Acupressure bands stop the nausea

Q. I read with great interest about your readers who have had good results using acupressure bands as a sleep aid. I, too, have had great results from acupressure bands, but as a cure for nausea.
When I was pregnant, I suffered from nausea 24 hours a day. (I'll never figure out why they call it "morning sickness," because I was nauseated morning, noon and night.) I had to travel with plastic bags in my car because I never knew when I would need to vomit.
Finally, a friend sent me these new anti-nausea bands that are worn around the wrist and provide constant pressure on something called the Nei-Kuan acupressure point. I found that I felt so much better, I wore them for the duration of my pregnancy. The bands are called Psi Bands and are adjustable for any size wrist. You can control the amount of pressure you apply, which makes them comfortable to wear.
Even though I am no longer pregnant, I wear them on long car trips and when I travel by air.
A. Thank you for sharing your story. Others also have reported success with wrist acupressure for nausea or insomnia. Those who are curious can search the Web for Psi Bands (www.psibands.com), Sea-Bands (www.sea-band.com) or Acubands (www.acuband.com).
Q. I am a diet-controlled diabetic. I would like your opinion of a water extract product of cinnamon (Cinnulin PF). Is it safe and effective for lowering blood sugar?
A. Data suggest that a component in cinnamon can indeed help control blood sugar. We worry that some of the cinnamon in the kitchen spice rack might be contaminated with coumarin, a compound that can be toxic to the liver when ingested in large amounts.
Because Cinnulin PF is a water-extracted cinnamon product, it appears to be safer than ordinary cinnamon. It is available in health-food stores or on the Web (www.cinnulinpf.com). You will need to monitor blood sugar carefully and remain under medical supervision while trying this dietary supplement.
Q. I have arthritis in my fingers, and I'm sure using the computer has compounded the pain. I can't take anti-inflammatory medication because of an ulcer, so would you suggest other supplements that might help?
A. There are many herbs and dietary supplements that can ease inflammation. One person offered the following: "The combination of boswellia and glucosamine-MSM replaces nonsteroidal pain relievers and works well for me.
& quot;Nine years ago I was literally falling down occasionally because of the pain in my spine. I heard someone say that the herb boswellia had saved her life because of back pain. That Saturday, I started boswellia. In two weeks the pain decreased, and after a month there was an enormous difference. At last I could sleep and I could walk. Several years later, the arthritis increased, and I added MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin. I take them with boswellia and get good relief."
We're sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis with more details about boswellia, glucosamine, MSM, magnets and other nondrug approaches for pain.
In 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.
& copy; 2007 King Features Syndicate Inc.