GRAEDONS | People's Herbal Pharmacy Put Vicks VapoRub on feet to soothe night coughing
Q. I have allergies that result in postnasal drainage. As a result, I find I cough all night long this time of year. Is there a good home remedy to help nighttime coughs?
A. Some readers report that Vicks VapoRub can soothe those coughs. But don't put it on your chest or under your nose. Here's one person's experience:
"My wife read your column on using Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet, covered with cotton socks, at night. I had been waking up every three hours with a coughing attack. I tried this remedy, and IT WORKS!"
Treating your allergies with an antihistamine like Claritin or Benadryl may also ease your symptoms. A nasal spray called NasalCrom (originally developed from the herb bishop's weed) can control allergy-related problems.
Q. Because of an enlarged prostate, I sometimes get up two or three times a night to go to the bathroom. Other nights it can be as many as seven or eight times. Needless to say, this interferes with my sleep. Are there any herbs that can be helpful?
A. Problems with urination should be checked by a physician to rule out prostate cancer or some other problem such as prostatitis. If you are suffering from benign prostate enlargement, your doctor could prescribe medicine to ease your symptoms.
You could ask your doctor about the herbs saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) or stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Both have been tested in double-blind trials and found to help relieve symptoms of frequent urination in mild prostate enlargement.
Q. I've heard that walnuts are supposed to lower cholesterol and are good for the heart. But I am allergic to them. Are there any other nuts that would help lower high cholesterol?
A. Canadian scientists found that a diet containing almonds can help reduce cholesterol (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February 2005). The diet is also rich in soluble fiber (including oats, barley, psyllium and vegetables like okra and eggplant), cholesterol-lowering margarine, soy milk and meat substitutes.
People who stuck to the diet were able to get their cholesterol down by an average of 30 percent. So if you can handle almonds, this diet would be a good approach to lowering your cholesterol. People ate approximately an ounce of nuts daily.
Q. I have a Siberian husky who loves to "play" with skunks. I have tried bathing her in tomato juice. This works, but it is very messy, and leaves the dog smelling of tomato, with a hint of skunk. My pooch has white fur that tends to stain an orange-pink color.
Here's a remedy that works even better. Take 1/2 cup Goop (the degreaser mechanics use to clean their hands), 1/3 cup Dawn dish detergent and 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide. Work this mixture into the fur and let it sit a few minutes. Then rinse well. Repeat as needed. Be careful not to get it into your pet's eyes.
Veterinarians have said that the degreaser is the key. It is the oil that holds the skunk's smell.
A. Thanks for the tip. Some dog owners will be grateful.
King Features Syndicate Inc.