Raspberry leaves may help canker sores
Q. I used to have very painful canker sores until I started taking red raspberry leaves in a once-aday supplement. After about six months I realized that I was not getting canker sores anymore.
It has been 20 years, and I still do not get them. I am still taking a red raspberry supplement. It was also helpful for a dear friend of mine suffering mouth sores from chemo.
A. The name that physicians give canker sores is “aphthous ulcers.” There is no obvious cause for these mouth sores, though there are a number of possible contributing factors.
Biting your cheek or eating rough foods like pretzels or chips can trigger an attack. Toothpaste with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) also may bring on canker sores.
Red raspberry leaves (Rubus idaeus) have been used by herbalists and natural healers for centuries. Although there are no scientific studies to support its use for canker sores, some naturopaths recommend a tea or mouthwash made from the leaves, swished in the mouth for canker sore relief. Other options include sauerkraut juice or buttermilk (swished and swallowed several times daily).
Q. I had toenail fungus for a number of years. I tried one prescription (a topical paint-on type), which didn’t help. Then I tried Vicks VapoRub on the affected nails. That worked like a miracle!
My result may be uncommon, but I’m a believer! Can’t hurt to try it. Vicks costs next to nothing
. We first heard about using Vicks VapoRub topically for toenail fungus over 20 years ago. A professional foot care nurse reported that she used this old-fashioned herbal ointment on her patients, and it was surprisingly effective.
Vicks contains menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, cedarleaf oil, nutmeg oil, petrolatum, thymol and turpentine oil. A number of these ingredients have antifungal activity, which may explain its success against nail fungus. A small study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (January-February 2011) reported surprising success with Vicks VapoRub.
Q. I honestly believe you saved my life. By chance I came across your syndicated column describing reactions to lisinopril. My jaw dropped!
I had been hospitalized at least eight times for “abdominal obstruction” and had two surgeries: one to remove my appendix, which was found to be pink and healthy; and the other for lysis of adhesions (none found).
I had been referred to specialists and even went to a specialty clinic. Not one doctor, emergency room or hospital ever connected my symptoms to the lisinopril I was taking.
Since coming off lisinopril, I feel like a new person.
A. Lisinopril belongs to a class of “pril” blood pressure medications called
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors.
While drugs like benazepril, captopril and enalapril are quite effective, they do have some serious side effects.
One that can be lifethreatening is called angioedema. In this reaction, a person may find that the lips, tongue and throat swell and can block breathing. Such swelling may also occur in the intestines.
Abdominal angioedema can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms might be mistaken for something else. The swelling can lead to severe ! stomach cramping, intestinal obstruction and vomiting. Other readers who have experienced this reaction were initially diagnosed with things like stomach flu, allergies,
Crohn’s disease and appendicitis.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Send questions to them via www .peoplespharmacy.com.