~Health~
~Helpfull Hints~
~House~
Bee Stings - Dab the area with rubbing alcohol. Though it sounds old-fashioned, the alcohol neutralizes certain proteins in the venom that cause the itching and pain. Or I also read a paste of baking soda and water will ease the discomfort of bee stings as well.
Cravings - When cravings threaten to derail your diet, use this acupressure move: Pinch the little bud of cartilage directly above your ear canal for 1 minute. This short-circuits the nerve impulses from the brain that cause cravings.
Zap Hay Fever - When allergy symptoms strike, try taking 500mg of vitamin C, a natural antihistamine 3 times a day. To further ease symptoms take 1 tsp. grated orange rind sweetened with honey. The bio-flavonoids in the rind make vitamin C more available to the body.
Hiccups - Put a drop of lavender oil into a paper bag, and breathe in while holding the bag over your nose and mouth. The oil helps the diaphragm relax, so hiccups stop.
Rejuvenate Your Skin - Give your complexion a frest start. Blend 3 Tbs. plain yogurt with 4 large strawberries. Smooth the mixture on and let sit for 10 minutes, remove with a wet washcloth. The protein in yogurt cleans and nourishes skin, the gycolic acid in the strawberries softens and exfoliates.
Foot Relief - Heat a smooth, medium-sized rock in the oven for 10 minutes, then coat with massage oil. Using light pressure, rub the rock over bottom of feet to soothe soreness.
Wrinkle-Free Eyelids - Squeeze eyes closed count to 10, then relax, but keep eyes shut. Repeat 5-10 times a day. You should see a change within the first 2 weeks.
Itch Reliever - Try rubbing a thin slice of salted raw potato on hives or insect bites.
Protect Your Lungs - If you live with a smoker or commute in heavy traffic, protect your lungs by eating 5 or more apples a week. Antioxidants in the apples help ward off the lung damage that can be caused by the free radicals in second-hand smoke.
Acne - Break off a leaf of Aloe Vera from plant; the gel-like liquid inside the leaf when applied to acne pimples helps heal acne faster and without scarring. Can also be used to wash entire face to keep skin looking healthy and to prevent acne in the first place.
Anxiety and Stress - A recipe to help matters, is to drink a mug of hot milk containing honey and a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon. This relaxing drink will also help you get a good nights sleep.
Bad Breath - Chew fresh parsley after eating a meal. This fragrant herb contains an antiseptic that kills bacteria in the mouth. It's effective against garlic and onions too, as are mint leaves. (And or Brush your teeth with a paste of baking soda and water to keep your breath fresh. An antiseptic mouthwash will also help.)
Earache - Steep 1-2 teaspoon of chamomile flowers in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Strain out the water, and apply the hot flowers in a cloth for alleviation of the earache
Relieve Sunburn - Lightly rub vinegar on the affected area. It will ease the pain, you may have to reapply though. (It may be a bit stinky but It really works!)
Warts - Vinegar again, apply to the wart everyday, as often as you can or want. Vinegar will not harm the wart.
Baby Wipes - Do you find your using just way too many baby wipes? Try using bathroom tissue, and baby oil.
Baby Spit-Up - Does your baby spit-up on your shirt often? Try putting dry baking soda on a damp cloth and rub on the spot. Eliminates the odor.
Remove Gum from Clothing - Soften with egg white, then brush. (Remove gum from hair, rub in peanut butter.)
Onion Tears - Try cutting your onion near running water, seriously this works!
Peeling/Cutting Onions Or Garlic - Keep a stainless steel spoon by your sink, when your done cutting/peeling onions or garlic, rub the spoon on your fingers, under warm water, that should help get rid of the smell. (This also should help with fish or any other strong odor on your hands.)
Easy Orange - Soak oranges in boiling water for five minutes before peeling. Peel will come off perfectly.
Blood Stains - To get the blood out of clothing, pour peroxide on before washing.
Lemon Meringue Pie - Wet your knife first to prevent sticking.
Grass Stains - Usually will come out with vinegar before washing. (Or combine a few drops of household ammonia with 1 t. peroxide. Rub stain with this mixture. Rinse with water as soon as stain disappears.)
Clean Brass - Clean brass with lemon juice.
Stains - Hairspray works great, spray, let dry and wash like normal. (Use salt on Red wine stains, Use white wine on red wine stains.)
Perspiration Stains - Make a solution of water, white vinegar and detergent or use vinegar alone and apply to the stain; launder as usual.
Clams - Add corn meal to the soaking water. This will irritate the clams and they will expel the sand and grit while trying to get rid of the corn meal.
Ring Stuck On Your Finger - Wrap your finger tightly with dental floss, and then you can take the ring off over that.
Aid For Minor Burns - For minor burns not requiring medical attention, try placing a wet or used common teabag on the burn immediately. It will take away the sting from most minor burns within minutes.
Crayon On Painted Walls - Try rubbing toothpaste or an ammonia-soaked cloth on the area. Rinse and Dry. Or sometimes hot water and dish soap will work just as well.
Coffee Maker - Periodically wash your coffee maker with a quart of water plus 3 tablespoons of baking soda
Coffe Cup Stains - To clean coffee or tea stains from a mug, just rub the inside with salt.
Thick Glue - Put some vinegar drops in the container and shake well, it should turn soft and very easy to work with.
Clean Toilet - Drop in 2 Alka Seltzer tablets, wait 20 minutes, then brush and flush.
Fresh, Clean Aroma - This works for every room in your house. Toss a sheet of fabric softener in the wastebaskets. Even drawers, closets and cabinets.
Kill Grass - On walks and driveways. Pour full strength vinegar on unwanted grass.
Remove Mildew - Mix equal parts of non-chlorine Clorox II Lemon Fresh bleach and Palmolive dish soap. Make a paste and apply it to the mildew. You can use a toothbrush to really work it in. This may take a few applications. When mildew brushes off, wash..
Fluffy Bed Pillows - Put them in the clothes dryer. The warm air does wonders in just a few minutes.
Clean a Candle Stand - To clean a candle stand especially a glass one, place it in the freezer for one hour. The wax will chip off more easily .
Squeaky Floors - Can be eased by using chalk or talcum powder.
Clean Windows - Use a window cleaner like windex and crumbled up newspapers. Or you could use vinegar as a substitute.
Mice - Mice seem to prefer peanut butter, bacon, and nuts, and chocolate to cheese in mouse traps.
Smelly Books - Put the book in a brown paper bag with baking soda and let sit for approximately one week.
Clean The Grill - Lay a barbecue grill rack on the lawn overnight, the dew will combine with the enzymes in the grass to loosen any burned-on grease. Try it with messy oven racks too!
Home prescribed remedies are only for mild conditions. If in doubt consult your doctor or a medical herbalist. You should never exceed the stated dose.