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Now a new and controversial book by an American doctor suggests that taking even higher levels of the vitamin - 10 to 15 times the recommended amounts - can work wonders. Dr James Dowd, who works at the Arthritis Institute of Michigan, has been prescribing vitamin D to people suffering from chronic disorders such as arthritis, back pain and headaches and the result, he claims, is a huge improvement in their symptoms. In his book, The Vitamin D Cure, Dr Dowd describes a number of success stories using this approach. One of his patients, Barbara, for instance, was obese, and suffered from arthritis in one leg as well as high blood pressure. As Dowd explains: "In the past I would have given her anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medication, a pill to lose weight and drug treatment for hypertension."

The fresh or dried roots and underground stems are commonly used to treat a wide range of ailments like rheumatism, arthritis and muscle pain. It is also a traditional remedy for menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome and gynecological conditions like menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, palpitations, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms that can occur during menopause). The stems and roots of the black cohosh are made into strong infusions (teas), capsules, solid extracts used in pills, or tinctures (liquid extracts).

Cayenne or capsicum is used externally as a remedy for painful joints by stimulating blood flow to the affected area and reducing inflammation and discomfort.