22 — Sunday, March & 1998 — North Shore News Numbers man will predict potential | Layne Christensen News Reporter layne@nsnews.com WHAT?S in a name? Clayne Conings need only do the math to find out. < Conings is a Burnaby-based numerologist. He gains insight into character through names and numbers. If Conings is to be believed, the forces of intelligence work mathematically through fan- guage and = your name. Everything lies revealed in your name: your personality, your weaknesses and strengths, your interests, your possible imbalance and your health. “We have destiny within us as a potential,” he says. In numerology, cach char- acter in the alphabet has a numerical — equivalent. A numerologist’s “reading” based on the combination of letters and their corresponding values. Give Conings your name and birth date and he'll tell you who you are and, quite possi- bly, who you are meant to be. On Saturday, March 14, Conings will be sharing his wisdom at The Art and Science of Prediction, an interactive session produced by World Tribe and held in the North Van marketing company’s funky warchouse space at 106 W. Ist St., Lower Lonsdale. Joining Conings at the ses- sion are Cassandra, a psychic whose system is based on clas- sical numerology and tarot card reading, and Jhampa Shaneman, a Buddhist practi- tioner. Ticket reservations, $20, are required: 990-5185. CLAYNE CONINGS... uses math to answer life's questions. north shore news ALTERNATIVES vA é sf amen i bas ne MAINSTREAM anti-depressants such as Prozac offer many people relief, but often with unfortunate side effects. Robert Aiken reports, however, that a recent German study found St. John’s Wort extract was effective in treating mild to moderate depression — with less’ severe and less frequent side effects. john’s Wort could mswer to depression MANY who come to people like me and others who offer perspective, healing and relief are on Prozac. So many, in fact, that [ have investigated and discovered that St. John’s Wort compares favor- ably to other anti-depressants. aesee Mainstream anti-depressants offer benefit for many depressed people; however, they often have pernicious side effects. The Widely used tricyclic anti-depressant — imipramine — is associated with sedation, dry mouth, low blood pressure, weight gain, fu-like symptoms, anxiery and nightmares. Whereas, recent studies of St. John’s Wort extract have shown promising results for mild to moderate depression, with fewer side-effects than imipramine. The extract appears to elevate serotonin levels. A recent study in Germany observed the impact of St. John’s Wort extract on 135 patients from 20 different medical centres. They were given cither 300 my of the extract or 25 my of imipramine three times a day. By studies end, researchers concluded that the two compounds were equally cffective in treating mild to moderate depression, but that St. John’s Wort extract had less severe and less frequent side-cffects. Another double-blind study in Austria com- pared St. Joan’s Wort to maproti- line hydrochloride, a tetracyclic anti-depressant. One hundred and owo patients took cither 300 mg of St. John’s Wort or 25 my of maprotiline hydrochloride three times a day for four weeks. Both compounds work equally well, although maprotiline hydrochloride started working ear- lier, On the other hand, St. John's Wort was free of the side-effects: tiredness, dry mouth and heart complaints. Modern European pharniacological studies attribute St. John’s Wort’s antidepressant action to its key compound, hypericin. {tis not completely clear how hypericin works, but it appears to act like sclective serotonin reup- on ce tas tt eS ee THE | -SUBUIAYS.. . a a SANDWICH ; “SHOULD BE. ONLY 143 Chadwick Court (The Quay} 1356 Lonsdaie (14th & Lonsdale) 1256 Lynn Valley 393 Seymour Bivd (Superstore) 1034 Marine Or 250 Lonsdale (3rd & Lonsdale) take inhibitors (SSRI) such as Prozac. St. John’s Wort extract is not recommended for children under two, or for pregnant or nursing women. People taking the natural herb from the small yellow flower best avoid excessive sun exposure as it may cause photosensitivity (extreme sensitivity to light). Because St. John’s Wort elevates serotonin fev- els, it’s inadvisable to mix with other medications. Best to go on a three-week “clean-out” before switching from an SSRI such as Prozac to St. ‘John’s Wort. Furthermore, researchers suggest that when taking the extract, one best avoid foods high in tyramine, alcoholic beverages and medications such as tryptophan (to be sure!), tyrosine, nar- cotics, amphetamines and over-the-counter flu and cold remedies. —~ Robert Atken is an internationally known professional astrologer and therapeutic counselor/teacher/writer with 40 years? experience. He offers enipowering personal counselling sessions as well as thorough, in-depth, tape-recorded astrolog- ical readings. Phone Carole: 926-4961. Buy any regular sandwich and a beverage and receive a second sandwich of equal or lesser price for just 99¢. One coupon per customer please. Not valid with any other promotional offer. No cash value. Valid Until March 23, 1998 Welcomed at these North Shore SUBWAY focations 2075 Dotlerton Hwy = - 130-333 Brooksbank Ave 1499A Marine Drive Wost Van.