People's Pharmacy

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What Vitamin Dose Prevents Alzheimers?

Posting Date: 03/01/2004

Men who have erectile dysfunction should discuss the problem with their physicians. Sexual difficulties sometimes result from prescription medication and might be helped by a change in the prescription. In our Guides to Sexual Dysfunction and Herbal Remedies we describe a number of approaches to ED.

Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. YPE-965, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. What can you tell me about guggulipid? This herb is promoted to lower cholesterol.

My cholesterol is 275 but I cannot tolerate statin drugs. Red yeast rice gave me hives, though it did lower my cholesterol.

A. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Aug 13, 2003) showed that guggulipid does not lower cholesterol better than placebo. In addition, it can cause a rash for some people.

Q. I have been bothered with post-nasal drip for months but have managed to control it by taking two stinging nettle capsules morning and night. I thought someone else might benefit.

A. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is an herb that helps control allergic symptoms. A double-blind study found that it was better than placebo for relieving sneezing, sniffling and runny nose. We?re delighted it helped with post-nasal drip.

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In 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.org. Their newest book is The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies (St. Martin's Press).