Q: You’ve written about cleaning soap chips or bars for muscle cramps. I found by chance that liquid hand cleaning soap works nice for leg, toe and finger cramps. I couldn’t discover the bar cleaning soap and I used to be in horrible ache, so I grabbed the liquid hand cleaning soap and gave it a superb pump. Then I rubbed and rubbed the cleaning soap into my leg and slowly the cramp dissipated. I now solely use the hand cleaning soap.
A:
You aren’t the primary one that has reported that liquid cleaning soap will help alleviate muscle cramps. Maybe the therapeutic massage motion may additionally have been useful towards your cramp.
Many individuals are skeptical about cleaning soap for cramps. Nonetheless, it is a low-cost, low-risk strategy that truly might have a scientific rationalization.
Nerve cells in lots of components of our our bodies have transient receptor potential channels. A number of completely different “flavors” of TRP reply to sensations like warmth or chilly, in addition to to precise taste chemical compounds like capsaicin (from sizzling peppers) or menthol (from mint).
We suspect that compounds within the cleaning soap set off these TRP channels to reverse the inappropriate activation of nerves inflicting muscle contractions. Thanks for sharing your handy technique for fixing a difficult downside.
You possibly can study extra about TRP channels and cramp aid with mustard and pickle juice in addition to cleaning soap in our “eGuide to Favourite House Treatments.” This on-line useful resource could also be discovered underneath the Well being eGuides tab at PeoplesPharmacy.com.
Q: I’m on the lookout for a house treatment for gout. I’ve had gout in my finger for years. Celery seed has been profitable in controlling the irritation and ache.
Now I’ve developed ache with minimal irritation in my toe, and celery seed is just not serving to a lot. I’d be thankful for any recommendation you can provide me on how you can scale back the discomfort.
A:
Gout is a consequence of excessive uric acid ranges. When the uric acid crystals precipitate right into a joint, the result’s ache and irritation. To handle it, medical doctors attempt to decrease uric acid ranges.
One favourite treatment that will assist ease gout ache by its impact on uric acid is tart cherry juice. Some individuals take cherry extract, whereas others drink juice or eat frozen cherries. The anthocyanin compounds in tart cherries have anti-inflammatory exercise (Medical and Experimental Rheumatology, July 2022). So does curcumin, an lively compound within the yellow spice turmeric (Arthritis Analysis & Remedy, Aug. 27, 2019).
Individuals who don’t like tart cherry juice would possibly take into account a capsule, as a randomized managed trial discovered {that a} 480-milligram capsule was as efficient as juice at decreasing uric acid (Plant Meals for Human Vitamin, March 2021).
Q: I’ve celiac illness, which is gluten intolerance. Once I eat one thing that I shouldn’t, I get a pink, itchy dry rash. No lotion I’ve tried actually helps. Solely a cortisone cream offers some gentle aid. What else might I attempt to cease the itching? I’d choose one thing pure.
A:
The reply is totally pure, however it isn’t straightforward. As an individual with celiac illness, you need to keep away from all meals with gluten (from wheat, barley and rye). Even a tiny bit could possibly be an issue for you.
The rash often related to celiac illness is named dermatitis herpetiformis. This can be very itchy. This is only one manifestation of your autoimmune illness. The truth that you might be experiencing a rash means that different bodily programs, together with your digestive tract, could also be reacting to gluten and placing you at risk.
Contact the Graedons at
peoplespharmacy.com.
