People's Pharmacy

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Cornmeal Fights Fungus on Roses and Toes

Posting Date: 04/18/2005

A. We?ve received many anecdotal reports that tart cherries can help relieve gout. The brand you mention is available at www.brownwoodacres.com or (877) 591-3101.

You are smart to watch your diet. An article in the New England Journal of Medicine (March 11, 2004) confirms that people who eat a lot of meat and seafood are more inclined to gout attacks. Dairy products seem to be protective.

Q. My father has had a terrible time with psoriasis on his scalp. He has seen various dermatologists but nothing they prescribed has been very helpful.

We?ve heard that the spice turmeric may do something against psoriasis, but we have no idea about the amount and application process. Can you tell us more?

A. Do NOT put turmeric on the scalp or skin. It stains everything a bright yellow!

This spice is found in curry powder and yellow mustard. A component, curcumin, has powerful anti-inflammatory activity and preliminary studies suggest that it may have some benefit for psoriasis.

One reader wrote: ?I took about 1200 mg of turmeric a day for a month and the psoriasis cleared up. I then took 400 mg for another month and discontinued it. I have not taken any more and have had no recurrence.?

You?ll find powdered turmeric in the grocery and capsules of turmeric in health food stores. Some people report digestive upset as a side effect. Ask the dermatologist to check the medical literature so as to supervise your

father?s treatment.

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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).