Rhodiola: The stress is on stress and fatigue

Dear Mary,
I’m a career-woman slaving away in the corporate jungle of Makati. The daily stress from my job is taking a toll on my health. I can’t seem to find the energy to have a life outside the office. People say I look much older than my age. Lately, I’ve been hearing about this wonder herb called rhodiola, which promises to restore one’s energy. Do you know anything about this?
— Stressed Thess

Yes, rhodiola is very much in the health news these days. Actually, this herb is not new. Also called golden root, rhodiola rosea is native to Siberia and has been used for centuries in Eastern European and Asian cultures as an antidote to anxiety and stress. The reason is that rhodiola stimulates the neurotransmitters and enhances brain function, thus enabling it to process serotonin, which helps the body to adapt to stress. It also helps in physical endurance, work productivity, and in treating fatigue, depression, anemia, gastrointestinal ailments, infection, and even impotence!

Rhodiola is now locally available in capsule form in drugstores and health stores.
— Mary

* * * Wedding Fashion Dilemma

Dear Tingting,
I will be attending the wedding of a close friend. I want to wear a dress, but I have big legs. I stand 5’4" and weigh 120 lbs. I want to look slimmer in the dress I will be wearing. To compound my problem, I’m flat-chested. What type of dress would be appropriate for the occasion and at the same time will look best on me?
— CJ

You can wear high heels, about one-and-a-half or two inches high. Wear a push-up bra. Op for an off-shoulder top or one that shows more shoulders, over an empire-cut waistline and bias long skirt of soft fabric. Or you can wear a halter top over an empire-cut dress of stiff fabric and an A-line skirt.
— Tingting

* * * Scarred Legs

Hi, Lucy!
I Have Scars On My Legs. Is There A Cream I Can Use To Camouflage Them? I Hate wearing stockings.
— Scar-Legged

Please ask your dermatologist aboout Covermark. I know of someone who uses Covermark to cover the scars on her legs and even when she goes swimming, it does not come off! It is very resistant to smearing and smudging.
— Lucy

* * * 3-Day Diet Substitute

Dear Mary,
I tried your 3-day diet once and it was really effective. May I know what can be substituted for grapefruit in your 3-day diet? It’s very rare here in Davao City. I have not seen any grapefruit here for many months now and I do want to go back to the 3-day diet.
— Do Or Diet

You can try some pomelo or suha, which is aplenty in Davao. I believe suha has the same number of calories as grapefruit’s. Good luck!
— Mary

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