People's Pharmacy

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Concord Grape Juice Keeps Cough At Bay

Posting Date: 10/17/2005

Q. Some years back you wrote about Vicks VapoRub for treating nail fungus. I had noticed a change in color in my large toenail. When I showed it to my doctor, he confirmed that it was a fungus. He offered to write a very expensive prescription for the infection.

Instead I started putting Vicks around the nail twice daily. It took months, but it cleared up and I now have a normal looking toenail. Vicks worked for me.

A. Herbal extracts in Vicks have antifungal activity. Though it doesn?t work against all nail fungus infections, we?ve heard from others who have cleared their nails with patience, persistence and Vicks.

Other remedies for fungus include applications of iodine, tea tree oil or vitamin E and soaks in dilute vinegar or Pau d?Arco tea. We have collected them in our Guides to Nail Care and Unique Uses for Vicks. Anyone who would like copies, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. HV-376, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. I have a concoction for constipation that may help others. It gives me good results.

I mix 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon vinegar and enough hot water to make 4 ounces. This is the first thing I drink every morning. It helps my stiff joints, too.

A. ?Hot lemonade? made with lemon juice, honey and hot water is a time-honored morning beverage said to encourage regularity. Your drink sounds like a variation on that theme.

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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.