"Lime" is just a loose term for various naturally occurring materials, as well as their derivatives, and is too general to be of significance to what you're asking. Coral is primarily CaCO3 (calcium carbonate), and while it may not be so large a problem in the well-aerated soils as we are wont to use in bonsai, it does combine with soil CO2 to form (Ca(HCO3)2) (calcium bicarbonate), which is reported to have toxic effects on roots - not so much because the solution is phytotoxic, but because of the fact that it interferes with uptake of other essential elemental nutrients, and its accompanying tendency to cause an upward creep in media solution pH. That said, I have some landscape plantings that use rock very rich in CaCO3 (fizzes when you put vinegar on it). They are many years old and are showing no ill effects. If you like the looks of the coral, why not try it with a pine seedling and/or a maple volunteer? Al

I am only 19 years old, I have been suffering from chronic pain for over ten years.. I have been seeing a doctor since age 10 and that is when my file begins. At first I had bad posture. I saw my chiropractor once a week, was in a back brace and forced to perfect my posture.. no fix as my posture was fine. Then I was diagnosed with scoliosis.. at age ten, suffering from chronic migraines and sever constant neck, shoulder, and upper back pain. I was perscribed with Vi-ox, Vicodine and Valuim at age TEN! I cried all day in school, not even able to carry my own back pack.. coming home just to beg and beg and beg my father to rub my back more and more. As he dug his fists into the knots in my neck that refused to loosen a massage that would cripple an average person I found temporary relief. Then Vi-ox was recalled and I was continuously sent to a chiropractor, physical therapy, and a pain clinic that quickly became a financial burden. But it was all they could offer.. as I grew in age the pain worsened.. now to my lower back oh only a new curve? then my hips in which I've torn muscles doing basic exercise or just simply walking because my muscles were so tight and I gained tolerance to the vicodine and valium.. taking it on a regular basis for relief.. as I grew older I got impatient no longer being able to afford my chiropractor or physical therapy and suffering. I saw a specialist, and then a orthopedic surgeon who broke me the news that I indeed was not suffering from scoliosis.. my spine was normal and in perfect health. I began to stretch and run until the muscles in my hips would no longer allow me to do so. I would spend the majority of the day stretching and wake up stiff as a board. I grew helpless, I saw a therapist and was treated for depression because at this point I was suicidal and still with no relief.. in February of 2010 I was diagnosed by the rheumatoid specialist at the University of Michigan with fibromyalgia.. after two other professional opinions with the same answer I was given more vicodine more valium, Lyrica, cymbalta, trazadone, klonzaphan, xanax, etc. AT ONLY 18! I spent time and money with yoga classes more physical therapy and three other chiropractors and now after all my research I feel like I have hit a brick wall. who knows anything about this disease? NO ONE! do you give this diagnosis just to diagnose? I'm scared, I'm confused, and every minute of every day I am aching and aching and aching with the most sever pain you could ever imagine which has now crept into my knees. I cant sleep, I can't eat, I cant work, Focus on my school work, I'm not able to even enjoy the company of family and friends. these drugs do nothing for me.. the muscle relaxers and pain medications numb the pain and continue to kill my liver and my body. The depression has gotten so much worse and I feel there is no help for any of us out there. I am only 19.. how will i feel or cope in 30 years? if i even make it that long.. I need help, I'm desperate for help.. I don't know if I can take this a minute longer.. please, anyone.. save me.

Crispy critter - You have helped us all. Funny how the studies they do sometimes have not been reliable. For years we took hormones because "they are good for us"...Yeah, right!...I talked my head off to my friends and family when I read Dr. John Lee's book on hormones and the dangers...and finally about 4 or 5 yrs later, they tell us to stop!... I took Vioxx for bursitus and read that it causes heart attacks and stopped it! Then about 2 yrs later they take it off the market! They say never to take anything the dr gives you samples of...it's a test to see what will happen if you take it : ) I need to look at the Calcium testing to see what they used. Makes me mad the media doesn't always come up with the whole thing! Thanks!!

Thank you! I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome 20 years ago. I am almost 59. I take some other supplements, but I am trying the coral calcium as soon as i can get out to buy it. I am retired now, which helps but still find when I have a really active busy day that the next day I am a couch potato. tried some prescriptions early on, but did not like the side effects. thanks again