To this day my grandparents are still giving me bizarre treatments for minor injuries. Just the other week I took a tumble down the stairs, and my Grandma piped up, telling me to boil an egg and rub the extremely hot breakfast item all over my extremely swollen ankle. And you now what? It worked!
The swelling went down within an hour, and I felt almost as good as new by the next morning. Thanks, Gran!
Below are even more bizarre solutions that people’s grandmas have come up with but actually work! Discover the words of wisdom below.
Raisins for Arthritis
That’s right, the little wrinkly, dried up berries usually found in scones or kids lunch boxes can apparently ease the symptoms of arthritis!
Grandparents say all you have to do is soak golden raisins overnight in a couple of spoonfuls of gin. The vitamins from the raisins mixed with the anti-inflammatory effects of the juniper berries used to make gin will help reduce swelling and ease your pain. No, you won’t get drunk! But it is a good excuse to consume delicious gin all day long!
Celery for Bad Breath
According to one, or maybe many, grandmas and grandpas celery is the answer for bad breath. No need to keep buying packets and packets of gum, just stick a bunch of celery in your mouth, give it a good chew and your bad breath will dissipate. Discover other foods that will battle bad breath here!
Lemons for Earache
This is another bizarre combination. Apparently, if you squeeze some lemon juice onto an ear bud and pop it into your ear for a minute or so, you can alleviate the problems of an earache. The lemon juice is meant to stabilize pH levels in your ears making them feel as good as new.
Nettles Cure Hair Loss
I think this is just an excuse for grandparents to use nettles as a drink without it seeming weird. But there are facts behind this bizarre remedy as ‘Nettle leaf also contains high levels of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and beta-carotene and high amounts of the vitamins A, C, D, and B complex’ (3). Many of these vitamins and minerals are great for hair growth and hair maintenance. Our hair is mostly made up of proteins so it’s no wonder nettle leaves can help keep it strong, luxurious, and on our heads!
Just brew a kettle of boiling water, put 4-6 nettle leaves in a mug, pour the hot water over, and enjoy!
Please note: Nettle leaves are high in silica which can be harmful at high doses, so don’t go TOO crazy with the nettle tea!
Yams for Menopause
It may be easy to confuse yams with sweet potatoes but we aware! They are not, in fact, the same. Yams tend to have a thicker rougher skin and are darker in color. They are nutritionally high in vitamin C, contain some vitamin A which will help balance out your hormones and tons of dietary fiber which will help lower cholesterol (4).
Find a yummy roasted yam recipe here!
Olives for Motion Sickness
Now this one definitely sounds like an old wives tale! But there are actually facts surrounding some of the bases as olives are high in tannins, which can help stop the production of too much saliva. We all know that feeling you get before you’re going to be sick or when your feeling ill, with too much saliva in your mouth, it’s disgusting! So go to the deli and find yourself some delicious, juicy olives to take on your next car journey! I’m sure grandparents around the world would be proud.
Baking Soda for a Urinary Tract Infection
Grandparents really do have the answer to everything! Here is another top tip that is meant to work a treat. Add a sprinkling of baking soda to a glass of water and feel the UTI symptoms disappear in no time. The baking soda actually annoys the infection and makes your bladder more alkaline which prevents the harmful bacteria from multiplying.
However, if the symptoms are consistent or extremely painful, then you are going to want to consult your doctor.
Dried Apricots for Indigestion
This is one my grandfather absolutely lives by. He has exactly five apricots after his dinner every single day and says it helps him digest his food better. Dried apricots are super high in dietary fiber which helps your stomach digest its food and prevents bloating (8). So if you’re not feeling too good after your meals then shove a handful of apricots in your mouth and carry on with your day!
Potatoes for Spider Bites
Your grandparents may be on to something here…Raw potatoes are meant to have anti-itch and anti-inflammatory proerties, exactly what you will need after being bitten by a spider. Just wrap a raw, sliced potato is a bandage or thin cloth then gent;y rub it on the affected area for a few minutes.
So next time you’re doubting your grandparents logic, just give it a go! You never know if it will work, even if it sounds completely bonkers!