Thursday, May 28, 2009
Q. I have recurring warts on one hand. My doctor has frozen them off and burned them off, and they keep returning. She mentioned that some people have used poison ivy to get rid of warts. What do you know about that and the exact procedure of how to do it?
A. Many years ago, we received an e-mail from a reader of this column: “I read one of your articles about common home remedies for warts. One of the best uses the toxic oil urushiol from poison-ivy plants. I put on surgical gloves to squeeze it from a leaf taken from the most rapidly growing part of the plant. I am very careful to only place a tiny drop directly on the wart. Then I cover it with a bandage.”
We decided not to share this remedy with our readers back then because we thought it was way too dangerous. There are safer ways to get rid of warts. Anyone who contemplates this approach should discuss it with a dermatologist first. Poison ivy should be treated as if it were toxic waste!
Q. I am 56 years old — well into menopause — and stopped taking prescription hormones about four months ago. Though they helped somewhat with the hot flashes, they did little for the vaginal dryness and loss of libido. I felt they weren’t worth the risks that are now associated with HRT.
The hot flashes are getting worse now, and I’d like some natural relief. I hate waking up in the wee hours drenched in sweat. I’ve read that black cohosh and other herbal “remedies” are not much help, except for soy. I am not fond of soy milk but wonder how else I can get more soy in my diet. Do you have any suggestions?
A. The research on soy to treat hot flashes is inconclusive, but fermented soy products such as miso and tempeh are readily available and worth a try.
You also might consider Pycno-genol, from French maritime pines, or a combination of St. John’s wort and black cohosh. There are studies supporting these approaches.
We are sending you our brand-new Guide to Menopause for an in-depth discussion of natural alternatives for easing menopausal symptoms, including vaginal dryness. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. W-50, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q. I heard a guy on the radio talk about easing his chronic diarrhea with coconut. I have had a very bad time with diarrhea also, so I have tried eating some raw, shredded coconut.
I can’t believe how well I feel. My stomach does not bother me at all now.
Even better, everything with respect to elimination is more predictable. Imodium did not work, Lomotil did not work, but coconut works wonderfully. Yay!
A. We have heard from hundreds of readers who tell us that coconut can calm chronic diarrhea. We still have no clear explanation.
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 “Favorite Home Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.”
2009 King Features Syndicate Inc.