People's Pharmacy

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Vinegar Victorious Over Dandruff

Posting Date: 03/17/2003

Q. I used to suffer with bad dandruff until someone told me that using vinegar on my scalp could help. Now I rub vinegar on my head for a few minutes before I shampoo. I have not been troubled since.

A. You are not the first to share the vinegar approach to dandruff management. There may even be a scientific explanation.

Dandruff is caused in part by yeast that lives on the skin. Vinegar disrupts the acid-base balance of the skin and makes it inhospitable for these organisms. That may explain why it helps against athlete?s foot, dandruff and even nail fungus.

Q. I never knew that eating too much licorice could be bad for you until I read your article. I just love it. My favorite brand is fat free and has all natural ingredients. If there really is a danger, how come they sell it in health food stores?

A. We too are licorice lovers, and indulge ourselves from time to time. But too much natural licorice depletes the body of potassium. It can cause fluid retention, high blood pressure, hormone imbalances, lowered libido, muscle weakness and heart trouble. Just because something is sold in a health food store does not make it safe.

Q. My hands feel like sandpaper. They are red, rough, dry and uncomfortable. I know that handwashing is contributing, but I do my best to avoid catching a cold at this time of year by washing my hands frequently.

Most moisturizers are greasy, so I cannot use them during the day because I spend hours on the computer. Moisturizers mess up my mouse. Do you have any suggestions?

A. If you can?t use a moisturizer during the day, you need to slather it on at night! We recommend investing in an inexpensive pair of cotton gloves, the kind photographers use to handle negatives. That will protect your sheets.

There are many highly effective moisturizers, from inexpensive barnyard beauty aids like Udder Cream and Bag Balm to pricey products like prescription-strength Lac-Hydrin. We are sending you our Guide to Skin Care with additional details on how to solve the dry skin problem. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. S-28, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.