People's Pharmacy

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Herbs May Ease Persistent Cough

Posting Date: 12/27/2004

He might also try fish oil. This supplement may help people overcome depression.

SAMe or St. John?s wort are other options. In a recent study SAMe, a natural compound, improved the response to standard antidepressant medication (J. Clinical Psychopharmacology, December 2004).

St. John?s wort is not effective in severe depression, but it helps with mild to moderate depression. This herbal medicine interacts with many other medications, however, limiting its usefulness for some people.

We are sending you our Guides to Antidepressant Pros & Cons and St. John?s Wort for more information on this issue. Anyone who would like copies, please send $1 with a long (no. 10) stamped, self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. VX-27, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. A recent column suggested a charcoal cushion to help with offending flatulence. How about betaine hydrochloride, 600 mg, one tablet with each meal? Take it after a couple of bites of food. It is really great!

A. Betaine hydrochloride is sometimes recommended as a digestive aid for people who don?t make enough stomach acid. Those with excess stomach acid should avoid it. We could not find a reference to confirm that this supplement might reduce flatulence.

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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).