People's Pharmacy

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Acupressure May Work For Insomnia

Posting Date: 11/15/2004

P.S. I asked my pharmacist about it, and he said he has nail fungus, too. When he asked his doctor how to eliminate it, he was told it would happen naturally: "Your fungus will die about six months after you do." I thought that would make you smile.

A. How people catch nail fungus or transmit it remains somewhat mysterious. Nail clippers may be a source of contamination, which might explain how your wife ?caught? your infection.

Home remedies don?t work for everybody, but some readers have reported success from soaking the nails in Listerine or a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar, 2 parts water), smearing the affected nails with Vicks VapoRub twice daily or squeezing vitamin E from a capsule under and around the affected nail.

Toenails grow slowly, so it may take several months to see results.

We are sending you our Guide to Nail Care with more details on home remedies that have been used for this problem and a non-surgical way to dissolve infected nails. 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.

Q. I was told tonic water would stop leg cramps because of the quinine. I am on medication for hypertension and need to avoid salt. Does tonic water contain a lot of sodium?

A. Look at the label before you buy. Sodium content is listed and varies by brand. Some tonics have less sodium than club soda or many soft drinks.

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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).