To relieve an itchy scalp, reader finds vinegar helps

Q. My life is so much better since I read your column about rinsing my hair with vinegar. I am 56 years old, and for the previous 30 years my scalp has itched intensely whenever I sweat. No anti-itching shampoo or skin specialist could cure me, but rinsing with vinegar did.

A. Itching and flaking can be caused by dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. Dermatologists believe that these common conditions are caused by the yeast Malassezia that grows on the scalp. A vinegar rinse apparently makes conditions unfavorable for this fungus.

One 80-year-old woman has used a solution of four parts warm water to one part apple-cider vinegar on her scalp for more than 50 years. Others prefer a more concentrated one-to-one water/vinegar mixture.

We discuss many other remedies for controlling itching and flaking (including milk of magnesia and Listerine rinses) in our new Guide to Hair and Nail Care. 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. H-31, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com. Go to “Buy In Depth Guides.”

Q. In India, we offer fennel seeds after meals. This helps avoid flatulence. Fennel is also good for sore throat and sinus problems.

I use the following recipe for my sinus trouble: Combine 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, 1‚Ñ4 teaspoon powdered ginger, 1 clove, 1‚Ñ2-inch piece of stick cinnamon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar in 2 cups of water. Boil it until there is 1 and 1‚Ñ2 cups of liquid left, strain it and drink it hot with a little milk. You can substitute honey for the brown sugar.

In India, we use many such home remedies from our grandmothers to avoid overusing antibiotics. I also rinse my nasal passages with a homemade saline solution and find it very helpful.

A. Your recipe sounds delicious. Traditional uses for fennel include preventing flatulence and treating upper respiratory infections. Whether that extends to sinus congestion, we are unsure.

Q. Why can’t canned beets be used to reduce cholesterol? I had a significant reduction after only two weeks on the fresh beets, but they are expensive and time-consuming to prepare.

A. Until we received your question, we had no idea that beets might lower cholesterol. Research has shown that 2 cups of beet juice daily can help lower blood pressure significantly, by as much as 10 points (Hypertension, March 2008).

When we checked the medical literature, we found some animal research suggesting that beets may indeed lower cholesterol and triglycerides. We don’t see why canned beets wouldn’t work as well as fresh.

Q. What health concerns may be related to eating a lot of black licorice, especially for children?

A. Natural black licorice contains glycyrrhizin. Regular consumption of this compound can have serious health consequences, including fluid retention, high blood pressure, low potassium levels and hormone imbalance. Lethargy, fatigue, weakness and irregular heart rhythms also may result. Elderly people and young children may be especially susceptible to licorice complications.

Not all licorice candy contains natural licorice extract. Red licorice is not a problem, and neither is licorice flavored with anise.

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.