Q: “I’m very concerned (as I’m sure many other readers are) about the West Nile virus. I’ve found that if I take Kyolic odorless garlic, 600 milligrams per tablet, two tablets each morning, it keeps mosquitoes away. Please let other readers know about this possibility. I also haven’t had a cold since I started using it, but I haven’t seen any effect on my blood pressure.”

JVW: Thank you for passing along this tip. I’m glad it works for you, and hope it works for other readers. Other readers (from Alaska) have informed me that 500 to 1,000 milligrams of thiamine taken every four to six hours keeps mosquitoes away for them. This much thiamine is safe, but may cause drowsiness in the occasional individual.

What is…thiamine?

Thiamine is a member of the B-complex family of vitamins and is also known as vitamin B1. It helps maintain energy levels, support brain and nervous system function, aid digestion, and metabolize of sugar and starch.