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I have also heard that a substance from the shells of macadamian nut is used for tanning leather and has been implicated in ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease) some symptoms like PD. RR On Sat, 12 Dec 1998 21:48:23 -0800 "Jack J. Chen" <[log in to unmask]> writes: >the indian "spice" may be referring to the plant rauwolfia serpentina >that is indigenous to India. An extract of this plant is called >reserpine and was once (in the 1950s and 60s) very popular as an >antihypertensive medication. One of the reversible side effects of >this >med was parkinsonism. Now that newer antihypertensive meds are >available, reserpine is not as commonly used. >Spices such as curry or clove do not cause parkinsonism. > > >In the 1950's in Guam, the indigenous Chamarro people did experience >a >high incidence of irreversible ALS-parkinsonism-dementia syndrome. >This >was traced to a naturally occurring neurotoxin from the cycad seed. >After WWII, food was scarce in Guam and the natives used the cycad >seed/plant as a source of food and traditional medicine. In the >1980s, >a substance known as L-BMAA was finally isolated from the cycad seed >and >found to induce parkinsonism. > >hope this was helpful, > >Jack Chen, PharmD > Raphaela Rozanski Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.