammatory properties that protect new liver cells from destruction. Add the presence of phytochemicals which fight against toxic overload and, all in all, the humble milk thistle is a great little helper if you have a tendency to overdo it from time to time.

You can take milk thistle as a capsule, in tablet, tincture or liquid extract form, before or after drinking.

Halitosos, or bad breath, is a real turn-off in most social situations. Here are ten traditional and less well-known ideas to reduce the problem.

1. Fresh parsley is said to do the trick, especially with garlic, if you chew small quantities. However, there is no scientific proof that this is true.

2. Mastic gum capsules A natural resin taken from the Pistacia Lentiscus tree on the Greek island of Chios is said to decrease acidity in the mouth.

3. Antibacterial mouthwashes These rinse away the bacteria that cause bad breath. Many also have antiplaque properties, so are kind to your teeth too.

4 Live yoghurt reduces levels of hydrogen sulphide, the foul gas produced by bacteria in the mouth through the action of the live bacteria Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

5. Baking soda Brushing with bicarbonate of soda can counteract high levels of acidity in the mouth, a possible cause of bad breath. Research published between 1996 and 1998 found that brushing with toothpaste containing 20 percent baking soda reduced bad breath for up to three hours. Also try baking soda chewing gum.

6. Peppermint oil Some natural health practitioners believe that chewing capsules of this oil may keep your breath minty fresh.

7. Fennel seeds Chewing on fennel seeds after a meal is a traditional way of masking mouth odours.

8. Magnolia chewing gum Preparations containing the bark of the magnolia tree are thought to freshen your breath. Chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract was shown in a 2007 study to reduce the amount of halitosis-causing bacteria in nine healthy volunteers. Bear in mind, though, the research was done by Wrigley’s.

9. Scrapers If you scrape your tongue, you not only reduce bad breath bacteria, but also expose them to oxygen, which may help to prevent halitosis.

10. retarDEX toothpaste Probably the most reliable method, since the effective ingredient — stabilized chlorine dioxide — eliminates, not masks, bad breath compounds, including garlic.

Next Post The oral professional’s way to fight bad breath.

One of the more unusual treatments for knee problems, including moderate to severe osteoarthritis, may be seaweed extract.

In a 12-week study at the University of Minnesota, 70 people were given either a daily seaweed supplement or the standard treatment of glucosamine suphate. Others took a placebo.

Both the seaweed and glucosamine groups showed significant progress compared with the placebo group. But the seaweed takers improved twice as much as those who were given glucosamine.

Kelp and other seaweed tablets may be just the job for stiff, painful knees.