What’s more important than home remedies these days? As access to luxury items is scarce, it’s become increasingly necessary to remember all of those old wives tales your grandmother used to tell you about and try them out in the hopes of avoiding the long lines in supermarkets, pharmacies and – heaven forbid – the Emergency Room.
Here are a few versatile products that should be in every household.
Vicks® VapoRub
There is nothing a grandmother believes in more than Vicks® VapoRub. She’s right to. Vicks can be used not only as a decongestant, but as a muscle relaxer, headache suppressant and mosquito repellent. Rub Vicks on your chest and at the bottom of your feet before you go to bed; make sure you apply some socks and in the morning, you’ll have a clearer head and softer feet. I’ve personally rubbed Vicks over my forehead and the bridge of my nose to clear up congestion headaches and it hasn’t failed me yet. A few days after Irma when everything was at its bleakest and my muscles ached from hauling trees and parts of my neighbour’s roof out of my yard, I ended my days by rubbing my sore muscles with Vicks and woke up feeling ready to haul buckets of water again.
Baking soda
Between Vicks and baking soda, I’m not sure which of the two my grandmother used more often. Baking soda is great for eliminating odours, which is how I got rid of the gross rotten fish smell out of my fridge after forgetting the fish in there. It also works wonders if you’ve got a kid who wets the bed; just sprinkle some over the spot. This is also true for pets – sprinkle a bit into your cat’s litter box to reduce the odour. No toothpaste? No problem. Baking soda can be used to scrub everything, from plaque off your teeth to grease off your pots and mildew off your bathroom walls. If your skin is peeling from being exposed to the sun, try using a bit diluted into a paste to gently rub off dead skin. My favourite use for baking soda has to be its use as an antacid. For years my family has been using a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in a large glass to cut down on grease and acid build-up in our stomachs. It works wonders, but beware of atomic burps.
Epsom Salt
The thought of Epsom salt makes my stomach turn into knots. Why? Because it’s my mother’s number one form of laxative. As a kid, I hated consuming it; but as an adult, I understand that there is a need for some rectal relief every now and then, since healthier and fresher food options are limited. What I wasn’t aware of is its usefulness in soaking your body to remove tension and pain and even bruising, but this is if you’ve got water and a tub. Also if your hair is particularly greasy, you can pull excess oils right out by adding a bit of Epsom salt to your shampoo. Wash and rinse as usual.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Raw meat and other foods are cut on cutting boards and this can lead to germs and bacteria left behind, but you don’t always want to use harsh chemicals like Clorox to disinfect, especially if water is limited. Spraying with hydrogen peroxide will thoroughly cleanse them. You can do this with sponges, dishrags and countertops. Eliminate mould from your home or office by pouring undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Spray until the mould area is completely saturated. Allow the solution to sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing the area with a sponge. Wear protective breathing masks to prevent inhaling mould spores. If in doubt, feel free to repeat the cleaning process up to three times.
