Favorite Home Remedies: Dozens of amazing treatments for over 45 common health conditions. With drug costs through the roof, why not give a home remedy a try? Only $12.95 +s/h
Guide to Home Remedies: Learn to make your own low-cost remedies at home for only $2
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Q. I've got a bad reaction on my hand between my thumb and forefinger that I think resulted from pulling an unknown weed. It isn't responding to my usual treatment, a concoction of tea tree oil, witch hazel and rosewater.
This is a crusty, itchy rash like a very severe case of mango poisoning I had several years ago. I fed my little dog mango, he loved it and gave me kisses on the side of my face. The resulting horrible rash kept me in my apartment for a week.
Now I don't get within five feet of a mango, so that's not the problem. But it is driving me nuts. Can you recommend a remedy? I don't have insurance, so I'm hoping you'll know of something natural, or at least over-the-counter.
A. People who are sensitive to mango may develop a similar rash when exposed to poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. Perhaps you were pulling one of these plants out of your yard.
We have heard from several readers that gentle swabbing with vodka can help relieve a poison ivy rash. Topical hydrocortisone cream (Cortaid, Cortizone, Dermolate, etc) can also help somewhat.
For a mild case of poison ivy or a mosquito bite, one or two seconds under hot water can ease itching for hours. The water needs to be uncomfortable, but not hot enough to burn.
Q. Could you tell me about natural laxatives containing senna and licorice root? My blood pressure and cholesterol medicines cause chronic constipation. I don't want to become dependent on drugstore laxatives, so I am considering natural laxatives instead. Are there any dangers using such products daily or do you have any other recommendations?
A. You aren't the first person to complain of drug-induced constipation. One reader noted, "About a year ago I was put on hydrochlorothiazide in combination with clonidine to help control my blood pressure. As a side effect of the medication, I developed chronic constipation.
"With a growing concern about becoming addicted to laxatives, I found mega doses of vitamin C (4000 mg in the morning and 4000 mg in the evening) made me regular. Should I be concerned about so much vitamin C?"
Vitamin C can cause diarrhea in high doses. The most recent recommendations from the Institute of Medicine are that women should get 75 mg of vitamin C daily and men should get 90 mg. The upper limit considered safe by these experts is 2,000 mg per day.
Senna can be a harsh laxative and regular use of licorice can raise blood pressure and deplete the body of potassium. This could lead to irregular heart rhythms.
We're sending you our Guide to Constipation, with a list of drugs that cause constipation and a discussion of safe natural remedies. 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. GG-33, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Sugarless gum or a prune juice, apple juice and bran mixture can be simple solutions for constipation.
Q. I have a recommendation for the family whose child hates the taste of cough syrup. Have you seen Thayers Slippery Elm lozenges? They come in several flavors and are a great all-natural alternative to over-the-counter cough suppressants.
A. Slippery elm bark is a traditional remedy for sore throat and cough. Thanks for the reminder.
