Baking soda banishes sting’s pain

graedons |People’s Herbal Pharmacy

Q. A wasp stung me today on the inside of my thumb. I called NHS Direct for advice. Then I logged onto your Web site and found the method of bicarbonated soda and vinegar. It worked really well! Ten minutes after I first applied it, the pain was nearly gone.

A. American readers may not know that Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) provides self-care advice by telephone, digital TV and on the Web. We are delighted that making a paste of baking soda and vinegar worked for you. Many other readers have found this home remedy eases the pain of bee or wasp stings.

Q. Last summer, we visited my brother with Mocha, my Pekingese. The day we were supposed to leave, he had diarrhea. We were not looking forward to a 200-mile trip with a sick dog!

My sister-in-law said she had heard that coconut would stop the diarrhea. I just put some in my hand and let him eat it, and he was fine the whole way home.

Then my daughter brought her two Pekingese to my house. One was very sick. A few days later, he was not much better even after the medication the vet ordered. I told my son-in-law about the coconut, the dog ate some from his hand, and she was well from then on.

A. Other readers have found coconut or pumpkin helpful in battling diarrhea in dogs. We see this as a “first-resort” or stopgap measure rather than as a substitute for veterinarian-prescribed medication.

Q. My husband and I are in our late 50s. Recently, we’ve both had trouble sleeping and have tried melatonin. We take half of a 3 mg pill. Is it a problem to take this regularly? Are there other good natural sleep aids?

A. Melatonin is a popular supplement to help people get to sleep. In one small study, melatonin helped patients in an intensive-care unit sleep better (Critical Care online, April 18, 2008). Unfortunately, there is very little research on the pros and cons of regular use of melatonin.

A number of other dietary supplements may be used as natural sleep aids. One reader wrote: “I used to toss and turn, going over the day’s events in my mind. I finally found a product that works for me. It contains valerian, passionflower and magnesium. It’s natural and nonaddictive.”

We discuss a number of natural approaches to overcoming insomnia in our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep, including melatonin, valerian and magnesium. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (59 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. I-70, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I have heard that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may be beneficial in helping the body repair cartilage and improving arthritic joints. I wonder if this is an old wives’ tale or if it holds up under scrutiny.

A. There have been a number of studies suggesting that fish oil is helpful for joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Even when the doctor does not detect an objective difference, patients taking fish oil report less pain and morning stiffness and take fewer pain relievers (Pain, May 2007).

One reader wrote: “Fish oil is amazing. My husband is under a doctor’s care for arthritis. Within one day of starting fish oil, the swelling began to go down in his fingers. He still takes his prescribed medication, but in lower doses. This relief is so much better.”

XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper 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.