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They Sound Crazy, But These 10 Unusual Cures Really Do Work

If your medicine cabinet is looking a little sparse or you’ve run out effective ideas to treat some lingering ailments, consider looking in other areas of your home. Many seemingly non-medical items can successfully treat common aches and pains. Some of these unusual tips might sound mad when you first hear them, but they really do work once you try them.

1. Vodka removes foot odor

If there's an unpleasant odor emanating from your feet, soak a washcloth in vodka and wipe your soles. The principle behind this trick is the same as with rubbing alcohol: Alcohol is antiseptic and drying, which prevents bacteria and fungi from growing.

 

2. Pencils eliminate throbbing tension headaches

In moments of stress and anxiety, you often clench your jaw and teeth without realizing, which strains the muscle connecting your jaw to your temples. This habit can cause unnecessary tension headaches. Placing a pencil between your teeth without biting forces you to relax your jaw muscle, preventing the headache.

 

3. Yogurt cures bad breath

They Sound Crazy, But These 10 Unusual Cures Really Do WorkIf you ever feel your breath turning sour and unpleasant, try a cup of yogurt. Yogurt is filled with probiotics, good bacteria, which can overpower the bad breath causing bacteria, leaving you with a nice tasting and smelling breath.

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4. Listerine soothes painful blisters

While Listerine is primarily known for giving you fresh breath, it's also a powerful antiseptic which can remedy blister pain. Soak a cotton ball with Listerine, dabbing it on the blister three times a day. The Listerine should effectively dry out the blister in a few days.

 

5. Sugar stops hiccups

They Sound Crazy, But These 10 Unusual Cures Really Do Work

Mary Poppins claimed a spoonful of sugar helped the medicine go down, but she didn't realize it could also be the medicine. When it comes to hiccups, sugar can help stop them, because it modifies nerve muscles that would usually cause the muscles in the diaphragm to spasm, which can lead to hiccups. Swallow a teaspoon of sugar when you find yourself hiccupping uncontrollably.

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6. Tennis balls help with aching feet

Give your aching feet a massage that both stretches and soothes the arches. Without shoes, roll your foot over the tennis ball. If you want to cool down, your throbbing feet use a bottle of frozen water instead. A soup can or golf ball can also work if you don't have tennis balls.

7. Vegetable oil helps with brittle nails

Dry nails are caused by lack of moisture. In addition to applying hand lotion regularly try this dermatologist endorsed trick: Apply vegetable oil to your hands followed by wrapping your hands in vinyl gloves. This keeps the oil from rubbing off onto your bed and forces your skin to absorb the oil. Your hands and nails will stop being dry and brittle.

 

8. Olives and lemons lessen motion sickness

They Sound Crazy, But These 10 Unusual Cures Really Do WorkWhen you're seasick or motion sick, you often produce excess saliva, leading to nausea. Tannins in olives can dry out your mouth, easing any queasiness. Similarly, lemons also can help dry out your mouth. When you feel a bout of nausea, pop a few olives or suck on a lemon.

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9. Peppermint and cinnamon gum soothe road rage

Traffic-laden commutes cause unnecessary stress, frustration, and anger. You can significantly reduce the feeling of anxiety and fatigue by chewing peppermint and cinnamon gum, which have natural calming qualities. For those who don't enjoy chewing gum, you can purchase an aromatherapy car diffuser.

 

10. Apples can whiten teeth

Everyone wants pearly white teeth, but you don't usually think of foods as the means to do so. Apples contain gentle malic acids that can help dissolve stains. Other crunchy fruits and vegetables serve as micro-toothbrushes when you chew them as they naturally cleanse the tooth enamel, removing stains. It's another good reason to bite into an apple.

h/t: abcnews.go.com

 

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