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With the rising cost of medicine, you may be thinking about trying home remedies for some common health problems. Hosts of the long-running radio show, The People's Pharmacy, Joe and Terry Graedon, have some suggestions to share.
How about milk of magnesia as deodorant or soy sauce to treat burns? Got a minor cut? Try black pepper to stop the bleeding.
As crazy as they may sound, the feedback the Graedons get from their listeners and readers of their syndicated newspaper columns is that they work.
"I think people realize that drugs aren't as effective as we used to think they were," said Joe Graedon. "That a lot of times medicines, even though they're FDA-approved, only work 30 to 40 percent of the time. So whether it's nail fungus or dandruff, they're thinking, well, maybe I'll give a try with a home remedy."
Surprisingly, neither of the Graedons is a pharmacist, though both have medical backgrounds. He started his career in neuro-pharmacology and she began as a medical anthropologist. The pedigrees help when they're talking with doctors, as on a recent day of taping in their American Tobacco Campus studio.
After quizzing doctors about the controversial anti-smoking drug, Chantix, and the potential over-use of CT scans, the Graedons took time to share some of their favorite home remedies.
"If it seems like it's intriguing, like milk of magnesia on your face for acne, wow, that's pretty bizarre," said Joe Graedon.
"That might actually qualify as one of the odder home remedies and that one we have tried," said Terry Graedon. "And it really works."
Their rule of thumb for sharing home remedies is that they "might help and won't hurt." Here are some of their favorite ideas submitted by their readers and listeners:
- Bar of soap under the sheets for leg cramps and restless leg syndrome
- Soy sauce for burns
- Keys for stopping a nose bleed
- Fresh ground pepper to stop bleeding from a cut
- Milk of Magnesia for underarm odor and for acne
- Vicks VapoRub for nail fungus
- Listerine for head lice
- Vinegar for athlete's foot
- Yogurt for hangnails
You can hear more from the Graedons by clicking on the video links above.
More home remedy ideas are available at The People's Pharmacy website.
Do you use home remedies? Share your ideas and comments below.
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Comments
By lisa on 02/15 05:47 PM
Is there something to open up the fallopian tubesd
By Carol on 01/22 05:04 PM
Congratulations on your and your husband’s decision to become tobacco-free. In addition to doing this for yourselves, you are giving a wonderful gift to your 5 children. As your physician may have explained, Chantix works by filling the receptors in the brain that receive nicotine, thus blocking the nicotine when you smoke. Therefore, when you do smoke, you don’t get the same feelings of satisfaction, calmness, or relief. At the same time, the Chantix itself gives you some help with mood. Most people stay on Chantix for 3 months, some up to 6 months. That gives time for you to develop new, healthier habits to take the place of your smoking. For example, you may decide to take a short walk after dinner instead of a smoke, or you may relax before bed with deep breathing or a warm bath instead of a cigarette. When you and your physician decide you are ready to discontinue Chantix, you’ll be less tempted to go back to the old ways if you’ve got new rituals or activities in place. Also you’ll want to be aware that you and your husband may respond differently to the medication. One of you could stop after taking Chantix for a few days, and the other not for several weeks. Let your physician know if you have any unusual side effects. In addition, Chantix offers support online or by phone. The NC Quitline (1-800-QUIT NOW) is another source of free support. The UNC Nicotine Dependence Program (ndp@med.unc.edu) in Chapel Hill holds a weekly support group, and depending on where you live, there may be a program closer to you. Best wishes as you become tobacco-free.
By Barbara on 01/22 02:53 PM
I took Chantix for about a month and have been smoke free for two yrs this March my husband was a non smoker all my family was so if we went out to eat I would have to finish my meal then quickly go outside to smoke before getting in anyones car I felt like a outcast,when I started Chantix I wanted to quit smoking which makes a big difference plus my family gave me a goal to work too the money I spent on cigarettes my husband matched for me to buy something I had always wanted a jaccuzi but if I started smoking I would lose that luxury, I was lucky did not have too many side effects from taking Chantix only bad nightmares for a little while,I was afraid of the weight gain but I wanted to live longer. Now its not so hard not wanting a cigarette but in the begining when I wanted a cigarette I would clean or read a book or get my mind on something else. Now I can say it makes me sick to be around people smoking and also my clothes smell a lot better I had been smoking since I was 18 I stopped when I had my cildren I am now 56. I hope this helps and good luck
By Appletosh on 01/21 07:54 PM
I have just started taking Chantix and I am about a pack a day smoker give or take. I want to be successful with this for good. I have 5 children and a husband who smokes who has just began to take Chantix as well. My biggest concern is that we will be able to quit, but what happens after we stop taking Chantix? My husband quit for 5 years before! I am tired of feeling like a horrible mother, a social outcast and hiding my habit from people in my life. Not to mention sick and tired of the cost of smoking in itself. My husband agrees and feels the same. I just want to hear from someone out there they have been successful off of Chantix who started with Chantix.
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