About a month ago, my son-in-law started taking one regular Bayer aspirin each morning and one Bayer PM before going to sleep. Two weeks into this regimen, he started bleeding from the mouth while he was sleeping. He stopped taking the aspirin, and the bleeding stopped as well. Is this a possible side effect?

Aspirin can thin the blood by interfering with the sticky part of blood called platelets. Some people are especially susceptible to this effect, so even a standard dose might trigger bleeding.

Thanks for publishing the mixture of applesauce, bran and prune juice to counteract constipation. I never knew the exact quantities required.

We used it in the nursing home where I worked as a nurse until I retired. It was very helpful, especially for demented patients. We called it the "special recipe." Don't forget to tell people that it must be wheat bran and not oat bran.

I have left this recipe and instructions in the information I have assembled for my children in case I ever become mentally incompetent. It's in the same book with my living will, medical power of attorney and instructions for my burial and organ donation.

Your "special recipe" also has been termed "power pudding." It is an excellent remedy for hard-to-treat constipation. It is critical for people using this remedy to get plenty of fluids to avoid intestinal problems.

I have read that magnesium is an important supplement, but I have no idea how much to take. Can one overdose on this element? Is it really as important as calcium?

Magnesium is crucial for heart and bone health and is frequently in short supply in the diet. A safe dose ranges from 300 milligrams to 500 milligrams. Too much magnesium can lead to loose stools or diarrhea.

I hate cinnamon, whether it is in cookies, cakes or anything else. I always avoided cinnamon until I heard it was helpful for controlling blood sugar.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in April of 2004. My doctor prescribed metformin, which has worked moderately well. I take 1,000 milligrams twice daily, and it has kept my blood sugar under 220.

Starting in January, I noticed my morning fasting glucose levels were completely normal again, between 73 and 92, every morning! I believe this is due to two things. First, I try not to eat any white flour, rice or bread at all. Second, I've been taking two capsules of cinnamon, a multivitamin and a B vitamin complex every morning.

I don't have the eye-focusing problems, tingling or other symptoms I used to have. I've also lost 8 pounds. I think that all this together has improved my situation. Perhaps it will help others.

Studies have shown that cinnamon can improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control (Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, February 2008). We recommend taking a water-based extract rather than relying on ordinary cinnamon. Some cinnamon is contaminated with coumarin, which can cause liver toxicity.

I am a kindergarten teacher and on occasion pick up lice from my students. The best home remedy I've ever used to kill lice and easily remove nits is coconut oil. I completely saturate my hair with the oil and cover my head with a shower cap. I leave it on overnight and wash it out with regular shampoo the next morning. This leaves my hair silky, without lice. If the infestation is bad, I do this again a second night. It really works!

There used to be a product called HairClean 1-2-3 that contained coconut oil along with anise oil and ylang ylang oil. Although people told us they found it effective, it is no longer on the market. Thanks for suggesting this substitute. We have also heard from people who rinse their hair with original formula Listerine. The alcohol and herbal oils seem to help kill lice.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: peoplespharmacy.com.