Some home remedies seem logical. Soaking fungus-infected toes in a foot bath containing diluted vinegar and old-fashioned amber Listerine makes some sense. After all, fungus hates acid, and the herbal oils and alcohol in Listerine may also have anti-fungal activity.
Using soap to combat leg cramps, on the other hand, makes no sense at all. We don’t know where the idea came from to put soap under the bottom sheet to prevent leg cramps. Regardless of its origins, many readers of The People’s Pharmacy are excited about its benefits.
One reader testified: “I have had a bar of soap under my sheet for almost six months and never once have I had any more cramping in my toes, feet and legs. It may be an old wives’ tale, but I can say that it works great because I get a good night’s sleep!”
Another one cheered: “I have tried many home remedies, and this is the first that is absolutely effective. I have always experienced moderate to severe leg and foot cramps, and also restless leg syndrome. I read about the soap remedy and have used it for nearly two years. I’ve had only a few cramps that lasted only a minute or two until I got the soap on my leg or foot. Even better — no RLS! This is an amazing home remedy. No exaggeration, no kidding!”
Not everyone is so enthusiastic about soap in bed. One told his story: “It’s a placebo. It only works if you believe it will. My mother-in-law told my wife to try it. I told my wife: ‘It’s just a placebo. If you want to try it, wait until I’m not expecting it.’ She waited a few weeks, slipped the soap under the sheet, and I still suffered from leg cramps. If you don’t believe in it, it won’t work either.”
Another wife did a similar experiment but got different results: “I put a bar of soap under my husband’s sheets without his knowledge. It worked. So this proves that it is not all psychosomatic.
“When he saw the soap, he couldn’t believe it had helped. It probably wouldn’t have worked if he had known in advance that I’d put it there.”
One reader doesn’t care if the effect is psychosomatic: “I suffered from calf muscle cramps (charley horses) at night for years. I read about the soap trick and thought, what the heck. I put several motel soap bars under the sheets. A couple of weeks later, I suddenly realized I had not had any charley horses for quite a while. When I changed the bed, I would put the soap in a cup while I washed and dried the sheets.
“About two weeks ago, I started having those damned cramps again. I figured, ‘Well, that soap stuff is all just suds.’ I had cramps for several nights, and then I found the cup with the soap sitting out. I had forgotten to put it back in the bed. Back it went pronto, and I have not had a cramp since. If it’s psychosomatic, so be it, as long as I don’t have those charley horses any more.”
Anyone who would like to learn more about remedies for leg cramps or restless leg syndrome may want our Guide to Leg Pain. Please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (58 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. RLS-5, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q. I think you have alarmed people unnecessarily with your thoughtless remarks on vitamin E. You said that applying vitamin E oil to scars did not help them heal faster. You should print a correction, because pure vitamin E on incisions promotes healing.
A. When we find research demonstrating that putting vitamin E on wounds helps them heal without scarring, we will be prompt to write about it.
We found a review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (December 2006) that stated “vitamin E has complex effects on wound healing,” and concluded, “the evidence that topical vitamin E alone improves the cosmetic appearance of scars is poor. It is also associated with a high incidence of contact dermatitis. The use of vitamin E should, therefore, be discouraged.”
Test vitamin E oil on the skin inside the forearm for a possible reaction before using it on a scar.
Q. When I was teaching elementary school, I spent many sleep-deprived nights because I was awakened with leg cramps so severe they took my breath away. I mentioned this to my mother, and she said, “Take calcium-magnesium.”
I was already taking calcium, but her doctor had told her it must be the combination supplement. I took the advice with a grain of salt, thinking, “I’ll try it; it won’t work.”
As you might have guessed, it did work. I continue to take calcium-magnesium each night and no longer have cramps. One exception: I bowled six games in succession and later that afternoon awoke from a nap with an excruciating cramp in my leg. I took three calcium-magnesium tablets with a glass of water, and the cramps were soon gone. Others might like to know about this.
A. Thanks for the suggestion. Calcium, magnesium and potassium are all essential minerals for muscle function. Other readers also have had success preventing leg cramps with magnesium or calcium supplements. Taking them together is a good idea. Anyone who would like additional remedies for leg cramps can find them by searching our Web site, www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q. I have high blood pressure and must avoid caffeine. Is yerba mate a caffeinated beverage? I don’t want to drink it if it would affect my blood pressure.
A. Yerba mate is a favorite drink in Argentina. It is made from the leaves of a South American holly, and has about as much caffeine in it as coffee. If you need to avoid caffeine, you’ll have to forgo yerba mate.
Q. I am 29 and have been suffering from migraine headaches since I was 12 years old. I have seen countless neurologists who have prescribed every drug under the sun. Nothing has worked to keep the headaches from coming.
I am curious about hot and sour soup or any other remedy that might prevent or ease my pain. I am willing to try anything, because this condition is getting the best of me.
A. Several years ago, we heard from a migraine sufferer that hot and sour soup could interrupt a migraine headache. Another reported that spicy gumbo did the trick.
Other natural approaches include magnesium, B vitamins (especially riboflavin) and herbs such as feverfew or butterbur. We provide far more detail on treatments for headaches and migraines in our book “Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy.” It is available from libraries, bookstores or online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q. I need your help to solve a horrible problem I have developed since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes several months ago. My doctor prescribed medicine to help control my blood sugar. I’ve been watching my diet and have lost 30 pounds.
My problem is terrible gas. I cannot control it. This never happened before. I can hardly move, let alone walk or bend without outbursts that are both loud and long, just like a motorboat.
In addition, my sex life is nonexistent. Because I can’t control the gas, my husband is very annoyed.
I try to stay away from people at work, but that is difficult because I am a secretary. Beano just made things worse. Could this be due to my medication? My doctor seems unconcerned.
A. Some pills for type 2 diabetes are notorious for causing digestive distress and flatulence. Be sure to tell your doctor how much this is interfering with your quality of life. There are a number of alternatives for type 2 diabetes, and another medication might be less troublesome for you.
Q. I have suffered with insomnia for years. My doctor prescribed Ambien, which gives me eight hours of restful sleep. Then the pharmacist switched me to generic zolpidem for under $15. He said it was identical to Ambien.
It wasn’t! I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since switching. If I do fall asleep I have horrible nightmares. I cannot afford $130 for regular Ambien. What else can I do? I need my sleep to be alert at work.
A. Dozens of other readers have also reported problems with generic Ambien (zolpidem). If your insurance company won’t cover the brand-name medicine, you might wish to consider some nondrug options. They include a small, high-carb bedtime snack such as milk and graham crackers, dietary supplements such as magnesium, melatonin, passionflower or valerian, a hot bath an hour before retiring and acupressure wristbands.
We describe these approaches and others in greater detail in our newly revised Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep. We also discuss OTC sleeping pills and prescription drugs such as Lunesta, Sonata and Rozerem. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (58 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. I-70, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q. I have taken both lithium and Wellbutrin for 15 years to control bipolar disease. Recently, I have become very thirsty. It is most noticeable when I’m speaking to large groups. (This is part of my job that hasn’t changed for more than 25 years.)
My doctor says thirst has always been a possible side effect of both medications. Is there anything I can take to relieve the thirst, even if only for the periodic speaking engagements?
A. The antidepressant Wellbutrin (bupropion) can cause dry mouth. Real thirst, though, is a common side effect of lithium. The fact that you are bothered with thirst now although it has not been a problem for years might suggest you are more susceptible to the drug. Perhaps your kidneys are not coping with it as well. We recommend that you see your doctor for a thorough checkup and blood test to make sure the dose of your lithium medication is still right for you.
Tags: bottom sheet, exaggeration, foot bath, fungus, herbal oils, home remedies, home remedy, leg and foot cramps, leg cramps, legs, Listerine, mother in law, old wives, origins, placebo, restless leg syndrome, six months, soap, toes, vinegar