Submitted by: Cynthia McMurray(1,337) Cynthia McMurray Write Words Log in to become a member of Cynthia McMurray's Fan Club!
With all the chemical-filled cleaners, expensive cosmetics and prescription creams and medications we rely on today, it sometimes makes you wonder how our great-grandparents ever managed to get through the day. They certainly didn't have plug in air fresheners that change scents every 20 minutes. Powerful antibacterial soaps, cleaners and even clothes guaranteed to wipe out 99 percent of bugs and germs probably seemed far-fetched at the time (last they probably heard, germs were a normal part of life). But somehow, despite their lack of "modern advancements", our ancestors managed to deal with life's everyday situations. In fact, many of their tried and true "home remedies" are still handed down from generation to generation simply because they work, and in some cases, much better and safer than today's new and improved products.
We likely all have a few of these hand-me-down tips tucked away somewhere in the back our minds. But with the endless array of new-fangled products lining supermarket shelves, we often forget the simplest and likely cheapest remedy is sitting in our own backyard. Here are a few of those long-lost tips that really do work.
Splinters: If you have ever had one of those deeply imbedded splinters that simply refuses to come out, you know how annoying (and painful) it can be to poke and prod at it with a sewing needle and a pair of tweezers (especially for a child). Well, save yourself the frustration and try using a small piece of banana skin. Simply cut off a piece of the banana skin, big enough to cover the entire splinter, and place it skin side out over top the splinter (whether it is wood, glass or metal… some people even use it to remove the remains of ticks). Hold it in place with a band-aid and leave it on overnight. By morning, the digestive enzymes in the banana will have worked the splinter out, not only dissolving it, but also healing the wound. If the splinter is really deep, you may need to do this for a couple of nights, but guaranteed, this banana trick is painless and effective.
Minor Bleeding That Won't Stop: For minor cuts and scrapes that won't stop bleeding use powered cayenne pepper. This hot pepper is high in vitamin K, which is known for its amazing clotting properties. You can safely use this on children and because cayenne pepper is also a demulcent (has soothing properties), it will not burn or irritate the sensitive open wound. Just sprinkle a thick layer of cayenne pepper over the wound, cover with a band-aid and the bleeding should stop within seconds. You can actually leave the cayenne pepper on overnight as it is known for its astringent and anti-microbial properties that will help to clean and close the wound. You can even use this remedy for large cuts. Head wounds especially bleed excessively. Sprinkle the cayenne on the cut before going to the hospital to help stop the bleeding until a doctor can check the injury. Just make sure to keep it away from your eyes.
Dandruff: Dandruff is actually caused when your scalp becomes too acidic. To remedy dandruff, you need to restore the pH balance of your skin. A good remedy to treat dandruff is apple cider vinegar. First, wash your hair with shampoo (try to use a natural shampoo that is pH balanced) and then condition your hair as you normally would. While you are still in the shower, pour a cup of apple cider vinegar on your head, making sure to cover your entire scalp (keep your eyes closed). Rinse with water. You can also use a mixture of three quarters water to one quarter lemon juice, which will also leave your hair full and shiny.
Headache: Essential oil of peppermint is an amazingly powerful remedy for headaches. In fact, reliable studies show that peppermint oil is as effective as using 1,000 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for relieving tension headaches. The peppermint oil is believed to dull or prevent the neurological sensors from receiving the pain signal, similar to the effects of Tylenol. Just rub a few drops of the essential oil (available at most health food stores) into your temples and you should begin to feel the effects within about 15 minutes.
Insect Bites: For those of us who have had the unfortunate privilege of being the main course on some bug's dinner menu, you know how itchy and painful a bite can be. And it seems the more you scratch, the more irritated and itchy it becomes. Well, nature has a quick and easy answer and it comes in the form of the common onion. Simply slice an onion in half and rub one of the open sides on the bite area. Onions are high in sulfur, which will immediately neutralize the chemicals in the bug saliva that cause the itching. You can reuse the onion if the itching starts again. Simply cover the onion half in a sealed container and refrigerate. Make sure to make a new slice however before reusing on the bite area.
Nosebleeds: Nosebleeds can look more devastating than they actually are, especially if it is your child. An odd but highly effective remedy uses only a small rolled up piece of a regular brown paper bag or paper towel. Simply tear off a piece of the bag and roll it up into a small tube (about half an inch in diameter), placing it inside your mouth between your upper lip and your gum so it presses up against your nose. There is a blood vessel that runs under the upper lip and the pressure from the paper bag is said to slow the blood flow, which allows the blood to clot. Leave the piece of the bag there until your nose stops bleeding (usually within a few minutes).
Sunburn: It is almost that time of year again when beachgoers and water enthusiasts flock to the shore for a little sun and fun. While the warm sun's rays may feel great in the moment, get too much sun and you will be hurting for days. A quick and effective remedy for sunburn is to smear a little whole milk, plain yogurt on the sunburned areas. Let the yogurt remain on your skin until it becomes warm (about 10 to 15 minutes). Rinse it off carefully with cool water and then reapply as needed until the pain disappears. Yogurt also works to restore the pH balance of your skin, helping it to heal faster.
Bad Breath: Eating raw onion and garlic are great for your health but they don't do much for your breath. In fact, nothing can end a conversation faster than a little bad breath. So, for those days when you need to instantly freshen your breath, try chewing on a few sprigs of fresh parsley. Parsley is extremely high in chlorophyll, which is known for its ability to kill the bacteria that causes foul-smelling breath.
Foot Odor: For chronic smelly feet, soak your feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes each day for about a week. Black tea is an antimicrobial agent that kills the bacteria that causes odor. It also helps to close the pores, which keeps your feet dry longer. Use two tea bags per half liter of water. Use enough water to cover your feet in a large bowl or small plastic tub. Steep tea for 15 minutes until it looks strong then when it is tepid, soak your feet in the solution.
Acne: Honey kills the bacteria known to cause acne. For a quick and painless pimple remedy, try thoroughly cleansing your skin and then applying a small amount of honey to the affected areas. For the best results, apply the honey before going to bed, covering the pimple with a band-aid to avoid a mess. In the morning, remove the band-aid and wash off any residue.
Earache: Fresh garlic can usually clear up an ear infection in 24-48 hours and will kill ear pain in about 15 minutes. Cut a small piece of fresh garlic from a clove (big enough that it will fit in the ear like a plug. Wrap it in a tissue then place the tissue and garlic into the infected ear. Leave it in overnight for best results. You should notice that the pain diminishes within about 15 minutes. Garlic is nature's answer to an antibiotic. If you do this for a few nights, the infection should clear up on its own. You can also make ear oil by soaking a fresh garlic clove in a small amount of olive oil for about 24 hours. When you feel an infection coming on, heat the oil slightly and put a few drops in the infected ear. Let it soak in for a few minutes then clean any remaining oil with a cotton ball.
Bug Repellent: Most bug sprays contain deet, which is a dangerous pesticide and very harmful to both humans and pets. Instead, try using essential oil of lavender. Bugs hate lavender. You can make a safe and great smelling bug spray using only a few drops of lavender oil mixed with water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spritz yourself or your pets before heading outdoors (avoid your face and eyes). You can even make a safe and effective flea collar for your pets by simply rubbing a few drops of lavender oil into their collar (fabric or rope) or bandana every week during bug season.
While all of these remedies are safe and very effective, if the problem persists, it is always best to seek medical attention, especially in the case of bleeding or infection.
Cynthia McMurray is a freelance natural health writer. She has written numerous books for leading health professionals and was the founder and publisher of a national natural health magazine. She is currently writing in-depth health manuals for a large international health and wellness company.
» left by Lorrie Davids(5,237) Lorrie Davids (112 days 8 hours ago.)
We live in the south and the mosquitoes become unbearable going into the summer. I will be trying the lavender oil and am checking all family and friends for splinters so I can try the banana peel tip! :) Thanks for the information. Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (111 days 23 hours ago.)
Thanks for reading! I used to live in CT where we got a lot of tics and the lavender worked
wonders. I would just spray the dogs before they went out and we
rarely saw any tics. You can also soak a cotton ball in lavender oil
and put it a jar. Place the jar in your room near your bed and it will
keep bugs out while you sleep. The banana trick is great and really
does work! Respond to this comment
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