Dear People’s Pharmacy: I enjoyed your column on ginger combating motion sickness, but you missed the best ginger remedy of all.
“Stones Original Ginger Wine” is made from currants and slowly matures before finely ground ginger is steeped in the wine. It is imported from England. Four ounces prevents motion sickness.
Dear Reader: Ginger has a long history against motion sickness. People have suggested everything from taking ginger capsules to munching ginger snaps or sipping ginger ale to get their dose. Thanks for sharing a novel approach.
One word of caution, however. Some people find that alcohol makes motion sickness worse. Stones Original Ginger Wine is 13 percent alcohol.
Dear People’s Pharmacy: Will black licorice hurt me in any way? I eat about three sticks a day to help my digestion. It helps some, I think, but I was told it would run my blood pressure up. So far I have not had that problem.
Dear Reader: If the candy you are eating actually is made from natural licorice root, you are wise to ask about potential problems. Although this herb has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ills including stomach trouble, it can cause fluid retention potassium loss and hormonal imbalance.
Daily consumption of just 1 ounce of real (not artificial) licorice candy could eventually result in high blood pressure or interact with certain medicines.
Dear People’s Pharmacy: I read in your column that putting honey on cuts and scrapes promotes wound healing. I’m curious to know how, because I was always under the impression that the bacteria content in honey was very high. Wouldn’t this cause cuts and wounds to become infected?
Dear Reader: It seems bizarre, but there are more than 20 scientific articles detailing the value of sugar and honey for treating wounds. How these sweet substances work to promote healing is mysterious. Scientists have isolated antibacterial substances from bees, however. Any serious cut or deep wound requires medical attention.
The People’s Pharmacy appears every Thursday. Write Joe and Teresa Graedon at 235 E. 45th St., New York, N.Y. 10017 or e-mail them at(pharmacy(AT)mindspring.com).
