Fresh onion juice eases kitchen burns, prevents blisters

Q. While I was working at a restaurant, one of our chefs was burned badly by a fryer. I happened to be in the kitchen when it happened, and the manager screamed, “Get me a fresh onion out of the walk-in refrigerator.”

I didn’t ask questions; I just got it. He asked me to cut it in half and give it to him, which I did. He squeezed the fresh onion juice on the chef’s burn. What was amazing was not only that it calmed the awful pain, but also that the burned skin NEVER BLISTERED!

The manager later explained to me that it must be a fresh-cut onion. I proved that later when, in another restaurant, I got burned and I reached for onions that were cut up that morning. That didn’t work, so then I had to cut a fresh onion. Seconds count when it comes to a burn.

That happened back in the ’80s, and I have sworn by it every time. It always works! Something about the chemical of the onion juice works wonders.

A. Thank you for sharing your experience. We have heard of using cut onion on wasp or bee stings, but not on a burn. First aid for a burn is soaking it in cold water immediately. After that, if the skin is intact, a home remedy such as cut onion might be worth a try. Soy sauce is another kitchen remedy for burns. Obviously, a severe burn requires medical attention.

Q. I would like to take red yeast rice as a supplement to lower my cholesterol. But I heard that in 2007, the Food and Drug Administration restricted sales of red yeast rice if it contained lovastatin, the ingredient in Mevacor. Is that true, or can I still buy red yeast rice containing lovastatin?

A. Red yeast rice was first introduced to the American market in the mid-1990s under the name Cholestin. A standard dose contained a small amount of lovastatin (less than half as much as a 20 mg prescription-strength Mevacor pill).

The FDA challenged Cholestin on the grounds that it was an unapproved drug. Cholestin has since been reformulated, but there are many other red yeast rice products on the market. The FDA has warned consumers to avoid this compound, even though it does lower cholesterol.

A recent analysis by ConsumerLab.com shows that red yeast rice supplements “vary by more than 100-fold, with some providing as much lovastatin as prescription medication and others containing very little.” Some products were contaminated with citrinin, a potentially toxic chemical.

We discuss red yeast rice and many other natural approaches for lowering cholesterol in our book “Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy.” It is available in libraries, bookstores and online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I read about coconut oil as a lubricant in the Whole Earth Catalog. Needless to say, that means I have been using it for years. My wife and I love it for general massage, more intimate massage or simply dry skin.

Apparently the melting point is around 80 to 85 degrees F, so it is solid in the store, but melts nicely at body temperature. The smell reminds me of days at the beach. Life is good.

A. The Whole Earth Catalog was legendary for providing practical advice and access to tools. It was first published in 1968.

We’re glad to learn that coconut oil has served you so well all these years. Other readers have suggested it for personal lubrication.

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 “Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy” (Rodale Books).

2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.