People's Pharmacy

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Sugar Solves Hiccup Misery

Posting Date: 07/04/2005

The gin and raisin remedy has been kicking around for decades. Although there is no science behind it, many readers report good relief. Juniper, which is the flavoring in gin, was once used to ease arthritis pain.

To make this remedy, pour gin just to cover golden raisins in a shallow container and allow the gin to evaporate. Eat nine daily.

For more details on this and many other natural approaches to arthritis, we offer our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. AA-2, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. Can you overdose on vitamin B6? I was told it was good for tendinitis. I am taking 200 mg between all my supplements.

A. Too much vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) may cause nerve damage. Current guidelines set an upper limit at 100 mg daily.

Q. I have been told that blending a bunch of cilantro in 8 oz. water and drinking it once a month will lower a person's cholesterol to a normal level. Is there anything to this? The person who told me says he and members of his family are taking it and it works for them.

A. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a popular herb used in Mexican, Chinese and Indian cooking. We found one small animal study (Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, Sept. 2004) suggesting that cilantro may indeed reduce cholesterol and triglycerides. Before recommending it, however, we would like to see human studies.

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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).