Home Remedies

Our own Charlotte has come down with ear infections (Get better soon, lady!) and it got me thinking about all the home remedies I have come across over the years that WORK! Here is the US they are so quick to prescribe antibiotics for every little thing- and sometimes antibiotics are necessary, but 9/10 times you could have used a simple old home remedy at the start and taken care of it- without dragging the kids to the doctor, without the co-pay, and without unnecessary medications.

THIS THREAD IS INTENDED AS ADVICE FROM PARENT TO PARENT. Do your research, ask your doctor, find what's best for you!

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PLEASE DO NOT POST "I HEARD THIS MIGHT WORK" TYPE OF ADVICE- POST REMEDIES YOU HAVE USED AND YOU KNOW ARE SUCCESSFUL!

FOR EAR ACHES

Heat a little olive oil with a cut up clove of garlic in it (You don't have to mince it or anything, just cut into quarters will do) LET IT COOL until just warm- dip a cotton ball in the oil and let 2 to 3 drops drip down IN your ear (Easiest to have someone else help you with this one!) - then "Pack" the ear with a dry cotton ball- Lie down on your side with infected ear down with a heating pad/hot water bottle/hot rice bag under your ear- You should feel instant relief with the garlic, and then the warm and gravity will help your ear "pop" a bit and relieve the pressure. If you have 2 ears going, treat them both with the oil, then put the worst one down on a heat source until you feel relief (This can take an hour or more, be patient!) then switch! You can also rub a little vapor rub like Vicks on the outside of the ear canal before you lay on heat for added relief!


Tylenol/Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen in addition to the above remedy to help with pain

FOR SORE THROATS

There is nothing in the world I hate more than a sore throat! Therefore, I have several remedies on hand. Sometimes one works better than the other, and sometimes it takes a combination of more than one or even all of them- but I have had great success with these!

*Please note Do not give honey to a baby- Absolutely not under 1 year and I recommend none under OVER age 2! Infant botulism is no joke and most often is fatal! ANY of the remedies listed are not intended for tiny ones- and always check with your doctor before giving them and medicines!


1. GARGLE AN ONION.
Sounds totally weird, right? But it WORKS. Chop a white or yellow onion into large dice (1"x1") and pot in a pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and turn down to simmer- let simmer for a good 5 minutes. Pour the onion water into a cup- add salt if needed for taste. Let cool to a HOT but drinkable temp- (Obviously, just warm for littles!) And then gargle 1/2, spitting it out after- then drink the rest like a broth.

2. PUT A SOCK ON IT.
Ok. You all are going to think I'm bonkers by the time I'm done! pmsl But really and truly, these remedies have been around for forever! Take a mentholated chest rub such as vicks and spread it all over your neck- then dip a washcloth in hot water, ringing it out (Again, just warm for littles!) and fold it in 1/2 or 3rds depending on how tall your neck is- and "wrap" it around the front of your neck- then wrap the whole thing in a wool sock and secure. FOR ADULTS ONLY- you can secure the sock with a safety pin and sleep with it on. DO NOT PIN ON KIDS. Also, you don't have to use a sock, it's just most people have a wool sock handy- but if you have a wool knit scarf, it works perfect- or if you have a strip of wool material (Which is what I have, I bought a remnant strip at the fabric store for $2)
(**AGAIN, DO NOT WRAP THINGS AROUND LITTLE KIDS NECKS!)

3. DRINK A COUGH DROP.
Melt a honey and menthol cough drop in a cup of boiling water- let cool- sip. Seriously.

4. COAT YOUR THROAT
Ice Cream, Yoghurt, Maple syrup- whatever you have in your fridge that will coat as it goes down. Now, take it easy with the sugary things- sugar really does help those germ multiply! But for a quick, instant relief while you're boiling water for tea (MUCH more effective in the long run!) go ahead and reach for the chocolate sauce, just don't chug the whole bottle!

5. OLD SCHOOL CURE ALL
TEA. It cures what ails ya! Hot tea- hot water with lemon and/or honey, even just plain hot water- Burn the germs!

FOR MAMAS AND PAPAS
*My cure all tea-
1Tablespoon Honey, 1 Tablepsoon fresh lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 a dose of nyquil- top off cup with boiling water, let cool to sipping temp.
(*DO NOT FEED NYQUIL TO KIDS. EVER.) Beware- this will make you drowsy as all get out! Do not add the nyquil unless you have someone else there to be in charge of the rug rats! lol Don't over use it, you don't want to develop an addiction and/or an immunity to nyquil. This works best for the flu or hellacious head colds.