The People's Pharmacy®

Q. I was a nanny last summer, and one day we were in the kids' back yard. Their dog knocked a yellow jacket down, but it was still alive. Unaware of this, I walked on the deck where the yellow... (Read More)

Q. I am 61 years old. My doctor recently tested me for vitamin D and found I am deficient. I was really surprised, since I play golf both summer and winter. (We go to Arizona in the winter.) What are... (Read More)

Q. I have had toenail fungus for years. It started with a big toe and eventually spread to all my piggies. My wife complained, but since no one else ever sees my ugly toes I wasn't too concerned. Now I... (Read More)

Q. I've used milk of magnesia to clear up poison ivy. I used to get poison ivy all over after clearing the weeds and grass from my mowers in the Texas winds. I had to go to the doctor for... (Read More)

Q. You wrote about antidepressants like Effexor for hot flash relief and I thought I'd share my experience. My doctor prescribed Effexor XR for my hot flashes five years ago. I took one tablet at bedtime, as directed, and did... (Read More)

Q. I put baking cocoa in my morning coffee instead of eating high-calorie dark chocolate. Is cocoa as good as the chocolate that is touted as beneficial to our health? A. Cocoa that has been processed with alkali (termed "Dutch... (Read More)

Americans have a strong Puritan ethic. They figure that if it hurts or tastes bad it must be good for you. That may partially explain the earnest embrace of prohibitions in our quest for good health. For decades people in... (Read More)

Tune in to our radio show on your local public radio station, or sign up for the podcast and listen at your leisure. Here's what it's about: Dr. Brian Goldman has worked the night shift in the emergency room at... (Read More)

Q. I am an avid gardener. I love digging in the earth and even find weeding enjoyable. My flowers and vegetables are looking fabulous, but my hands are a mess. What is it about digging around in the dirt that... (Read More)

Q. I am very concerned about my wife's practice of giving our boy's enemas on the last Thursday of every month. Our sons are 14 and 12. When I ask why she does this, she replies that it's good for... (Read More)

We never fail to be amazed about what our readers and visitors worry about. Of all the things that can go wrong with our health, the color of our pubic hair seems pretty low on the list. Nevertheless, many people... (Read More)

Our award winning radio show is heard on 128 public radio stations nationwide. Each week you can tune in to learn about everything from home remedies to the latest breakthroughs in medicine. You can find a list of public radio... (Read More)

Q. At 39, my brother had knots come up on his shins. His ankles and knees got swollen, and he had pain so excruciating he could barely walk. Tests showed his uric acid levels were extremely high and he was... (Read More)

Q. Is there anything natural that I can use to keep away ants, roaches, flies and bees? I don't like using pesticides if I can avoid them. A. Readers of this column have offered a variety of remedies to keep... (Read More)

Q. If it hadn't happened to me I wouldn't have believed it. Recently several of my friends have reported bouts of extreme stomach cramps, severe bloating and uncontrollable gas. The common culprit in all these cases turned out to be... (Read More)