What are salicylates?
Plants produce salicylates as a way of defending themselves from soil
bacteria. Salicylates can be either natural or synthetic (manufactured in a lab). Salicylates
(both natural and synthetic) have the ability to block the action of
guaifenesin.
Many topical products contain salicylates (either plant
ingrediants or synthetic salicylates) and when applied to the skin they are
easily absorbed into the bloodstream and can then block guaifenesin. So to allow
the guaifenesin to do its job you must avoid salicylates in your skincare,
haircare and oral hygiene products.
You also cannot use any herbal products or supplements
containing plant extracts as these are concentrated enough to block. Food
quantities of plants, eg herbs in cooking, eating fruits and vegetables are
fine! The exception would be chewing mint gum or taking herbal teas which have
medicinal properties (they will list ingrediants in mg on the packet). These can
be strong enough to block. (Some 'guaiers' have also blocked on Earl Grey tea
which contains bergamot oil).
Synthetic salicylates are more easily detected because
the names usually contain salicylate or sal in them. One exception is meradimate
(see the links below for more detailed information). You cannot take any
medications containing aspirin - because aspirin is salicylic acid.
Avoid any product with a plant name listed in the
ingredients (this could be the plant name alone, or could say oil, gel or
extract after it). UK products often list plant ingredients under the Latin name
(as in gardening). Some of the most common are listed here with their Latin
names:
www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com/botanicals.htm
1000
of the Most Common Natural Salicylates
Avoid mint flavour in anything - mint is methyl
salicylate and a potent salicylate.Toothpaste often contain hidden mint in the
flavour even if its not listed. Only use the toothpastes listed in our
products list. See below.
Claudia Marek has compiled a quick check reference and
screening test to help you:
www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com/salfreeQuickRef.htm
You can find many of the most common salicylate-free
ingredients here:
www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com/listSalicylateFree.htm
Dr St Amand's book has a chapter explaining the
salicylate issue. www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com
will have the latest information about salicylates. There is also a FAQ forum on
the website with a whole section where Claudia answers many of the common
questions about salicylates (www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com/FAQs.htm).
IMPORTANT: New EU Regulations from March 2005
mean that all manufacturers have been required to list the top 20 allergens
which can be contained within the "parfum" listed on a product label.
These include benzyl salicylate, geraniol and coumarin. These three ingredients
are salicylates and can block if they are a separate ingredient in the product.
If they are part of the parfum they are in tiny quantities and won't block. If
you want to use a product listing these ingredients, we recommend you check with
the manufacturer to find out if they are part of the parfum and therefore ok or
a separate ingredient which could block.
Sal-Safe
Products List
We have a list of 'sal-safe' products checked by
members of our group. There is also a second list with all the ingredients of
the products which can be used to check they remain the same.
You can also access an explanation of the parfum
legislation, a template for contacting manufacturers about parfum ingredients
and a salicylate quick check card to help you when you go shopping.
Please note that as these documents are stored
in the discussion group's files, you must first join the discussion group to
have access to them. You will need to sign in with your Yahoo ID and password to
access the documents. Click the subscribe
page to join the group.
Important: if you find products listed on other
websites, please be aware that products ingredients can vary between the EU and
other parts of the world, so something that is sal-safe in America may not be
here! Please double-check ingredients.
