People's Pharmacy

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Vinegar And Cinnamon Lower Blood Sugar

Posting Date: 10/31/2005

Q. I am a substitute teacher. With all the colds the kids pass around, I am constantly fighting off a sore throat or sniffles. Too often it turns into bronchitis.

I am already on my third cold of the season and it?s a doozy. I used to take Echinacea, but I read that it?s not very effective. What can you tell me about zinc or other natural remedies? I steer clear of over-the-counter cold remedies because I have heard they make things worse.

Q. Results from Echinacea studies have been disappointing. Several recent double-blind trials have found that this herb has no advantage over placebo for treating colds.

You?re justified in doubting the value of some over-the-counter cold remedies. Common ingredients such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may actually impair the body?s ability to fight off a cold.

A Chinese herb called Andrographis paniculata has fared better than Echinacea in scientific studies. Other options include Astragalus (another Chinese botanical), zinc, ginger and garlic.

We provide more details on these remedies as well as our favorite recipes for chicken soup and hot toddies in our Guide to Cold Remedies. 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. Q-20, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

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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).