Going Mainstream

摘要

When a routine pap smear showed that precancerous cells were flourishing on Liane Buchanan's cervix, her gynecologist didn't want to waste any time. He suggested cauterizing the affected tissue immediately, to keep the condition from advancing. The 36-year-old San Francisco office worker says she'll go that route if necessary, but not before exploring the alternatives. Since early May, Buchanan has made biweekly visits to a naturo-path, who swabs her cervix with an enzyme called bromelain in hopes of breaking down the abnormal cells. Between visits, she takes vaginal suppositories loaded with vitamin A, zinc chloride and an herb called bloodroot. Hoping to strengthen her immune system, she also drinks an herbal tincture rich in thuja, hydrastis and ligusti-cum. Buchanan's approach to health is nothing new; fully a third of all Americans pursue some kind of alternative care each year, according to a 1993 Harvard study. What's new is that Buchanan's insurance company is footing the bill.