Dear Pharmacist,

What is licorice root? I heard you at a lecture talk about it and say something like it could take the place of lots of different drugs, and that it helped with chronic fatigue.

Dear Pharmacist,

At one of your lecture's I heard you say you drink linden tea at night but you never said why. What is it and why is it something you like?

Dear Pharmacist,

I've got a cold, and I've sneezed about a hundred times today! Should I start taking echinacea, and will it help me with the sneezing?

Answer: It's the season for the common cold with over one billion cases of it in the United States each year. Sneezing is perhaps the most annoying...

Dear Pharmacist,

I'm not a fan of fungus, but I've heard that shiitake mushrooms are good for cancer. What do you think?

Dear Pharmacist,

My hero is Ray Lewis of the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens, and I heard he took Deer Antler Velvet to recover from his muscle injuries faster. Do you recommend this?

Dear Pharmacist,

I've dealt with stomach problems all my life. Sometimes it's hard to eat, but I am under physician care. What natural remedy can soothe my tummy when it's hard to eat?

Dear Pharmacist,

I'm going through a lot right now. This year, my New Years' Resolution is to exercise more, hoping to take my mind off everything. My schedule only allows me to go to the gym twice per week. Will this help me feel better, in terms of anxiety or mood?

Dear Pharmacist,

What are some suggestions to avoid catching cold this season?

Dear Pharmacist,

My partner has cancer and is receiving chemotherapy. She's responding well but now has trouble with simple math, decision making, and she doesn't finish her sentences. Can chemo do that?

Dear Pharmacist,

I ate like a hog over the holiday, and it was wonderful! To spare my guilt, are there any benefits to holiday foods and spices?

Dear Readers,

Here are some interesting FDA-approved items for 2012 in the United States. My column is printed in various languages so I apologize that I've only listed English brand names, please ask your local pharmacist for translations.

Dear Pharmacist,

I saw Dr. Oz interview a doctor on television about cholesterol. The guest said your total cholesterol doesn't matter and I read that in your book 6 years ago. Suzy, I take a statin, and do a "Lipid Profile" annually. Is this okay?

Dear Pharmacist,

My doctor asked me to get more fiber in my diet. What are some health benefits and what are good ways to incorporate it into my daily life? I've always been a meat and potatoes man.

Dear Pharmacist,

I went through your timeline on facebook, and learned why I'm still tired and overweight. My physician says my TSH is normal, just like you said he would, can you discuss hypothyroidism in your column?

Dear Pharmacist,

My brother suddenly developed seizures, at age 28, with no history. I've searched your website archives but can't find columns on this. I'd like to learn why he suddenly got this, since he was so healthy until then. Today, he's on 6 medications!

Dear Pharmacist,

I recently read a magazine article that discussed the health benefits of glutathione, and I was shocked at how many there are. Do you recommend this supplement for everyone?

Dear Pharmacist,

What are some natural dietary supplements that can help me lose weight, or at least manage it during the holidays?

Dear Pharmacist,

I heard that cinnamon might lower blood sugar, is this true? Can I use cinnamon spice to lower my blood sugar if I'm taking metformin? Does cinnamon have other health benefits?

Dear Pharmacist,

I met you at a book signing and was in awe of how good you look at 47, your skin was radiant and you look 30 something, not a deep wrinkle on you. What’s your secret?

Dear Pharmacist,

A friend of mine suggested that I get more vitamin A to help my immune system. I’ve always heard that vitamin D is better. Do you think that’s a good idea?