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
Print this page
Email a friend
Was this information helpful?
(0 votes)What do you think? Click "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to vote!
If you have more to say, post a comment below!
Q. Do you have a suggestion for someone with frequent, odorous flatus? One of my sons has this problem and besides causing lots of laughs, it also causes the rest of us to groan.
A. We recently received a suggestion from a reader on this very topic: "Has anyone suggested Angostura bitters for gas? When I was a waitress and had that problem, someone suggested a teaspoon in a glass of 7-Up or just club soda. It worked immediately."
Angostura bitters has been sold for more than a century as a digestive aid. The label suggests one to four teaspoons after meals to combat flatulence. Bartenders use this herbal flavoring in mixed drinks and cooks use it in sauces. It can be purchased in grocery stores.
Q. I get terribly dry hands every winter. Cracks in my fingertips and knuckles drive me crazy year after year. My nails are rough too, and I am at my wit's end. I cannot afford expensive department store products. Any suggestions?
A. This time of year we frequently recommend "barnyard beauty aids." Dairy farmers learned long ago that the salves they used to prevent cows' udders from chapping also worked beautifully for their own hands.
The oldest is Bag Balm from the Dairy Association. It is greasy and smelly, though. Udder Cream is nicer to use and also provides good moisturizing at a good price.
We are sending you our Guide to Skin Care with more information on high-powered moisturizers and order information. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $1 with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. S-28, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Nails may benefit from another animal product, Hoofmaker. Horse groomers use this to strengthen horses' hooves and have found it helps their nails too. The number is (800) 827-9815.
Q. I just read about a study that says SAMe can help people with depression. But I've been taking it for my joints although I'm not depressed (at least I don't think I am). Is this ok?
A. SAMe stands for S-adenosyl-L-methionine. It is made in the body naturally and is crucial to a variety of important biochemical reactions. According to a research review by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), "These data indicate that SAMe is more effective than placebo for relief of symptoms of depression [and] pain of osteoarthritis.Treatment with SAMe was equivalent to standard therapy for depression and osteoarthritis."
When antidepressants like Prozac don't work well enough, adding SAMe may boost the drug's benefits (Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dec. 2004). But you don't have to be depressed to benefit from this dietary supplement. It also helps with joint pain.
Q. Have you heard of senna leaf tea for constipation? It seems to work fine, but do you know of side effects if it's used long-term?
A. Senna comes from an African shrub (Cassia senna) and has been used a laxative for centuries. Although the FDA has approved senna as an over-the-counter product, it stimulates muscle contractions in the lower digestive tract and is considered harsh.
Many gastrointestinal specialists recommend against the long-term use of such products. It can cause dependence and deplete the body of essential nutrients.
