Dear People’s Pharmacy: I noticed when washing my dog that Irish Spring soap kills fleas instantly. You can see them start dying immediately. The fleas will come back if you don’t treat the yard, but I don’t really like the thought of exposing the environment or the animals to pesticides.
Dear Reader: We have heard that when Irish Spring soap bars are placed around shrubs and other plants, deer will leave them alone. But this is the first we’ve heard that Irish Spring soap can kill fleas. Many readers report that mixing garlic (powder, capsule or raw cloves) into dogs’ food cuts down on fleas. Others say brewer’s yeast is helpful.
Dear People’s Pharmacy: After being on Prozac for several years for PMS, I pulled myself off because of weight gain and loss of libido. We also lost our prescription benefit and had to pay the high cost out of pocket.
I am occasionally a little depressed, but not like I was a few years ago with four teen-agers in the house, a full-time job plus helping my husband run his business. Now the kids are grown, the business is sold and I work full time, but pressures are few.
How long must I wait before the drug is out of my system? It’s been almost two months, but my sex drive hasn’t come back yet. I would like to supplement my diet with St. John’s wort, but the two times I’ve tried it for four or five days I got overly aggressive, sensitive and just nasty. Any information you can send me would be deeply appreciated.
Dear Reader: The negative sexual side effects associated with Prozac should begin to disappear shortly. St. John’s wort does not seem like a good alternative for you, though. If you need an antidepressant, your doctor might consider Wellbutrin, which can relieve depression without diminishing libido. PMS may be helped with a variety of natural remedies including vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin E, chaste tree berry, black cohosh, dong quai or licorice
The People’s Pharmacy appears every Thursday. Write to Joe and Teresa Graedon at 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017 or e-mail them via their Web site,
