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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Swedish herbal remedy conquers common cold

Q. I live in Sweden and work from home, so I rarely come down with colds. However, the other day I got a whopper – a sore throat, a horrible runny nose and a really bad cough – so I decided to try Kan Jang. Kan Jang is a popular cold remedy here produced by the Swedish Herbal Institute.

I started on Kan Jang a day ago and was surprised by the results. My runny nose is completely gone, and my cough has subsided dramatically. The postnasal drip that has been driving me nuts for a couple of years is gone.

A. Kan Jang is not available in the United States, but its principal ingredient, a Chinese herb called Andrographis paniculata, is sold in health-food stores by various manufacturers. It can also be found in a product called Kold Kare. There are placebo-controlled studies showing that Andrographis can speed recovery from colds (Planta Medica, April 2004).

We discuss the use of Andrographis, another Chinese herb, Astragalus, and a variety of natural remedies for easing symptoms in our Guide to Cold Remedies. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (59 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. Q-20, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. Last week, I developed a nosebleed that would not quit. After a couple of days, I went to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Even after following his advice, though, the nosebleed persisted.

After five days, I was finally fed up and checked your book for home remedies. I am a scientist, so I like solid evidence for everything I try, but I was desperate enough to try just about anything.

I found your suggestion to drop a bunch of keys down the back of my neck. To my amazement, the nosebleed stopped within a few minutes and has not returned.

A. We cannot explain it, but we have heard that this home remedy can resolve a nosebleed quickly. Nuns and teachers who have dealt with a lot of children often testify to the usefulness of this approach.

Q. I have heard that if you place pieces of eggplant in water for a couple of hours and then drink the water, it helps reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Is this correct, or do I have to put the eggplant in the fridge for four days and drink a small amount daily?

A. Several years ago, a reader sent in the following remedy:

“Wash but don’t peel a medium eggplant. Dice it into 1-inch cubes.

“Place the cubes in a glass gallon jug and cover the eggplant with distilled water.

“Put the jug in the fridge for four days. Drink one ounce of the water per day, taking your blood pressure daily.

“After a week or so, the eggplant will begin to disintegrate; discard it but keep drinking the ounce of soaking water daily.”

Although eggplant is part of a dietary portfolio that lowers cholesterol (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February 2005), Brazilian researchers have found that eggplant extract does not lower cholesterol. A recent analysis of eggplant compounds suggests that some may inhibit angiotensin-converter enzyme and thus lower blood pressure (Bioresource Technology, May 2008). We don’t know if the eggplant soaking water will have that effect.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.