GRAEDONS | People's Herbal Pharmacy It sounds like a crass thing to do, but if you have stinky feet, try it

Q. A few years back my teenage son suffered terrible foot odor. My husband and I would not let him bring his sneakers into the house, nor would we let him put his dirty socks in the hamper! His worst experience was a high-school trip to Europe, when he shared a room with two other boys. They made my son keep his sneakers in the closet.
I then read in your column a solution to eliminate foot odor: Urinate on your feet in the shower! I mentioned the column to my son and then kept quiet. Within a day, the odor was eliminated. I thought that during the next few years you would mention this remedy again, but I haven't seen it. I think there are many, many high-school and college students who might benefit from the suggestion of urinating on your feet in the shower.
A. We first heard about this simple remedy from a great-grandmother, who learned about it from men who served in the armed forces during World War II. She maintained that urinating on the feet cured stinky feet. Your story confirms her claim. Urea, an anti-fungal compound in urine, may be part of the reason.
Q. I read about the benefits of cinnamon several years ago and tried it. I believe it helped lower my blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides, but after two years I realized it was also causing heartburn. When I stopped the cinnamon, the heartburn stopped immediately.
A. We have been intrigued by research showing that cinnamon can help with cholesterol and blood-sugar control. Traditionally, this spice was used for intestinal upset and diarrhea.
Large quantities, however, can be toxic. Heart rate, breathing and intestinal contractions become faster. Allergic reactions have also been reported.
Q. Some of your readers have been concerned about bad breath. They need to brush their tongues. That's where a lot of bacteria live.
Use toothpaste and a toothbrush and do this every time you brush your teeth. This approach is simple, and it works.
A. This is certainly a low-impact, inexpensive method. The first line of defense against bad breath is good oral hygiene, with regular brushing and flossing. The next is to have the dentist check for gum infections or other problems. Brushing the tongue probably won't hurt, and it might help.
& copy; 2004 King Features Syndicate, Inc.