DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have another home remedy for you to add to your list.
I had an experience more than 60 years ago with ringworm. I suffered for months and months with it. I had seen several dermatologists and tried several medications but nothing seemed to work. It continued to itch and grow.
An acquaintance then told me of an old remedy she knew of after seeing the growing rash on my arm. She told me to apply sap from the brittle stem of a common nasturtium flower. Simply break the stem and dab the “goo” onto the entire affected area.
It burned like the dickens but I stuck with it. After a few applications and less than a week, the whole thing dried up perfectly. No more itching! It was wonderful.
DEAR READER:
This truly is a natural remedy! I had not heard of this before and therefore have printed your letter for my readers to try.
Ringworm isn’t really a worm at all. Rather it is a fungus that affects the skin. It can cause itching, scaling and rarely, painful tumors.
As for the nasturtium flower (also sometimes known as the Tropaeolum), it is a common flower. It is easy to grow in most gardens and is often grown by children because it can tolerate a little neglect. I have also heard it can be used a flavoring for butters, vinegars or even stuffed and eaten! Therefore, this sounds like a safe and lovely remedy. Thanks for writing.
About Dr. Gott