27 Bizarre Home Remedies That Actually Work
Whether suffering from cuts and bruises or a massive migraine, our first instinct is usually to go see a doctor or go to the pharmacy to pick up a plethora of drugs. However, home remedies should not be discounted and are much more convenient than waiting for hours to see a doctor or paying large sums of money for prescription drugs. Next time you come down with something on this list, consider looking around your home for these natural fixes.
Treat Arthritis With Boozy Golden Raisins
Soaking golden raisins in gin to fight inflammatory arthritis is a long known natural remedy that many people swear by. Research in Sweden has also shown that modern drinkers showed a slower progression of joint damage in comparison to non-drinkers. The juniper berries used to make gin contain vitamin C, catechins, limonene and a number of other anti-inflammatory compounds. Golden raisins, also known as sultanas are full of antioxidants and vitamins while containing known pain relievers ferulic acid and salicylic acid. Soak the raisins in gin in a shallow bowl. Once the alcohol has evaporated which usually takes up to one week, eat 10 of the raisins a day to begin to relieve arthritis pain.
Eat Chocolate For Nausea
People rarely need an excuse to eat chocolate, but when it is considered a remedy for nausea and motion sickness, there is no need to feel guilty when stocking up on this treat during long car rides. One of the factors that make nausea and motion sickness feel worse is excess saliva production. The tannins found in chocolate dry out your mouth inhibiting excessive saliva production. Anything containing cocoa or cacao powder will produce the same effect. If chocolate is not to your taste, tannins can also be found in tea, wine, olives, nuts and certain fruits such as apples and berries. Include these in your diet when you feel nausea or motion sickness kicking in.
Cover Warts With Duct Tape
There are many unpleasant and costly methods to wart removal including burning it off with liquid nitrogen or using a chemical-laden wart cream. But before exploring those options, consider using one of the most universally handy household supplies: duct tape. By covering up a wart with duct tape, the seal will suffocate the skin virus responsible for the wart’s growth. After about a week, take off the tape and exfoliate skin gently and repeat taping until the wart is fully removed. A study that compared patients who used duct tape versus those who used liquid nitrogen found that 85% of duct tape patients got rid of their warts versus only 60% of the liquid nitrogen patients further proving duct tape can be used for just about everything.
Fight Bad Breath With Celery
Many quick fix solutions exist for fighting bad breath such as taking breath mints or chewing a piece of gum, however, these fleeting solutions do not get to the root of the problem which is to prevent bad breath from first forming. Celery with it’s chewy and fiber rich texture breaks down the plaque and bacteria causing bad breath, neutralizing odors at the source. The increased saliva production from celery flushes out bacteria and keeps the mouth moist. The crunchy and crisp fibers of celery can act as dental floss keeping teeth clean in addition to cleansing your tongue.
Consider Sweet Potatoes For Menopause
When seeking out a natural alternative to hormone therapy, consider using sweet potatoes for estrogen therapy. Estrogen therapy can help with certain side effects of menopause such as vaginal dryness, strengthening weak bones and as a way to increase sexual drive in women. Studies have shown sweet potatoes contain a chemical called diosgenin, which can be converted into estrogen. However, this conversion is not naturally occurring. It needs to bedone in a lab. Speak to a medical provider about using sweet potatoes for estrogen therapy.
Sweet potatoes also contain a high level of beta-carotene, which our bodies convert into the powerful antioxidant vitamin A, which can help stabilize our hormones. Vitamin A also plays a role in reproduction, bone growth, and skin health while also preventing cancer.
Treat Urinary Tract Infections With Baking Soda
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are very common bacterial infections that most often affect women. It is most effectively treated with antibiotics however to ease the painful symptoms of burning during urination, a natural remedy using baking soda can be used. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one cup of water. Drink this mixture on an empty stomach which will cause your bladder to become more alkaline. Acidic urine is what causes the painful sting when urinating. Baking soda decreases the acidity of urine. Keep in mind that your medical provider still needs to be consulted when you are suffering from a UTI as natural remedies can help with symptoms but will not get rid of the infection.
Lemon Juice Can Treat Earaches
Lemon is a natural antiseptic and its anti-viral properties can help treat an ear infection. Squeeze lemon juice into a bowl and after letting a q-tip soak in the juice, roll it gently inside the infected ear making sure not to probe too deep inside the ear. The lemon juice can help to balance the pH level inside the ear in addition to destroying the infectious bacteria causing the earache. If the infection persists for more than 3-4 days, seek medical attention as an antibiotic may be necessary.
Eat Apricots For Indigestion
The high fiber content in apricots makes it an ideal fruit for relieving digestive problems including indigestion. Potassium found in apricots helps to maintain the balance of fluids within the digestive system, which prevents bloating and water retention. Apricots are also loaded with vitamins A and C as well as manganese and copper which are deficient in many diets, thus including apricots as part of your regular diet can aid in optimizing everyday digestive health.
Treat Hair Loss With Nettle Tea
Losing up to 100 hairs daily is considered normal, but if you are losing more than that due to genetics or stress, there are natural remedies that could help combat it. Consuming stinging nettle for hair loss is one of the oldest and longest standing remedies available. Stinging nettle can be consumed in capsule or tea form. Essential nutrients such as vitamin B, C, and K as well as potassium, silica, and calcium minerals are found in nettle leaves and roots. These nutrients can help counter alopecia and hair loss by stimulating hair growth and by promoting thicker and healthier hair follicles. Over-consumption of nettle tea can adversely affect kidneys so avoid drinking excessive amounts.
Put Potatoes On Bug Bites
Most bug bites are not life-threatening, but they can be incredibly annoying, especially if you are camping or without access to medical supplies. However, if you have a stocked kitchen or are near a grocery store, you likely have access to potatoes. With their anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties, potatoes are a great natural remedy for bug bites. Slice open a fresh potato and rub it onto the bug bite, or tape it against the skin with medical tape. You can also cut up and blend the potatoes and apply it like a paste to the infected area which will protect the skin.
Treat Calluses With Licorice
Calluses are not something you need to live with, especially if you have licorice on hand. Licorice contains a plant-based estrogen that has been shown to soften calluses and corns. Rub the licorice directly onto calluses and then exfoliate feet with a pumice stone to sand it away. Alternatively, create a scrub by grinding up a few licorice sticks with a teaspoon of petroleum jelly and rub all over calluses and corns.
Remove Splinters With Baking Soda
Baking soda is full of uses beyond the kitchen, including helping to get splinters out. Make a paste out of baking soda and water by mixing together. Alternatively, mix flour, water and a pinch of salt if out of baking soda. Once the mixture is ready, apply the paste to the splinter. Wait until the splinter emerges, or cover it with a band-aid and let the splinter come off with the paste after several hours. Baking soda is also a natural antibacterial and antiseptic which will help deter skin from getting infected.
Manage Migraines With Hot Water
Alleviating migraines is a tricky business as not all the same remedies work for everyone. However, there is evidence that using hot water can help manage the pain brought on by a migraine. Soak your feet in hot water when a migraine strikes while simultaneously holding a cold compress or ice pack against your head. The heat down at your legs and feet will attract the blood away from your head resulting in less tension and pain in your head. Continue the hot water soak for as long as needed. Take care not to use scalding water which will result in a different type of pain.
Water Bottles For Plantar Fasciitis Relief
This exercise is a useful remedy for all forms of foot pain, especially plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a form of inflammation of the flat band of tissue connecting your heel bone to toes. Rolling a water bottle relieves pain by stretching and lengthening the ligaments in your feet and releasing tension. Using a frozen water bottle is useful for relieving inflammation as well. Fill up a small water bottle ¾ of the way and freeze it before using. If you do not have a water bottle, a tennis ball can also work.
Start by sitting in a chair with both feet planted on the ground. Lift one foot and place the water bottle beneath your arch. Roll your foot on the water bottle or ball from foot to heel. Put your weight forward to apply pressure for a more intense massage. Do this rolling exercise ten times and then repeat on the other side.
Warm Jello For Sore Throat
Jello, a childhood favorite dessert, is also excellent for relieving sore throats. Heated gelatin has soothing properties and when mixed with the antimicrobial properties of honey, this combo can be just as effective as a lozenge or syrup. Mix a packet of jello with warm water and then add one teaspoon of honey. Slowly drink the cocktail for quick relief of sore throat pain.
Use Aspirin For Dandruff
Although quite common, dandruff is a nuisance and can make wearing dark colors quite difficult as those obvious white flakes fall from your scalp. Dandruff is most commonly treated with a medicated shampoo. A home remedy that may produce similar results is adding crushed aspirin to your regular shampoo. Aspirin is made up of salicylates, also known as salicylic acid, which is the same active ingredient found in medicated shampoos.
Crush up a tablespoon of aspirin and add it to your favorite shampoo. Since dandruff can be made worse by chemicals, use a fragrance-free shampoo with very few ingredients to mix with the aspirin. Massage into scalp and leave for 5 minutes then rinse thoroughly.
Fix Cracked Heels With Superglue
When feet are overly dry and on the verge of cracking, moisturizer may do very little to stop the crack from widening. It may be time to bring in the big guns: superglue. A study found that when patients with cracked heels were instructed to apply super glue to adhere their cracks, the majority of patients’ cracks remained closed and had very little pain.
Using an adhesive such as Superglue or Krazy Glue, apply 2 or 3 drops of glue along the length of the crack and hold together for 60 seconds. Take care to avoid gluing your fingers and toes together. This home remedy may help relieve foot pain and speed up the closure of heel cracks.
Use Rubbing Alcohol For Smelly Foot
If your feet emit an odor that is less than pleasant, consider a natural remedy to neutralize odor. Rubbing alcohol can help to fight odors caused by bacteria, fungus, and sweat. Dab a cotton pad with alcohol and wipe all over your foot, including between toes. The alcohol will also help keep feet dry keeping sweat at bay. Every so often, use rubbing alcohol to wipe the inside of your shoes to kill bacteria. Let the shoes dry in a well-ventilated area.
White Wine Vinegar For Cuticle Infection
Whether you have a bad habit of chewing cuticles or you cut them too deeply, treating most cuticle infections can be taken care of naturally. White wine vinegar is a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal that can kill most infections. The acidity of the vinegar helps to relieve itching while also restoring pH balance to the infected area. It is also a cheap solution found in most kitchens. Use the same ratio of water and vinegar and apply to the infected area for 15 minutes daily. This remedy works for both finger and toenail infections.
Stop Hiccups With Sugar
Many remedies and techniques exist on how to get rid of hiccups, but one of the most commonly prescribed remedies is to swallow a spoonful of sugar. Just swallow one or two teaspoons of sugar, which is usually enough to stimulate the vagus nerve helping the body to divert attention away from the hiccups, stopping them altogether. The granules of sugar are coarse enough to stimulate the nerves. Salt, which has the same consistency as sugar, could also work but would probably be much harder to stomach.
Reduce Fever With Linden Flower Tea
A long time natural remedy for treating fevers, linden flower tea has been dubbed the “fever tea”. When ingested, it induces sweating by dilating blood vessels which in turn causes the body to cool itself down bringing down the fever along with it. Full of vitamins and essential oils, linden tea can also aid in alleviating coughs and sore throats. It contains a highly effective expectorant which helps to break up mucus and congestion.
Prepare the tea by pouring one cup of boiling water over linden flowers, allowing it 10 minutes to steep. Sip the hot tea three times a day to relieve fever and other cold symptoms. Some researchers believe drinking large amounts of tea can damage the heart, so drink it in moderation or only when experiencing fever and cold symptoms.
Use Superglue For Minor Cuts
Minor cuts that you would typically use a band-aid for may also be able to withstand superglue. In fact, superglue may speed up healing, resulting in little to no scarring and leave you able to use the affected body part with very little pain. Clean the area thoroughly with water and soap, then after letting it dry, apply superglue to the cut. The glue seals the wound keeping bacteria and even water out, which most band-aids cannot do. If your cut has excessive bleeding or is quite deep and long, superglue should not be used.
Eat Apples For Whiter Teeth
An apple a day can not only keep the doctor away but also the dentist. Crunchy foods such as apples act like a toothbrush for the teeth scrubbing away stains over time. The malic acid and astringent quality of apples also help to break down stains and acts as a polishing agent. If you have coffee or wine stained teeth and begin to eat an apple every day, you will begin to notice a difference in the color of your teeth. If you usually consume apples as a snack between meals and do not have an opportunity to brush your teeth immediately after, drink a glass of water instead to wash away sugars and plaque left behind from the apple.
Use Whole Milk For Puffy Eyes
Milk can provide relief for puffy and swollen eyes. The proteins, lauric acid and vitamins A and D found in milk create a calming and cooling effect. The astringent properties of milk reduce puffiness and water retention while also brightening skin. Over time, whole milk will also lighten any discoloration beneath the eyes. Dip a cotton ball in cold milk and place on closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes.
Relieve Coughs With Steam
If your cough will not go away and you have become immune to cough drops and medicine, consider a steam bath. A bit of humidity may help to loosen up mucus buildup and congestion in sinuses caused by dry air. Take a hot shower, or simply hover your head in a small basin or bowl of hot water. Boil water and pour into a bowl. Drape a towel over your head while you put your face above the hot water inhaling in the steam for four to five minutes, a few times a day. To enhance the steam bath and open up your airways, consider adding a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.
Use Aspirin For Pimples
If you ever run out of your go-to spot treatment for acne, consider making your own with this natural remedy. Crushed up aspirin can be made into an acne treatment as it contains the same active ingredient in most acne creams and cleansers: salicylic acid. This key ingredient helps to dry out pimples, reduce the size of pores and reduces overall inflammation. Make a paste out of the crushed up tablets and apply directly on infected areas. Clean off the paste after 10 minutes and make sure to apply an oil-free moisturizer afterward as the aspirin can dry out skin resulting in flaking.
Eat Chicken Soup For Colds
More than just a comfort food, chicken soup is full of immune-boosting nutrients that will help prevent or relieve symptoms of the common cold. Research has found that a warm bowl of chicken soup can enhance the condition of the white blood cells working hard to fight against invaders trying to attack your body. Chicken soup is also effective at eliminating upper respiratory infections by helping to detoxify the body with its variety of spices and antioxidant-rich vegetables. The bone broth of chicken soup is especially nutrient dense, full of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, silicon and sulphur. In fact, bone broth is considered more nutrient dense than the meat itself in some Asian cultures causing it to be a staple at almost every meal for treating and preventing disease over the long-term.