PEOPLE’S PHARMACY

Q:The inside of my mouth became very sensitive to salt, acid and anything spicy. When my wife looked, she said it looked like thrush.

I went to my dentist to have it checked out. After a visual assessment and asking about medications, one of his first questions was, "Are you using a cinnamon toothpaste?"

Stopping the cinnamon toothpaste and using a prescription medicated mouthwash called "Magic Mouthwash" cured the condition in about 10 days. I hope this will help other readers.

Answer: You are not the only person to experience problems with cinnamon toothpaste. Some people are sensitive to this ingredient and may develop irritation or chapped lips as a reaction to it (Journal of the American Dental Association, September 1995). Pharmacists compound "Magic Mouthwash" to ease oral irritation.

Q:I've been a victim of insomnia for the past two years. My doctor has tried me on three drugs -- separately, of course. The side effects were worse than the loss of sleep.

Melatonin popped into my head for some reason. I did some research and found it is a sleep aid. I bought some over the counter, and after two months of using it, I now fall sleep easily. Is melatonin natural? Are there any dangers?

Answer: Melatonin is natural. It is a hormone that our bodies make to help regulate our cycles of sleeping and waking.

Prolonged-release melatonin (Circadin) was approved in Europe as a drug in 2007. Studies have shown that melatonin is effective and does not cause rebound insomnia when it is stopped (Journal of Sleep Research, December 2007). In the U.S., melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement; the quality of dietary supplements is largely unregulated.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. You can e-mail them via their Web site: http://www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.