Weird Remedies, or What else Preparation H, Duct Tape, Soap (and more) Can Do for You
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Nontraditional, Maybe Even Weird, Treatments for What Ails You
Reports of success with alternative uses of products such as Preparation H and duct tape are anecdotal, but we think they may be worth a try. In fact, we've tried some of these ourselves and have been surprisingly pleased with the results.
So, read on and maybe you'll find a rather nontraditional, if not weird, "cure" for something that ails you. If so, or if you know of other weird remedies, I hope you'll leave us a message in our guestbook near the bottom of the page.
Disclaimer: The information presented here is for informational purposes only. Consult your physician before doing anything really crazy to yourself. And never, EVER stick an ice pick in your eye or anyone else's!
No! Don't go to this extreme!
Try one of our weird home remedies first!
Scheduled For a Lobotomy T-shirt by jaguarjulie
Create custom shirts on zazzle
Rid Yourself of Those Puffy Circles Below Your Eyes
. . . with Preparation H
Okay, we'll get this one over with first.You've probably heard the commercials, "Shrinks swelling of inflamed tissue." Well, apparently the tissue doesn't have to be located in the hind quarters for this product to work its magic. When used sparingly on puffy skin below the eyes, Preparation H cream quickly reduces the swelling and puffiness. Beauty pageant contestants reportedly swear by it.
Other suggested uses of Preparation H include fresh tattoo aftercare. You might find the ointment version, rather than the cream, to be more effective. The ingredients in the ointment help constrict blood vesssels, which helps reduce the amount of bleeding from the new tattoo. Apparently some plastic surgeons recommend the product to relieve itching on skin as it heals after surgery. We suggest you check with your doctor - or your tattoo artist - before you utilize the product in these ways.
Note that the Canadian version of Preparation H contains a yeast extract. Apparently many people prefer this version to use as a wrinkle remover and to help heal dry, chapped skin. We don't know; we've grown rather fond of our wrinkles as they are.
Hemorrhoid Cream for Reducing Undereye Puffiness
There's nothing like a personal testimonial.
Get Preparation H Cream Privately Here
In case you don't want your neighbors to see you buying it at your local store.
Preparation H Hemorrhoidal Ointment, 2-Ounce Tubes (Pack of 2)
Of course, it's okay to use this for its intended purpose as well. If you use it underneath the eyes, use it sparingly and be sure not to get any in your eyes.
Note that gift wrapping is not available for this item, but we think giving it as a gift might not be a really good idea anyway.
P.S. If you don't like your wrinkles and want to give it a try, here's the Canadian version of Preparation H
So, tell us . . .
Have you tried Preparation H for puffy, baggy circles under you eyes?
Wart Removal - A Sticky Situation
Especially when you use this rather weird remedy - that works!
Ever have one of those nasty little warts pop up on your hand? How about on the bottom of your foot? If not on you, how about on your kids?Warts spring from viruses and are very common in children but can affect anyone of any age. Until now, wart removal has been a lengthy and sometimes painful process, and freezing, burning, acid, cutting and paring are often just temporary solutions, if they work at all. In fact, if your doctor is honest, he will tell you that the wart he just froze will likely be back in a couple of weeks, so plan on coming back for more treatments until the virus just finally goes away.
Yuck! What's a person to do? Well, you likely have the solution in your kitchen or workshop already. It's duct (or duck) tape, that gray roll of sticky stuff that is a staple for anyone who has ever needed to repair, pack, or anchor something so that it stays. I'm not sure who tried it first, but the duct tape wart removal cure is becoming well known and widespread - and that's because it works.
Many doctors now recognize the simplicity and effectiveness of using duct tape for warts, and the Duct Tape Guys, who you will hear more from below, also tout their favorite product as an effective wart remover. The procedure goes something like this: Cut a piece of duct tape just bigger than the wart. Apply tape to wart. Wait six days. (If the tape comes off, replace it.) Remove tape. Use an emery board or pumice stone to gently (and painlessly, kids) rub down the spot. Repeat the process. Often the next time the tape is removed, the wart will come off with it. If not, repeat again. While it's not guaranteed, reports of success are staggering.
The benefits of the duct tape treatment are obvious. First, it's non-painful, an important point for all of us but especially for kids. Second, it's cheap, even free if you have a roll of the tape on hand. Third, it does tend to work better than conventional treatments and without expensive trips to the doctor's office, and without side effects or scarring.
I just wish I would have known about this treatment years ago when I was a child and had pesky warts on my hands and even more recently when my son had warts on his hand (which he has now apparently outgrown).
Oh, and there's one more advantage. It's fun! Use colorful duct tape cut into star or moon shapes and your kids won't even be embarrased and hide their hands while they're being treated. Try it! You'll like it! (And let us know in a comment in our guest book if it worked for you.)
Here's a link to the Duct Tape Guys' page about wart removal.
Duct (or is it Duck?) Tape for Wart Removal and Everything Else
If you don't have any on hand (no pun intended), you can find it here.
Duck Brand 392875 1.88-Inch-by-20-Yard Colored Duck Brand Tape, Black
This is the Duck version of duct tape. This one is black, but it comes in red, blue, neon pink, purple, camo, and other colors. Great for decorating skin while healing warts, or for repairing anything and everything.
Or, you can find typical Gray Duct Tape here
Gotta Love The Duct Tape Guys, Tim and Jim
(or is it Jim and Tim?)
Duct tape is good for almost everything. If you can't think of everything, that's okay. The Duct Tape Guys have got you covered with these books and calendars.
The Jumbo Duct Tape Book by Jim Berg, Tim Nyberg
Did you know that duct tape can turn any item of c more...0 points
Duct Tape Book: The Ultimate Duct Tape Book by Tim Nyberg, Jim Berg
When duct tape lovers throughout the world cried o more...0 points
Stump the Duct Tape Guys by Jim Berg, Tim Nyberg, Jim & Tim The Duct Tape Guys
According to Jim and Tim, "If duct tape isn't more...0 points
Duct Tape Book Two: Real Stories by Jim Berg, Tim Nyberg
Duct Tape Book Two features real hints from real p more...0 points
The Original Duct Tape Halloween Book by Jim Berg, Tim Nyberg
WORKMAN PUBLISHING-Duct Tape Halloween. This book more...0 points
Duct Shui by Jim Berg, Tim Nyberg
East meets West meets Duct Tape. Stumbling headfirst more...0 points
A Year of Duct Tape Page-A-Day Calendar 2010 by Jim and Tim The Duct Tape Guys
Tuesdays with Jim, host a duct tape pub party, cutting-edge more...0 points
The Duct Tape Guys
They've made a career with duct (or is it duck?) tape.
So, tell us . . .
Have you used duct tape for wart removal?
Does WD-40 Really Help Arthritis?
Who do you think you are, the tin man?
The WD-40 Book
Amazon Price: $3.18 (as of 02/16/2012)
WD-40 does, however, have a lot of other uses around the house and this book, in the Duct Tape Guys' humorous style, will provide you with uses for WD-40 that you've probably never thought about.
Perhaps if you lubricate the hinges on your doors, your joints won't have to work as hard and, as a result, WD-40 will help your arthritis!
Weird Remedies
Really Work!
At Last! Relief from Leg Cramps!
The cure is in the soap.
No, you don't wash with the soap. Instead, you unwrap a bar of soap and place it beneath the bottom sheet on your bed, in the area where your legs rest. Then go to sleep as usual. But, this time perhaps you won't wake up during the night with those awful, horrible leg cramps!Now, this is a subject I know something about. I used to have a big problem with leg cramps, having to get up and hobble around, rubbing my calf, thigh, or even toes trying to get rid of the cramp. My husband first told me about the soap "cure" when he read about it in Dr. Gott's column in the newspaper, then my mother shared the same cure with me. It worked for her and for many of Dr. Gott's readers, so why not for me?
I tried the Ivory and, whadya know, it worked. On rare occasions I'll still get a cramp, but it's far less frequent than before. When I went through a few nights in a row recently of having cramps again, I moved the bar of soap from the bed to the bathtub and opened a fresh bar for the bed and I've been cramp-free since then.
No one seems to know why it works. My personal theory is that my brain subconsconciously knows the soap is there, keeping me from doing a big stretch that might trigger a cramp. That might be right, might be wrong, but I don't really care as long as the soap cure keeps on working for me.
Another treatment for leg cramps, one that used to be prescribed by doctors, is quinine. Since quinine is no longer available, I sometimes drink tonic water, which contains a small amount of quinine. Add a twist of lime to the tonic water and you have a nice, refreshing, cooling drink. Add a splash of tonic and drink a few and you might just sleep through the cramps, but you might wake up with a hangover, too, or a damaged liver, so I don't recommend that. Since you probably won't drink a glass of tonic water every night and the bar of soap will always be there, I vote for the soap.
The Soap Cure (and more) for Leg Cramps
Hey, don't knock it 'til you've tried it.
Like what he has to say? Check out his book, Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy
.Bar Soap for Relief of Leg Cramps
Try it!
"Ivory Bath Bar Soap Lavender - 4.5 OZ, 4"
If it's soap, it must be Ivory. And while you're at it, might as well make the sheets smell pretty. This is the Lavender version.
If you prefer the traditional Ivory bar soap, that'll work, too. You can find it HERE
So, tell us . . .
Have you tried the bar soap cure for leg cramps?
Embarrassing Toenail Fungus
Weird treatments for weird-looking nails.
I was going to put a picture here of nails with fungus but, let's face it, nail fungus is pretty ugly. Unfortunately, traditional cures can be pretty ugly, too, when you look at the bill and the potential side effects.The standard treatment for nail fungus is an oral medication such as Sporanox or Lamisil. Those medications must be taken for several weeks and can have potentially serious side effects. Specifically, they can damage the liver, so monitoring of liver functions by blood test is required when those drugs are prescribed. This is a case where the treatment may be worse than the disease!
This is where nontraditional treatments come in, topical treatments that should be safe for just about anyone. One such treatment, now recommended often even by medical doctors, is Vicks VapoRub applied liberally to the nails. If Vicks can be applied to a child's chest when he has a cold or stuffy nose, chances are it's going to be just fine on an adult's toes or fingers.
Another treatment that I happen to know is effective, or it was for me, is grapefruit seed extract. I woke up one night with a horrible pain in my big toe and a nail that was black with fungus. After suffering through a few sleepless nights and doing some research, I found GSE and started using it. I just diluted the GSE as indicated in the instructions, applied regularly with a cotton ball, and in no time I was back to normal. I did lose the damaged nail, but below it the new, healthy nail grew in quickly and I haven't had a problem since then.
My case may not be typical, but even for thickened, yellowed nails, I would recommend trying GSE, applying it regularly to saturate the nail as much as possible, in order to kill the fungus. If you prefer, try the Vicks treatment. All it costs is a few dollars and some time as, of course, it takes time for a complete new nail to grow.
There are other suggested alternative treatments, including those recommended on the video below (tea tree oil, oregano oil, vinegar, Listerine, and corn meal). Have you suffered with nail fungus? Have you been treated with oral medication or tried alternatives? Let us know in our guestbook below what worked for you.
Fixing Fungus
Curious cures from the People's Pharmacy guy, Joe Graedon.
Grapefruit Seed Extract for Treating Nail Fungus
Comes with my personal recommendation.
Nutribiotic - Gse Liquid Concentrate, 4 fl oz liquid
This is the identical product that I used and it worked quickly and worked well for my nail fungus. It is potent, so follow the directions, dilute as indicated when using on the nails or skin and, as with all medicinal products, keep out of the reach of children.
To learn about how GSE can be used to treat other ailments, check out The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract : Stay Healthy Naturally : A Natural Alternative for Treating Colds, Infections, Herpes, Candida and Many Other Ailments
Or, Try the Vicks
Doctor recommended.
Vicks VapoRub Ointment 1.76 oz (50 g)
I know doctors who actually recommend Vicks VapoRub to their patients who have nail fungus. Just apply liberally and often - and don't worry about your liver, just watch your toenails return to normal as they grow out.
So, tell us . . .
Have you had to treat nail fungus?
Books about Home Remedies
Some of them might even be weird!
The Doctors Book of Home Remedies Revised Edition by Prevention Magazine Editors
What do doctors do when they get sick? The editors more...0 points
1801 Home Remedies by Reader's Digest Editors
Here is a plethora of ordinary household remedies more...0 points
The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats: Over 1,000 Solutions to Your Pet's Problems - From Top Vets, Trainers, Breeders, and Other Animal Experts by Prevention Magazine Editors
In this practical and entertaining guide, the top veterinarians more...0 points
The Herbal Home Remedy Book: Simple Recipes for Tinctures, Teas, Salves, Tonics, and Syrups (Herbal Body) by Joyce A. Wardwell
Use 25 common herbs to make simple herbal remedies more...0 points
Homeopathy: An A to Z Home Handbook by Alan Schmukler
Effective, safe, affordable, and free of chemical more...0 points
Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems by Bill Gottlieb
As the editor-in-chief of Prevention Magazine Heal more...0 points
Folk Medicine: A New England Almanac of Natural Health Care from a Noted Vermont Country Doctor by D.C. Md Jarvis
"A fascinating book by a distinguished Vermont more...0 points
Oddball Ointments, Powerful Potions & Fabulous Folk Remedies That'll Cure Almost Anything That Ails You (Jerry Baker's Good Health series) by Jean Karen Thomas
Recipes for homemade tonics, salves, and poultices more...0 points
Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy by Joe Graedon, Teresa Graedon
From the trusted authors of the "People's Pharmacy" more...0 points
The People's Pharmacy, Completely New and Revised (The People's Pharmacy Guides) by Joe Graedon
This book could save your life or the life of a loved more...0 points
The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies (The People's Pharmacy Guides) by Joe Graedon, Teresa Graedon
*44% of adults take prescription medication.*1 in 5 more...0 points
Cholesterol Revitaliser: Insider Secrets to Revitalising Your Health and Lowering Your Cholesterol Naturally! by Stuart Brown
Over 100 Million adults in the United States have total more...0 points
What do you think about Weird Remedies?
Do they work for you?
Stay tuned and return for more weird remedies for common ailments, coming soon, but in the meantime . . .
Have you tried any of these weird remedies? Did they work? Do you know another remedy that might be considered weird? Leave us a message and tell us all about it! Just like our lens or want to say hello? This is the place!
Thanks for visiting our lens!
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miaponzo
Nov 25, 2011 @ 4:33 am | delete
- Wow! These are great remedies.. interesting, too! Blessed!
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Marco696
Nov 14, 2011 @ 3:59 am | delete
- If you have garlic at home, you can make an easy Hemroids home remedy. Simply poke the garlic with a knife to release the smell and essence of the garlic and then rub it on the area where your hemorrhoids are. It will hurt for a second but it will really help decrease their size. This may sound weird but it really works!
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Valdacious
Oct 29, 2011 @ 8:33 pm | delete
- Great lens!
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orange3
Sep 12, 2011 @ 7:17 am | delete
- I love weird remedies! They are fun to try and even funnier to talk about.
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lisadh
Aug 2, 2011 @ 2:46 pm | delete
- I haven't tried any of these weird remedies, but I enjoyed reading about them!
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CCGAL
Jul 29, 2011 @ 8:18 pm | delete
- I recently read about baby shampoo and scalpicin for rosacea, and I have to admit it does take away most of the redness. Scalpicin is hydrocortisone in a liquid, not a cream ... so it makes sense that it works. What I found ironic was that it was less than 10 dollars for a bottle of each, while the cream the dermatologist prescribed is $180 for one tube and doesn't reduce the redness nearly as much.
I had never heard about the wd-40 for arthritis, but my husband's youngest son just sprayed both of his knees and now swears by it. I still think it's not healthy, but he won't listen to me.
Very interesting lens, by the way!
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Jun 30, 2011 @ 6:41 pm | delete
- Vick's also works for hemorrhoids. Instant relief apparently.
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howtocurecancer
May 1, 2011 @ 8:49 am | delete
- Blessed by a SquidAngel.
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aquart
Feb 7, 2011 @ 4:47 am | delete
- For leg cramp, charlie horse, my family uses an icepack in the small of the back. Plus tonic water if we have any.
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Webazony
Dec 14, 2010 @ 5:43 am | delete
- I think natural remedies work the best, no matter how weird looks to us. Nature has it ways, and we should consider ourselves lucky that others discovered these great ways to fix our problems.
I have a similar lens, but the main focus is on warts and moles, go check it out.
Great lens! Liked and favorited, too.
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