* Probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. bifidus. Take as directed on the product labelling for a month

* Milk thistle, 3 mL of tincture or 500 mg as capsules

* Echinacea purpurea, 5 mL three times a day for a month, then 5 mL/day for three months if necessary. E. angustifolia applied to the incision three times a day can stimulate healing (Med

* Goldenseal, 3 mL as tincture or 500 mg as capsules

* Coenzyme Q10 as 45 mg tablets

* Garlic, three capsules daily

* Essential fatty acids, 1 tsp (5 mL) of Eskimo-3, for example, with meals

* Amino-acid complex (including L-cystine, L-glutamine and L-lysine)

* Agrimonia (3-6 g/day) and witch hazel (2-3 g/day of bark)

* Aloe vera as gel three times a day or take 10 mL twice a day

* Calendula officinalis (marigold) 5 mL three times a day, or apply to the incision as an ointment four times a day

* Chamomile, three cups as a strong tea (1 tsp of herb per cup of boiling water, infused for 15 minutes)

* Vitamin A, 7500 IU in a multivitamin

* Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 50 mg in a B-complex formulation

*Vitamin B5 within a multivitamin

* Vitamin C, 1-2 g three times a day

* Vitamin E, 200 IU (break open capsule and apply oil to scar)

* Copper, 1-2 g/day

* Manganese, 1 mg in a multivitamin

* Zinc, 30 mg in a multivitamin (and not more than 50 mg). If taking over 20 mg, add 1 mg of copper for every 10 mg of zinc

* Lipoic acid, 100 mg three times per day

* Silica, one or two capsules

* Multivitamin/mineral supplement containing antioxidants, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. Do not take any more than 400 mcg/day of selenium.