The People's Pharmacy Quick and Handy Home Remedies: Q&As for Your Common Ailments

by Terry Graedon, Joe Graedon

Overview

This National Geographic guide to healing foods and natural, herbal, home remedies is carefully researched by the authors and conveyed in the same friendly and authoritative personality as in their popular call-in radio show. In the book, organized as Q&As between the general public and the Graedons, they report how and why such treatments work and also offer a dozen new recipes for food so good for you, it serves as preventive medicine. This book contains as much information as a voluminous encyclopedia of home remedies, yet it's quick, easy, inviting, and fun to read.
 
Presented alphabetically by ailment and then, within each of those, by food or remedy, the book offers the basics of three standard diets for health, weight control, and fitness, along with a dozen new recipes for preparing food to match the diets. It includes a helpful index and cross-referencing system, making the book both a good shelf reference and an entertaining browse.
 
This book builds on the reputation of The People's Pharmacy and adds the extra value that comes from a partnership with National Geographic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426207112
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/17/2011
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	296,250
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Joe and Terry Graedon have since written 14 more books, including Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy (Rodale), which has sold more than 400,000 copies in numerous editions. Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist; Terry Graedon has a Ph.D. in medical anthropology. They combine their expertise to bring a unique approach to traditional, natural, and home remedies. They write The People's Pharmacy® syndicated newspaper column, distributed by King Features® ; they co-host an award-winning health talk show, carried weekly by 128 public radio stations; they maintain a rich and lively website, www.peoplespharmacy.com; and they speak frequently on health issues on television news and information programs, asked to discuss issues relating to drugs, herbs, home remedies, vitamins, and similar health topics. Appearances include public television, Dateline NBC, 20/20, Extra, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, Today and NBC Evening News.

Read an Excerpt

Heartburn
 
Doctors have been writing about treating heartburn for most of recorded history. In 400 B.C. the Greek physician Hippocrates noted that eating cheese after a meal could cause indigestion and discomfort, especially if accompanied by wine. Apparently Europeans were already enjoying that habit if they didn’t suffer reflux. Heartburn, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can have serious consequences and should not be ignored. Drugs that doctors prescribe for the condition can be very difficult to discontinue, however, and have potential side effects. We’re not convinced that they are always better than home remedies.
 
Baking Soda
Q: I used to have very bad heartburn until I remembered a home remedy my mother used to make. I mix a couple ounces of water, an ounce of apple cider vinegar, and a teaspoon of sugar. After the sugar dissolves, I add half a teaspoon of baking soda, stir it briefly, and drink the mixture immediately. This offers fast relief.
A: Baking soda is a time-honored approach to neutralizing stomach acid that has splashed into the esophagus and is causing heartburn.
 
Yellow Mustard
Q: My wife and I both use plain old yellow mustard to combat indigestion or acid reflux. It works very well for us. If we swallow a spoonful of mustard before an Italian meal, we are okay.
A: Although mustard may seem like the last thing anyone would want to take for heartburn, we have heard from others that it can be helpful. The turmeric that makes mustard yellow was traditionally used for digestive upset in Chinese medicine. Mustard also contains vinegar, which some people find helpful against heartburn.
 
Papaya
Q: I frequently have heartburn and finally found a wonderful remedy: papaya pills. Every time I have heartburn, I eat one of the pills and the heartburn disappears. My doctor says it’s fine to use them. Others might like to know about this great way to treat heartburn.
A: Papaya is a tropical fruit that contains an enzyme (papain) that may be very helpful for digestion. Although papain does nothing to suppress acid, some people report that papaya relieves heartburn. Anyone who is allergic to latex should avoid papaya since there is cross-reactivity between latex and papaya, which could be very dangerous. Papain may also increase the blood-thinning effects of warfarin (coumadin).

Table of Contents

Introduction 10

Part I Home Remedies 12

Acne and Rosacea 15

Allergies 20

Anemia 22

Asthma 23

Back Pain 24

Body Odor 27

Brain Function 30

Bug Bites and Stings 32

Burns 36

Bursitis 39

Cancer 40

Canker Sores 43

Colds 48

Cold Sores 55

Colitis and Crohn's Disease 56

Constipation 59

Coughs 63

Cuts and Bruises 66

Dandruff 69

Diabetes 72

Diarrhea 78

Diverticulitis 84

Dry Skin 85

Eczema 88

Fibromyalgia 93

Gas 95

Gout 98

Headaches and Migraines 100

Heartburn 104

Hemorrhoids 116

Hiccups 117

High Blood Pressure 121

High Cholesterol and Triglycerides 128

Hot Flashes 135

Incontinence 140

Insomnia 142

Irritable Bowel Syndrome 144

Joint Pain and Arthritis 148

Kidney Stones 159

Lice 161

Macular Degeneration 163

Motion Sickness, Vertigo, and Dizziness 166

Muscle and Leg Cramps 170

Nail Fungus 177

Nausea 184

Nerve Pain 186

Nosebleed 190

Plantar Fasciitis 192

Psoriasis 193

Raynaud's Disease 199

Restless Leg Syndrome 200

Sex/Libido 205

Shingles 207

Sinusitis 209

Skin Fungus 210

Skin Tags 212

Stinky Feet 214

Sunburn and Sun Rash 217

Vaginal Dryness 218

Warts 220

Weight Loss 226

Wound Care 227

Favorite Foods

Coffee 25

Blueberries 31

Green Tea 41

Pomegranate 42

Chicken Soup 52

Pineapple 57

Coconut 58

Cinnamon 74

Yogurt 83

Oolong Tea 92

Fennel Seed 96

Almonds 105

Broccoli 110

Hot Peppers 112

Beets 122

Chocolate 124

Fish, Fish Oil 131

Grape Juice 133

Walnuts 136

Cherries 153

Mustard 178

Ginger 188

Curry 198

Garlic 223

Part II Eating for Health 230

The DASH Diet 232

The Mediterranean Diet 235

The Low-Carb Diet 238

Breakfast

Anti-Inflammatory Curcumin Scramble 241

Joe's Brain-Boosting Smoothie 241

Cholesterol-Combating Oatmeal 242

Lunch

Crustless Cauliflower and Red Pepper Quiche 243

Sole with Lemongrass Red Bell Pepper Salad 244

Wheat Berry Salad 244

Dinner

Cardamom Grilled Chicken with Mango Lime Sauce 245

Lentil Nut Loaf with Red Pepper Sauce 246

Pescado Al Cilantro 247

Sides

Coleslaw with Mint 248

Farmers Market Saag 248

Roasted Garlic 249

Simple Salad Dressing 249

Sources 250

About the Authors 254

Acknowledgments 255

Recipe Contributors 256

Index 257

Editorial Reviews

People's Pharmacy:
“The Graedons offer evidence-based answers to questions about home remedies for common health problems.” –Book News Inc.

“This is an excellent book that proves better health can be achieved by healing yourself at home with remedies right out of the cupboard, refrigerator, or garden.” –Tucsoncitizen.com
 
“Very readable as well as entertaining, this is a great resource for those interested in home remedies for everyday woes.” –Library Journal
 
“A compilation of reader feedback to remedies, plus a list of 24 foods the authors suggest can help with health problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. The foods list includes coffee, blueberries, green tea, beets and chocolate.” –Richmond Times Dispatch
 
“In these times when so many lack medical insurance, an investment in this book might be a good idea.” –Foodsiteoftheday.

From the Publisher

A former pharmacologist and a medical anthropologist, respectively, the Graedons combine their skills as well as their celebrity (they write a syndicated column, The People's Pharmacy, and cohost a health talk show on public radio) to gather from fans the best Q&As on ailments and proposed remedies. They then provide either scientific evidence to back them up or refute them accordingly. (LJ 5/15/11)

Library Journal