The Swamp Wampee Nature Cure

The Natural Connection

The call came one cold, damp December night from the Emergency Room. A middle-aged man had come complaining of severe chest pain, and needed to be in the hospital. Not such an unusual problem, for a corner of the Okefenokee with one of the highest rates of heart disease in the nation. Except this patient was different.

“It’s really strange,” said the ER physician. “His heart seems to be just fine. The guy insists he was poisoned!”

The man on the gurney was miserable to be sure. He alternately moaned, vomited, and cursed his friends. “It’s that stuff they gave me to eat”, he said. “As soon as I swallowed it I got sick”. “What was it?” I asked, “A casserole?”

The patient cursed again and looked towards his feet. “Swamp Wampee Root. For my Nature. My buddy swears by it. Supposed to be an old Indian cure. He said it would fix “trouble in the teepee”, but it sure worked the opposite on me!” I nodded in sympathy. Another unsuspecting male laid low by the infamous Swamp Wampee Nature Cure. I tried to cheer him up. At least it wasn’t a heart attack. He was not amused.

The wetlands plant Wampee (Peltandra virginica), is high in oxalic acid—the compound found in many kidney stones. Ingestion causes severe heartburn, vomiting, and sometimes bleeding ulcers. As a group of nurses wheeled him to the Intensive Care unit for his weekend stay, he loudly announced his plans for his “friends”, who were no doubt by now sitting in front of their big screen TVs with a few cold beers, laughing.

Despite former Vice President Bob Dole’s cheerful endorsement of Viagra, treatment of erectile dysfunction is not something that most men find easy to discuss with their doctor. The high price of Viagra, along with some of its problematic side effects, has generated patient interest in herbal products and supplements that are advertised in glorious glossy detail in the back of men’s magazines and in health food stores.

The most popular over the counter products include L-Arginine, Yohimbine, and an herb named Epimedium, also known curiously as Horny Goat Weed. Of the three, Arginine appears to be the most effective, and best tolerated. A controlled trial showed response in approximately one third of men who took 5,000 mg a day for six weeks. Its most common side effect is mild stomach upset, but it can worsen heartburn as well.

Yohimbine is a natural substance derived from the bark of an African tree. While FDA approved, yohimbine has numerous side effects when taken above the recommended amount of 20 mg, including changes in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, increased urination, and anxiety. It is felt to be marginally effective in some men.

No controlled studies have been performed on Epimedium, also known as Horny Goat Weed. It is sometimes sold in combination products that have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety. It is unknown how many people purchase it purely because of its name, or if it was called Ugotta Bnuts or some other such name, if anyone would buy it at all.

ConsumerLab.com testing agency recently released its evaluation of 22 sexual enhancement supplements with the usual findings that many over the counter products were lacking in advertised ingredients, or were contaminated with various unadvertised compounds. For instance, many “natural” supplements were found to be spiked with the pharmaceutical sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra.

So, gentlemen, before venturing too deep into the middle of the Swamp Wampee or spending what’s left of your 401K on Horny Goat Weed, try to talk to your doctor. You may also receive a free summary of the ConsumerLab test report, by writing to The Natural Connection, c/o Pauline Bellecci MD, PO Box 777, Waycross, GA 31501, or contact us on-line at www.swampdocs.com.

11/24/02