Vitamin B complex, garlic help to keep black flies away

September 6, 2007 at 2:00a.m.

Q. I was hiking high in the Canadian Rockies, and the black flies were voracious. I didn’t have insect repellent with me because mosquitoes, fleas and other critters never bite me. I think that’s because I take B-complex and garlic, among other supplements, and they don’t like that.

Increasingly vexed by the black flies, I finally appropriated a B-complex 100 mg tablet I had with me. I smushed it up with some creek water and then rubbed the bright-yellow liquid all over myself. END OF PROBLEM! I admit, though, that I did look a bit jaundiced. What do you think about the efficacy of B-complex or other supplements in repelling bugs?

A. We love your story, but we’ve never heard of anyone else using vitamin B pills topically. With no studies, we wouldn’t dare venture a guess about effectiveness.

There was some preliminary research on thiamine, a B vitamin, taken orally to repel mosquitoes. Since it was conducted many decades ago, however, it would not meet today’s scientific standards, and newer research has not confirmed the benefit. Nevertheless, some readers swear that this nutrient keeps mosquitoes from biting them.

Q. Your Web site mentions that eating two Archway Coconut Macaroon cookies daily can control chronic diarrhea. While this tip might be helpful for some, it may carry too high a health cost for others. These cookies are high in saturated fat and sugar. They could hardly be considered healthful when consumed every day.

A. It is certainly true that many cookies (not just Archway) are high in sugar and fat. Consumed daily, they represent significant calories.

We suspect that the magic ingredient that eases diarrhea is coconut. Many readers with chronic diarrhea tell us it has helped them. It is probably not necessary to eat cookies to get the benefit. Unsweetened shredded coconut may provide some protection from diarrhea.

Q. My mother read somewhere that vodka-soaked white raisins might be good for arthritis. She is eating nine a day.

Mom has taken quite a bit of ribbing from the family. What is the benefit from this formula? Can you provide any written details about how to prepare them and how often she should eat them, how they should be stored, etc.?

A. We first heard about a gin-raisin remedy in 1994. Some folks tell us it is worthless, while others sing its praises. Here is just one example:

“This remedy has worked for me for over two years. When I forget to eat my raisins for several days, my arthritis gets much worse. I can’t believe how much better I feel when taking them. Since I do not tolerate medication for inflammation at all, the raisins are my only relief.”

This recipe calls for golden (aka white) raisins. Put them in a shallow bowl, then pour just enough gin over them to cover them. Allow the gin to evaporate, a process that might take as long as a week. Then keep them refrigerated in a covered container and eat nine raisins daily.

We are sending you our Guide to Home Remedies with recipes for this and other approaches to arthritis.

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.