People's Pharmacy

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Pomegranate Juice For Chronic Diarrhea

Posting Date: 10/27/2003

Q. Some of your readers have asked about chronic diarrhea. One of the best things to take is pomegranate juice, which can be found in grocery stores. You can actually get constipated if you drink too much (as I found out!)

A. Although pomegranates are mentioned in Greek myths and the Bible, researchers are rediscovering their healing power. Studies suggest that this ancient fruit may help reduce the risk of blood clots and keep cholesterol from doing damage to arteries.

Pomegranate has traditionally been used to treat diarrhea and dysentery, though there isn?t any research to show this is effective. We?ll take your word for it, along with the warning not to overdo. Some people who have used coconut for chronic diarrhea have found that it too can be constipating.

Q. You sometimes say home remedies don?t work for everyone. You are right about that.

A year ago, a reader recommended Vicks VapoRub for toenail fungus. I tried it religiously for about a year without results. Last year someone else suggested vitamin E oil. Also no results.

My doctor has been reluctant to prescribe oral drugs like Lamisil because of the cost and potential side effects. I would dearly love to get rid of this toe fungus, but my luck stinks in using home remedies.

A. Home remedies don?t always work. Although some readers have reported success with Vicks, dilute vinegar soaks or applications of tea tree oil to the nail, others have not found any benefit.

A new remedy suggested by one reader involves soaking the toenail daily in Listerine. This mouthwash contains essential oils that may have anti-fungal activity.

If all else fails, you may want to consider dissolving away the infected portion of the nail. This can be done with a prescription-strength urea paste. It is less painful than surgical nail removal.

We are sending you our Guide to Nail Care with details on fungus remedies and urea paste so your doctor can supervise this treatment. 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. H-31, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.