Tips on Halting Panic Attacks, Healing Hives, and More ….

Discover the best advice readers had to share.

Herbal Rescue from Panic
AMY SIMMONS-ESTRADA from Poulsbo, Wash., wrote for ideas on how to quell panic attacks.

LAUREN STARR from Chicago responded via email: I have a panic disorder as well, and I find flower essence remedies like Bach Rescue Remedy to be helpful. I also regularly sleep with an eye pillow filled with flaxseeds and calming lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Unfortunately, herbs like kava-kava (Piper methysticum) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) are not effective remedies for me.

Make Hives Disappear
G.W., from Roseville, Calif., wrote in for solutions for her chronic hives. SUE-ANN LEEDS from Valley Village, Calif., responded via email: I tried oatmeal baths and calendula creams to treat my hives, but I only found relief when I finally visited a doctor of Oriental medicine. In my first visit, he treated me with acupuncture to reduce the heat of my hives and gave me Chinese herbs and homeopathic remedies. I was in my car 45 minutes after the session when I burst into tears (which I consider a healing purge). Then my crying suddenly stopped, and the heat went out of my hives. My condition began clearing that first week, but I continued seeing him for treatment. CLARA MILLER from Athens, Ill., responded via email: I also had chronic hives. For three or four years I took garlic supplements, and then one day I read that this could cause rashes. I stopped the garlic, and my hives went away. Another woman at my church was experiencing hives as well. She was also taking garlic; she quit and her hives disappeared too.

Iron Answers
DIANE JOHNSON from Wixom, Mich., wrote in about her high iron count on a blood test.

ELAINE FAVER from New Rochelle, N.Y., responded via email: Contrary to your doctor's opinion, a high iron count is cause for concern. About a year ago I also had a high count, and my doctor tested me for hemochromatosis, which causes iron to be stored in the joints and vital organs. It is a common genetic disorder, but it often goes unrecognized. For more information about this disorder, contact the Hemochromatosis Foundation, Inc., at P.O. Box 8569, Albany, NY 12208; 518-489-0972; www.hemochromatosis.org. [The American Hemochromatosis Society also provides information. Visit www.americanhs.org.]

More on Wetting Your Whistle
MARIANNE RANDALL from San Diego wrote requesting ways to make water more palatable.

ANITA SCOTT-MEISEL from Dearborn, Mich., responded via email: When I knew I was going to be at school for most of the day, I filled a large bottle with filtered water and added two or three herbal tea bags before I left home. My favorites were mango and herbal blend flavors. By the time I was done with a class, the tea bags had steeped and I had flavored water.

PAULINE ERNST from Dixon, Mo., responded via email: I carry a small shaker of powdered ascorbic acid (vitamin C crystals) with me to flavor my water. I just shake it once or twice into a glass of water.

Overcoming Tourette's
A READER wrote about a 5-year-old son with Tourette's syndrome.

MICHAEL ARMOCIDA from Massapequa, N.Y., responded via email: My son was also diagnosed with Tourette's when he was 5. In my search for answers, I found the Association for Comprehensive Neurotherapy (ACN), which noted that Tourette's is triggered by environmental and food allergies. I brought my son to a pediatric allergist, who discovered that he was allergic to milk, corn, and oats. Within a month of removing the allergens from his diet, he was tic-free—and still is seven years later. To learn more about ACN, check the group's website at www.latitudes.org.

A Lemon Detox
LORAINE WHITE from Brooklyn, N.Y., asked if lemons were good for detoxing.

KRISTIN HASLAM from Ocean Pines, Md., responded via email: I'm following a 10-day fast of lemon juice, syrup, and cayenne pepper that I found in The Ancient Cookfire (Bear & Co., 1998) by Carrie L'Esperance. It not only works physically, but I feel great spiritually and mentally.

Erase Your Eczema
MAGGIE FROM GAINESVILLE, FLA., wrote for solutions to her itchy eczema. PAULA HARRIS responded via email: To heal my last bout of eczema, I took capsules of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) three times daily and raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) twice a day. It took some time, but it healed beautifully. I kept taking these supplements for three months afterward, and I haven't had any eczema in more than a year.

BARB PLATTA from Port Washington, Wis., responded via email: My friend's daughter had a bad case of eczema that was exacerbated by the chlorine in swimming pools. She had tried just about everything but nothing helped until a natural physician recommended MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) lotion. She tried the lotion and said it worked wonders.

Can You Help? These Readers Are Seeking Advice Fighting Stale Breath
My 11-year-old daughter suffers from chronic bad breath. It's not an oral hygiene issue. Do you know what else may be causing this and what the solution is?

Gigi via email
Needs Eye Help

Over the past year, I've struggled with severe inflammation of the iris in both eyes and experience headaches and black spots in my field of vision. Have any readers found treatments other than steroids? Most importantly, how can I get rid of the floaters this illness has left behind? I want my vision back!

Valerie Stark via email
Spider Vein Problem

Can anyone give me suggestions for getting rid of spider veins?

Lovely M. Mixon

New York City, via email

Answers to these questions may appear as early as our March 2003 issue.
PHOTO (COLOR): An eye pillow filled with soothing lavender can take the edge off of panic attacks.

PHOTO (COLOR): Herbal tea bags can perk up cold water.