From Listerine on blisters to oatmeal to soothe the dreaded chicken pox—if every word-of-mouth home remedy we heard from other parents were true; we’d be able to heal all of our children’s health concerns without ever stepping into a doctor’s office. Unfortunately, many of the home antidotes don’t hold much weight. Here are 10 effective home remedies which you can find right inside your pantry!
10. Honey for a Sore Throat
My mother always delivered a spoonful of honey down my gullet every time I complained of a sore throat. In reality, the sweet stuff does tout some added health benefits, i.e., honey contains anti-bacterial properties that fight off germs, and the texture coats your throat so you can swallow without pain.
9. Garlic
Garlic has been used throughout the ages for its antiseptic properties. In the case of a sinus infection, garlic steeped in soup is often used to open the respiratory passages and bring down fever.
8. Duct Tape for Wart Removal
No, it’s not the chemical adhesive that hastens wart removal—it’s actually the occlusion (or suffocation) itself that causes the body’s immune cells to become irritated, attack, and break down warts.
7. Oatmeal for Chicken Pox
Most of us were afflicted with chicken pox as kids. It’s hard to forget those 100 itches that couldn’t be scratched. Many moms recommend a cup of oatmeal in a warm bath to relieve itching, which is safe—for everything but the clumps of oats that you’ll probably have to fish out of your pipes.
6. Yogurt for Halitosis
Yogurt, and the probiotics it contains, can soothe an irritated digestive system—but it also banishes bad breath, thanks to the neutralizing powers that squash the digestive acids that travel between the mouth and the stomach.
5. Olive Oil for Cradle Cap
It makes sense that olive oil would be touted as a natural moisturizer. And for baby cradle cap, a bit of oil rubbed into your baby’s scalp will moisturize the scales so you can brush them away with ease.
4. Sugar for Hiccups
A teaspoon of sugar helps the medicine go down, but it also stifles hiccups within minutes, by actually soothing the nerve muscles that encourage muscles in the diaphragm to contract and spasm.
3. Turmeric for Colds
This pungent golden spice was often used in India in a glass of warm water or milk to banish a cold and to lessen mucus nasal discharge.
2. Lemon for Car Sickness
What prompts motion sickness? It’s the production of excess saliva that causes nausea. That’s why sucking a lemon will help because it dries out your mouth and soothes that queasy feeling.
1. Mouthwash for Blisters
Sure, you want a family with fresh breath freshener, but when it comes to painful blisters, the antiseptic powers of mouthwash can dry them out and speed the healing process. Just apply using a cotton pad twice a day!
