Natural remedies for everyday problems including hangovers, spots, pimples, burns, coughs etc.

NATURAL REMEDIES

The following hints and tips have been received from visitors to Hints and Things site -

A relief for hay fever without the usual adverse side effects -

a: avoid dairy products (substitute soya instead)

b: try getting hold of locally produced honey.

Thanks to Andrew Muschett for this one.

To relieve a sore throat pour 300mls of boiling water into a jug with a sliced lemon and a tablespoon of honey. Add a teaspoon of fresh sage if you have a headache or a half a teaspoon of ginger if you have a cold. Leave to cool and then strain. Take 2 teaspoons 3 times a day.

Contributed by Saragh Shoemake

Vinegar is good for gnat bites and spots.

Contributed by Sheerie Foley

Another popular remedy for spots is to cover the offending pimple with toothpaste before you go to bed. In the morning it will be far less angry (and sprakling clean too!!!).

This was sent in by Lynne Baxter

I have been told this can dry the skin which can cause more problems than the offending spot.

Egg white on nappy rash provides a barrier and seems to clear the rash up.

Personal experience of mother of three - Lynn Gran

As soon as you burn yourself liberally apply PURE vanilla extract to the spot and you won't develop a blister or experience any pain. It is important you use PURE vanilla not imitation.

Thanks to Mary Bowden for this one.

To stop mosquito bites itching lick with your own saliva.

This gem handed down by the grandfather of N. Adam

Or meat tenderiser. A white granular powder made from papaya derivatives (also called papain). Mix about 1 teaspoon of the tenderizer into 1 cup of water. Just dab onto bite and it will stop itching right away. This keeps well in a clean screw top jar.

Thanks to Lisa Lindemann for this one.

Exfoliators

Try using old coffee grounds. Apply the grounds and scrub gently after you have washed with your regular soap. It will leave your skin nice and smooth as the coffee contains natural oils. Once you rinse the grounds off the coffee smell will be gone.

Goodness knows how Jette Holme found this out!

Take a small handful of caster sugar and moisten under the tap. Apply to face massaging until dissolved and rinse off with warm water. Safe, non-abrasive, cheap and skin feels wonderful afterwards.

Sue Rogers sent this one in, thanks

Cough Mixtures

Take 1 dessert spoon of sugar or honey (more if required), 2 tablespoons of vinegar and a good knob of butter or margarine. Heat gently until the fat has melted and then sip. Relieves those dry chesty coughs particularly well.

Juice from a couple of fresh lemons (or bottled juice will do), plus two tablespoons of honey taken with a couple of paracetamol are just as effective as cough medicines and sweets.

These remedies have been handed down by grandmother and mother to Barry Rowe.

Grapefruit seed extract (available from health food shops) can be used for many things. Excellent preventative for "gyppy" tummy (diarrhoea) when travelling; it stops pain from stings and sea urchin spines and can also be used to clean objects and surfaces.

Grown an Aloe Vera plant in your home and you will always have a handy cure for burns and other cuts. Cut a small piece of the leaf and split it, then apply the gel to the burn or wound. Also very good for sunburn.

Both of these ideas were sent to us by Ruth Corner

To control diarrhoea heat up a cup of milk and ground black pepper (about three shakes). Then drink the mixture.
Alternatively, get a bottle of 7-up or lemonade (i.e. the colourless, carbonated drink not the bitter lemon variety), get rid of the fizz and drink.

Kindly contributed by Shane Swift.

A man goes to the doctor and tells him that he hasn't been feeling well.

The doctor examines him, leaves the room and comes back with three different bottles of pills. The doctor says, "Take the green pill with a big glass of water when you get up. Take the blue pill with a big glass of water after lunch. Then just before going to bed, take the red pill with another big glass of water."

Startled to be put on so much medicine the man stammers, "Jeez doc, exactly what's my problem?"

The Doctor says, "You're not drinking enough water."

Peter Kemp

Anything on this site is not intended in any way to be a replacement for, or as a substitute to, qualified advice you should always consult your doctor or other appropriately qualified person or service.

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