Real Remedy or Old Wives’ Tale?


Everyone has a “foolproof” home remedy for that cold, fever, or sore throat. Skip the experiments and listen to a nurse!

Suzanne Carlile, MSN, CEN, CMSN, separates the good advice from the old wives tales.


COMMON COLD

DO:
Eat, eat, eat
Get plenty of rest

DON’T:
-Gargle garlic and cayenne pepper
-Mustard Plaster on Chest

COUGH

DO:
Vicks VapoRub on feet to suppress coughing

DON’T:
Rubbing alcohol on cloth or bandana, tied around neck at nighttime

FEVER

DO:
Tylenol
Ibuprophen
Luke warm bath; wet head

DON’T:
Ice bath
Wrap feet in vinegar-soaked sock

SINUS CONGESTION

DO:
Neti Pot/Saline Wash
Saline nasal spray
Carmex/VapoRub under the nose

DON’T:
Use over the counter nasal sprays for more than a few days

EARACHE (MINOR)

DO:
VapoRub on the cotton ball

DON’T
VapoRub with black pepper on a cotton ball
Drops of onion juice in your ear
Onion in washcloth held against ear

SORE THROAT

DO:
Warm Jello
Spoonful of Molasses/Honey
Marshmallows

DON’T
Garlic pills as a natural antibiotic
Citric juices

UPSET STOMACH

DO:
Eat light
Clear liquids

DON’T:
Lime with salt
Fresh ginger boiled as tea

CANKER

DO:
Baking Soda
Alum powder

DON’T
Maalox on Q-tip
Chewable vitamin C

1 comment

  • Don’t garlic? I eat raw garlic and it clears my cough up the next day. I can see where this information came from. Let’s Go Brandon!!