People's Pharmacy

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New Health Findings For Ancient Fruit

Posting Date: 11/01/2004

Q. Whenever we cook beans we include a small piece of fresh ginger root. It adds flavor and avoids the problem with gas. Maybe it will help someone else.

A. Ginger has a long tradition as a digestive aid and anti-flatulent. Thanks for sharing your home remedy.

Q. I have read in your column that Listerine can be used to clear up dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. How would one go about using it? Is the entire head covered with Listerine? How long do you leave it on?

I have suffered with an itchy scalp from seborrheic dermatitis. It has not responded to the dandruff shampoos my dermatologist recommended.

A. A yeast infection is believed to be responsible for both bad dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. That?s why anti-fungal shampoos like Nizoral (ketoconazole) or Selsun Blue (selenium sulfide) are usually effective.

The herbal ingredients in Listerine may have anti-fungal properties, but home remedies rarely come with specific guidelines. We have heard from many readers that original formula Listerine massaged into the scalp can relieve itching and dandruff. Based on what we know about dandruff shampoo, you might want to apply Listerine to the entire scalp, leave it on for 5 minutes, and then wash it out with shampoo.

One reader who followed this approach reports: ?Thank you for writing about Listerine. I tried the treatment and my seborrheic dermatitis has improved tremendously. The itching is almost gone.?

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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).