Olive Oil Solves Sticky Problem

Q. My husband and I have found that olive oil is the best sexual lubricant, and it's natural. First we tried Astroglide but didn't find it helpful. We got rid of the product but kept the little container and filled it with olive oil. With about 5 drops for me and 5 drops for him, it works!

A. Thanks for this idea. Some people objected to the idea suggested by another reader of using a petrolatum-based hand cream as a lubricant. Olive oil is certainly natural but rarely people develop allergies. A skin test is prudent.

Q. Last night I lay in bed staring at the clock until 4 am, when I got up and cleaned my apartment. Finally, I got about an hour of sleep from 6 to 7 am.

I was so exhausted I didn't feel safe behind the wheel on my drive to work, and I've felt like a zombie all day. I wish this were unusual, but it happens all the time. When I'm lying in bed awake, all I think about is that I'm not sleeping.

Several months ago my doctor prescribed Ambien, but when I used them up he said it's not good to take them every night for very long. Are they addictive? What else can I do to get some sleep? I'd appreciate any information you can send, especially if there is a more natural way to get some sleep.

A. Researchers are discovering that chronic sleep deprivation harms health, promoting weight gain and diabetes and reducing immunity. Lack of sleep also impairs performance and memory and can have a negative effect on mood.

Sleeping pills can lose their effectiveness over time, so we understand why your doctor discouraged routine use. The prescribing information for Ambien notes that "withdrawal symptoms may occur when sleep medicines are stopped suddenly after being used daily for a long time." Some people experience rebound insomnia after only a week or two of use.

We are sending you our Guide to Getting a Good Night's Sleep for ideas on setting up a sleep routine, listening to relaxation tapes and using herbal solutions for insomnia. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped, self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. I-70, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Vigorous exercise early in the day, a hot bath at least an hour before bedtime, a carbohydrate snack and an herb like valerian or hops may all be helpful.

Q. Recently you suggested ginger syrup for a woman experiencing morning sickness. The little wrist bands for motion sickness work better, have no side effects and are inexpensive. Plus, you don't have to put anything on an already queasy stomach.

A. Some people do benefit from acupressure wrist bands. For those who need additional relief from nausea, ginger syrup may be beneficial.

Q. Is it true that a teaspoon of cinnamon daily can help regulate blood sugar?

A. Cinnamon can never substitute for medically-supervised diabetes treatment. There is some scientific data suggesting that this spice improves insulin response in type-2 diabetes. People who like cinnamon may want to incorporate it into a diabetic diet and monitor blood sugar carefully.

Q. I was wondering if baking soda and corn starch can aid as antiperspirants. If so, how?

A. A mixture of baking soda and corn starch can be applied to underarms with a cotton ball. Because it absorbs moisture and fights odor, it should be considered a deodorant rather than an antiperspirant.