GRAEDONS | PEOPLE'S HERBAL PHARMACY CURRY SPICE OVERPOWERS GAMBLING COMPULSION

Q. All my life my knees have ached at night. I would use Aleve, arthritis-strength aspirin or Tylenol, and usually woke up and had to take more at about 3 a.m.
I read in your column about using turmeric for arthritis pain, and I bought some turmeric capsules. I took one with milk and a cookie at bedtime and slept pain-free all night and every night since then. It is almost miraculous.
There is another interesting effect. I used to enjoy playing the slot machines. With video slot machines in bars and restaurants here in Oregon, I was playing the slots once or twice a week. I felt I was a little too interested in the slots, but I'd still find myself spending more on them than I intended.
Since that first capsule of turmeric, I have had no interest whatsoever in gambling. It was like flipping off a switch.
I'd think this was simply an odd coincidence, but I recall reading about a prescription drug with the opposite effect. It triggered a gambling compulsion that went away when the drug was discontinued.
Gambling is hard to kick, so I thought you might be interested in my experience. Turmeric has been a godsend to me on two fronts.
A. We are intrigued with your story. Studies show that turmeric, the yellow spice in curry, has anti-inflammatory activity. We haven't seen any previous indication that it would help against gambling!
We discuss the pros and cons of arthritis pain relievers and a number of nondrug options, including turmeric, in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (63 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. AA-2, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. You can also download it for $2 at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q. Someone asked you about licorice raising blood pressure. I am addicted to red licorice, but because of your column, my wife has confiscated my supply!
I don't think red licorice has any licorice in it. I believe only the black kind does.
A. You're right. Red licorice candy does not contain licorice, despite the name. Only natural black licorice contains the plant extract that can raise blood pressure.
XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies" (St. Martin's Press).
& copy; 2006 King Features Syndicate, Inc.