Spray Foils Christmas Tree Allergy

Q. My son and I have suffered yearly from allergies when we bring our freshly cut Christmas tree into the house. We have tried rinsing off the tree at home and letting it dry in the closed garage before setting it up, but the allergies still whacked us for weeks as soon as the tree came in the house. This was going to be the last year for our family tree-cutting tradition unless something changed.

Last week after we cut the tree and brought it home, we set it up in the stand and sprayed it thoroughly with Veggie Wash (a natural fruit and vegetable cleaner made of citrus, corn and coconut). Then we let it soak in for five minutes before spraying it off with water and letting it dry overnight in the garage. We have had NO allergies to the tree this week! The contrast to previous years is astounding. I hope your readers can benefit from this suggestion.

A. Some people can be allergic to pine sap or mold on the bark and branches of pine trees. Washing off the contaminants and letting the tree dry thoroughly was a brilliant idea and seems to have worked well for you. Perhaps someone else will learn from your experience.

Q. We just moved and I have mislaid my brochure on Alternatives for Arthritis. I went to the Web site hoping that I could find the recipe for the arthritis remedy made from grape juice and cider vinegar. My supply is out and my hands are acting up from all the boxes and lifting. Can you help me out?

A. Moving can be very stressful, and carting boxes around could make anyone’s joints ache.

A number of remedies feature grape juice, such as this one attributed to Sam Houston: Make a potion of five parts grape juice, three parts apple juice and one part cider vinegar, and drink one-half cup daily.

We have gathered many variations of this remedy and a number of other natural approaches into our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis, which we are sending you. Anyone who would like a copy please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (63 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. AA-2, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It can also be downloaded for $2 from the Website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. Your column mentioned toothpaste as a cure for bites from fire ants. Several years ago I was stung many times by yellow jackets. Twelve hours later I was still hurting as though it had just happened.

My daughter knew about this and saw a show on TV that mentioned toothpaste for stings. She called me and after trying it I was surprised to find that it worked immediately. Since then I have used it on various bug bites and stings, including jellyfish stings, with great results. The program stated that it must be mint toothpaste. Perhaps it is the mint that does the trick.

A. A number of readers have told us that putting toothpaste on fire ant bites can be very soothing. We have never heard that toothpaste would be helpful against other stings as well. No one seems to know whether it is the mint, the fluoride or some other ingredient in toothpaste that eases the pain.

Anyone who is allergic to yellow jackets, bees or wasps should get emergency treatment immediately and not resort to home remedies for a sting.