Quick & Handy Home Remedies: Find practical, affordable ways to deal with some of life's most common ailments, proving that getting back to the basics has its reward. Only $16.95 +s/h
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Q. I heard a report on the radio about the effectiveness of magnetic bracelets for arthritis pain. My 85-year-old dad suffers terribly and has been taking Celebrex. We're concerned about reports linking Celebrex to heart attacks and strokes. Heart disease runs in our family, so I want to find the bracelets for him.
Others in our family have similar concerns. I had my knees replaced in my mid-fifties, and my son in his thirties is already miserable. I need to know more.
What journal published the study? What are the specifics about the type of magnetic bracelet? I'll be grateful for any information you can send me.
A. The study was published in the British Medical Journal (Dec. 16, 2004). Patients were randomly assigned to wear a standard strength magnetic bracelet (neodymium), a weak magnetic bracelet or a bracelet with non-magnetic steel washers.
After 12 weeks, those who wore the full-strength magnetic bracelet had significant improvement of knee and hip pain. The authors conclude that the bracelets provided relief comparable to that from standard arthritis pain medications.
We are sending you our new Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis with a variety of home remedies, anti-inflammatory herbs and other non-drug approaches. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. AA-2, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Acupuncture is another option. An article in the Annals of Internal Medicine (Dec. 21, 2004) demonstrates that it too can significantly ease arthritis of the knee.
Q. I have been taking Protonix daily to prevent heartburn and it was working fine. Then a few months back I started putting cinnamon on my morning oats.
I suddenly started getting heartburn every morning after breakfast. My gastroenterologist and I couldn't figure out why. Fortunately my wife read your article in the paper with a report that cinnamon could cause heartburn. I stopped the cinnamon and my heartburn stopped immediately.
A. The research showing that cinnamon reduces blood sugar and cholesterol (Dec. 2003, Diabetes Care) suggests that one quarter to one teaspoon of this spice is effective. For many this may not cause digestive tract upset, especially if the dose is divided throughout the day. Others may not be able to tolerate even that amount.
Q. A few weeks ago, I read in your column about an acupressure point on the inner arm to aid sleep. You suggested taping a kidney bean between the two tendons, 3 finger widths from the wrist.
My husband and I tried it, and it's been amazing! The tape proved uncomfortable on our skin, so we're using plastic "marbles" (for arranging flowers in vases) instead of a kidney bean, and we secure it with an elastic band. It has improved our sleep tremendously, and we wanted to thank you.
A. We'd like to thank you for sharing your ingenious adaptation of the technique. Other readers also reported good success with the kidney bean, but it does get tricky.
For those who would like a commercial alternative, there are elastic wristbands (Sea Bands) with a plastic button embedded. They are sold for nausea associated with pregnancy and motion sickness and put pressure on the same acupuncture point.
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