People's Pharmacy

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Will Eggplant Lower Blood Pressure?

Posting Date: 09/05/2005

We are sending you our Guides to St. John?s Wort and Estrogen for more information on side effects, interactions and alternatives. Anyone who would like copies, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. WV-82, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. I have a question about a dietary supplement called konjac. It is recommended for controlling blood sugar and assisting with weight loss. Do you know anything about this product?

A. Konjac, or glucomannan, is made from a Japanese root vegetable. It absorbs water and is sometimes used as a laxative.

Glucomannan contains insoluble fiber that slows the absorption of sugars from the digestive tract. Some studies show it helps lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetics. It can also lower cholesterol. Its usefulness for weight loss has not been firmly established.

Q. I have heard that eating sour cherries can ease the pain of gout and arthritis. My dad has gout and I would like to get some cherries for him. So far, I have only located sweet cherries. Can you tell me how to find sour cherries?

A. Most supermarkets carry canned pie cherries. These are the same as sour or tart cherries. You may also find them in the freezer section. Brownwood Acres (877-591-3101) sells both tart cherry juice concentrate and CherryFlex capsules.

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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).

2005 King Features Syndicate, Inc.