Recently in Herb & Home Remedy Q&A Category

Q. We are lice-free at last with Listerine, alcohol, vinegar and Denorex! We sprayed four heads every night with Listerine before bed, then combed and combed every inch with a nit comb.

The lice were gone in 3 days, but we continued this ritual for 7 more days to kill off any newly hatched eggs each day. I soaked the four separate nit combs in rubbing alcohol between uses and dipped them periodically in the alcohol as I combed.

We also used vinegar on one severely affected head to loosen the nits. Then we shampooed the hair with extra strength Denorex. Sure, it was labor intensive, but it was also cheap, safe and effective.

A. We suspect that the alcohol in old-fashioned amber Listerine kills lice. We would discourage spraying it on, though, as the fumes might be inhaled. Gently massaging the mouthwash into the hair and covering for a few minutes with a towel should do the trick.

Combing out nits is laborious but essential for permanent success. Vinegar helps loosen the glue that holds lice eggs (nits) to the hair shaft.

Q. I grew up with a parent who was dependent on alcohol. I find myself struggling with cravings for alcohol also. While alcohol doesn't interfere with my daily life, I don’t like the cycle of abstaining, falling off the wagon, then abstaining. Are there any natural remedies you know of that can help someone reduce their cravings for alcohol?

A. You may want to consider kudzu root extract. It contains compounds that appear similar to an old drug called disulfiram that is prescribed to help alcoholics avoid drinking. A fascinating rat study suggests that kudzu root extract (Pueraria lobata) may discourage alcohol consumption even in addicted animals (Journal of Medicinal Food, Sept., 2007).

Several years ago we heard from a reader who wanted to break her daily habit of drinking wine from afternoon till bedtime. She reported that kudzu root, “worked perfectly right from the start, although it caused constipation.”

Prescription drugs such as Antabuse (disulfiram), Campral (acamprosate) and ReVia (naltrexone) have been used to discourage alcohol consumption. You should talk to your physician or an alcohol abuse specialist to find out the best approach in your situation.

Q. I was excited about a recent column describing health benefits from chocolate. Would high-quality chocolate include Snickers bars? What would be considered a moderate amount, to get the health benefits?

A. High-quality chocolate is dark chocolate (at least 70 percent cocoa solids, and not alkali processed). A good “dose” is 5 to 15 grams daily, which should be just under 100 calories. This is not a large piece of chocolate, but it can be both delicious and heart healthy.

A traditional Snickers bar contains milk chocolate, weighs 58.7 grams and has 280 calories. Milk chocolate does not have the same benefits as dark chocolate.

Q. I am a physician schooled in the scientific method. I trained at the most prestigious medical settings and have adhered strictly to conservative scientific inquiry.

Now comes the huge divergence between fact and fantasy. I have suffered from leg cramps occurring three or four times a night. The pain was intermittent but severe. I could relieve it only by walking around the bedroom—a disruption to a night’s sleep.

Now, though, I am pain free at last! Since putting a soap bar under the sheet, my cramps have disappeared. I have no rational scientific explanation for this relief but it does work. Someday this phenomenon will be explained. Until then, however, I am content to be leg-cramp free with a bar of soap under my bed sheet.

A. We are delighted to learn that a skeptic such as yourself has found the soap trick helpful. We cannot explain how this might work, but dozens of readers swear that it has relieved cramps in legs, hands and back. To be fair, though, some people report the soap approach is worthless. We are sending you our Guide to Leg Pain with a variety of other non-drug approaches just in case the soap stops working.

Q. In 2003 I started taking CoQ10 and flaxseed oil capsules. Five months later my vision improved, and within the year I stopped using glasses completely.

I wore glasses for 40 years, bifocals for 15 of those. At one time my far vision was 20/200. My vision is now 20/20 and I read without glasses. My astigmatism has disappeared. At age 62 I'm delighted to have regained my vision. Of course, I still take flaxseed oil daily.

A. Your experience is remarkable and inexplicable. We found one study suggesting that flaxseed oil might be helpful in reversing inflammation in children’s eyes (Ophthalmology, Dec. 2007), but nothing to parallel your story.

Q. I am bothered with a patch of eczema on my face (chin area) that has not responded to any of the expensive steroid creams that have been prescribed.

A friend told me that her dermatologist had her give her son fish oil caplets when he had eczema on his face. I have started taking fish oil but I have not seen much improvement. My chin is still red and itchy, and the patch is getting bigger.

Do you have any thoughts on what could get this eczema under control and ultimately make it go away? I am hoping for a home remedy.

A. Eczema can be chronic, and the dry red itchy patches can make life miserable. Scientists have done controlled studies on two improbable approaches that proved helpful: drinking oolong tea or taking probiotics such as Lactobacillus GG.

We discuss these treatments along with Pycnogenol, Noxzema, CamoCare Soothing Cream and many other alternative approaches in the Guide to Skin Care and Treatment we are sending you.

Q. I read an inquiry from a bus driver who was worried that eating gin-soaked raisins to ease joint pain would trigger a positive breath alcohol result. As a certified BAT (Breath Alcohol Technician) I would like to reassure that bus driver.

If, as your research showed, the alcohol content in 9 raisins is truly only one drop, it would not be enough to trigger a positive breath alcohol test. You wrote about a North Carolina sheriff who was arrested for DWI after eating several handfuls of gin-soaked raisins. They must have been REALLY big handfuls if he blew a 0.07 alcohol reading.

Even if the bus driver was tested immediately after eating 9 gin-soaked raisins and blew a positive result of .02 or above, a second Confirmation test would be administered in 15 minutes. The fifteen-minute wait is to allow any residual mouth alcohol to dissipate.

It is virtually impossible to blow a false positive on the Confirmation test after 15 minutes. Since Confirmation test results are final and those results would be 0.00, our driver should be in the clear (unless additional alcohol was consumed along with those few raisins!).

A. Thank you for the explanation. The story about the North Carolina sheriff a decade or so ago did occasion some speculation about the size of his handfuls. We imagine that if the daily dose of 9 raisins were consumed during off-duty hours, there should never be a concern about the breath alcohol test.

Q. I had an enormous plantar wart on the heel of my foot. I let it go for a long time because I read they can go away on their own, but it got to be about 2 inches across.

I tried salicylic acid patches from the pharmacy but it took nearly a whole box of them to cover it. A dermatologist froze it, which hurt like crazy, but didn't kill the wart. I finally tried duct tape.

I wore duct tape on it for about two months. My heel looked like Swiss cheese because the calloused skin swells and turns white from the duct tape and the black spots of the wart looked like craters in my foot. Then it was summertime and I wanted to wear sandals. I gave up treating the wart for a while.

Much to my surprise once the "Swiss cheese" callus wore away, clear pink healthy skin grew back in its place. The duct tape had worked. It just took a long time to see the results.

A. A few studies have examined duct tape for warts, but the results have been conflicting. Nonetheless, this approach is inexpensive and doesn’t hurt.

Others who would like to try this should cut a piece of duct tape the same size as the wart. Place the duct tape on the wart and leave it in place for a week. Then remove the tape, soak the wart in warm water and file it down with an emery board. The next day, put a fresh piece of duct tape on the wart. Repeat the procedure for up to two months.

Q. After reading about coconut macaroon cookies against diarrhea, I took them for my spastic colon. They worked.

But then I went on vacation and could not find the cookies when I needed them. So I ate two Mounds bars and realized that the coconut was the magic for sure.

Now I just eat a small bowl of unsweetened organic coconut whenever I get an attack of diarrhea. I appreciate all the things I have learned from your columns over the last 20 years.

A. We have heard from a number of people who find unsweetened shredded coconut helpful against chronic or recurrent diarrhea. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Q. I have been drinking “eggplant water” I made from floating half a dozen thinly sliced pieces of raw eggplant on top of two or three quarts of water in a bowl. I discard the eggplant after a few hours, when it starts to turn brown. I have been drinking 60 ounces of this water daily for about two weeks.

My weight dropped 7 pounds and my blood pressure is down from 150/80 to 124/66. This might be helping my insulin resistance, which made it hard for me to lose weight before.

A. When cells don’t respond efficiently to insulin, blood sugar control is more difficult. Losing weight is also more challenging, but people who shed pounds often lower their blood pressure.

You are not the first reader to mention eggplant water for hypertension, but the previous recipe called for just one ounce daily, not 60. Compounds in eggplant may work like certain blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril) and may also help with insulin resistance (Bioresource Technology, May, 2008).

You will find a number of other non-drug approaches for controlling hypertension along with a discussion of the pros and cons of common medications in our https://store.peoplespharmacy.com/guides/blood-pressure-treatment.html.

Q. A few years ago I read that selenium was good for everyone and that Brazil nuts were high in selenium. Since I love Brazil nuts, I bought them regularly and ate about three a day. After a few months I began suffering severe leg cramps that woke me from a sound sleep every night. They lasted from ten to fifteen minutes with sharp pain no matter what I tried.

I had no idea what was causing them, so I decided to eliminate foods one by one from my regular diet. When I eliminated Brazil nuts, the cramps didn't occur. I experimented with them several times. Whenever I eliminated them, the leg cramps went away and when I ate even one, the cramps returned.

I'm not allergic to other kinds of nuts. Walnuts, pecans, almonds and cashews don't bother me. Is this reaction commonly known or just peculiar to me?

A. We have not heard of muscle cramps as a reaction to Brazil nuts. At first, we suspected that your regular Brazil nut consumption might have resulted in selenium toxicity. A half-dozen nuts have more than 500 micrograms of this mineral, above the tolerable daily limit of approximately 400 micrograms.

Symptoms of selenium overdose include hair loss, brittle nails, fatigue, rash, digestive upset, irritability and garlic odor on the breath. Since muscle cramps have not been previously reported as symptoms of excess selenium, we imagine this reaction is particular to you.

Q. You recently had an article about treating seborrheic dermatitis with milk of magnesia. My mom is wondering how much milk of magnesia she should take.

A. Please tell your mother NOT to swallow milk of magnesia (MoM) for her skin problem. This is a powerful laxative and if she consumes too much, she will be dashing for the bathroom.

Instead, suggest that she apply MoM to the itchy, flaky, red areas of her skin. For reasons that are not clear to us, this remedy seems to help both acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

Q. Thank you for writing about taking vitamin B2 on a daily basis to prevent migraine headaches. I have suffered from them for 17 years and have been to many medical doctors, including two neurologists, two ear, nose and throat doctors and an acupuncturist. I had sinus scans and have tried many medications that never worked.

I started taking the vitamin B2 and I couldn’t believe how much it helped. I may get an occasional headache now, once a month if that. I used to get a couple every week. I am thrilled to finally be free of headaches for the most part and have told my doctor to please share this with other patients with frequent migraine headaches.

A. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) has been reported to help prevent migraines in some people (Current Treatment Options in Neurology, Jan. 2008). Other possibilities include magnesium, Coenzyme Q10 or the herbs feverfew or butterbur.

Not everyone will benefit from such therapies, but we are pleased to learn that riboflavin worked for you. Others who appreciate such non-drug approaches may find our new book, Favorite Home Remedies from The People’s Pharmacy, intriguing. We discuss treatments for migraine as well as for other common conditions from acne to warts. It is available online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. Is there vitamin D in wild salmon? We live in Alaska and eat king salmon about twice a week. We also take vitamin D3 since there is so little sunlight here during the winter. Would that be too much?

A. Wild salmon does contain vitamin D, roughly 500 to 1000 International Units (IU) in a serving. In Alaska, you could benefit from an additional dose of vitamin D. A total daily intake of 2000 IU would be reasonable.

Q. Ten years ago my mom moved in with us. She was 87 and not getting around well any more. Her blood pressure was high and the meds she was taking weren't helping, and she had a stroke three weeks later.

After much therapy and her strong determination, she was able to use her arm and walk with a rolling walker. My mom, who had gardened all her life and driven until she was 86, was mildly depressed. With her doctor’s permission, we started her on St. John’s wort.

She attended adult day care every day since we were still working. She was recovering well and seemed in good spirits.

Then one day she was cranky and complained bitterly about day care, which she usually enjoyed. I asked, “Mom, have you been taking your St. John’s wort?” Her reply was, “No, I ran out of it several days ago and didn't think I needed it.” She realized then how much better she felt when taking it.

A. St. John’s wort can be helpful to alleviate mild depression, although double-blind studies have shown it is not very helpful for moderate to severe depression. It is crucial to check with the doctor as you did, because St. John’s wort can interact with many medications, making some less effective and others more dangerous.

Q. I am a nurse and I have “secretly” used soap under the sheets of patients who struggle with restless leg syndrome (RLS). They all tell me the only nights that they get sleep and wake up feeling rested is when I am on duty. The other nights they are miserable and their sleeping meds don't work.

I use soap under my sheets at home too, and I don't wake up with a charley horse or pain any more like I used to. I don't know why or how soap works against leg cramps or RLS. I'm just glad it does.

A. We too cannot explain why a simple bar of soap could help. One reader wrote: “My husband has suffered with horrible leg cramps for years. They often woke him up three or four times a night. He tried every thing imaginable without any relief.

“I was afraid he would think I was crazy to recommend soap, but he said he would try anything if there was a chance it would help. We have been using the soap for about a year and it is a miracle for us.

“When the doctor wanted to know why my husband wasn’t complaining about leg cramps anymore we mentioned the soap. I know the doctor thought we were nuts, but we don’t care. Until the soap, my husband hadn’t slept a full night without leg cramps for 10 years.”

Not everyone benefits from soap under the bottom sheet, but there are other options. Some people find that pickle juice, yellow mustard, magnesium supplements or stretching can help. For more details on these and other remedies for leg cramps and restless legs we offer our Guide to Leg Pain.

Q. I just started drinking two ounces of aloe a day to heal a stomach inflammation. I don’t like taking prescription acid suppressors, and they did not seem to be helping so I thought I would try this natural remedy.

Since beginning this treatment, I have had the worst intestinal cramping of my life. Now I am suffering with diarrhea. I am kind of concerned about this and wonder if I have made a mistake.

A. Aloe plants have a long history of medicinal use, mostly as a purgative. The latex from aloe leaves is a strong laxative.

The severe cramps and diarrhea you are experiencing are typical reactions to aloe latex. It must be avoided by anyone with intestinal inflammation or intestinal blockage. It can also result in serious loss of minerals such as potassium, so we do not recommend its use. 

Q. I have been diagnosed with dreaded toenail fungus. My doctor recommended an oral medication that is taken over several months, or even up to a year.

This medication can cause liver damage, though, so I want to try to avoid going this route. I have heard of several home remedies, including tea tree oil and Vicks VapoRub.

I am currently trying Vicks. My toenail has fallen off, but how can I tell if this treatment is successful? Do you have any other recommendations?

A. We have been collecting home remedies for nail fungus for years, so we have several suggestions. Now that your toenail has fallen off, you’ll need to keep treating it for several months until it grows out fungus-free.

One reader had this experience: “I had a toenail fungus, and the nail was about to come off. My doctor referred me to a podiatrist but commented, if it weren't so far gone, he would recommend putting Vicks VapoRub on it. I tried it anyhow and got results within days. It saved me a trip to a podiatrist. Three years later, the nail is perfect.”

Other people have had success treating nails with hydrogen peroxide, Listerine, vinegar or tea tree oil. We are sending you our Guide to Hair and Nail Care so you can learn more about these approaches.

Q. Some time ago I heard an unusual home remedy on your radio show: using Elmer's glue to prevent blistering on a burned hand. I burned myself last night and initially iced my hand.

Since I've never had much luck with icing burns, I decided to try the glue method, which consists in spreading glue over the burned area and letting it harden. I repeated this covering a couple of time to form something like a second skin over the burn. Eight hours later, as I write, the skin is a little tender, but there are no blisters. This is really neat.

A. This is one of the more unusual home remedies people use on burns. Rapidly cooling the skin first with cold water is important. In addition to helping reduce the pain, it stops the heat from making the burn worse.
We have no idea why Elmer’s glue might ease the pain of a household burn. Others report success with soy sauce or yellow mustard. A serious burn deserves medical attention and should have nothing other than cool water applied to it at home.

Q. My mother had memory loss for about two years before she died. She didn't have Alzheimer’s, but it became fairly serious and I put her on ginkgo biloba.

Both my dad and I noticed an effect within two weeks, but the most remarkable effect was the improvement in her handwriting. She’d always had beautiful handwriting. As her memory declined, so had her handwriting.

On ginkgo, her handwriting improved in about 6 to 8 weeks. Then my dad decided he would buy the gingko instead of me. My mother's handwriting and memory started to slide again. I asked my dad where he was getting the gingko. It turned out he was buying cheap stuff. When I started supplying the ginkgo again (a standardized extract), her memory slide was arrested and her handwriting improved again.

A. A recent long-term, placebo-controlled trial of ginkgo did not demonstrate any ability to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (Journal of the American Medical Association, Nov. 19, 2008). Despite this discouraging result, some smaller trials have been promising. Your observation is fascinating.

Q. Do you have any home remedies for eczema and seborrheic dermatitis? I can no longer afford the creams that my doctor has prescribed.

A. You may want to check for allergies. One reader shared her experience: “After seeing an allergist for a test that showed milk allergies, I was put on a dairy-free diet for life. My eczema cleared up within 2 weeks.”

One inexpensive option for seborrheic dermatitis (super dandruff that can also affect the face) is topical milk of magnesia. Here is a reader’s response: “I want to thank you so very much for delivering me from the scourge of seborrheic dermatitis, which I suffered for 30 years. Milk of magnesia was the cure!”

You will find more natural approaches for eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and dozens of other conditions in our new book, Favorite Home Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.

Q. Thank you for writing about coconut for treating ulcerative colitis. I was diagnosed with colitis in 1980, and had three feet of my colon removed. My condition was moderate to severe and I was taking eight tablets of sulfasalazine every day to control it, along with Rowasa enemas daily.

I started ingesting shredded coconut twice a day after reading your article, though I had no expectation it would help. Within a few weeks my symptoms had lessened and in about a month I had gone into complete remission. A year later I had a colonoscopy showing a healthy colon.

I gradually cut back my medication and have not taken anything for the condition for five years. I feel well and have had no GI problems. I read that coconut has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and think it must be true.

A. We have heard from others who suffered from severe diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease that coconut macaroon cookies or shredded coconut alone can be helpful. We doubt that many people with ulcerative colitis would respond as dramatically as you have, but we certainly are delighted to learn that this remedy was beneficial for such a serious condition.

Q. I cramp easily even when I have not done anything strenuous, but more so after playing tennis. Drinking Gatorade before and after tennis helps some. What am I lacking?

A. If Gatorade helps somewhat, you may be low in some electrolytes. We have heard from another tennis player that drinking Pedialyte after a match can help prevent cramps. This liquid formulation is designed to help replenish lost fluids and minerals for babies who may become dehydrated from diarrhea or vomiting.

Q. My husband and I are both suffering from arthritis pain. His knees hurt and I have problems with my thumbs and my hips. My doctor says hip replacement is in my future.

We have tried glucosamine and chondroitin. The supplements seemed to help for a while, but now we are both limping again. Do you have any natural suggestions for arthritis?

A. One possibility is a home remedy that combines Certo with grape juice. Some folks say it works wonders for stiff, painful joints. Certo is plant pectin, used to thicken jams and jellies. A teaspoon or two added to a small glass of grape juice three times a day may be worth a try.

One reader offered this story: “I have suffered from severe pain in my hips for three years and shoulder pain for ten. For the past three weeks now I have been taking a tablespoon of Certo in 8 ounces of no-sugar-added Concord grape juice morning and afternoon. I sip it slowly over the course of several hours.

“I have gone from needing a couple of Vicodin daily to not using any. Some days I take a single ibuprofen for my pain relief. That is a huge difference!”

We have written about natural approaches to coping with joint pain in our Guides to Home Remedies and Alternatives for Arthritis.

Q. I love your column with the low-cost remedies. I have horrible eczema and my granddaughter has inherited it from me.

My grandson has really BAD diaper rash. It is hard for him to walk, and he cries when we bathe him or clean his bottom. Someone suggested making a “paste” with Maalox but I don’t know how that would work. Do you have any suggestions?

A. The Pharmacist’s Letter, a professional publication, classifies Maalox for diaper rash as a rumor. Nonetheless, many parents and some pharmacists are enthusiastic about this treatment for diaper rash.

In this home remedy, the baby’s skin is cleaned promptly and gently with plain water. Maalox liquid is applied with a cotton ball. Once it has dried, a protective barrier like Aquaphor or zinc oxide cream can be smoothed on gently.

If the rash persists for more than a few days, it makes sense to check with the baby’s doctor. Too frequent use of Maalox might expose a baby to excessive amounts of aluminum and magnesium, especially if the skin is irritated. A diaper rash caused by yeast may disappear after treatment with an antifungal cream.

Q. I have heard that if you place pieces of eggplant in water for a couple of hours and then drink the water it helps reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Is this correct or do I have to put the eggplant in the fridge for four days and drink a small amount daily?

A. Several years ago a reader sent in the following remedy:

“Wash but don’t peel a medium eggplant. Dice it into 1-inch cubes.

“Place the cubes in a glass gallon jug and cover the eggplant with distilled water.

“Put the jug in the fridge for four days. Drink one ounce of the water per day, taking your blood pressure daily.

“After a week or so, the eggplant will begin to disintegrate; discard it but keep drinking the ounce of soaking water daily.”

Although eggplant is part of a dietary portfolio that lowers cholesterol (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Feb. 2005), Brazilian researchers have found that eggplant extract does not lower cholesterol. A recent analysis of eggplant compounds suggests that some may inhibit angiotensin-converter enzyme (ACE) and thus lower blood pressure (Bioresource Technology, May 2008). We don’t know if the eggplant soaking water will have that effect.

Q. Last week I developed a nosebleed that would not quit. After a couple days I went to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Even after following his advice, though, the nosebleed persisted.

After five days, I was finally fed up and checked your book for home remedies. I am a scientist, so I like solid evidence for everything I try, but I was desperate enough to try just about anything.
I found your suggestion to drop a bunch of keys down the back of my neck. To my amazement, the nosebleed stopped within a few minutes and has not returned.

A. We cannot explain it, but we have heard that this home remedy can resolve a nosebleed quickly. Nuns and teachers who have dealt with a lot of children often testify to the usefulness of this approach.

Q. I live in Sweden and work from home, so I rarely come down with colds. However, the other day I got a whopper--a sore throat, a horrible runny nose and a really bad cough, so I decided to try Kan Jang. Kan Jang is a popular cold remedy here produced by the Swedish Herbal Institute.

I started on Kan Jang a day ago and was surprised by the results. My runny nose is completely gone and my cough has subsided dramatically. The postnasal drip that has been driving me nuts for a couple of years is gone.

A. Kan Jang is not available in the United States, but its principal ingredient, a Chinese herb called Andrographis paniculata, is sold in health food stores by various manufacturers. It can also be found in a product called Kold Kare. There are placebo-controlled studies showing that Andrographis can speed recovery from colds (Planta Medica, April 2004).

We discuss the use of Andrographis, another Chinese herb, Astragalus, and a variety of natural remedies for easing symptoms in our Guide to Cold Remedies.

Q. A few friends have mentioned that taking zinc helps to ward off colds and flu. Is there any validity to that?

A. The evidence on zinc is inconclusive. There have been more than more than 10 well-controlled trials of zinc lozenges, nasal sprays or gels. Although some have shown benefit, others did not show that zinc is better than placebo. We need better research before we can give you a definite answer.

Q. I read that if you soak raisins in gin it might help ease arthritis pain. I have pain in my hands and would like to try this remedy.

I am a school bus driver and we get tested all the time for drugs and alcohol. If I were to try the raisins would the alcohol show up on the Breathalyzer test? They say not to use mouthwash 30 minutes before the test for it will show up. I am afraid that I could lose my job if gin-soaked raisins triggered the alcohol reading on one of my tests.

A. We have had the raisins analyzed and there is only one drop of alcohol in the daily dose of nine raisins. Nevertheless, your concern is justified.

Back in 1995 a North Carolina sheriff got into trouble because of the gin-soaked raisin remedy. According to the Hendersonville (NC) Times-News, “Madison County Sheriff Dedrick Brown was stopped for suspicion of drunken driving...but the charge was thrown out by a magistrate when his Breathalyzer test was lower than the threshold to be considered legally impaired.

“The sheriff had a blood alcohol content of .07 percent, just under the state limit of .08 percent...Brown said he took a home remedy mix of white raisins and gin about 15 minutes before he was stopped. Brown said he was returning from a car auction in Henderson County. The sheriff normally chews tobacco to keep awake when driving...He couldn't find any tobacco in his car that night so he said he instead had about three mouthfuls of the raisins soaked in gin. Brown said he had been using the mixture lately for his arthritic knees.”

We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis, which tells about the gin-soaked raisins and offers other approaches, including a grape juice-apple juice-apple cider vinegar concoction.

Q. My daughter had several warts on her hands and was able to kill them quickly with lemon juice.   She dabbed the warts with a sliver of lemon three or four times a day and all of the warts fell off within four days.

A. Four years ago we heard from another mother whose daughter also had warts: “Years ago my daughter had eight plantar warts on the bottoms of her feet. She could hardly walk and I tried everything to no avail.

“A friend of mine suggested squeezing fresh lemon juice on them three or four times a day. We had nothing to lose so we tried it. Those warts turned black and fell off so fast she was completely healed within four weeks. I hope this will help others.”

Other wart remedies include topical applications of castor oil, vinegar, Listerine or even instant glue. Some people report good results with duct tape and others get rid of warts by taping a piece of banana peel to them, fleshy side to skin.

Q. I suffered from Raynaud’s disease for many years. My doctor suggested I take grape seed extract tablets.

I take two a day. They are not expensive and can be purchased at any health store. Best of all, they have no harmful side effects. My Raynaud’s has completely disappeared!

A. Raynaud’s disease is a painful circulatory condition in which fingers turn blue or white with cold. Grape seed has been used to treat a variety of circulatory complaints. This is the first time we have heard that it might be beneficial for Raynaud’s.

Some readers report success with the Chinese herb astragalus, cinnamon or ginkgo. Anyone taking the blood thinner Coumadin (warfarin) should probably avoid such natural approaches for fear of bleeding.

Q. Is there a natural alternative to Certo or other sugar-based pectins? I’d like to try pectin with grape or pomegranate juice to reduce inflammation, but I would rather avoid the extra sugar and preservatives.

A. Home canners use plant pectin to make jams and jellies thicken. Without it, they would be runny and not very appetizing.

People have been telling us for years that consuming one tablespoon of Certo (liquid pectin from Kraft) in eight ounces of purple grape juice helps ease arthritis pain. We don’t know whether another brand will work as well.

You may want to try Pomona's Universal Pectin. It is a low-sugar pectin with no preservatives. We have not heard from anyone who has tried it, so if you do, please let us know if it helps.

Q. Ground coffee to stop bleeding really works! I just punctured my pointer finger fairly deeply with a fillet knife and it bled profusely. I had my skeptical husband coat the wound with ground coffee. This weird but effective treatment made believers out of this household.

A. A severe puncture wound requires prompt medical attention, but we’re glad the coffee remedy worked. We recently heard that ground coffee could stop bleeding from minor household cuts. Other kitchen remedies for cuts include ground black pepper and ground sage.

Q. I take several medicines that I suspect may be contributing to uncomfortable constipation. They include Fosamax and calcium for bones and Lipitor for cholesterol.

Please suggest something to provide relief from this problem. My bowels are totally locked up. Do you have a home remedy for colon cleansing? I don’t want to spend a bundle on an expensive detox program.

A. We discourage colon cleansing except when it is medically indicated (such as before a colonoscopy). We can understand your frustration, however. Many medications (including those you are taking) can indeed lead to constipation.

Readers of this column have offered many suggestions for constipation including a daily dose of magnesium, fresh pineapple, dates or prunes. Other remedies include flax seed (found in Uncle Sam Cereal) and MiraLAX. We are sending you our Guide to Constipation with a special “Power Pudding” remedy that nurses have recommended and a dynamite pumpkin-bran muffin recipe.

Q. My husband got Super Glue on his glasses. (Don't ask!) We tried everything to get it off until I read on your Web site about using the insect repellent DEET. I sprayed OFF out of the can on them. One big glob is still soaking in a puddle in a saucer, but most of the Super Glue is gone already.

A. The recommended technique for unsticking fingers or removing Super Glue is acetone, found in some nail polish removers. We were surprised to learn from a reader that OFF insect repellent wipes also work. Thanks for sharing your experience. Many people have insect repellent in the house but don’t always have acetone handy.

Q. I read a letter in your column from a person whose cholesterol went from 180 to over 300 after taking glucosamine and chondroitin for sore knees. I think it is not the glucosamine, but the chondroitin that raises cholesterol.

I have been taking glucosamine alone for five years and it works for me. I also take a handful of walnuts and drink a glass of pomegranate juice every day. My cholesterol went from 254 to 184 without drugs!

A. We have no research to verify that glucosamine and chondroitin independently or together raise cholesterol. We appreciate your suggestion, however. Not everyone gets relief from arthritis with these dietary supplements. Research suggests that neither is very effective for mild to moderate pain.

We are delighted to learn that you have been able to lower your cholesterol successfully without drugs. In our new Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health we offer many other non-drug suggestions and discuss the pros and cons of most medications.

Q. Now that my son is in daycare, I am constantly getting his colds and coughs. What can you recommend for easing the symptoms? I am not big on drugstore remedies.

A. Readers of this column are enthusiastic about ginger. Here are just a few anecdotes:

“I must testify what a wonderful hot drink one can make from grating about 1 inch of fresh ginger, putting it in a little wrap of cheese cloth or in one of those mesh spoons used for tea leaves and letting it steep in a mug of hot water. It is fantastic for combating colds...a refreshing and spicy tonic.”

Another reader says, “Someone just told me about drinking ginger tea for a cold. It’s miraculous. Within minutes after sipping the tea I got relief from my stuffy nose and scratchy throat. I just sliced some fresh ginger and poured hot water over it and added a little honey.”

Here is another variation on the ginger theme: “I make a tea with 1 inch fresh grated ginger, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, 1 pinch cayenne pepper, and 2 tsp. honey or maple syrup for my colds. This was taught to me by someone who studied Ayurvedic medicine in India. I love the taste--it's sweet and spicy. My measurements are rough estimates. I just add the ingredients to taste.”

Q. I was on omeprazole for gastroesophageal reflux for several years until I saw a PBS program on heartburn and acid reflux problems. The expert said the worst culprit for heartburn is refined sugar!

Not one doctor I had ever seen mentioned avoiding refined sugar. I had eliminated all other foods that are supposed to be a problem such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods.

The day after this TV program more than a year ago, I stopped eating refined sugar and stopped taking the medicine. I'm very strict now with my diet and get any sugar I want just from eating fruit. I have not had to take the medicine since then.

A. Avoiding refined carbohydrates does seem to ease reflux (Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Aug. 2006).

Q. You recently had a story in which a person reported that zinc oxide worked for hemorrhoids. This made me laugh and brought back the memory of a dear family friend who has been dead for more than 45 years.

Mrs. H. had a growth removed from her face and was given a prescription for zinc oxide cream. She found it so helpful that when her hemorrhoids acted up she applied some to them and got great relief. I was a college girl when I heard her tell my mother about doing this.

A. There is not much scientific evidence that zinc oxide will calm the burning and itching from hemorrhoids. It does seem to be safe for external use, however.

Q. I loved the recipe you gave for fennel tea to relieve a sore throat and sinus problems. Is there a book that would have similar home remedies, like teas for common symptoms? I have been searching for an easy-to-use natural remedies resource.

A. We recently brought out Favorite Home Remedies from The People’s Pharmacy. It has dozens of home remedies from readers for health problems ranging from acne and allergies to vertigo and warts. With the cost of medicine so high, home remedies may be an economical solution for common complaints.

Q. I foolishly picked up a plastic honey bear that was in a pot of boiling water and the honey squirted out of the little pour hole all over the palm of my hand. Immediately I ran it under cold water and then I then ran to get your book because I knew there was something I could put on burns that was natural: MUSTARD.

I had mustard in the fridge and I poured it all over the palm of my hand. It still burned like the devil but I left it on while I read more. I put more mustard on and wrapped gauze bandage around it and left it on for a while until the pain subsided.

I babied the hand and was afraid it would blister. The pain did ease enough for me to go to the mall in the afternoon. The palm was a little mottled pink and I really didn't notice for a couple of days that I apparently didn’t get any mustard between the pinky and ring finger over to the first knuckle. That is where a huge blister appeared! To me, that proves the mustard worked; otherwise the whole palm of my hand would have been blistered. Thank you.

A. We have heard from other readers that cold yellow mustard can soothe a kitchen burn. Soy sauce has a similar reputation, and several people have reported blistering on a burn where they neglected to put soy sauce although the rest of the burned area recovered well.

Cold water is the first measure to be taken, just as you did. Bad burns always require prompt medical attention.

Q. In your book, Best Choices from The People's Pharmacy, you said that the no-calorie sweetener Stevia rebaudiana was not approved for use in the United States. I have some great news for you!

I found it in a nonsugar sweetener in the supermarket under the brand name of "OnlySweet." It is made by Sunwin Stevia International Corp., and their website is www.onlysweet.com.

I am a type 2 diabetic with high blood pressure. Not only does this sweetener lower my blood sugar, it also helps reduce my blood pressure. I am enthusiastic!

A. Thanks for the alert. The FDA has just approved a stevia extract for use in soft drinks. Both CocaCola and Pepsi are expected to introduce drinks containing this product within a short time.

Unfortunately, the product the FDA approved, rebaudioside A, does not seem to lower blood sugar or blood pressure in animals (Review of Diabetic Studies, Summer 2005). A different stevia extract, stevioside, brought both blood pressure and blood sugar under control in rat experiments. We were not able to determine which extract is found in the OnlySweet product you are using.

Q. When you wrote about alternatives to Crestor for lowering cholesterol, you failed to mention mine: oat bran. For about 10 years I've been eating 1/2 cup of oat bran every day.

I make it into a loaf using a bread maker. The recipe is on any box of Quaker oat bran, but I add 1 cup of raisins. The 2-cup loaf is cut into 12 pieces and lasts four days. My cholesterol went from 210 to 160 in a fairly short time and has remained there ever since.

A. Oat bran is rich in soluble fiber and can help lower total cholesterol (Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, March, 1999). It takes quite a bit of oat bran daily to make a significant difference. We applaud you for finding a palatable way to consume this much oat bran.

Q. My 17-year-old granddaughter has a problem with smelly feet. My son uses strong medicine from a podiatrist, which is probably inappropriate for her. Any home remedies?

A. Readers of this column love to share their remedies for smelly feet. One woman reported that her boyfriend had good success rubbing a cut lemon on his feet.

An 89-year-old woman shared a remedy her aunt taught her when she was young. She soaked her feet in warm water to which tannic acid had been added. The same effect can be accomplished with tea soaks, since tea is high in tannic acid.

Other readers swear by an old Army trick: Urinate on your feet. One mom shared, “My 17-year-old daughter has very smelly feet and I convinced her to try the urine trick. IT WORKED! Her foot odor is completely gone!”

We havwe collected many other suggestions in our Guide to Smelly Feet.

Q. I’ve always had low cholesterol, but it has been rising for the past few years. First it went from 180 to 233, and then to 363.

I tried to figure out what might be responsible and realized I had started taking glucosamine and chondroitin for sore knee joints in 2005. I thought perhaps that might have triggered the problem.

My doctor is skeptical and he would like me to take Crestor to lower my cholesterol. In the meantime, I have stopped the supplement. My knees hurt again, but soon I will have my cholesterol tested to see if it has come down.

A. Studies have not shown that glucosamine and chondroitin are effective for relieving mild to moderate arthritis pain (Arthritis and Rheumatism, Oct, 2008). Nonetheless, many people take it and report benefit.
No studies have proven that glucosamine raises cholesterol, though many readers do report such an association. The dietary supplement does appear to increase insulin resistance, however, and could make treatment of type 2 diabetes more difficult (American Journal of the Medical Sciences, June, 2007).

Q. I have bad leg cramps that wake me up early in the morning. I read that a bar of soap placed between the sheets might help.

Where precisely do you place it? I can't take quinine because it interacts with tamoxifen I take to prevent a recurrence of breast cancer. The cramps are really painful.

A. Quinine is no longer available as a treatment for leg cramps, even if you weren’t on tamoxifen. The FDA banned its use for cramps a few years ago.

Although we are hard-pressed to explain why soap under the bottom sheet would be helpful against leg cramps, many readers insist that it works. Here is just one example:

“I have been keeping a bar of soap under my sheet for quite some time. It does work, but I was never sure it did.

“Last night I had toe cramps. Instead of getting up to walk them off, I curled my foot as close to the soap as possible. The cramps went away in about 5 seconds.

“At the same time the calf in my other leg cramped. Again I moved the soap around near my leg, and the cramp was gone. Weird? You bet. Would I change this? No way. Who knows how this works, but it does.”

Not everybody benefits from the soap trick. Others report success with yellow mustard, pickle juice or magnesium. For more details on soap and all these remedies, we are sending you our Guide to Leg Pain.

Q. I have enjoyed reading about home remedies on your Web site and would like to share mine. Dip a bleeding (cut-nicked-sliced or whatever) finger in ground coffee and the bleeding stops. If after the first dip, it still shows some blood, dip it in again and bandage it.

A Lebanese friend told me that it is used all the time in his home. Maybe it’s the caffeine. Regardless, it has always worked for me.

A. Thanks for surprising us with a brand new home remedy for minor cuts. We have collected several others, including ground black pepper, cayenne pepper and ground sage.

Q. I was having trouble with my nails. Although I tried a number of remedies, some very expensive, nothing seemed to work. Then my daughter told me to try castor oil.

I put it on my nails and leave it on for 15 or 20 minutes, then rub in as much as possible and wipe the residue off. It has made all the difference. I'm glad I found something so effective and yet so simple. I don't get hangnails anymore either.

A. Thanks for the tip. Others have found almond oil can also be helpful.

Q. I received a list of “helpful hints” in an email recently stating that if you have arthritis or joint pain, you should spray WD-40 on it. Could this possibly be true? It seems that it might be more harmful than good.

A. WD-40 is made of petroleum products and is designed to lubricate stiff or squeaky metal hinges or joints. People have tried putting it on their own stiff joints but we cannot recommend this tactic. There have been reports of people developing chemical pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs, after accidentally inhaling WD-40.

A physician told us several years ago that a patient of his developed muscle breakdown after repeatedly applying WD-40 to his joints. He had to be hospitalized.

Q. I've suffered with Raynaud’s disease in my hands for two years. There is no underlying cause for it such as lupus.

My doctor has prescribed various blood pressure medicines that are supposed to work for this condition, but nothing seems to help. Is there a natural remedy that might help? Would acupuncture possibly work? Any suggestions would be most appreciated, as cold weather makes it very hard for me to function.

A. People with Raynaud’s syndrome really suffer in the winter. In this condition, blood vessels in the hands and feet constrict. Fingers may turn white or blue and be painful or numb. The colder the temperature, the worse the symptoms.

Acupuncture may be somewhat helpful. One small study found that acupuncture reduced attacks by 63 percent compared to a 27 percent reduction in the control patients (Journal of Internal Medicine, Feb. 1997).

A reader of this column reported that taking cinnamon capsules alleviated her Raynaud’s symptoms. In Chinese medicine, both cinnamon and astragalus have been used for circulatory problems of this sort.

Q. I accidentally learned that turmeric could help reduce my high blood pressure. It went from 160/80 to 140/60 after eating an Indian meal of curry.

After I made this discovery, my nutritionist daughter advised me to use 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric daily. I add it to a small clove of garlic and blend it with fruits in a soy shake I make daily. I have now lost weight and my blood pressure runs about 109 to 120/65.

A. What an interesting discovery. We don’t think doctors will prescribe curry, but rodent research suggests that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can lower blood pressure (Journal of Clinical Investigation, March, 2008).

Turmeric is the yellow spice used in curry and yellow mustard. Although yours is the first report on using this spice for hypertension, readers have found a number of other uses for it. We have included their stories about arthritis, bursitis, diabetes, gout, leg cramps and psoriasis in our new book, Favorite Home Remedies from The People’s Pharmacy (online at www.peoplespharmacy.com).

Some people may be allergic to turmeric. In addition, this herb may interact with the blood thinner Coumadin (warfarin) to cause dangerous bleeding.

Q. My husband and I are 55 and 53. We detest seafood and do not eat it. With all the news we've been hearing about the benefits of eating fish, is there a supplement we should add to our diet?

A. To get the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, you could take a fish oil supplement. Look for one that provides 1000 mg of both DHA and EPA combined.

Q. Several months ago I discovered that OFF insect repellent wipes remove temporary tattoos. Yesterday I discovered they also dissolve Super Glue when the tube is stuck to your finger. Just squeeze the liquid onto the 'stuck' area and gently pull.

A. The best way to unstick fingers that have been inadvertently glued together is with the solvent acetone, found in nail polish remover. If you don’t have acetone available, however, the trick you have discovered seems quite handy.

Q. Add me to the list of people who have been helped by 
Certo mixed with grape juice for 
arthritis. (Actually, I use generic plant pectin.)

For years I controlled my high cholesterol by 
watching my diet and exercising. I love to run and 
I would run even if it were not for the cholesterol.

Several years ago I developed a problem with my knee. X-rays revealed arthritis in both 
knees.
I gradually started back running but the 
arthritis bothered me in the morning when I went down
 to the kitchen to fetch morning coffee. This was quite painful and 
I had to use the handrail. The way up was even worse 
because I had my hands full with coffee cups.

I contemplated how much longer I would be able to run and even if we would 
have to move to a single-level dwelling because of the pain. I avoid 
long-term use of drugs of any kind, 
choosing instead to change my lifestyle and habits.

When I heard about the grape juice/pectin recipe I tried it. Within a couple of weeks there was improvement and after taking a daily dose 
for months now, the morning joint pain is gone. 
Instead of contemplating a wheel chair, I’m contemplating my next run. (I also take fish oil to reduce inflammation.)

A. We have heard from other runners as well as arthritic grandmothers that the combination of plant pectin (found in Certo) and purple grape juice can ease joint pain. There is some research suggesting that Concord grape juice has anti-inflammatory properties (Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Nov. 2004).
We discuss this and many other inexpensive, non-drug remedies for joint pain in our book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy.

Q. My father and uncle both have diabetes. I would like to reduce my risk of developing this disease and I’ve heard that drinking coffee can help. Is there any evidence behind this claim?

A. There are several epidemiological studies that have demonstrated an association between regular coffee consumption and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Care, Feb. 2006).

Do not count on coffee alone to protect you, however. Regular exercise and weight control are far more likely to be helpful in preventing type 2 diabetes.

Q. Is there any way to get rid of warts other than duct tape? I have more than twenty of these ugly things on my hands, and I can’t imagine trying to get on with daily life with that much duct tape on.

I have had these warts frozen off, burnt off and surgically removed but they still grow back. I am desperate, but I must say the duct tape really does not appeal to me.

A. There are many home remedies for warts besides duct tape. We will skip some of the stranger ones, such as getting someone to buy them from you with a shiny new penny or finding Tom Sawyer’s spunk water (whatever that is).

That still leaves taping a piece of banana peel to the wart, with the inside of the peel against the skin. Or instead you might try soaking the wart in vinegar or painting it daily with Listerine.

Some readers have suggested using the juice from a milkweed plant or putting castor oil on the warts. There is also the option of taking over-the-counter cimetidine (Tagamet HB). Although studies of cimetidine have had mixed results, some readers report that this heartburn medicine works when all else fails.

Q. I love reading about various inexpensive home remedies in your column. I often intend to cut something out of the paper and save it, but too often I get my mind on something else and I lose the information.

Do you have a book that gathers these suggestions together? I would like to order it and share some of the ideas with my family.

A. We are sending you our brand new 156-page book, Favorite Home Remedies from The People’s Pharmacy. In it we have collected many fascinating stories, from cherry juice for joint pain and Listerine for lice to mustard for muscle cramps.

Q. In a recent column, you mentioned that yohimbe might be useful in treating impotence. Speaking from personal experience rather than extensive knowledge of the literature, yohimbe treats only what the pharmaceutical companies so coyly call "erectile dysfunction."

As far as I could tell, again from personal use, the effect is most likely achieved by vasoconstriction. I could feel my heart race every time I took a dose.

This suggests to me that the bark is yet another herb that should be used only under medical supervision, and not by anyone who suffers from either hypertension or heart disease.

A. You are quite correct that the bark of the African yohimbe tree or yohimbine derived from it can raise blood pressure. Other potential side effects include palpitations, anxiety, headaches, dizziness or digestive distress. This natural product should only be used under medical supervision.

Before the development of drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, doctors sometimes prescribed yohimbine. It appears to help one-fourth to one-half of the men who use it achieve an erection.

In one study, 50 percent of men having trouble achieving orgasm did better with yohimbine (Asian Journal of Andrology, May 2007). Erectile difficulties deserve medical attention, since they may signal a serious condition such as diabetes or heart disease.

Q. Someone was asking about natural migraine remedies and you mentioned spicy hot and sour soup, among other things. I've had migraines since before I was in kindergarten (I'm 58 now), and the best thing I've found is ginger. Jamaican-style ginger beer (stronger than ginger ale) is good, though rather sweet. The pickled ginger sold with sushi is a godsend. It also helps with the nausea.

A. Ginger has been documented as a migraine treatment for decades (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, July, 1990). A small study testing a combination product (GelStat Migraine) containing ginger and the herb feverfew found that it could help alleviate migraines (Medical Science Monitor, Sept., 2005).

Q. For years I have had a yeast infection under my breasts, under my arms and in the groin. Nothing works. I know other women have this problem. I would be grateful for any remedies that might help.

A. Several years ago we heard from men who suffered from jock itch that applications of old-fashioned amber Listerine was helpful against this fungal infection. Some women also report that applying Listerine daily to those areas is helpful.

If the skin were raw, though, Listerine would probably burn. Reducing sweating with an antiperspirant (or possibly milk of magnesia) applied every morning may also be helpful. Good luck with this tough problem!

Q. I found that Certo and grape juice really works for my arthritis. However, it seems to make me constipated. Do you have any ideas to counteract the constipation so I can keep taking the Certo and grape juice?

A. Certo is plant pectin, a soluble fiber. Home canners use this product to thicken jams and jellies.
We have heard for years that a spoonful of Certo in a glass of purple grape juice can ease arthritis pain for many people. We have not heard that this concoction is constipating. One reader reported that grape juice alone eased her child’s constipation.

There are several options for combating constipation, including psyllium (Metamucil, Serutan, etc), flaxseed (Uncle Sam’s Cereal) and sugarless gum.

We are sending you our Guides to Constipation and Alternatives for Arthritis with ten tips to combat constipation, a recipe for dynamite pumpkin bran muffins and some less constipating remedies for arthritis.

Q. I appreciate you writing about home remedies for children when they come down with colds, but I am alarmed that you suggested lemon and honey for coughs. I feel this needs an urgent disclaimer!

Honey can be dangerous for a child under age two. A friend's 6-month-old baby nearly died from infant botulism. Honey can cause this in infants. Even honey jars have a warning that it is not for small children.

A. Thanks for the reminder. Young children one year old and under should never be given honey. You are correct that this warning is designed to reduce the risk of infant botulism. Honey is occasionally contaminated with spores of the bacteria that cause botulism. Honey poses little risk for adults or children over one year old, but babies may not be able to fend off the bacteria.

Q. What health concerns may be related to eating a lot of black licorice, especially for children?

A. Natural black licorice contains glycyrrhizin. Regular consumption of this compound can have serious health consequences, including fluid retention, high blood pressure, low potassium levels and hormone imbalance. Lethargy, fatigue, weakness and irregular heart rhythms may also result. Elderly people and young children may be especially susceptible to licorice complications.

Not all licorice candy contains natural licorice extract. Red licorice is not a problem and neither is licorice flavored with anise.

Q. Why can't canned beets be used to reduce cholesterol? I had a significant reduction after only two weeks on the fresh beets but they are expensive and time consuming to prepare.

A. Until we received your question we had no idea that beets might lower cholesterol. Research has shown that 2 cups of beet juice daily can help lower blood pressure significantly, by as much as 10 points (Hypertension, March 2008).

When we checked the medical literature, however, we found some animal research suggesting that beets may indeed lower cholesterol and triglycerides. We don’t see why canned beets wouldn’t work as well as fresh.

Q. In India we offer fennel seeds after meals. This helps avoid flatulence. Fennel is also good against sore throat and sinus problems.

I use the following recipe for my sinus trouble: Combine 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, ¼ teaspoon powdered ginger, 1 clove, ½ inch piece of stick cinnamon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar in 2 cups of water. Boil it until there is 1 and ½ cup of liquid left, strain it, and drink it hot with a little milk. You can substitute honey for the brown sugar.

In India we use many such home remedies from our grandmothers to avoid overusing antibiotics. I also rinse my nasal passages with a home-made saline solution and find it very helpful.

A. Your recipe sounds delicious. Traditional uses for fennel include preventing flatulence and treating upper respiratory infections. Whether that extends to sinus congestion, we are unsure.

Q. My life is so much better since I read your column about rinsing my hair with vinegar. I am 56 years old and for the previous 30 years my scalp has itched intensely whenever I sweat. No anti-itching shampoo or skin specialist could cure me, but rinsing with vinegar did.

A. Itching and flaking can be caused by dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. Dermatologists believe that these common conditions are caused by the yeast, Malassezia, that grows on the scalp. A vinegar rinse apparently makes conditions unfavorable for this fungus.

One 80-year-old woman has used a solution of four parts warm water to one part apple cider vinegar on her scalp for more than 50 years. Others prefer a more concentrated one-to-one water/vinegar mixture.
We discuss many other remedies for controlling itching and flaking (including milk of magnesia and Listerine rinses) in our new Guide to Hair and Nail Care.

Q. A few weeks ago I heard Listerine mentioned for jock itch. I didn’t have jock itch, but I was suffering from a very persistent case of athlete's foot. I had used several over-the-counter medications for weeks with no results. I daubed Listerine on my feet for three consecutive days and the symptoms were all but gone.

I have since used Listerine on my feet once a week and have had no recurrence of athlete's foot. Maybe it is just the alcohol content in the product but whatever the active ingredient is, it works!

A. Listerine seems to be helpful against a range of common fungal skin infections, including dandruff as well as jock itch and athlete’s foot. We suspect that the antifungal activity of the herbal oils in Listerine (menthol, eucalyptol, thymol and methyl salicylate) may be responsible. The alcohol may also discourage fungal growth.

Q. I have a 17-year-old son that I have suspected for years has a mild form of ADD. He tells me he seems to be bombarded with information like hundreds of highways leading to his brain at one time.

He's willing to try medicine to see if it makes a difference. I'd like to try a more natural approach if there is one. Where can I get information on natural remedies and self-help with this issue?

A. Diagnosing attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) is not simple. There’s no blood test or questionnaire that will definitively determine that a person has this condition.

Although there are medications that can help focus attention, they don’t work for everyone and they do have some side effects. Ritalin, for example, can cause nausea, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, heart palpitations, headaches and increases in blood pressure.

We have interviewed Edward Hallowell, MD, one of the world’s leading experts on ADD and author of Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder. He suggests dietary supplements such as fish oil, grape seed extract and pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). He is also a big advocate of exercise, adequate sleep and a structured environment. There is more about Dr. Hallowell’s approaches to ADD in our one-hour radio interview.

Q. I have an elderly dog suffering from painful arthritis in knee and hip. Can I use the gin soaked golden raisins with her safely? How many?

She's been X-rayed so I know it's arthritis. She hobbles around painfully. I'm already giving her a nutraceutical that has liquid glucosamine and chondroitin. Any advice on how to help her is greatly appreciated.

A. Do NOT give your dog raisins, gin-soaked or otherwise! Although humans may benefit from this remedy, veterinarians have found that raisins and grapes are dangerous for dogs and may cause kidney problems.

Glucosamine and chondroitin first became popular in treating dogs with arthritis, so it makes sense to continue that supplement. Your vet might be able to prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug such as meloxicam or a pain reliever like tramadol to ease your dog’s discomfort. An extract of green-lipped mussels might also be worth a try (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Feb. 15, 2007).

Q. Does Pycnogenol contain estrogen? I would like to try it for my hot flashes but my doctor said I shouldn't take it if it contained estrogen.

A. There is no estrogen in Pycnogenol. This extract of French maritime pine bark has been shown to relieve hot flashes in one study (Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, Aug. 2007). Another study concluded that Pycnogenol does not have estrogenic activity (Journal of Reproductive Medicine, Aug. 2007).

Q. About six years ago I had trouble with statin cholesterol-lowering drugs. My muscles and joints got very sore. Then a friend suggested red yeast rice. The results were amazing.

At that time my doctor required a lab test for cholesterol every six months. He was amazed to learn I was using red yeast rice instead of Lipitor. My cholesterol had dropped from 270 to 178. My LDL, HDL and triglycerides were all in the desirable range.

A. Red yeast rice has been used for centuries in China to flavor, color and help preserve food. It has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote circulation.

Red yeast rice contains natural compounds related to the statins in cholesterol-lowering drugs such as lovastatin. A 5,000-person study in China demonstrated that taking red yeast rice can cut the risk of a second heart attack nearly in half (American Journal of Cardiology, June 15, 2008). It also cut the need for angioplasty or stents by a third.

The researchers say subjects experienced only mild side effects, including digestive upset and temporary liver enzyme elevation. No one should take red yeast rice without medical supervision, though. Some people who are susceptible to muscle pain when they take statins may also experience this problem when they take red yeast rice.

We are sending you our new Guide to Heart Health & Cholesterol with more information about red yeast rice and other non-drug approaches to lowering cholesterol.

Q. I would like to know if there are any herbs used for penis enlargement. I am interested in natural approaches to growing body hair and improving potency.

A. Despite extravagant claims that pills can increase penis size, the FDA has not approved any product for this purpose. Urologists we have consulted tell us that there is nothing you could take that would noticeably change your anatomy.

Environmental contamination with estrogen-like compounds may be affecting penis size in babies. Phthalates are used in certain plastics to make them more flexible. A recent study found that among baby boys, those with the highest levels of phthalates in their bodies had the smallest genitals.

We don’t know of a safe way to increase body hair growth. There are a couple of herbs shown to be helpful in treating impotence. One is yohimbe, which comes from the bark of an African tree. The other is horny goat weed (Epimedium brevicornum), a Chinese herb. Italian researchers have found that this natural product has Viagra-like activity (Journal of Natural Products, Sept. 2008).

Q. I have been using castor oil for years on bruises in my family. It truly works.

It also works wonders as an anti-scar ointment. I used it on a surgical scar AFTER the stitches were removed. When I went back for a post-surgical appointment, the doctor could not locate his work. I had to point out the incision to him.

A. You are not the first person to recommend castor oil topically on bruises. You may be the first, however, who has reported such success for healing scars. A component of castor oil, ricinoleic acid, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity (Mediators of Inflammation, vol. 9, issue # 5, 2000).

Some people may be allergic to castor oil, so caution is called for. Testing a drop or two on the inside of the forearm should be adequate.

Q. My husband is very interested in the remedy with raisins and gin. He is really suffering with arthritis in both knees.

He takes ibuprofen or naproxen but neither helps that much. He has seen an orthopedic surgeon, but he’s not ready for knee replacement yet. Short of surgery, he is willing to try almost anything, including something silly like raisins and gin or Certo and grape juice. Can you send us the recipes?

A. We have heard from many people who have found the gin-raisin remedy helpful. One wrote: “I have had both my hips replaced due to arthritis, and have been an avid golfer for over 40 years. I thought I was going to need one of my hips redone this spring due to all the pain that has come back. A few days before my spring golf trip to Nevada in mid-March, I started taking the gin and raisin remedy.

“I used Fleischmann's Gin and dark raisins (I didn't know about the golden raisins). I took 7 a day in the morning and 7 a day before going to bed.

“I have been pain free ever since. I was in agony before. My pain was gone in 48 hours from the first day I tried it.”

We can’t promise your husband will get the same results, but we are sending you our Guide to Home Remedies with the recipes for gin-raisins, Certo and grape juice, and other low-cost approaches to joint pain.

Q. My husband had been in the hospital for several weeks with a virulent form of pneumonia. After multiple courses of IV antibiotics he developed serious diarrhea. He was very weak and actually fell twice trying to get to the bathroom.

When my daughter brought him homemade coconut pie, the diarrhea disappeared, only to reappear when he did not eat any coconut. I wish I'd known about this when I was raising my children!

A. We’ve received enough stories about coconut calming diarrhea to be convinced that this remedy often works. On the other hand, too much coconut can be constipating.

Q. I am a 21-year-old college student, and I have not had a "normal" big toenail on my left foot since I was 14. It came off when I was a freshman in high school as I was removing nail polish.

Since then, the toenail has grown back (with fungus) over and over and then repeatedly fallen off.
A podiatrist prescribed me paint-on medication that made no difference at all. The toenail continued to grow back rough and a yellow-brown color. It was unsightly and embarrassing.

In the summers I covered it with a Bandaid or a fake nail glued over my ugly toenail. My toenail was annoying and bothersome. If I could change anything, I’d just want pretty feet.

A friend's mom told me about tea tree oil. I tried it for a few months and thought the toenail was growing in clear, but then it fell off again. I gave up on tea tree oil.

I finally went online and found your Web site with home remedies. I was skeptical, but it was worth a try. I bought Listerine, Vicks VapoRub, and white vinegar at the beginning of June. Since then, I have soaked my toenails for thirty minutes a day in a mixture of equal amounts of Listerine and vinegar.

At night I put Vicks on my toenails and then socks (the Vicks does stain!). Because I have been using both Vicks and Listerine, I don't know which is actually curing my toenail, but something is working!

My big toenail has grown out almost completely and it is completely healthy. I cannot believe that it has worked so well.  I honestly thought that I would never have a pretty toenail again.

A. Treating toenail fungus takes a lot of patience because the nails grow slowly. Thanks for letting us know about your success!

We discuss this and other home remedies for nail fungus in our Guide to Hair and Nail Care.

Q. I suffer from interstitial cystitis. I have tried prescription drugs, acupuncture and a dietary supplement called CystoProtek. I heard that Botox might be helpful in relieving symptoms. What are your thoughts?

A. People with interstitial cystitis (IC) have to urinate frequently, sometimes as often as every 10 to 15 minutes. They may also experience pelvic pain, bedwetting and a feeling that they have to get to the bathroom in a hurry. Sexual intercourse can be extremely painful.

Although doctors don’t know what causes IC, it appears to be related to inflammation of the bladder. The diagnosis is difficult and IC may be confused with overactive bladder or other problems. There is no cure.
Doctors have tried many treatments, including inserting botulinum toxin (Botox) directly into the bladder (Current Urology Reports, Sept. 2008). Some patients benefit, but there is no guarantee of success.

A survey of 750 patients with IC found that certain approaches were more reliably associated with symptom relief than invasive treatments (Urology, Jan. 2008). These were, in order of effectiveness, the dietary supplement Prelief (calcium glycerophosphate), the OTC drug phenazopyridine and prescription Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium).

Q. Do you have any information about apple cider vinegar mixed with honey for stiff joints? I have mixed a cup of vinegar with a cup of honey in a gallon jug and then filled it up with cold water. But I don’t know how much of this to take in a day. I would appreciate any other information about remedies for stiff joints.

A. Several recipes involving apple cider vinegar date back more than a century. Famous Texan Sam Houston supposedly drank a daily half-cup of a mixture of 5 parts grape juice, 3 parts apple juice and 1 part cider vinegar.

Other remedies for stiff joints include pineapple, grape or pomegranate juice, spices such as ginger or turmeric and herbs such as boswellia or stinging nettle.

We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis with more apple cider vinegar recipes plus other remedies for stiff joints.

Q. I've been using a lot of cinnamon for the taste on my morning granola and yogurt. My hot flashes have ceased and my cholesterol is down. Unfortunately, my liver enzymes are elevated. I was told to cut out alcohol and Tylenol.

Since I don’t drink much alcohol and never take Tylenol, the cinnamon might be the culprit. I'm cutting that out, too. If I’m lucky, the hot flashes won't return.

A. Another reader recently reported that cinnamon helped ease her hot flashes. There is no published research to support this claim, but cinnamon has been used in Japan and China for this purpose.

We are sorry that this spice may have affected your liver. Some cinnamon contains coumarin, which can be toxic to the liver.

We usually suggest that someone who is taking cinnamon for medicinal effects (such as lowering cholesterol) use a water-soluble extract such as Cinnulin PF. Coumarin is not water-soluble and won’t be found in such an extract.

Q. Once my wife and I had children, I began to get several colds every winter. Of course, the kids would recover in a couple of days, but my own congestion would last a couple of weeks.
Eventually, I would get a sinus infection and have to get a prescription for antibiotics. This pattern continued for five years without fail.

Then I began a low-carb diet to lose weight. As a side effect, I noticed that my nasal congestion was reduced almost immediately. No longer did I spend five minutes every morning clearing my throat and blowing my nose. In the four years since I cut my sugar intake as part of the diet, I have had one cold (which lasted less than a week) and no sinus infections. Others may also benefit.

A. Thanks for sharing your experience. We haven’t seen this benefit mentioned in studies comparing low-carb to low-fat diets.

Q. My cholesterol is high but I cannot tolerate statin-type drugs. My doctor has prescribed Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor. They all make my muscles and joints hurt. Now he wants to prescribe Vytorin.

I am reluctant to try yet another cholesterol lowering drug, especially since I have heard bad things about this medicine. What else can I take to get my cholesterol under control?

A. Since you have already reacted badly to Zocor (simvastatin), it is unlikely that Vytorin will solve the problem. It contains both simvastatin and ezetimibe (Zetia). There is a controversy about whether Vytorin is associated with an increased risk of cancer (New England Journal of Medicine, Sept. 25, 2008). An editorial in this journal concluded: “Physicians and patients are unfortunately left for now with uncertainty about the efficacy and safety of the drug.”

There are several other ways to lower cholesterol. Psyllium fiber has a modest lipid-lowering effect. Niacin may also be beneficial when taken under medical supervision. Other non-statin drugs include Colestid, Tricor, or WelChol. Fish oil can reduce both LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

We are sending you our Guide to Cholesterol and Heart Health with more information about these medications so you can discuss them with your doctor.

Q. I read your coconut macaroon article and asked my doctor about using coconut instead of my Crohn’s medicine. He said that he has seen it work for others and to give it a try. He said to add pineapple for anti-inflammatory properties.

I have been eating a large pinch of coconut morning and evening for five months and have no Crohn’s symptoms. I add the pineapple a couple of times a week.

A. We are pleased coconut has helped. Not everyone will benefit, however, and a physician should be involved in such decisions.

Donald Agar in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, first discovered that Archway Coconut Macaroon cookies stopped the chronic diarrhea associated with Crohn’s (inflammatory bowel disease). He shared his success with us 10 years ago in this column.

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory activity. Yours is the first report that pineapple might also be beneficial for Crohn’s.

Q. I have a cure for warts. As crazy as it sounds, it absolutely works. Rub the wart on the yellow exterior of a banana skin several times a day.

I had a wart on my index finger and after trying various medications, I heard about this on the radio. I thought, “What can it hurt?” Sure enough, the wart disappeared, never to return.

A. This is a variation on a wart remedy we’ve heard before. The one we’ve encountered several times calls for a piece of banana peel to be taped to the wart, with the fleshy white inside of the skin in contact with the wart. The peel is to be applied overnight and left off during the day.

Q. I started taking cinnamon to regulate my blood sugar. (I do not have diabetes, but I want to keep it that way.)

A very surprising side effect was that my hot flashes have subsided tremendously. Have you heard of this?

A. We could find no published research in the U.S. on the use of cinnamon to ease hot flashes. This spice seems to be part of a traditional treatment in China and Japan, however, and is being studied at the University of Minnesota.

Some readers report benefit from French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). One woman wrote, “At 48, I went off the pill due to migraines and within two months menopause began. I was having hot flashes all day. I could deal with those, but not with the loss of sleep caused by hot flashes all night long. I read about Pycnogenol, bought some and became hot flash free within days.”

For more information about other natural ways to control blood sugar and menopausal symptoms you may be interested in Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available in libraries, bookstores and online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. My husband and I recently combined forces in a spectacular kitchen accident. He was heating water in a French press coffee pot in the microwave, and unknowingly heated it too much. As he picked up the pot, and walked away from the microwave, the super-heated water erupted into his face.

In running to see what had happened, I slipped in the water, and hit the tile floor on my shoulder. Fortunately, I quickly remembered reading about soy sauce for burns in one of your columns, and he quickly applied a liberal amount to his face. Subsequently, only his eyelids (which were not coated in soy sauce) blistered and peeled, but the remainder of his face suffered no long-term effects. Within a couple of days, it looked no worse than a mild sunburn.

Unfortunately, only surgery and therapy will cure the broken shoulder, but how wonderful to see the amazing results of soy sauce on his burns. Thanks for including this info in your column!

A. We first heard about using soy sauce on burns from Blair in Eugene, OR. He has been using it for decades to treat minor household burns. Since then, others have reported success using soy sauce to ease the pain and damage from minor burns. Your story is one of the most dramatic.

First aid for burns begins with immediate cold water. Severe burns require medical attention. We are certainly glad the soy sauce remedy worked for your husband.

Q. I know the desperation some of your readers feel about constipation because I suffered the same problem for years. Those who haven't experienced this problem have no idea of its severity.

I tried increasing fiber and fluids to no avail. I became convinced that the constipation was related to my medication. Over a period of time, by the process of trial and error, I narrowed it down to a calcium supplement I had been taking for years.

I haven't taken any calcium since then, and I haven't had the problem either. I hope this information will help someone else.

A. Calcium supplements, especially calcium carbonate, are notorious for causing constipation. There are scores of prescription medicines that can also cause this problem.

Eliminating the medication at the root of the trouble is often the best solution. When it is not practical, there are some other approaches to try. Magnesium may counteract the calcium effect. “Power Pudding” made of bran, applesauce and prune juice is often helpful.

We offer a Guide to Constipation with a discussion of these approaches, including recipes for Power Pudding and sure-fire Pumpkin-Bran Muffins as well as a list of some drugs that cause constipation.

Q. Many years ago I had a boyfriend who had terrible foot odor, maybe from wearing steel-toe boots. I'd read that lemon juice could help relieve the odor so he tried it.

He cut a lemon in half and rubbed it on his feet. The results were amazing! It really helped get rid of the odor and it made his skin feel good as well.

A. We’ve not heard of this approach to smelly feet. Don’t try this if the skin is cracked or the lemon juice will sting!

Q. I used to have continuous terrible canker sores. I discovered that my toothpaste was the culprit. Since I brush my teeth daily, it was a never-ending cycle.

 There is an ingredient in all the name brand toothpastes (sodium lauryl sulfate) that can cause problems for sensitive people. Switching brands made an immediate difference. I now buy my toothpaste at health food stores and almost never have canker sores anymore.

Others may want to try this approach, eliminating the problem rather than treating the symptoms. It can't hurt and it might help.

A. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a detergent found in toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, bubble bath and car wash soaps. Research on the effects of SLS on teeth and mouth is complicated and contradictory.

Some studies from the 1990s suggested that SLS might contribute to canker sores, while other trials showed no impact. More recently, SLS has been implicated in wear on tooth surfaces and irritation in the mouth (Swedish Dental Journal, Jan-March, 2003).

Some people may be more susceptible than others. Another reader offered this story: “I used to have canker sores all the time and then I read about SLS in toothpaste. I searched around for toothpaste that did not contain this ingredient. I started using Biotene toothpaste and I have not had a canker sore since I started using this product. It also reduces dry mouth.”

Q. I have several little skin tags in my armpits. Is there anything that can be put on them so they will go away? I do not want to pay a doctor to cut them off.

A. Dermatologists can easily remove skin tags (small benign fleshy skin growths), but it will cost you something for this procedure. Readers of this column have offered several suggestions for getting rid of skin tags:

“Band-Aid makes a product called Clear Spots--50 tiny square pads with adhesive around all 4 sides. I cover the skin tag tightly with a Clear Spot and after a week to 10 days, it shrivels up and falls off.”

Another reader tried New-Skin liquid bandage: “I have a variety of sizes of skin tags on my neck and chest.  The smallest ones shriveled up and fell off after just a couple of days of applying New-Skin twice a day. It was amazing!”

Another approach requires some fortitude: “I am a nurse and for years I have tied a piece of thread around the tag at the base, pulled it tight, made a tight knot and cut off the long ends. (It stings at first, then it’s all right.) After three or four days the tag turns black and falls off, similar to bobbing a lamb’s tail. It strangles the blood supply and works every time. It helps to have someone do it for you.”

Q. Is it true that lavender oil can increase female hormones in men and boys? If so, shouldn’t there be a warning on soaps, shampoos and shower gels? A lot of personal care products have lavender fragrance whether you notice it or not.

A. Lavender does not increase female hormone levels in the body. Nevertheless, this herbal oil may act like estrogen on its own.

The lavender link was brought to public attention in the New England Journal of Medicine (Feb. 1, 2007). Researchers reported that three boys developed enlarged breasts (gynecomastia) after using styling gel, shampoo, lotion, soap or salve containing lavender oil.

The investigators detected lavender oil’s estrogenic action in test tube experiments and cautioned physicians that repeated use of such products might lead to hormonal disruption.

Other scientists questioned the conclusion that lavender oil poses a potential risk to children. But the original researchers pointed out that the breast enlargement disappeared when the products were discontinued.

Q. I have started taking Certo and grape juice for my arthritis but wondered if you can use Certo in other juices, such as cranberry, orange or apple and get similar results?

A. There is no scientific data supporting this remedy for joint pain. One reader reported good results mixing Certo with pomegranate juice. Try one tablespoon in 8 oz. juice daily and report your results at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. There is an ad in a vintage Good Housekeeping magazine from October 1927 where Listerine mouthwash is recommended for women with bad skin. I find that nothing is really new and that Listerine has been used for treating skin problems for decades.

A. We have not been able to find the advertisement you referred to. Listerine was introduced to physicians in 1879 for use as a surgical antiseptic. In 1914 it was brought to the market as the first commercial mouthwash.
Readers have told us that Listerine is helpful against dandruff, jock itch, nail fungus, lice and blemishes. The FDA only sanctions its use as a mouthwash.

Q. A very distressed sufferer of leg cramps wrote to you for advice. I was surprised that you did not suggest placing a bar of soap under the sheet, as you have information citing this 'cure' on your website.

I too was suffering nightly from excruciating leg cramps. My husband read of this inexplicable soap cure on your website and, desperate for relief, we decided to try it. After years of not being able to go a single night without cramps, I have been episode-free ever since I first placed the soap under the sheet three months ago. I replace it with a fresh bar each month.

Initially, I was quite curious as to how a simple bar of soap could bring such pain relief. At this point, though, I am no longer concerned as to how or why this works, I am just grateful and relieved that it does.

A. Thank you for reminding everyone of this simple and safe approach to preventing leg cramps. We too have tried it and found it helpful, although we have no plausible explanation.

We describe this and many other home remedies for leg cramps in our Guide to Leg Pain.

Q. Years ago I was suffering with sensitivity to all underarm deodorants on the market. I found an alternative product at the health food store and bought it, though it was dreadfully expensive ($12). The directions said to apply a small amount of this white paste to each clean, dry armpit only once a week.

I tried it and it worked. The ingredients were zinc oxide, rosewater and some kind of powder. The tin was so small, I used it up in no time.

Then I bought myself a tube of cheap zinc oxide ointment (75 cents) and used it instead. I’ve been using it ever since with nary an odor. It’s not an antiperspirant, but it is a marvelous deodorant. Also, it’s safe: diaper rash cream is made of zinc oxide.

A. Thanks for telling us about your experience. According to our cosmetic consultant, zinc oxide has antimicrobial activity. We agree that it is safe for skin, and it seems to be an inexpensive approach to underarm odor.

Q. A reader was worried about her husband’s stinky feet. The sure fire way to cure this is to soak his feet in a strong tea solution. Boil a quart of water, add 6 or 7 regular tea bags and let them steep. Use that to soak the feet.

I write from experience. My feet also smelled, despite bathing, Odor-Eaters® and foot powder. The tea will kill the smell.

A. Tannin in tea can reduce perspiration, which often contributes to odor.

Q. Five years ago I read about a study done at Cardiff University in Wales. They gave 1,000 milligrams of high-strength cod liver oil for 12 weeks to patients scheduled for knee replacement surgery. Samples of cartilage and joint tissue at the time of surgery showed that 86 percent of the osteoarthritis patients produced less of a cartilage-eroding enzyme.

I decided to try adding cod liver oil pills to the glucosamine-chrondroitin I was already taking. I decided that if I had no reduction in pain in 12 weeks, I'd discontinue the cod liver oil.

My pain was so bad that it would wake me from a sound sleep every night and I would be up for hours. Nothing helped. Then one morning, I realized that I had slept thru the night with no pain! This was only 21 days after starting the cod liver oil.

I have recommended this to many people and we have all gotten the same wonderful results. I wonder how many knee replacement surgeries could have been avoided if people could have tried cod liver oil for a few months before submitting to surgery.

A. Cod liver oil is full of omega-3 fats that have anti-inflammatory activity. It is also a rich source of both vitamin A and vitamin D. If your vitamin D level was low, replenishing it could reduce chronic joint pain.

We do worry about taking cod liver oil for long periods of time, though. Some research suggests that high vitamin A intake may weaken bones.

Q. We've just learned that a British product called HeartBeet is showing promise lowering blood pressure naturally. Are beets really effective for natural hypertension control? Are there any other foods that control hypertension? My husband would prefer not to take prescriptions for his hypertension and is looking for natural remedies.

A. HeartBeet is a brand-name “beetroot” juice sold in Britain. We have not seen it in stores in the U.S.
A study published in Hypertension (March 2008) showed that two cups of beet juice daily lowered blood pressure by about 10 points, equivalent to the effect of many blood pressure medicines. Beets and certain other vegetables are high in nitrates. Eating a diet rich in natural nitrates seems to increase nitric oxide, a compound made in the body that relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.

Your husband should not stop taking his medication, but he might consider adopting a vegetable-rich DASH diet and including pomegranates, Concord grapes or a little dark chocolate in his diet as well. Weight loss and relaxation exercises can also contribute to natural blood pressure control. We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment for more details on non-drug approaches.

Q. An elderly relative was struggling with insomnia and tried Tylenol PM. She took it for several days and developed severe psychological side effects, including hallucinations. Not only was she spaced out and confused, it made her sleeping worse.

My doctor said that PM sleep aids are bad for older people. After we stopped her medication, my relative recovered. Can you suggest some natural approaches to help her get some sleep?

A. Allergy medicine such as Benadryl and nighttime pain relievers like Advil PM, Excedrin PM and Tylenol PM all contain the antihistamine diphenhydramine. This drug may cause memory problems, confusion or delirium in the elderly (Archives of Internal Medicine, Sept. 24, 2001).

Safer sleep aids may include acupressure, magnesium, melatonin or herbs like lavender, lemon balm or passionflower.

We are sending you our new Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep, with details on non-drug options and evaluations of popular sleeping pills like Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata.

Q. I used the combination of apple cider vinegar and baking soda on a wasp sting and felt instant relief. The foaming action should amuse children who have been frightened by the sting.

A. When you combine vinegar and baking soda, the impressive foam is caused by the release of carbon dioxide. We don’t know why this combination seems to ease the pain of wasp or bee stings, but it is popular. Other treatments include fresh onion juice or a paste made of meat tenderizer (papain) and water.

Q. About 40 years ago a doctor told me to increase my potassium intake. A few years later I found Morton Salt Substitute. I sprinkle about 1/8 teaspoon on my food about once a week, and I haven't had a muscle cramp since I started this routine.

A. This is a good way to boost potassium intake, which may help prevent leg cramps. Too much potassium, however, can be dangerous. Anyone who is taking ACE inhibitor blood pressure medicines like enalapril, lisinopril or ramipril must be very cautious about extra potassium.

Q. My husband's doctor told him to put duct tape on his foot to get rid of plantar warts. Do you just cut a small piece and place it on the wart? How long does it take?

A. The duct tape treatment for warts is quite controversial. The few studies that have been published provide contradictory results. Nevertheless, it is cheap, easy to use and some readers report surprising success. Here’s just one example:

“I had a cluster of plantar warts treated by a dermatologist. She used a liquid nitrogen spray, which was excruciatingly painful. My kidney stone was less painful. The warts persisted even after this treatment.

“Then I treated them with warm water soaks and duct tape, which I kept on all day. The warts went away and stayed away after about six weeks of treatment.”

A small piece of duct tape is placed over the wart for a week. Remove the tape, soak the wart in warm water, file it down with an emery board and put a fresh piece of duct tape on the next day. Repeat this for up to two months. More wart remedies can be found at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. Let me add to a recent article describing the benefits of applying a hot water compress to subdue severe itching. I suffer with terrible and prolonged itching from fire ant bites (usually bitten when fishing in the South).

Several years ago, while suffering dreadfully from the itching of about 30 concentrated fire ant bites, I jumped into the shower, adjusted the water to as hot as I could stand, and using my hand-held pulsating shower head, ran it up and down the affected area on my leg. Amazingly, the itching stopped and I never had to chance the consequences of possible infection and scarring that might result from unabated scratching.

I believe that this method of relieving severe itching may be even better than the hot compress application. Not only does the hot water alleviate the itching, but the pulsating water also safely satisfies the urge to scratch.

A. Brief exposure to hot water (a few seconds) can ease itching from bug bites or mild poison ivy. The hot water interrupts the itch signal from nerve endings for a few hours. Do not use hot water for hives, however, as it could make matters worse.

Q. My friend, my daughter-in-law and I have been able to stop all our prescription nasal sprays and inhalers for sinus problems and allergies since using a neti pot daily! I get bronchitis easily, but I have been cough-free for two months since I began rinsing my sinuses nightly with a mixture of one cup of warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of plain salt.

A. The neti pot looks a bit like an Aladdin’s lamp. It is a traditional technology for nasal irrigation to cleanse the nasal passages and sinuses. Ayurvedic medicine has used neti pots for regular nasal cleansing for hundreds of years.

In using a neti pot, the head is tipped forward and slightly to the side so that water can be poured into one nostril and allowed to run out the other. Nasal irrigation may also be accomplished with spray equipment from the drugstore. A small study in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (April 2008) suggests that many people with chronic sinus symptoms get benefit from daily nasal irrigation.

Q. Soy sauce for burns really works! I was changing the air cleaner in my car and my metal watchband accidentally arced across a battery terminal.

I got a severe burn in the shape of my watchband at the point of contact. I remembered the recommendation of soy sauce for burns. I slowly poured it on the burn for about a minute and had no pain then or afterward. I went back and finished my project.

A. We always suggest putting cold water on a burn first. Soy sauce thereafter can help ease the pain from a burn, as you discovered. Anyone who is interested in more details about this home remedy and others will find them at www.peoplespharmacy.com. Severe burns require immediate medical attention.

Q. Turmeric is excellent for nerve damage. I had a pinched nerve in my neck. I went to the E.R. but the doctors told me they have no painkiller for nerves. Instead they gave me a high-powered pain pill.

Those pain pills almost killed me: I had a reaction to them that set the nerve on fire. The pain was so great I cried all the time. I couldn't sleep for more than a few minutes here and there for 14 days. Once I stopped the pain pills, the pain eased up somewhat.

I called the health food store and asked if there was any thing to help the pain in my neck. Turmeric was recommended, so I got a bottle and with the very first pill I could feel the pain going away.

The turmeric I take is in a combination formula. I use Solaray Turmeric Special Formula. It combines turmeric with bromelain and boswellia and I have gotten good relief from it 5 years.

A. Bromelain, boswellia and turmeric are all traditional Indian Ayurvedic botanical medicines with strong anti-inflammatory activity. Bromelain is an enzyme derived from pineapple. Boswellia comes from a tree resin similar to frankincense. Turmeric is the yellow spice in curry powder and yellow mustard.

We have heard from other readers that this combination is especially helpful for nerve pain. Their stories and more information about the herbs can be found online at: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. My husband's feet stink sooo bad that it actually puts me in a bad mood! He showers daily and uses foot powder in his boots, but it does NOT help.

I'm tired of the house smelling like rotten feet. Any ideas? Please help me. I'm at my wits end!

A. Persistently smelly feet may be caused by infection. Eliminating the bacteria or fungus may solve the problem.

Readers have shared dozens of remedies for smelly feet. Some include soaking the feet in Epsom salts, baking soda, dilute vinegar or Listerine (amber colored) solutions. A waitress suggested Campho-Phenique and other people have used oral zinc or chlorophyll tablets.

We are sending you our Guides to Hair and Nail Care and Smelly Feet for more details on overcoming odor, nail fungus and athlete’s foot. Treating shoes is also important. Readers recommend rotating footgear and killing germs in the shoes with Lysol or rubbing alcohol.

Q. I work with animals. Yesterday we had a dog rip out her stitches to a point where closure was not an option. Our veterinarian placed honey on a dressing and bandaged up our little beagle. Today the wound already looks much better!

A. Honey has been used for thousands of years to help heal wounds. A recent article demonstrated that medical grade honey kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Clinical Infectious Diseases, June 1, 2008). When applied to the forearm, this special Dutch honey (Revamil) kept germs from growing on the skin. The manufacturer has also developed a veterinary formulation called Vetramil, which is supposed to discourage licking.

Q. Oatmeal and barley have lowered my cholesterol significantly. How does it work?

A. Oatmeal and barley are rich sources of soluble fiber. They bind to cholesterol in the digestive tract and keep it from being absorbed.

Q. I read in your column that someone used “Certo” in juice to relieve painful arthritis in the hands. Is this the pectin with which one makes jelly? I did buy some and started putting a tablespoon in 8 ounces of pomegranate juice, as I have horrendous arthritis in my hands.

A. Certo is in fact a liquid pectin product used by home canners to make jams and jellies thicker. Readers have told us for ten years that Certo mixed with grape juice can help ease arthritis pain. More recently someone suggested substituting pomegranate juice.

Here is a testimonial: “I read about grape juice and Certo last fall while I was suffering a painful medial column collapse of the right foot that the doctor attributed to psoriatic arthritis. I was going to have surgery in late November, but tried the juice with Certo in October. I didn't tell the doctor, as I didn't want to be admonished.

“For some mysterious reason, the pain started subsiding, then went away. The doctor was amazed but said surgery should only be done as a last resort. I see him next month for a checkup and will mention the juice with Certo.

“I'm not saying that's what put the arthritis in remission, but something happened, as I could hardly walk at the time. So I'll continue taking it.”
We include recipes for grape juice with Certo, gin-soaked raisins and the Sam Houston arthritis drink in our Guide to Home Remedies.

Q. I read in your column about persimmon punch helping ease acid reflux. I have terrible reflux and would love to know how to make this drink. Can you please tell me?

A. The original report on persimmon punch helping reflux came from a woman who sampled it in a Korean restaurant. She had tried unsuccessfully to stop taking her acid-suppressing drug, but the heartburn kept coming back: “Someone ordered Persimmon Punch, a concentrated cinnamon-ginger drink, for dessert. A few sips later, I felt fantastic. After a month of adding 3 tablespoons of the cinnamon-ginger drink to my tea morning and night, my heartburn was in control.”

We found the following recipe for persimmon punch on the Food Network Web site, courtesy of Hyungshin Song: Combine 2 quarts of water, ½ cup of thinly sliced fresh ginger and 3 cinnamon sticks. Simmer for ½ hour. Strain the liquid and stir in 1 and ½ cup sugar and 1 cup of sliced dried persimmons. Chill in the refrigerator overnight and serve cold.

Q. Does drinking tea limit iron absorption? I usually have a cup of black decaffeinated tea in the morning after taking my vitamins (and Slow Fe, an iron pill). I drink several glasses of iced tea throughout the day and wonder if that might also have an impact. I am anemic and cannot donate blood because my iron levels are too low.

A. Tannins in tea can combine with iron from your pill and keep it from being absorbed, thereby wiping out its benefit. Iron that comes from meat (heme iron) is not affected by tannin. But drinking iced tea throughout the day could interfere with the absorption of iron from other food sources such as spinach.

To maximize your iron absorption, take it at least an hour before or two hours after you drink any tea. Take it with orange juice or vitamin C because ascorbic acid improves iron absorption.

Q. I was stung on my left leg five times by yellow jackets. I have osteoarthritis in my left knee, and the pain has been gone since I was stung. I'm hoping that it will last!

If I had a choice, though I would definitely pick honeybee stings over yellow jackets as they’re much less painful.

A. You’re not the first person to share such a story with us. Years ago a reader wrote, “While snoozing on the porch I was stung on the finger by a tiny bee. The result: intense pain, and after that a great reduction of arthritis in my arm.”

Early in the 20th century, doctors used bee venom therapy to treat arthritis. Hospital pharmacies even stocked bee venom for these injections. After World War II, though, this approach appeared antiquated and unscientific and was no longer widely used.

Apitherapy, which uses bee stings medicinally, is undergoing a resurgence. Some proponents claim that honeybee stings can alleviate the pain of arthritis, shingles or tendinitis. Yellow jackets can be dangerous, however, and should not be used.

We talked to a number of experts at a meeting of the American Apitherapy Society. Anyone who would like to learn more about bee venom therapy can order a CD of the hour-long radio show. People allergic to bee stings must avoid this approach, since the reaction can be lethal.

Q. I read about coconut oil as a lubricant in the Whole Earth Catalog. Needless to say, that means I have been using it for years. My wife and I love it for general massage, more intimate massage, or simply dry skin.

Apparently the melting point is around 80 to 85 degrees F, so it is solid in the store, but melts nicely at body temperature. The smell reminds me of days at the beach. Life is good.

A. The Whole Earth Catalog was legendary for providing practical advice and access to tools. It was first published in 1968.
We’re glad to learn that coconut oil has served you so well all these years. Other readers have suggested it for personal lubrication.

Q. I would like to take red yeast rice as a supplement to lower my cholesterol. But I heard that in 2007 the FDA restricted sales of red yeast rice if it contained lovastatin, the ingredient in Mevacor. Is that true or can I still buy red yeast rice containing lovastatin?

A. Red yeast rice was first introduced to the American market in the mid 1990s under the name Cholestin. A standard dose contained a small amount of lovastatin (less than half as much as a 20 mg prescription-strength Mevacor pill).

The FDA challenged Cholestin on the grounds that it was an unapproved drug. Cholestin has since been reformulated, but there are many other red yeast rice products on the market. The FDA has warned consumers to avoid this compound, even though it does lower cholesterol.

A recent analysis by ConsumerLab.com shows that red yeast rice supplements “vary by more than 100-fold, with some providing as much lovastatin as prescription medication and others containing very little.” Some products were contaminated with citrinin, a potentially toxic chemical.

We discuss red yeast rice and many other natural approaches for lowering cholesterol in the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available in libraries, bookstores and online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. While I was working at a restaurant, one of our chefs was burned badly by a fryer. I happened to be in the kitchen when it happened, and the manager screamed, “get me a fresh onion out of the walk-in refrigerator.”

I didn't ask questions; I just got it. He asked me to cut it in half and give it to him, which I did. He squeezed the fresh onion juice on the chef’s burn. What was amazing is not only that it calmed the awful pain, but also that the burned skin NEVER BLISTERED!

The manager later explained to me that it must be a fresh-cut onion. I proved that later when, in another restaurant, I got burned and I reached for onions that were cut up that morning. That didn't work, so then I had to cut a fresh onion. Seconds count when it comes to a burn.
That happened back in the 80s and I have sworn by it every time. It always works! Something about the chemical of the onion juice works wonders.

A. Thank you for sharing your experience. We have heard of using cut onion on wasp or bee stings, but not on a burn. First aid for a burn is soaking it in cold water immediately. After that, if the skin is intact, a home remedy such as cut onion might be worth a try. Soy sauce is another kitchen remedy for burns. Obviously, a severe burn requires medical attention.

Q. I am 44 years old and have had acne since I was a teenager. Dermatologists have prescribed countless antibiotics, including Cleocin-T, to no avail. Birth control pills worked, but when I stopped the acne returned. I also took Retin-A, which helped but made my skin more sensitive to the sun and caused redness and cracking. I was excited to read about milk of magnesia as a topical treatment. My son (age 12) and I are using it and getting good results.

A. A letter in the Archives of Dermatology (Jan. 1975) suggested that topical application of milk of magnesia nightly could help reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne. Other readers have also shared their success with this remedy. We are sending you our new Guide to Skin Care with more details about milk of magnesia and other inexpensive home remedies for acne.

Q. I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis by one of the best foot doctors in my city. I was given pain medicines, many anti-inflammatory drugs and foot splints with no success. As a last resort, he recommended steroid injections for the intense pain.

A friend suggested I try cherry juice. In two days, I was nearly pain free. It was almost a religious experience. I am convinced this works, and I have since drunk more cherry juice when pain flared up a few weeks later. Once again I got great relief.

A. A number of studies in rats treated to develop arthritis have shown that cherry extract can reduce paw swelling and pain behaviors. The red compounds, anthocyanins, appear to have anti-inflammatory effects. We don’t know why cherry juice would have worked when anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin did not, but we’re glad to hear of it. 

Q. After a cruise, I was upset to find that solid ground felt like it was moving. This was very annoying, though it did not make me sick. A friend said ginger worked great for seasickness, so I sliced three pieces of ginger root into hot water and let it steep. The ginger tea made the ground stop moving that same day.

A. People often don’t anticipate that sensation of solid ground swaying beneath their feet after they have accustomed themselves to being on a boat. We’re glad to hear that ginger tea worked as well for that strange feeling as it does against actual sea-sickness.

Q. I have severe restless leg syndrome (RLS), but it has been controlled with diazepam. Recently the doctor diagnosed me with an underactive thyroid condition and prescribed levothyroxine. It really made my RLS worse.

He suggested that I stop the thyroid medicine for three weeks to see what happened. It took a full week to get my RLS back under control. I am worried now about him insisting I take levothyroxine for my thyroid condition. Is there anything else I can take instead? I absolutely cannot live with my severe RLS. It affects my whole body, not just my legs, and even affects me mentally.

A. We discovered a case report in the medical literature (Movement Disorders, Nov. 2004) that parallels your experience. The person was deficient in iron and thyroid supplementation made the creepy crawly sensations and limb movements worse.

Perhaps your doctor can check your iron levels to see if you need a supplement. Untreated hypothyroidism is associated with a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including mental sluggishness, depression or confusion. It can cause high cholesterol, constipation, fatigue, swollen hands or feet and weakness, among other problems.

We are sending you our Guides to Thyroid and Leg Pain so that you can learn more about thyroid testing and treatment as well as many non-drug approaches for RLS.

Q. When I was a kid, I would get very bad nosebleeds. If nothing else worked, my mother would get out her keys and drop them down the back of my neck. I wish I knew why it worked it worked so well.

A. We have heard from many people who have had success stopping nosebleeds with keys or a cold butter knife against the back of the neck. We don’t know why this trick works, but one reader offered the following from his experience as a medic doing water rescue:

“The keys work because of the mammalian dive reflex. Cold hits the nerves in the neck, causing the blood vessels to constrict. You might notice your pulse slowing too.

“The dive reflex is why cold-water drowning victims are not usually pronounced dead until they are ‘warm and dead.’ Cold water only in the face/head area shunts blood to the organs and away from the skin and slows the metabolism for survival. The vital signs are often too weak to detect.”

This hypothesis sounds plausible to us. We can’t offer a better one.

Q. I have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Is there a home remedy I can take to ease the discomfort? I currently use Nexium every day.

I drink a lot of water and try to stay regular, but I am always uncomfortable. I am at my wit’s end. HELP!

A. Research from Germany suggests you may want to try enteric-coated peppermint oil. The investigator reviewed 16 clinical trials of peppermint oil for treating the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Two-thirds of the placebo-controlled trials showed that peppermint oil worked twice as well as placebo in easing symptoms (Phytomedicine, Aug. 2, 2005). There were side effects: peppermint oil can cause heartburn and rectal burning. But overall it seemed the enteric-coated capsules improved quality of life for people with IBS. One brand-name product, Pepogest, can be bought online.

Q. After dieting and exercising hard for the last year I managed to get my cholesterol down from over 260 to below 220. Then sore joints led me to take glucosamine and chondroitin. Now my cholesterol is up over 240. I think there is a connection.

My doctor recommended Certo and grape juice to lower my cholesterol and possibly ease my arthritis pain. How much do I need and is there anything else natural I could try to control my cholesterol and triglycerides?

A. Research has not confirmed that glucosamine and chondroitin raise cholesterol, but other readers have reported a similar problem. You may be interested to note that grape juice has been shown to lower cholesterol. Soluble fiber in the form of liquid plant pectin (Certo) may have a similar benefit. Many readers tell us the combination also helps ease arthritis pain.

One recipe involves putting 2 tsp. of Certo in 3 oz. of grape juice and drinking it three times daily. We are sending you our Guides to Home Remedies and Heart Health with other arthritis recipes and natural ways to control cholesterol.

Fish oil can be helpful for lowering triglycerides as well as easing joint pain, while psyllium can also reduce cholesterol levels. 

Q. I had headaches for over 30 years--migraine, tension, cluster, you name it! The Group Health Pain Clinic told me to take mega doses of vitamin B2, and no painkillers.

I learned I had been causing my own headaches because of a rebound effect from the pain relievers. My headaches stopped in less than 30 days and I have been headache-free for more than a decade.

The vitamin costs me $7 for 100 tablets. I found a study online that talks about this use of riboflavin (B2). Multivitamins won’t work because you would get far too much of the other ingredients for 200 mgs of B2.

A. Many other people have been caught in the vicious cycle of taking medicine that causes headaches as it wears off, for which they take more medicine. Both prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers can cause this painful reaction, but the use of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) does not seem to cause this kind of rebound. In a recent review, neurologists discussed migraine prevention and concluded: “Patients can choose between evidence-based nutraceuticals such as riboflavin, feverfew, butterbur, or coenzyme Q10, or more traditional pharmacotherapeutics [drugs]” (Current Treatment Options in Neurology, Jan. 2008).

Q. I awoke one night with the muscles and nerves in my legs feeling like fireworks (little explosions-big explosions-the grand finale!). They were so active that they started twisting into cramps. This literally kept me awake all night. The cramps were in all parts of my legs and feet—nowhere else in my body.

Blood tests didn't reveal any problems, so the doctor shrugged and gave me muscle relaxants so I could sleep at night. I took them for months. If I stopped the drug, the problem returned.

One day I read in your column about a man who was taking a diuretic and began having cramps in his legs at night. He found low-sodium V-8 stopped the problem.

Since I was taking a diuretic at the time, I thought I would give it a try. It stopped the cramping and severely curtailed most of the weird muscle/nerve activity. I faithfully drink two glasses of the V-8 every evening and I haven't taken a muscle relaxer since the first glass.

A. Low-sodium V-8 juice provides plenty of potassium. When this mineral is in short supply, many people develop cramps. Diuretics frequently deplete the body of potassium, and that may be why low-sodium V-8 helps some people.

Q. As an active senior, I was more than dismayed with increasing arthritis that caused pain when I attempted simple activities. Aspirin and exercise helped a bit. I tried deleting the “reds” from my diet (meat, tomatoes, eggplant). I also took herbs like boswellia, turmeric and bromelain. They helped a little but not enough.

Then I tried the gin-soaked raisins and I am pain-free and flexible once more. Fantastic! My horses thank you, my grandkids thank you and my garden also thanks you.

A. We don’t know why some people get such relief from gin-soaked raisins and others tell us this remedy is worthless. We’re delighted to learn that it worked for you.

To make this remedy, put golden raisins in a shallow bowl, cover with gin and allow it to evaporate. Eat nine daily. For more details on this and other natural approaches we offer our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.

Q. You recently offered a list of natural migraine remedies people have tried. I've had migraines since before I was in kindergarten, and I'm 58 now. The best thing I've found is ginger: Jamaican-style ginger beer (stronger than ginger ale) is good, though rather sweet; the pickled ginger sold with sushi is a godsend. It also helps with the nausea.

I sometimes make a tea of mint, chamomile, sassafras (which one grandmother called "headache bark"), some cinnamon sticks, cloves and a bit of valerian. I add grated fresh ginger when preparing the tea. It's not a cure, but it helps, as does ginger, a warmed buckwheat-filled pack along my back and shoulders and ice packs on my temples and forehead. (I wish Imitrex and its relatives worked for me, but they don't.)

A. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Ginger is well known for its anti-nausea activity, and there are a few mentions of ginger against migraine in the medical literature. Most suggest that ginger works best when taken at the first sign of a migraine headache.

Q. I am 29 and have been suffering from migraine headaches since I was 12 years old. I have seen countless neurologists who have prescribed every drug under the sun. Nothing has worked to keep them from coming.

I am curious about the hot and sour soup or any other remedy that might prevent or ease my pain. I am willing to try anything because this disease is getting the best of me.

A. Several years ago we heard from a migraine sufferer that hot and sour soup could interrupt a migraine headache. Another reported that spicy gumbo did the trick.

Other natural approaches include magnesium, B vitamins (especially riboflavin) and herbs such as feverfew or butterbur. We provide far more detail on treatments for headaches and migraines in our book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available from libraries, bookstores or online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. When I was teaching elementary school, I spent many sleep-deprived nights because I was awakened with leg cramps so severe they took my breath away. I mentioned this to my mother, and she said, “Take calcium-magnesium.”

I was already taking calcium, but her doctor had told her it must be the combination supplement. I took this with a grain of salt, thinking, “I’ll try it; it won’t work.”

As you might have guessed, it did work. I continue to take calcium-magnesium each night and no longer have cramps. One exception: I bowled six games in succession and later that afternoon awoke from a nap with an excruciating cramp in my leg. I took three calcium-magnesium tablets with a glass of water and the cramps were soon gone. Others might like to know about this.

A. Thanks for the suggestion. Calcium, magnesium and potassium are all essential minerals for muscle function. Other readers have also had success preventing leg cramps with magnesium or calcium supplements. Taking them together is a good idea. Anyone who would like additional remedies for leg cramps can find them by searching our Web site www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I have high blood pressure and must avoid caffeine. Is yerba mate a caffeinated beverage? I don’t want to drink it if it would affect my blood pressure.

A. Yerba mate is a favorite drink in Argentina. It is made from the leaves of a South American holly, and has about as much caffeine in it as coffee. If you need to avoid caffeine, you’ll have to forego yerba mate.

Q. I think you have alarmed people unnecessarily with your thoughtless remarks on vitamin E. You said that applying vitamin E oil to scars did not help them heal faster. You should print a correction because pure vitamin E on incisions promotes healing.

A. When we find research demonstrating that putting vitamin E on wounds helps them heal without scarring, we will be prompt to write about it.

We found a review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Dec. 2006) that stated “vitamin E has complex effects on wound healing,” and concluded, “the evidence that topical vitamin E alone improves the cosmetic appearance of scars is poor. It is also associated with a high incidence of contact dermatitis. The use of vitamin E should, therefore, be discouraged.”

If a person plans to use vitamin E oil on the skin, she should test it first on the inside of the forearm to make sure she will not react badly.

Q. I’ve heard that consuming too much cinnamon can be harmful, but what, exactly, is the acceptable limit? I eat two tablespoons on my cereal each morning just because I like the flavor and I don't need added sugar. Is that too much?

A. Some cinnamon (Chinese or cassia cinnamon) is contaminated with a natural compound called coumarin. In excess, this can harm the liver of sensitive individuals. Coumarin may also interact with blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin) to increase the risk of bleeding.

Two tablespoons of cinnamon daily is a very big dose. You should have your liver enzymes checked when you see your doctor. People who use cinnamon to help lower blood sugar take one quarter to one half teaspoon before meals.

Unfortunately, cassia cinnamon is not labeled with the amount of coumarin it contains. This makes it hard for consumers to tell how much they are getting (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, online, Jan. 16, 2008).

Q. I am curious about a natural dietary supplement. It is Kan Jang (Andrographis paniculata) from the Swedish Herbal Institute. What is your opinion of using this to treat colds and prevent respiratory infections during the cold and flu season?

A. The Chinese herb Andographis boosts immune response in animals (International Immunopharmacology, April, 2007). A review of treatments for colds concluded that Andrographis and Eleutherococcus extracts are helpful (Alternative Medicine Review, March 2007). Kan Jang contains standardized extracts of both herbs. This product can be ordered at 877-282-5366 or online at www.proactivebio.com.

There’s more information about Kan Jang and other natural approaches in our Guide to Cold Remedies.

Q. I did an internship in OB/GYN in 1973 at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. When a wound would start to open rather than healing, we would have the patient come to the hospital a few times a week and pour Golden Blossom honey straight from the jar purchased in the supermarket into the wound. NOTHING grows in honey. We'd get nice granular tissue that would heal from the inside out.

A. Thank you for sharing your experience. Wound management requires medical supervision, with or without honey.

My husband is diabetic, so we just started using cinnamon extract made in the drip coffee maker. How much lime and vinegar do we need to add? How much should we drink? And is the (shudder) vinegar necessary?

A. Many readers want this recipe, and the person who came up with it agreed to share it in detail. Here is Lisa’s Weight Loss Elixir: Put 5 decaffeinated green tea bags in 5 cups of water and bring to a full boil. Let steep 5 minutes, remove and discard tea bags.

Add 2 level tablespoons baking soda and stir (tea will foam). Add 1/3 cup ground cinnamon and stir briefly. Cover and let steep.

Cool the tea and move it to the refrigerator. Allow it to settle for at least two days. Then pour off and save the liquid and discard the solids (unless you know a 10-year-old who needs a science fair project on slime with attitude).

Add 1 packet Certo liquid pectin, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 1/2 cup lime or lemon juice, 5 cups unsweetened juice (any combination of pomegranate, black or sour cherry, sugar-free cranberry or grape) and 1/3 to 1/2 cup Splenda to taste. Stir. Keep refrigerated. Drink 1/3 cup before each meal or snack. Lisa avoids high glycemic foods (white stuff like sugar, bread, pasta, potatoes and rice).

She suspects that this works for her because she is insulin resistant and cautions that it might not work as well for others. Insulin resistance may contribute to excess weight.

There is research on cinnamon and vinegar independently reducing the rise in blood sugar and insulin after a meal. Caffeine boosts insulin levels, so using decaf green tea makes sense (Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, Dec. 2007). Green tea may help reduce weight modestly (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Aug. 2007).

Q. I had chronic diarrhea for several years, so I was interested in the coconut macaroon cookie remedy when I read about it in your column. I ate two each morning and got good benefit for a while, but then I had to increase the dose.

After a few months, even three cookies were not helping the diarrhea. Instead I turned to Dannon Activia yogurt. They advertise that they will refund your money if it doesn’t solve the problem in two weeks. I didn’t get any money back, but I am happy. Not only did it eliminate my diarrhea, it also solved my husband’s long-standing constipation problem.

A. Activia contains probiotic bacteria that are supposed to help re-establish a healthy balance of microbes in the gut. Yogurt is made from cultured milk, so it is an excellent way to deliver living bacteria.

Probiotics have gained popularity in Europe, but are still relatively unknown in the United States. Nonetheless, there is some research to link probiotics to promoting better digestive health, soothing eczema and boosting immunity against respiratory tract infections.

We discussed probiotics for good health with Kelly Karpa, RPh, PhD, during an hour-long interview on our radio show.

Q. I read somewhere of a solution for "hot spots" on dogs: 1/3 Listerine, 1/3 baby oil and 1/3 water. Shake these up in a spray bottle and spray it on the dog, rubbing it into the spot.

If you do this when you first see the dog worrying a spot, it stops the problem in its tracks. I think the Listerine dries it out and the baby oil soothes it. It works like a miracle!

A. We have written before about using a solution of equal parts Listerine, mineral oil and water for these itchy spots. We suspect the herbal oils in the Listerine fight fungus and possibly bacteria. Some dogs’ hot spots may be linked to Malassezia fungus, and the antifungal activity of this mouthwash might be helpful.

The development of itchy spots may be related to allergies. Ask the vet about ways to reduce your dog’s exposure to potential allergens.

Q. After listening to your radio show and reading about the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric, I called a local health food store to get some. I had been having lower back pain and hip pain chronically off and on (mostly on) within the past ten months, and I figured, why not try it? I bought the brand "Curamin" from EuroPharma, Inc.

We were just starting on a trip to Italy and I was very nervous about the effects of the flight on my back. I started taking the pills a day before we left and have continued, reducing the dose to a couple of pills a week. My pain has mostly disappeared. I have also been drinking pineapple juice so maybe the combination has more of an effect, but I am convinced that Curamin is working for me.

 A. We can’t address the specific product Curamin. It may contain other natural compounds in addition to curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric.

More than 150 scientific articles have been published investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin. Indian researchers recently confirmed this activity through molecular biology (International Immunopharmacology, Dec. 15, 2007).

Q. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for removing skin tags. The dermatologist has lopped off some of them, but I’m hoping for a less expensive solution.

A. Several readers have reported success in making their skin tags shrivel up and disappear by keeping them bandaged. This is difficult to do with adhesive bandages, but liquid bandage makes it easier and seems to work better.

One reader wrote: “After reading your column about skin tags and the use of New-Skin Liquid Bandage, I decided to try it. I had dozens of tags, some large but mostly small in my underarm area. I used New-Skin consistently for six months or better and now all of them are gone. Most of them fell off on their own and I saved hundreds of dollars in doctor bills. It takes patience but it worked for me.” Other brands of liquid bandage may be equally useful.

Q. I have been using milk of magnesia on my face for the past two months since reading it in your column. My face flakes are gone!

I pour it in my hand and massage it on my face--forehead, eyebrows, around the eyes, nose, cheeks and chin--while showering. Then I rinse it off at the end of the shower. It’s a great, cost-effective alternative to expensive Nizoral and it works better, too.

A. A reader told us that a doctor suggested a topical mixture of milk of magnesia and Lotrimin AF for seborrheic dermatitis. This skin condition causes itching, flaking, scales or redness on the scalp or on the face around the eyebrows, forehead, nose and chin.

In the past, I had good results (a loss of 20 pounds in a year) by eliminating high glycemic foods (white stuff like sugar, bread, pasta, potatoes, rice), but it's hard to keep that up. I'm always on the go and nothing is more portable than food carried between two pieces of bread.

I don't know how long the cinnamon and acid before meals will work for me. If my weight loss slows down, I plan to try harder to limit the high glycemic foods and increase my exercise.

A. Research has shown that both cinnamon and vinegar can help keep blood sugar from soaring after a meal. We haven’t seen research on lime juice. Avoiding refined carbohydrates also helps keep blood sugar down after meals.

Q. I'm only 38, but have had a lot of pain in my knees lately that I assume is arthritis. Sometimes at night in bed my knees really ache. I walk three to five miles per day, every day. I'd like to try some herbal remedies to see if they help. I saw you mentioned Certo, but wonder if this can be bought in pre-mixed form. Are there alternatives you could recommend trying?

A. There are several natural approaches to ease the inflammation and pain of arthritis. Certo is plant pectin used to thicken jams and jellies. Many readers tell us that a tablespoon in eight ounces of grape juice daily can be helpful. One with “worn out knees” had difficulty climbing stairs. After nine months on Certo and grape juice the pain was gone and he was back running.

Other readers have had success with fish oil or gin-soaked raisins. “I began taking the gin and golden raisins daily several years ago at the advice of my doctor. I had not been able to wear my rings for months due to swollen knuckles and could barely close my fist, but after about a month of the gin and raisins I was able to wear my rings and have virtually no pain in my fingers.”

We discuss these and many other approaches (turmeric, ginger, boswellia and vinegar) in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.

Q. I have to admit I was skeptical about Pycnogenol, but after about only four days of use, my severe hot flashes have completely disappeared. I take 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening.

I used to have a couple of hot flashes every hour around the clock. Since I have started taking Pycnogenol, I haven't had ONE.  It feels like a miracle!

A. We have seen just one controlled study of this French pine bark extract for hot flashes (Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. Aug, 2007). It looks promising, and we are pleased it helped you. Pycnogenol can be found on the Web or in health food stores.

She said, "Nothing else is helping, so go for it. It couldn't hurt." I applied the first treatment on a Friday afternoon and by Monday afternoon the improvement was very noticeable. At my next doctor's appointment, she was very impressed.

I mixed the sugar into Polysporin and applied it. The improvement was so great that my doctor even gave me permission to shower without a bag on my foot. I had not done that in well over two years. Healing has slowed but it continues. Thank you!

A. We first found this old-fashioned approach in the medical literature two decades ago (Southern Medical Journal, Nov., 1981). There has been little research on it since then, but research in Africa suggests that both honey and sugar may be helpful (Journal of Wound Care, July, 2007). Medical supervision is essential whenever difficult wounds are treated.

Q. I tried making a cinnamon extract with hot water to help with blood sugar as described in your column. I ended up with a gooey glob. Please provide exact proportions of spice to water so I don't have to deal with the mess.

A. Research shows that ¼ to ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon before a meal can reduce the rise in blood sugar after eating. We worry, however, that the spice could contain coumarin, a compound that occurs naturally in cinnamon. Regular intake of coumarin could damage the liver.

We suggested putting ¼ or ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a paper coffee filter and pouring a cup of hot water over it. The resulting liquid contains the active ingredient without coumarin.

One reader has a slightly different technique: “I put about 2 teaspoons cinnamon in my coffee filter and then put my coffee grounds on top so I get the benefits of the cinnamon and it cuts any bitterness from the coffee. I turned all my family and friends on to this and my mother-in-law was able to go off her diabetes medicine that she'd been on for years!”

We imagine that two teaspoons of cinnamon is enough for a whole pot of coffee. Anyone who uses cinnamon to lower blood sugar should be under medical supervision and should monitor blood glucose regularly.

Q. My 17-year-old daughter has very smelly feet. I convinced her to try the urine trick, and IT WORKED! Her foot odor is completely gone!

A. We have heard from veterans that urinating on smelly feet can help clear up athletes’ foot as well as foot odor.

Another possibility involves zinc supplements. Here is one reader’s story: “About 8 years ago, my then 12-year-old son had terrible foot odor. It finally stopped when I read in your column to try zinc. We bought generic zinc tablets and within a week we saw dramatic improvement with just one tablet daily.”

Q. My husband's toenail fungus was terrible. I read your article about using vinegar and water to heal the fungus. My husband started this treatment a few months ago, soaking his feet almost every night. The toenails on one foot are completely healed and the other foot only has one toenail left that is affected. Thanks for such good advice.

A. Soaking the feet nightly in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water is a remedy that seems to help many people fight off nail fungus. It takes patience, since the nail has to grow out fungus free. That may take many months.

If vinegar soaks do not help, there are a number of other home remedies that can be helpful, such as applications of tea tree oil, vitamin E oil, rubbing alcohol and iodine.

For those with hard-to-treat nail fungus we offer our Guides to Home Remedies and Nail Care with more details and a way to dissolve diseased nails without surgery.

Q. When the skin on my fingertips cracks open, the splits are painful and take a long time to heal. I went to a dermatologist for a series of different pills and lotions but nothing has worked.

This problem seems to happen more in the winter months. It just started again, with cracks on two fingertips of my left hand. What can you suggest?

A. Dermatologists sometimes recommend moisturizers, “the greasier the better.” By these standards, plain petroleum jelly should work great. But many readers tell us that Vicks VapoRub is especially helpful against splitting skin on the fingertips. The herbal oils in the petrolatum base seem to add a little extra power.

Another great greasy remedy for cracked fingertips is A&D Ointment. This contains vitamins A and D in a petrolatum base and seems to help fingertips heal fast.

A couple of other old-fashioned approaches to this problem include Bag Balm (again, this uses petrolatum as the base) or Udder Cream (which sponsors our radio show). Both products were originally designed to keep cows’ udders from chapping in cold weather. If you apply any of these moisturizers at night, wear light cotton gloves like the ones photographers use for handling negatives. They’ll keep the sheets from getting too greasy.

One last approach readers have recommended is sealing the cracks with instant glue. A liquid bandage product from Band-Aid is formulated for skin and less likely to be irritating than a household adhesive.

Q. I have had a problem with underarm odor for the past several months. It occurs even when I am not active. I use an antibacterial soap and have increased the strength of my antiperspirants. First I switched to Mitchum and now to an even stronger and more expensive one.

The problem is still there. One arm is worse than the other. My doctor has no answers. Please give me a natural solution to this and explain why it is occurring.

A. We’re afraid we can’t tell you why, but we may have a possible solution. Milk of magnesia is sold as a laxative, but readers of this column have suggested applying it to armpits as a gentle deodorant. We have tried it ourselves and found that it reduces odor surprisingly well. Please let us know if it helps you.

Q. Is there any home remedy or over-the-counter product that will permanently eliminate the strong odor of my husband's smelly feet? Bathing them daily does not help.

A. Smelly feet may not be a sign of poor hygiene. Instead, the odor may be result from sweating and bacteria or fungi that thrive in moist conditions.

One approach is to soak smelly feet in a warm Epsom salt solution every night for a week. Another is to soak them in a baking soda footbath.

We are sending you our Guide to Solutions for Smelly Feet, which offers details and many other remedies.

Q. My daughter is 23 and has had warts on her thighs all the way to her knees for five years. She couldn't wear shorts or bathing suits because of this condition. She had over 50 warts at all times.

I lost track of how much money we spent at dermatologists trying every treatment available: liquid nitrogen, Tagamet, chemotherapy, even yeast.  A new dermatologist told her she was out of options. The only thing left was to boost her immune system.

I heard your radio program and checked your book for possible home remedies. In August, I told my daughter about the vinegar treatment referenced in your book. She wet a paper towel with vinegar and wiped her warts with it twice a day. Her warts are completely gone. I cannot begin to express our appreciation for the information you provide!

A. It is wonderful to hear that applying vinegar to her warts twice a day was so effective. As you discovered, we discuss many home remedies in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies (608 pages). Local libraries or bookstores may have copies, or it can be ordered here online.

Q. I read that if you had really bad foot odor that all you had to do was urinate on your feet to make it go away. I tried this and not only did the odor go away, but the bad painful peeling of the skin on the bottom of my feet went away also. Why would that happen?

A. Soldiers have used this military secret for decades to treat foot fungus and odor. Perhaps the acidity of the urine does the trick. Urea, an ingredient of urine, may also have antifungal activity.

Q. I have been told to take cherry juice for joint pain. Where can I find it?

A. Cherries have anti-inflammatory activity, and one study found that 280 grams (about 10 ounces) of cherries a day reduced inflammatory markers in the blood (Journal of Nutrition, June 2003). When cherries are not in season, cherry concentrate softgels are a good substitute. You can find them in health food stores or on the Internet.

Q. You folks are ridiculous, superstitious and ignorant. How can you recommend a bar of soap under the bottom sheet for leg cramps?

It's just plain dumb. Please spare us such silliness.

A. We agree that putting a bar of soap under the bottom sheet sounds silly. But though we can’t explain how it might work, we assure you that many people have found it helpful.

Testimonials are no substitute for scientific study, but soap is inexpensive and doesn’t usually have dangerous side effects. Here is what one reader says: “I hesitated to try the bar of soap for my leg cramps, but finally I decided to give it a try. I did not tell anyone, because I just knew it wouldn't work.

"Surprise! It worked!

“Then one night it didn't, but the next morning I discovered the bar had slipped down off the side of the bed without my knowing. This sort of proved to me that it wasn't all in my head.

“At home I use regular Irish Spring, and by the time the bar in the shower needs replacing, I take the bar that's been in the bed, move it to the shower and put a new bar in the bed.

"When I’m traveling I find that the small hotel soap bars also work.

"I've even gotten up the nerve to tell other people about it.”

Q. When I was in college a fellow student gave me this silly remedy for hiccups. Place a paper napkin over the top of a glass of water. Have the hiccupper take sips of water through the napkin. It works!

A. Before the days of paper napkins, people used a clean cloth handkerchief in one variant of this hiccup remedy. We have no idea why this would work, but readers assure us that it does.

Then I walked by her house and thought I was seeing things. There she was, down on her knees, working in her flower beds. I said, "Nancy, have you experienced a miracle?" "No," she said, "just gin and raisins!"

I began taking the recipe and was able to stop going to the arthritis clinic, which wasn't helping anyway. My osteoarthritis subsided and I stopped taking the remedy. Now, 10 years later, I'm 67 and the arthritis has come back in the last joint of my little fingers with redness, pain and swelling. I remembered the recipe but forgot to let the gin evaporate. It turned into the most delicious raisiny brandy and helped the joints be less painful and swollen.

In the next batch I used black raisins. For some reason, it isn't helping as much. I guess I'll go back to yellow raisins.

A. We cannot begin to explain why some folks benefit so dramatically from the gin and raisin remedy while others tell us it is worthless. The recipe calls for a box of golden raisins in a shallow container. Just enough gin is poured over them to cover. Once the gin has evaporated the “dose” is nine raisins a day.

Those who would like more details on this and other unique approaches to arthritis relief may wish to order our Guide to Home Remedies.

Q. Mustard works for leg cramps. But I really don't like mustard straight up, especially at night.

Turmeric is the "active" ingredient in mustard. When I get leg cramps, I mix 1/4 tsp turmeric in four ounces of water and drink it down. Leg cramps subside in about one minute or less, faster than mustard and a whole lot more palatable.

A. Thanks for the tip. Some may find the taste of pure turmeric even more challenging than mustard, though.

Q. While cutting a mat from my dog's ear I cut a little chunk off the tip of her ear accidentally. I lost it, and held her and screamed for my husband. He went outside and got some spider web. He put it over the injured part of the ear and the blood started to clot around the web instantly.

A. Spider webs are a traditional remedy to stop bleeding. We don't recommend using them for humans, though. They are far from sterile and would have to be collected with care to make sure you didn't collect the spider along with the web.

There are a couple of other home remedies that may help. Ground black pepper and ground cayenne will both help a cut stop bleeding more quickly. Surprisingly, pepper doesn't hurt in most cases. Pharmacy solutions for bleeding include products such as QR Powder, QuikClot Sport or BloodSTOP.

Q. I took red yeast rice to control my cholesterol. It worked wonders for me. My doctors couldn't believe my perfect readings.

After taking the red yeast rice for eight months, I started having an ache in my leg. I tried taking magnesium, which helped a bit. Then my hip and leg both started aching so I stopped the supplement.

I know red yeast rice is somewhat similar to statin drugs and they can cause muscle pain and arthritis. Since it did such a good job controlling my cholesterol, I would like to use it again. But I do not want to hurt myself. Would CoQ10 be helpful?

A. Many people report disabling pain from statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs like Crestor, Lipitor or Zocor. This reaction is less common with red yeast rice, but some people experience pain and weakness with the supplement.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential natural compound that can be depleted from the body by statin-type medications. Taking extra CoQ10 may diminish pain and weakness.

We discuss the science behind red yeast rice for lowering cholesterol and the value of CoQ10 for people taking statin-type drugs in our book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available in libraries or book stores or on this Web site.

Q. Earlier this week I ate a large quantity of Brazil nuts (about 20) and suddenly began to feel a constriction in my lungs. My skin then felt very hot, and I saw in the mirror that I had turned a bright shade of red all over.

The symptoms began to recede after about ten minutes, while my husband and I were deciding whether to call a doctor, and disappeared within about 30 minutes. Apart from feeling a bit sick and shaky for a while, I have had no subsequent ill effects. Does this mean I am allergic to Brazil nuts or could I still eat them in moderation?

A. Brazil nut allergy is surprisingly common and can be just as dangerous as peanut allergy. It would be worthwhile to be tested by an allergist to determine if you are indeed allergic to Brazil nuts. If so, you will have to avoid them from here on out. Even if you weren’t allergic to Brazil nuts, eating more than a few on a regular basis could lead to a toxic dose of selenium.

Q. I've had success with Listerine for smelly feet. If it kills germs that cause bad breath, it might k.o. germs that cause stinky feet.

I applied Listerine to clean feet and wiped out the insides of my shoes as well. At the end of the day, both feet and shoes are odor free.

A. The herbal extracts and alcohol in Listerine are versatile for battling fungi and bacteria that can cause odor or itch.

Q. I heard a woman call in to your radio show and say that her allergies went away when she maintained a gluten-free diet. I have had a similar experience.

I had battled allergies for most of my life. I was also diagnosed with lupus about 10 years ago. Since eating a gluten-free diet for the last two years, I have been essentially allergy free. In the last 9 months I have had NO lupus symptoms and have completely eliminated any prescription medicines.

I feel that gluten is toxic for me and will eat gluten free for the rest of my life.

As a side note, my teenage son was just diagnosed as having celiac disease. I am hoping that his new gluten-free diet will eliminate his allergies as well.

A. Celiac disease is an inability to tolerate gluten, a protein found in barley, wheat and rye. The body reacts to gluten in the diet by attacking part of the lining of the intestine. Celiac disease is very serious. It is not usually linked to allergies, but may be associated with lupus.

Q. Years ago, you wrote about an enzyme in pineapple juice that helps with arthritis pain. At that time I was in my early 40s and already having pain in my hands and feet from arthritis.

I started drinking one glass of pineapple juice a day and my symptoms cleared up. I may eventually develop arthritis, but hopefully it will not be as severe as it would have been.

A. Pineapple juice contains bromelain, which appears to have anti-inflammatory activity. One study found that a product containing bromelain (Phlogenzym) was effective in easing discomfort from hip arthritis (Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, Jan-Feb, 2006).

Anyone who would like to learn more about natural anti-inflammatory approaches involving grape juice, ginger, boswellia and turmeric as well as pineapple may wish to order our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.

Q. I am a recovering alcoholic and do not want to do anything to jeopardize my sobriety (since 2001). Is there any way you can find out the alcoholic content of the raisins after they're soaked for a week? I know the alcohol evaporates, but is there any left in the raisins?

A. Gin-soaked raisins are a popular remedy for arthritis but we recommend you look for another approach. We had the alcohol content of the raisins analyzed and it is low--about one drop in 9 raisins.

Preparing them, however, might pose too great a temptation, especially if there were gin left over. Sticking to just 9 a day might also be a challenge. Plant pectin (Certo) dissolved in grape juice might be a safer bet for you.

Q. My mother read somewhere that vodka-soaked white raisins might be good for arthritis. She is now eating nine a day.

Mom has taken quite a bit of ribbing from the family. What is the benefit from this formula? Can you provide any written details about how to prepare them and how often she should eat them, how they should be stored, etc.?

A. We first heard about a gin-raisin remedy in 1994. Some folks tell us it is worthless while others sing its praises. Here is just one example:

“This remedy has worked for me for over two years. When I forget to eat my raisins for several days my arthritis gets much worse. I can't believe how much better I feel when taking them. Since I do not tolerate medication for inflammation at all, the raisins are my only relief.”

This recipe calls for golden (a.k.a. white) raisins. Put them in a shallow bowl, then pour just enough gin over them to cover them. Allow the gin to evaporate, a process that may take as long as a week. Then keep them refrigerated in a covered container and eat nine raisins daily.

We are sending you our Guide to Home Remedies with recipes for this and other approaches to arthritis. 

Q. I am desperate for non-drug ways to lower blood pressure. The medications my doctor has prescribed have way too many side effects. Do you have any information about this problem?

A. High blood pressure puts people at risk for heart disease, stroke, dementia and kidney damage. That’s why keeping blood pressure under control is essential.

You shouldn’t have to suffer intolerable side effects, however. Dizziness, depression, headache, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, erectile dysfunction or persistent cough should not be the price of normal blood pressure.

Finding the right medicine requires determination. Other approaches that can be helpful include weight loss, stress management, deep breathing, tea, grape juice, dark chocolate and minerals such as potassium and magnesium. We discuss both medications and non-drug approaches in our book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. We are sending you a copy.

Q. I have been taking St. John’s wort and black cohosh to relieve symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. This combination works really well. Are there any negative effects that should concern me?

A. The combination of St. John’s wort and black cohosh is often used in Europe to treat menopausal symptoms. There are, however, a few potential pitfalls.

Black cohosh has been linked to rare cases of elevated liver enzymes. You should ask your doctor to monitor you.

St. John’s wort can interact with many medications. Do not take it with any drugs unless you verify with your pharmacist that there is no interaction.

More disconcerting is the possibility of eye damage. St. John’s wort contains hypericin. When this compound is exposed to visible light it is activated and creates dangerous chemicals called free radicals. Joan Roberts, PhD, of Fordham University has found hypericin can harm lens tissue and might also damage the retina (Photochemistry and Photobiology, May/June, 2007).

Anyone taking St. John’s wort for depression or menopausal symptoms should avoid sunlight and even bright indoor light. Sunglasses cannot protect the eye adequately against this possible side effect. 

Q. I have read many questions about toenail fungus but not much about our issue. My daughter has hot sweaty feet that smell. She hates wearing socks because she says they make her feet too hot.

What can we do to relieve our problems--her hot, sweaty feet and our daily olfactory invasion? Her aunt also suffers with sweaty, smelly feet.

A. Warmth and moisture encourage the growth of bacteria that can contribute to foot odor. These conditions also allow the fungus that causes nail fungus and athlete’s foot to flourish.

Readers of our column have offered all sorts of remedies for such problems. One suggested drinking a chlorophyll solution from the health food store for smelly feet. A gentleman reported that diluted vinegar applications plus Vicks VapoRub helped both athlete’s foot and nail fungus.

Another reader shared that he had suffered from excessive foot sweat for years. He tried tannic acid (tea) to soak the feet and noted: “It works. My feet feel and smell better than they have in years.”

We have collected a number of suggestions from readers in our Guides to Home Remedies, Unique Uses for Vicks and Smelly Feet.

Q. I used to work backstage for the wardrobe department in a theatre. Actors sweat, and clothes that are not machine-washable are dry cleaned only once a week. Clothes get sweaty and smell.

The solution that I was taught is to spray undiluted white vinegar or vodka (the cheaper and higher proof the better) on the armpits and other sweaty areas of the clothing. Once the vinegar or vodka dried, the clothes didn't smell. This worked for the 15 years that I did it.

A. Thanks for this fascinating tip. During the summer clothes get sweaty quickly. This seems like an affordable solution to a common problem. Before spraying the entire garment, though, it might be a good idea to test the vinegar or vodka in an inobtrusive place to make sure it won’t stain the clothing.

Q. Years ago my dermatologist suggested I stop using all topical creams and lotions since I am allergic to them all. Twice a day I rub olive oil on my skin instead. On the weekends I also use it as a hair conditioner.

By sticking with olive oil, I have solved my skin problems. As the doctor said, "If it was good enough for Cleopatra, it's good enough for you!"

A. Some people may be allergic to olive oil, but for most people this can be an effective moisturizer. It may be a little greasy, though. Some women find that applying olive oil can also reduce vaginal dryness.

Q. I have had patches of itchy dermatitis for years. More recently I developed "mildly inflammatory arthritis." Then I came down with carpal tunnel syndrome. In my dealings with doctors, these have always been treated as separate problems.

I was recently prescribed prednisone for a poison ivy attack. My dermatitis is clearing up. My arthritis is much improved too; I can touch my toes. The carpal tunnel pain is also gone. I feel better than I have for years.

I know I cannot continue on the prednisone forever because of its side effects. From this experience, I conclude that all my prior problems are interconnected. I would like an integrated treatment for them. Have others found alternative solutions?

A. Inflammation is the common denominator of your health problems. While prednisone can relieve many symptoms, serious side effects may occur with long-term use.

We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis with a discussion of problems with prednisone and a variety of non-drug approaches for inflammatory conditions. If your problems are not caused by an underlying condition (such as psoriatic arthritis) that requires medical treatment, you may find a natural anti-inflammatory product helpful. These include fish oil, cherry or pomegranate juice, boswellia, curcumin and ginger.

Q. When we were at the beach a friend of ours burned her hand on a very hot pan handle. (I had just pulled the pan out of the broiler.) I grabbed the soy sauce and had her soak her hand in it after she ran the burn under cold water. She reported relief and the next day she was fine. I was really worried it would blister. She smelled like marinade but that’s a small price. We credited you for the save.

A. Thanks for sharing your success with soy sauce. We heard about this home remedy for burns from an Oregonian listener to our radio show.

Q. Many years ago, I used vinegar and water to treat my son's swimmers ear. I cannot remember the correct vinegar and water ratio and I hope you can help.

A. Doctors sometimes recommend using ear drops made of one part white vinegar to four parts water after swimming. Another approach is to use a few drops of half white vinegar and half alcohol. That helps dry the ear out and makes it more acidic and less vulnerable to infection.

Q. I read your column about using soap in the bed for leg cramps. It really works. My husband had leg cramps for years since he is a fisherman and on his feet 18 hours a day. They brought tears to his eyes, although he is very stoic. He’s had no more leg cramps since we started putting soap under the bottom sheet.

We were playing cards the other night and he got cramps in his hands, holding the cards, as he sometimes does. I got a bar of soap and put it in his hand. Within a minute the pain subsided. He held the bar for about 10 minutes and the cramp never came back. Now we keep a bar of soap near where we play cards.

A. Though many people have told us of their success using soap under the bottom sheet to ward off nighttime leg cramps, this is the first we have heard of using soap to keep away hand cramps.

Q. I cannot take statin-type drugs. Is there a natural way to get triglycerides down?

A. Triglycerides have just been shown to increase the risk of heart attacks (JAMA, July 18, 2007). Fish oil is a natural way to lower this risk factor for heart disease.

Q. My sister has been going through chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer this past year. She started losing her toenails due to fungus and was shocked at the cost of the medication for this. I passed along your article on vinegar soaks.

She laughed at me at first but decided to try it before spending all that money on the prescribed medication. Guess what? She hasn't lost another fingernail or toenail and the fungus has gone away.

She even made copies of the article and gave them out at the chemo center to anyone who wanted one! Thanks.

A. We are certainly pleased your sister has benefited so well and shared the word. Vinegar soaks are a simple, inexpensive approach to nail fungus. The acid in vinegar makes for an inhospitable environment for fungus.

Anyone who would like more suggestions on non-drug approaches to nail fungus may want our Guides to Home Remedies and Nail Care which have the details. See the left-hand bar for "Buy Informational Guides."

Q. I have been diagnosed with the onset of macular degeneration. The eye doctor said there is no cure.

Are there any vitamins or other nutritional supplements that might slow the process down? I’d like to keep my vision for as long as possible.

A. Research has shown that several nutritional factors can slow the development of macular degeneration. A study in 2001 called AREDS demonstrated that vitamins C and E, together with beta-carotene and the minerals zinc and copper, could slow vision loss (Archives of Ophthalomogy, Oct. 2001).

A Dutch study in 2005 confirmed that these nutrients can be helpful in preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Research shows that people who eat more fish are less susceptible to AMD, presumably because of the omega-3 fats in fish. Just this spring, scientists published evidence that vitamin D can also reduce the risk of AMD (Archives of Ophthalmology, May 2007).

The most recent research shows that a diet rich in refined carbohydrates such as sugar and white flour is not good for the eyes (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July, 2007). People who ate such “high-glycemic index” diets were almost 50 percent more likely to develop advanced macular degeneration.

Q. I had a bout with folliculitis, an infection that causes inflammation of the hair follicles. My dermatologist prescribed an antibiotic ointment that was messy and hard to use.

I decided that if Listerine killed germs in a person's mouth, it might kill the germs on my skin. I tried it and the condition cleared up so dramatically that I use only Listerine when it recurs.

A. Folliculitis is usually caused by infection with bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. That’s why an antibiotic lotion or ointment, often clindamycin, is the treatment of choice.

Listerine is certainly a novel way of treating this condition. We’re delighted it has worked so well for you. It is sure to be less expensive than the topical antibiotic.

Q. I had a wart on my finger for 15 years. A few doctors said they could cut if off, but I don’t like the idea of surgery.

My mother told me of an old gypsy remedy, but I would never try it. It was too hokey. One day I argued with her and, in an effort to prove her wrong, I decided to go ahead and use the remedy. I just knew it wouldn't work. Well, within two weeks the wart was gone.

Here it is: cut a slice from a potato, rub the white part on the wart, then go bury the potato in the yard. Supposedly if you dig up the potato later, it will have grown the wart on it.

This sounds way too silly, but it did work. Mom was right, and she won the argument.

A. We don’t know if this is a gypsy remedy, but it certainly is old. We have heard from a number of other people who have treated their warts successfully by rubbing them with raw potato or potato peel and burying the piece of potato.

Q. I finally fell asleep last night but woke back up an hour and a half later. I had started getting cramps and a creepy-crawly feeling in my legs.

I know some people who have RLS (restless leg syndrome) so I decided to look it up and see if there were any remedies. I’m sitting at the computer right now with a bar of soap under each leg and it seems to be working! (I thought this idea was crazy but I figured I had nothing to lose.) Thank you.

A. Placing a bar of soap under the bottom sheet, near where the legs will rest, is one of the wackiest remedies we’ve come across. We have heard from so many people that it helps, however, that it is clear some folks do benefit. Besides, soap is inexpensive and doesn’t have side effects. That cannot be said about the medications prescribed for RLS.

We have gathered up a wide range of remedies for leg cramps in our Guide to Leg Pain, so if soap doesn’t help, you can try something else.

Q. I'm a nurse in a rural hospital. Some of the mountain folk I care for tell me that a bee sting every two years or so will significantly decrease arthritis inflammation and pain. They attribute this remedy to the Chinese who came to this area a hundred years ago to work on the railroads and in the logging industry.

A. “Apitherapy,” or bee venom therapy, for arthritis goes way back in time. There are reports that it was used in ancient Egypt and China. Hippocrates (460-377 BC) is purported to have written about bee stings for painful joints.