Beech Tree News Network

As a Kentucky native, I’ve heard throughout my life about home remedies. Recently, I read some articles about home remedies, too. I don’t know how effective each individual home remedy may be, but these remedies are sometimes worth a try. If they don’t work, we then have other options. Some of the remedies I came across are listed below.

Sore Throat Remedies

-Sip warm and cold fluids.

-Gargling with a mixture of ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt or baking soda dissolved in a glass of very warm water.

-Steam and humidity, like a hot shower.

-For adults, a hot toddy made of a combination of water, whiskey, honey, and lemon juice. Some add cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger.

Of course, common sense should dictate when to seek medical care. The remedies above may provide comfort, but healing may still require an antibiotic or other medications.

Cough Remedies

-Honey mixed in warm milk or water (not for children under one year old).

- Gargling with a mixture of ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt or baking soda dissolved in a glass of very warm water.

-Ginger peppermint syrup: Make this by boiling three tablespoons of chopped ginger root and one tablespoon of pure peppermint extract in four to five cups of water. After simmering awhile and cooling, add a cup of honey. Store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks, and may take up to three tablespoons each day.

-Chicken soup.

-Breathe in steam or take a hot bath.

-Thyme tea: Mix crushed thyme leaves in a cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it steep for five to ten minutes, then drain the leaves and drink the tea.

-Lemon and cinnamon: Mix hot water, a pinch of cinnamon, and lemon. Adding a touch of honey and a small amount of ginger may help as well.

The listed coughing remedies seemed to be fairly common. Also, if the cough persists, medical care should be the next step.

Facial Masks

-Green tea for acne: Steep green tea in boiling water for three to five minutes, then cool. With a cotton ball, apply the tea to the face. Leave it on for ten minutes or overnight, then rinse well with water. Apply the tea one to two times per day. The tea may be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

-Aloe vera boost for acne: Applying the gel from aloe leaves with another acne treatment may increase the anti-acne effects of the treatment.

-Apple cider vinegar for acne: Applying apple cider vinegar to the skin may help kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce the appearance of scars.

-Egg whites for puffy eyes: Whisk two egg whites until smooth, then apply the liquid under the eyes. Wash when dry. 

-Cold compress for puffy eyes.

-Cucumber slices for puffy eyes.

-Potatoes for puffy eyes: Grate potatoes, extract the juice, and apply it under the eyes with a cotton ball. After ten minutes, rinse the potato juice off.

-Coffee, honey and cucumber for dark circles under the eyes: Mix two tablespoons of ground coffee and two tablespoons of honey, then spread it under the eyes. Lie down and place two slices of cucumber over the closed eyes. Rest about 15 minutes, then rinse the area.

These facial masks may or may not work, but it shouldn’t take long to determine their effectiveness.

Latin writer Publilius Syrus said, “Some remedies are worse than the disease.” Some of these could fall into that category. In our world, if something doesn’t work, there are usually other options.