# Non-Drug Remedies That Work (Share Yours Here!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 12, 2001, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759 "2001-01-12T20:42:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/21 "2001-01-13T04:09:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Palandine \* > \*\*If you find you’re feeling just slightly bad at night (like you feel a cold coming on), drink a shot of Irish whisky (although I guess any strong alcohol might do) before you go to bed. > \*\* I’m a proponent of that very same theory! In fact I think I feel a cough coming right now. It really does help. BTW, Mrs. B. swears by the cranberry juice for bladder infections, too. The only trick I can think of right now was mentioned by someone on the boards recently, and I used last night: When chopping jalapenos, or other peppers, put a little olive oil on your fingers first. When you wash off the olive oil, the capsacin(sp?) oil comes right off with it. ---
**Author:** ![OrcaChow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e47c2d/32.png) [@OrcaChow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrcaChow)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/22 "2001-01-13T04:18:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cher3 \* > **This one’s a little dangerous, and I wouldn’t use it on anyone but myself, but it does work. If you have a mosquito bite or other itchy spot that is driving you crazy, stick it under very hot water for a second or two–long enough to say “Ow!” but not long enough to really hurt yourself.** The same thing works for the itch from poison oak, except you stand under as hot a shower as you can stand. From what I understand, the hot water releases–and exhausts–the histamines in your skin. It’s AGONIZING for twenty to thirty seconds (imagine the hours of itching compressed into a few seconds), but it exhausts your skin’s ability to itch for up to eight to twelve hours. Pure relief. I’ve occasionally even used this method to relive the itch of sunburn, but applying hot HOT water on burned skin is risky. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/23 "2001-01-13T04:22:49Z")
Well, when I was preggers my tummy itched so bad I was bawling. I tried every type of moisturizer known to man, every OTC itch remedy, and even a few drug-type remedies I begged for even though I hated to expose Jr. to them. Finally a nurse told me to put Crisco on my belly. Boom, worked like a charm. Another thing learned in pregnancy: take a shower. Anytime you feel bad, get yourself in some water. Something about the flow of water, or maybe the ions. It sure worked in labor. I never wanted to leave the shower, the nurses had to insist I come out for procedures. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/24 "2001-01-13T04:31:34Z")
Persephone - yes, cranberry juice is recommended for UTIs; however, I don’t care for the flavor (and you’re supposed to drink the juice, not the heavily sugared cocktails) & the pill form never seemed to do me any good. I need the calcium anyway, and it’s flavorless. And the rest of the rules I live by aren’t a real hardship either. ---
**Author:** ![MissBHaven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missbhaven/32/7170_2.png) [@MissBHaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissBHaven)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/25 "2001-01-13T04:32:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Persephone \* > \*\* A question, though–is the oil difficult to wash out? I know Vaseline is an absolute nightmare to get out of one’s hair. :eek: \*\* I don’t have a definite answer but I think the reason you use olive oil is because it has a vegetable base and it’s easier to wash out as well as better for your hair. Baby Oil is a mineral oil and I’m not sure what Vaseline is made of! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Frannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Frannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frannie)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/26 "2001-01-13T04:34:50Z")
Stomach queasiness can be lulled with “Coca Cola Syrup”… just ask your pharmacist, cuz it’s often stashed behind the counter. Pour a tablespoonful or two over crushed ice and nibble. It works! It works for the SICKEST of sick tummies! The stuff is a MIRACLE (NON)DRUG, I’m telling ya! ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/27 "2001-01-13T04:51:56Z")
I am a total chamomile tea addict. Whenever I’m wicked stressed or having a rough day or just need to relax, I’ll boil me some water and have a big mug o’ chamomile tea. It’s not a “remedy” but it helps me feel better… ---
**Author:** ![Nacho4Sara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Nacho4Sara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nacho4Sara)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/28 "2001-01-13T05:03:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Persephone - yes, cranberry juice is recommended for UTIs; however, I don’t care for the flavor (and you’re supposed to drink the juice, not the heavily sugared cocktails) & the pill form never seemed to do me any good. I used to get kidney infections, but I hated the taste of cranberry juice. My nurse told me to cut it with Sprite and add some sugar. It actually tastes pretty good like that. I’m a proponant of tea for every pain - I have green tea every morning. My friends may be scarfing down mochas and frappacinos, but my energy lasts all day. Also, you know when you get a nasty zit and pop it, and it looks ever worse (but you couldn’t help yourself!)? Or those zits that just hurt but never get a head so you can pop them? Dab on some chamomile essential oil. The next day, it’s all cleared up. I buy the Wyndham brand from a local New Age store; it’s about $15 for a quarter ounce but it’s potent. ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/29 "2001-01-13T05:13:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rasa \* > \*\*I am a total chamomile tea addict. Whenever I’m wicked stressed or having a rough day or just need to relax, I’ll boil me some water and have a big mug o’ chamomile tea. It’s not a “remedy” but it helps me feel better… \*\* Me too, **Rasa**! Love the stuff; pure comfort in a mug. This is kinda general, but when a cold starts to set in I simmer a huge pot of chicken broth (veggie works fine too) with 5-6 garlic cloves. **Purd Wufect** is right, btw, about garlic and high blood pressure. I have moderately severe hypertension, controlled by meds, but my doc has me on garlic capsules too. So any extra garlic helps. I warm up a mug of broth, spritzed with some lemon and cayenne pepper and keep sipping at it. The blood pressure meds have a diuretic in 'em, so it’s easy to get deydrated. The broth keeps me fed and warmed and the good stuff in it seems to help fight the cold off. Veb ---
**Author:** ![Welfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@Welfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Welfy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/30 "2001-01-13T05:26:36Z")
I don’t know why, but eating peppermint candy/candy canes makes me feel better when I have a mild tummy ache. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/31 "2001-01-13T14:00:35Z")
Welfy: Peppermint works for me, too. There’s a reason why peppermint soothes an upset stomach, but I don’t remember it right off the top of my head. Frannie’s cola syrup suggestion also works quite well. Veb: That chicken broth suggestion sounds good just to make as a snack! Nothing beats a good old-fashined bowl of chicken soup. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dani\_Filth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dani\_Filth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dani_Filth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/32 "2001-01-13T15:19:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*Anytime you feel bad, get yourself in some water… \*\* Yeah i couldn’t agree more. If i ever get really sick (especially from drinking too much), nothing helps me more than climbing into a tub of warm water. And here’s something wierd that i used to do too… if i had stayed up way too much and was very tired and could only get a couple of hours before work, i’d sleep in the bathtub! I know how wierd that is, but it worked, and i’d wake up fine and ready to go. Oh yeah as far as cures go, in the event of cold/flu/etc setting on, i get myself a bottle of sunkist chewable vitamin c and eat them like candy. Fixes me right up within 24 hours. Also, one of the problems with lack of sleep (can you tell i don’t like to sleep much? 😃 ) is how awful your eyes begin to feel, even if you do get a couple of hours to sleep. The best fix for that is get some Clear Eyes and apply 2 drops to each eye, and go directly to bed. Even if you only get an hour or two, you may be tired but your eyes won’t hurt. 🙂 -Dani ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/33 "2001-01-13T15:39:27Z")
For sunburn: a cloth soaked in strong black tea works wonders! (something about the tannic acid, according to Nurse Mom) ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/34 "2001-01-13T16:34:52Z")
If you get cold sores on your lips, start taking Lysine daily. I take 1500mg a day. I almost NEVER get them anymore, and the ones I do get last a couple of days instead of a week+. You get Lysine at the health food store. Scotti ---
**Author:** ![Althea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@Althea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Althea)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/35 "2001-01-13T17:27:40Z")
Eating yogurt prevents yeast infections, and plain yogurt applied directly cures them. Just make sure the yogurt contains live acidophilus (sp?). A clove of garlic taken like a pill with every meal for a day gets rid of a cold overnight for me. Everybody thinks I’m crazy, but drinking milk after a long night out at the bar gets rid of my hangovers. And baths are good for everything. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/36 "2001-01-13T18:12:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Eating yogurt prevents yeast infections, and plain yogurt applied directly cures them. Just make sure the yogurt contains live acidophilus (sp?). Plain yogurt…applied _directly?_ Directly to your…well, your you-know-what (hey, this is MPSIMS)? I knew about the yogurt/yeast infection prevention thing (nearly every doctor I’ve known swears by it too), but I didn’t know about direct application. If this really does work, I swear I will try it next time I get a yeast infection. Yogurt is SO much cheaper than Monistat! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Althea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@Althea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Althea)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/37 "2001-01-13T19:13:26Z")
Yup, applied directly. Put plain yogurt in some cheesecloth, twist, and squeeze. That way you have better control of placement. It sounds really odd and gross, but the itching stops almost immediately, and overall duration is less than when using OTC products. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/38 "2001-01-13T19:17:20Z")
Can’t say that’s any grosser or messier than the other stuff! Hm. Sounds like a plan! Oh BTW, can it be used for other types of non-feminine area yeast infections as well? ---
**Author:** ![Tabithina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Tabithina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabithina)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/39 "2001-01-13T19:59:12Z")
If you don’t want to use olive oil or baby oil to smother head lice, mayonnaise will work just as well. Make sure it is _real_ mayonnaise; other types of salad dressing may not be oily enough. It makes you smell like a rancid salad after a few hours:eek:, but it is relatively easy to wash out once you are done. I have a friend who _swears_ by yogurt as a cure for vaginal yeast infections.She applies it directly, as descibed by **Althea**. I have also heard of people using plain live culture yogurt to treat yeast-based diaper rashes, but I’ve never tried it. My baby guy likes to _eat_ a little bit of yogurt everyday; this may be keeping him from getting a rash in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Althea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@Althea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Althea)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759/40 "2001-01-13T20:48:38Z")
I haven’t tried it on any non-vaginal yeast infections, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-drug-remedies-that-work-share-yours-here/49759.md?page=1)