People's Pharmacy

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Will Garlic Ward Off Colds?

Posting Date: 11/14/2005

My chiropractor recommended a combination of fish oil, glucosamine and magnet therapy. What can you tell me about these weirdo approaches?

A. While fish oil, glucosamine and magnets are not considered mainstream, there are scientific studies to support their use in treating arthritis. Fish oil has measurable anti-inflammatory activity and glucosamine has been shown to relieve arthritis symptoms (Annals of Pharmacotherapy, June 2005).

Magnet therapy remains far more controversial. A study in the British Medical Journal (Dec 18-25, 2004) suggested that this approach was better than placebo for hip and knee pain.

We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis with more information on these and other approaches to pain and inflammation. Anyone who would like a copy may download it from our Web site www.peoplespharmacy.com or 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, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. My mother was told by a beekeeper that people with seasonal allergies should ingest one tablespoon of honey a day. However, the honey must come from local beehives. What do you know about this?

A. There are reports that eating honeycomb from the local area can relieve allergy symptoms. Theoretically, honey desensitizes the allergic reaction to pollen, but there is no science to support this claim.

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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).