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 stopped using estrogen last summer, but now I am suffering with vaginal dryness. This is causing me a lot of discomfort and is making relations with my husband difficult.
I remember reading in your column that one woman said she is using olive oil for this problem. Does she ingest it, or does she use it directly in her vagina?
A. She applied the olive oil directly as a personal lubricant. When she had a pelvic exam some months later her doctor thought she was taking hormones because of the difference olive oil made.
Q. I must respond to the letter from the podiatrist who wrote to say that home remedies for toenail fungus are unproven urban legends and never work. Have him call me.
A few years back my nurse practitioner confirmed that one of my toenails was infected with fungus. She listed options such as live with it or have the nail removed. Instead, I began soaking the infected nail in a vinegar/water solution and afterwards applied Vicks VapoRub. Eventually the nail grew back good as new.
If a treatment is relatively harmless, as this is, and there's even a chance it can work, I believe doctors should encourage alternative methods instead of high-priced medicines laden with potential side effects.
A. Dozens of people responded to the podiatrist who pooh-poohed home remedies. They reported positive experiences with approaches such as dilute vinegar soaks or applications of Vicks VapoRub or tea tree oil. One pharmacist made the following points:
"I would like to point out some facts about the FDA-approved drugs the podiatrist prefers (Lamisil, Penlac, Sporanox). Does this doctor know that Penlac's success rate for a complete cure, according to the manufacturer's prescribing information, is only 5.5 to 8.5 percent AFTER 48 WEEKS? When using Sporanox, the percentage of overall success rises to a dizzying 35 percent.
"Also, does he know the costs of these medications? According to Walgreens.com, one bottle of Penlac costs $72.99. To reach 48 weeks of treatment once a day to a single affected nail, we will conservatively estimate that the patient will need 6 bottles of the lacquer (one bottle approx every other month). So Penlac will cost the patient, without insurance, $437.94 to reach an outstanding 8.5 percent cure rate.
"For Sporanox, one pulse-pak costs $255.99. This is a 14-day supply. The manufacturer recommends taking the medication for 12 weeks, bringing the patient cost, without insurance, to $1535.94! No wonder people are looking for alternatives to these medications."
Q. I read that you have a book available containing many of the home remedies you have written about. I would like to get it, if possible, to have all these remedies in one place! This would make a great present for my family. Please advise me as to how I can obtain a copy.
A. The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies is a 428-page hardback with many time-honored treatments. If you would like a copy, please send $14 to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy; Dept. HHR; P. O. Box 52027; Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Q. My husband has arthritis. Would capsaicin cream help?
A. Capsaicin is derived from hot peppers and the FDA has approved it to relieve the pain of arthritis. For best results it should be applied three or four times a day.
