There are tons of crazy ideas out there on the internet that promise to cure almost anything. There are some things, however, that have stood the test of time.
Here are the top 10 seemingly crazy home remedies that have been proven to work;
#1 Baking soda
Use it for: Urinary tract infections, skin care, teeth care, general cleaner, and more
If you see any signs of a Urinary tract infection to appear, drink a solution made with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda mixed in 8 ounces of water. Continue this once a day until you can get a culture done at a doctor’s office and start antibiotics. Baking soda makes the bladder environment more alkaline, which reduces bacteria’s ability to multiply, says Larrian Gillespie, MD, a retired assistant clinical professor of urology and urogynecology in Los Angeles. Baking Soda can also be used as a; Spray tan remover, Deodorant, Toothpaste and teeth whitener, Cuticle care, Acne solution, Microdermabrasion treatment, Foot soak, Sunburn remedy, and about a thousand other awesome things. Find the best deals for baking soda on Amazon.com
#2 Peppermint or cinnamon gum
Use it for: The stress of a traffic-packed commute
The government recently funded a NASA study, which commissioned scientists from Wheeling Jesuit University to monitor the responses of 25 college students during simulated driving scenarios. The volunteers reported that peppermint lowered their feelings of fatigue or anxiety by 20%. Peppermint and cinnamon each decreased frustration by 25%, increased alertness by 30%, and made the ride seem 30% shorter. Amazon.com has some great deals for all types of gum. Not a gum or candy person? Buy peppermint or cinnamon aromatherapy diffusers for your home or car for similar benefits.
#3 MP3 Player
Use it for: High blood pressure
MP3s are good for your health! Thirty minutes of the right tunes every day can help lower BP, according to research from the University of Florence in Italy. Researchers found that people on a medication for hypertension further lowered their blood pressure after they listened to music while breathing slowly. Systolic readings (the first number) decreased an average of 3.2 points in a week; a month later, readings were down 4.4 points (the MP3 player pictured above is now available on Amazon.com for $3.30)
#4 Sugar
Use it for: Hiccups
A teaspoon of sugar swallowed dry can stop hiccups in minutes, says Andre Dubois, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine in the emerging infectious diseases graduate program at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. The sugar is believed to modify the nerve muscles that would otherwise tell the muscles in the diaphragm to contract spasmodically and contribute to hiccups. Browse over 1,900 various types and brands of sugar Amazon.com
#5 Olive oil
Use it for: Eczema
Soothe flareups by applying olive oil directly to the irritated area, says Christopher Dannaker, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California San Francisco. Packed with antioxidants that can reduce the inflammation associated with eczema, olive oil is the basis for many moisturizers; when used alone, it lacks chemical irritants you may find in store-bought creams. As a bonus, olive oil’s antioxidants help prevent and repair damage that can lead to wrinkles and brown spots. Rub 1 teaspoon per square inch of skin, which creates a seal that prevents skin from drying out. For serious cases, cover oil-slathered skin with plastic wrap overnight to lock moisture in. Amazon.com features over 100,000 varieties of olive oil.
#6 Licorice
Use it for: Calluses and corns
“Licorice contains estrogen-like substances that soften the hard skin of calluses and corns,” says Georgianna Donadio, PhD, director of the National Institute of Whole Health. Make this homemade licorice paste: Grind up a few licorice sticks, mix them with ½ teaspoon of petroleum jelly, and rub the mixture into the rough areas of your feet.
#7 Pencil
Use it for: Headaches
When you’re stressed or anxious, you subconsciously clench your jaw and teeth; this strains the muscle that connects your jaw to your temples and can trigger a tension headache. A solution: “Put a pencil between your teeth but don’t bite,” says Fred Sheftell, MD, director of the New England Center for Headache in Stamford, CT. You automatically relax your jaw muscle to do this, which can prevent the pain.
#8 Listerine
Use it for: Blisters
What has become a household name as the go-to breath freshener – and powerful antiseptic – Listerine can also do a number on blisters. Moisten a cotton ball with Listerine and dab it on your blister 3 times a day until the area dries out and no longer hurts, says Janet Maccaro, PhD, CNC, a holistic nutritionist and certified nutrition consultant in Scottsdale, AZ.
#9 Duct tape
Use it for: Warts
Seriously, this really does work! Covering warts with duct tape eliminates them better than freezing, or even burning them off, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. In the study, the duct tape eliminated 85% of the warts after 2 months, compared with 60% with the freezing method. To use duct tape safely, clean the area. Then cut a piece of duct tape to a size slightly bigger than the wart. Apply the duct tape to the site and rub into place. Every 3 days, remove the tape and file down dead skin with a pumice stone or nail file. Repeat until the wart disappears. Chemicals in the tape suffocate and kill the wart.
#10 Lemon balm tea
Use it for: Cold sores
Lemon balm is a first-choice herbal treatment for cold sores, which are caused by a type of herpes virus (not the same kind that’s sexually transmitted). It has antiviral properties that work to tame herpes outbreaks, says James Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy. Prepare lemon balm tea by brewing 2 to 4 tablespoons of the herb per cup of boiling water. Let it cool, then dot with a cotton ball on the cold sore several times a day. Check out a huge selection of Lemon Balm Tea on Amazon.com
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