People's Pharmacy

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Indian Spice Clears Scalp Psoriasis

Posting Date: 05/16/2005

You may want to talk to him about a soluble fiber such as psyllium, which can lower cholesterol a little bit. Niacin, fish oil and drugs like cholestyramine or gemfibrozil may also help.

We are sending you our Guide to Cholesterol and Heart health with more details on such approaches. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped, self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. C-8, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. Do alcohol gel hand cleaners disinfect hands better than soap and water hand washing? What about antibacterial liquid soaps?

A. The most comprehensive study of hand washing (American Journal of Infectious Control, March, 2005) shows that old-fashioned soap and water is best for ridding hands of viruses. Antimicrobial soap and water works well against bacteria. If soap and water are not available, alcohol gel will do in a pinch.

Q. I occasionally take multi-vitamins. Whenever I do, my urine becomes very bright yellow, almost fluorescent. When I stop taking the vitamins, it goes back to its usual pale yellow. Could it be that the vitamins are not doing me any good?

A. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a fluorescent yellow compound that shows up in urine. This is normal and does not mean the nutrient is being wasted.

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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).