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.

Contributed by Saragh Shoemake

• 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!!!).

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

• 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.

• To stop mosquito bites itching lick with your own saliva.

• 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.

1. 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!

2. 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.

1. 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.
   
   

2. 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.

• 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.

• 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.