A fix for a dry cough: whenever I'm in climate-controlled buildings or extreme temperatures, my airways get irritated and I have dry coughing fits. Allergy tests turned up negative. What can I do? - ask the experts: answers to your questions from the leaders in natural medicine

Natural Health, April, 2002

Harriet Beinfield, L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist who practices in her San Francisco clinic, Chinese Medicine Works. She is also co-author with Efrem Korngold, L.Ac., O.M.D., of Between Heaven and Earth (Ballantine Books, 1991).

Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., is a New York City-based naturopath. She is the author of Natural Prescriptions for Common Ailments (Keats, 2001).

Adriane Fugh-Berman, M.D., teaches at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She is on the executive board of the National Women's Health Network and is author of Alternative Medicine: What Works (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1997).

Jennifer Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., is a licensed homeopath. She is clinical assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine and co-author with Wayne Jonas, M.D., of Healing with Homeopathy (Warner Books, 1996).

Laurel Vukovic is an herbalist in Ashland, Ore. She is the author of Herbal Healing Secrets for Women (Prentice Hall, 2000). Her most recent book is The Journal of Desire (Prentice Hall, 2001).

Quick Tip

IF YOU WANT TO GIVE A NUTRIENT-RICH treat to your cat, grow a container of wheat grass that she can nibble on. Plant wheat berries (sold at natural food stores) in a shallow pot filled with potting soil, place the pot on a sunny windowsill, and water well every day.

-Laurel Vukovic

How to Unclog a Sink

I'd like to stay away from harsh products like Drano to unclog my kitchen sink. Any ideas?

LAUREL VUKOVIC REPLIES: I agree that it's best to avoid toxic products like Drano. Most of the time, the ingredients don't dissolve the culprit, like congealed grease, and you end up with a clog that won't budge and a sinkful of caustic chemicals. A simple plunger works better to dislodge stubborn clogs. Completely cover the drain to create a tight seal and then plunge vigorously up and down. If that doesn't work, you can try a plumber's snake (available at hardware stores), a flexible metal tool that is easy to use and will rout out the clog.

After freeing your drain, be sure to practice good kitchen sink hygiene. Avoid pouring grease down the drain and use a sink strainer to catch food particles. Once a week, slowly and carefully pour a kettle of boiling water into the drain to dissolve residues of soaps and oils that can contribute to the formation of clogs. If you're dealing with a chronically sluggish drain, look for an enzyme drain cleaner at your local hardware store. It contains natural bacteria that liquefy soap scum and grease deposits. Although it won't unclog a drain, when used every couple of weeks it prevents clogs from forming.