A Spoonful Of Cinnamon Makes The Sugar Go Down

Q. I believe I heard that cinnamon helps with blood sugar control in diabetes. Is this true and if so, how much does it take?

A. We have heard from a number of people that one teaspoon of cinnamon on oatmeal or in other food can help lower blood sugar. Preliminary test tube research suggests that this spice enhances cellular response to insulin and facilitates the passage of glucose into cells.

Diabetics must inform their doctors if they add cinnamon to the diet and also monitor blood sugar levels carefully. It may be helpful, but this home remedy is no substitute for standard diabetic treatments.

Q. I have had some intestinal problems and have been researching colon cleansing on the Internet. After seeing some of the pictures of intestinal parasites that people have expelled, I can't help but think it might be a good idea. I read that most of us have intestinal parasites.

Is there any validity to herbal colon cleansers? Is it possible to 'clean' one's intestinal tract and colon and does this get the toxins out of your body?

A. If someone actually has parasites, several stool samples should be analyzed to determine precisely what type is present. The results guide appropriate treatment.

Intestinal parasites are relatively uncommon in the U.S. compared to the developing world. One exception is Giardia, but we doubt that colon cleansing would kill this one-celled parasite.

The notion that using laxatives can "detoxify" the system goes back centuries. But gastroenterologists generally don't find much evidence to support this concept. They do require patients to "clean" the colon prior to a colonoscopy, but most folks don't find that cleansing process very pleasant.

Q. In case you are keeping score on home remedies for warts, here is my experience. I have had a wart on my finger for more than two years. I tried Compound W for two months or so with no noticeable effect.

After reading your column, I tried wrapping it with banana peel, dousing it with iodine and then with castor oil. After two months of each, nothing!

Then, based on your latest advice, I began swabbing it with vinegar. After two months it is decreasing in size and no longer stands above the surface of the skin. This appears to be working on a second wart too.

A. Thanks for the report. Perhaps some day there will be a scientific comparison of these home remedies for warts. Until then, trial and error is the way to go.

Q. It is very hard to find information regarding drugs and herbs. Do ginkgo and garlic pills interfere with blood clotting? My husband is on Coumadin and frequently takes Tylenol. We'd really appreciate any information you could send us.

A. Both ginkgo and garlic can interact with blood thinners like Coumadin. Regular use of aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) together with this anticoagulant may also increase the risk of bleeding.

Coumadin has the potential to interact with many drugs, herbs and foods. To help you with this issue, we are sending you our Guides to Herbal Remedies and Coumadin Interactions. Anyone who would like copies, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (57 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. DE-65, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.