This is going to be fun, talking about folk remedies. I’m passing along to you some of the folk remedies that readers have shared over the years. Though there may be truth in some of them, but you can’t take any of these as medical advice. Remember that just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe or effective! I’ve put my comments in parentheses.
Enjoy! And please share with me your “old family recipes” for coughs, lumps, bumps & owwies! I love to hear them!
Folk Remedies for Burns and Smelly Feet
If you get a minor burn that doesn’t expose any skin, quickly rub some toothpaste on it. ~ Rob K.
I used to get little skin bumps or rashes on my legs. Now I know to rub the inside of a banana peel on them to control the itch and redness. This also works for little bug bites. ~Paul W.
(Essential oil of myrrh would be my recommendation; though I suspect banana would smell yummier!)
My husband has the worst smelly feet in the world. I almost left him for this, until my aunt told me to rub his feet with alcohol, the kind you drink! So he tried vodka, rubbing it on with on a washcloth every night. We’ve been married 32 years.~Patricia B.
(Alcohol is an antiseptic and kills surface fungus by starving them, that is probably why this helped her husband. I wonder if she ever sneaked a little sip for herself too, lol.)
Folk Remedies for Bug Bites and Graves’ Disease
If a bug bites you like a mosquito or wasp, apply deodorant. It takes the sting out.~Jenny L.
(I can’t attest to the value of this folk remedy, but I do know an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Read my article on blending a natural mosquito repellent HERE.)
If you have hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease), eat a dish of raw or very lightly steamed broccoli every day to reduce symptoms.~Yvonne M.
(There’s actually some proof for why this works, but it may not be enough for full-blown hyperthyroidism. Broccoli contains sulfur compounds called “thiocyanates” which reduce thyroid hormone production. And while I’m thinking about it, I wrote a book that is primarily about hypothyroidism, however, there is one chapter that discusses natural remedies for Graves’ disease (hyper!) so you can get a copy of that by clicking here. )
Every spring I get sinus infections. I put a teaspoon of oregano in 4 cups of water and boil it gently for 10 minutes, then cool the mixture to room temperature. I strain it into a spray bottle and spray it up my nostrils once daily. My sinus infections have decreased a lot!~Brenda K.
(Oregano oil is a great germ fighter. Read about it and other cold & flu fighters here.)
Folk Remedies for Cold Sores and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
I drink cinnamon tea instead of coffee to get me going. I simmer a cinnamon stick in water for 15 minutes and chill it for the next day.~Ellen T.
I used to get cold sores on my lip every month. I now take lemon balm supplements, at night though. I apply the teabags to your sores too.~Melinda J.
(I’ve also heard that applying an ice cube at the onset of tingle will also mitigate these oral lesions.)
I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome for 6 years and one day I tried a peppermint capsule from a passenger on my flight to Sacramento. One capsule and I enjoyed the rest of the flight! Now I take a pill whenever I’m having a bad day and it works.~Don L.
(Peppermint is known to support gastrointestinal health. Please don’t attempt this if you have reflux or heartburn, as peppermint can exacerbate those conditions.) Read my article, Peppermint is a Cool Solution for IBS.
Ginger extract is good for gas and diarrhea. You can buy it as a dropper, or make tea out of fresh ginger root. ~John J.
(I love ginger! Search for the word “ginger” on my website and you’ll find a ton of references. Here’s another ARTICLE that discusses the merits of ginger and other natural remedies.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
