Category Home Problem Solver

• A tryptophan snack before bed

Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps you sleep, and tryptophan is an amino acid the body uses to make serotonin. Two tryptophan-rich foods are turkey and bananas, and eating a little of either of these before bedtime could help you to fall off to sleep more successfully.

• Drink passionflower tea

Despite its name, passionflower won’t make your honeymoon memorable. In fact, it will put you to sleep. Infuse 3 tea bags in 3 cups (750ml) just-boiled water for 30-60 minutes and sip a cup half an hour before going to bed. (The ‘passion’ in the name of the flower refers to the Crucifixion of Christ, not lust.) Alkaloids in the flower can help to allay both insomnia and anxiety, conditions that often go hand in hand. Caution: talk to your doctor before using passionflower as it may interact with certain medications, especially anticoagulants.

• Calming Epsom salts bath

To calm yourself, pour 450g Epsom salts into a warm bath and soak to your heart’s content. Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) cleans and tone skin but may also lower blood pressure.

• Make a hops pillow

Take a cushion cover with a zip and stuff it full of dried hops (available online and from health food shops). If you like, throw in a handful of dried lavender, also a sedative herb, to sweeten the smell. When you retire for the night, put the pillow near enough to your head that you will be able to breathe in the aroma. To keep the hops active, you will need to dampen them with grain alcohol every three or four weeks.

• Try St John’s wort as a mood booster

A cup of St John’s wort tea can safely be drunk up to three times a day to allay mild depression, nervousness and insomnia; capsules and liquid extracts are also available. The herb is Germany’s leading antidepressant, outselling even Prozac. Studies show that hypericin and other compounds in St John’s wort act together to prevent the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) from breaking down serotonin, dopamine and other amines that elevate mood and emotions. St John’s wort interacts with various medications, so always check with your doctor before use. Caution: certain people who have used the herb have experienced delayed photosensitivity — an abnormal reaction to sunlight that usually results in a skin rash.

• Stop snoring with a tennis ball

If your bed mate’s snoring is cutting into your sleeping time, put a tennis ball in the pocket of a cotton T-shirt and secure it closed with a safety pin. Get the snorer to put the shirt on back to front before going to sleep and it should stop him (or her) from rolling over into the prime snoring position — on the back.

• Give yourself a soak

There’s a good reason why some parents give their babies warm baths before bedtime or a nap: warm water is a natural relaxant. So fill the bath, turn the lights down low, soak for a few minutes and crawl into a freshly made bed for some superlative sleep.

• Pre-sleep sip

Camomile, which is known to have sedating qualities, is an ideal sleep-inducer. If you can get good-quality tea bags, they will work perfectly; if you can grow fresh camomile in a small pot on a windowsill, all the better. Snip them about 2cm below the flower, tie a few of them together with kitchen string and steep them in a mug of hot water for a delicious calming drink.

• White noise as sleep therapy

A number of studies have shown that white noise — defined as noise that combines sounds of all different frequencies so that they virtually cancel each other out — is an effective, completely non-narcotic, safe and peaceful sleep aid. Where can you get it? You can buy white-noise machines or even less expensively, CDs and tapes. Load them into a CD player in the bedroom, turn the lights down, climb into bed and remember to set the alarm.

• Keep your cool!

The term ‘warm and cosy’ doesn’t always translate to the right conditions for falling asleep; so resist the urge to keep the heat up and instead, lower your bedroom thermostat to around 18°C and, if possible, open the window a little for good ventilation. Most sleep experts maintain that bedroom temperatures that are slightly cooler than living areas result in a sounder, better night’s sleep.

• Nappy rash soothers

Prolonged contact of a baby’s skin with urine and faeces causes nappy rash, especially when nappy changes are delayed — so the best treatment for nappy rash is to leave the nappy off for as long as possible. Soap can irritate the skin even more and so can wipes that contain alcohol — though most commercial baby wipes are alcohol-free. Here are three easy nappy-rash soothers you’re likely to have at home:

1. ‘Toasted’ cornflour Although moisture-absorbing cornflour can be used straight from the box, it works better when dried in the oven. Just spread it on a baking tray and dry it in a very low oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool before using.
2. Honey The sugar in honey absorbs water, denying the bacteria that cause infection the moisture they need to survive. Ask your doctor before using honey on children under 12 months of age; don’t give it to your child to eat — if ingested, honey can result in a botulism infection.
3. Petroleum jelly Wiping petroleum jelly on the rash gives your baby’s skin a protective coating so that the rash can heal.

• A spicy baby powder substitute

The spice fenugreek has been shown to soothe nappy rash. Apply directly to the skin, like baby powder, or mix it with a little water to form a paste to apply sparingly to irritated areas.

• Prevent nappy rash with salt and zinc

Most babies have nappy rash at some time or other, but parents of babies with extra-sensitive skin are going to need all the help they can get. Stir 1 tablespoon salt into 1 litre boiling water and let the solution cool to room temperature. Wipe it onto your baby’s bottom, then gently dab it dry. Then apply a zinc-oxide lotion to create a physical barrier against further wetness.

• The easiest rash preventive of all

The less time a baby’s bottom is covered by a nappy, the less he or she risks suffering nappy rash. At sleep time, just place an unfastened nappy under your child or put the baby on towels placed over a waterproof sheet.

• A rash remedy from the garden

 Calendula, a cousin of marigolds, has long been used to treat skin rashes, so keep a homemade wash in the nursery to soothe your baby’s skin. Cut the flower heads from a calendula plant and let them dry. Pick the petals off and put 1 heaped tablespoon petals into a bowl. Pour 3 cups (750ml) just-boiled water over the petals, let steep for 1 hour, then strain into a container. Apply to the baby’s bottom or other red or itchy areas up to four times a day.

• Soothe heat rash with a bicarb bath

Heat rash can make babies miserable. Here’s a way to help ‘take the red out’: add bicarbonate of soda to your baby’s lukewarm bathwater -2 teaspoons to every 8 litres water. Then let your baby air-dry instead of wiping him or her with a towel. Or gently press the rash with a cool, wet face washer several times a day.

• Say goodbye to crusting

Although it’s a common, usually harmless condition, cradle cap can be very unsightly. Get on top of it fast by gently rubbing a bit of baby oil onto your baby’s head, and then lightly comb it through his or her hair. If the baby gets upset, comb it at different times, but don’t leave the baby oil on for more than 24 hours in total. Afterwards, wash the hair thoroughly, using a mild baby shampoo. Repeat the process if the cradle cap persists. Caution: if you notice a lot of yellow crusting, or if the cradle cap has spread behind the ears or neck, contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.

• Combat cradle cap

Another remedy for cradle cap is to make a paste from 3 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda and 1 teaspoon water, apply it to the scalp an hour before bedtime, then rinse it off the following morning, but do not use it with shampoo. You may need to apply it on consecutive nights.

• Camomile for congestion

If your baby is 6 months or older, try easing congestion with weak camomile tea — weak meaning 1 tea bag steeped in 2 cups (500ml) hot water for no more than 3 minutes. Put the lukewarm tea into a bottle or cup for sipping on two or three times a day. Caution: check with your doctor before doing this.

• Soothing a sore throat

If your baby is old enough to be eating solids, warm drinks such as tea or clear soup can be soothing to a sore throat. But don’t add honey to the tea as honey may contain spores that could grow in the baby’s immature digestive tract. Cool apple juice is another effective sore-throat soother for a baby or small child.

• Beat athlete’s foot

To put athlete’s foot on the run, make a footbath with 1 tablespoon salt dissolved in 6 litres warm water. Soak the affected foot for 10 minutes to help to kill the fungus. To make the solution even more intensely antifungal, add 1-2 tablespoons tea-tree oil.

• Fight toenail fungus

If you think you can’t control a fungus without prescription drugs, think again — in the short term, at least. Mix equal parts warm water, vinegar (white or cider) and mouthwash with 1 tablespoon powdered cinnamon. Soak and dry your feet, then sprinkle them with cornflour. There’s no guarantee that the fungus won’t return, but you can keep it in check without having to buy expensive medicated treatments.

• Beat stinky feet with tea

Strong black tea will not only kill the bacteria that cause foot odour but will close pores and help to keep your feet less sweaty. Simmer 3 tea bags in 1 cup (250ml) water for about 15 minutes, and then dilute the tea with 2 litres water. Once it has cooled, pour the tea into a plastic tub and soak your feet and ankles for around 30 minutes. This should put an end to your smelly feet.

• A salty cure for sore feet

While Epsom salts have long been used to soothe dry sore feet, ordinary table salt will do. Pour 8 litres warm water into a plastic tub, add 2/3 cup (120g) table salt and stir with your hand to dissolve. Soak your feet in the solution for at least 20 minutes, and then rub the skin vigorously with a towel to slough off any dead skin cells.

• A trick for tired feet

If your feet are tired and aching, scatter a few pencils onto the floor and then pick them up … with your toes. This little work-out will rejuvenate and invigorate your feet as much as a quick foot massage.

• Cool hot feet with peppermint

Cool down hot feet by soaking them in iced peppermint tea for 10 minutes. Once they are pepped up, they should be ready to take you on a 5-km jog or an hour-long power walk.

• Stomach soothers

Certain herb leaves, flowers and seeds have traditionally been used to remedy gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, nausea and stomach ache. Among them are angelica, anise, camomile, caraway seed, cinnamon, fennel seed, ginger, marjoram, oregano and peppermint. And all can be used to make an herbal infusion or herbal tea.

• Tummy-taming turmeric

To alleviate stomach cramps, add 1 teaspoon of this very mild-flavoured, bright orange powdered herb to a 250-ml glass of water or simply sprinkle it over whatever you are eating. Turmeric is an ancient Indian and Middle Eastern remedy for treating babies with colic and is a recognized antispasmodic.

• Use camomile as a stomach calmative

Camomile tea can be safely taken by babies, children and adults for all sorts of problems affecting the digestive system. Use 1 teaspoon dried camomile to 2/3 cup (180ml) boiling water, steeping for 10 minutes before drinking.

• Sort out problems with wind

To help keep flatulence under control, try one of these herbal teas or infusions.

1. Caraway seed Pour 1 cup (250ml) boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons freshly crushed caraway seeds. Steep for 10-15 minutes, then strain. Drink a cupful two to four times a day between meals.
2. Fennel seed Follow the directions given for caraway seed tea, substituting fennel, then drink before or after meals.
3. Dried peppermint leaf Pour 1 cup (250ml) just-boiled water over 1 tablespoon dried peppermint, infuse for 10-15 minutes and strain. Drink a warm cup of tea three or four times a day.
4. Dill seed For a mild dill-seed infusion, pour 1 cup (250ml) just-boiled water over 1 teaspoon ground dill seeds and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Strain, then drink before or after meals.
5. Anise seed Follow the directions given for dill seed, substituting anise for dill seed. Caution: some people may be allergic to anise.

• Go for the ginger

Sipping a cup of ginger tea after meals may help to keep your digestive system in good working order. Ginger root, which could be called the queen of digestive herbs, has been used for thousands of years to treat indigestion and diarrhoea. Research over the past 25 years has shown that two compounds in ginger — gingerols and shogaols — also work on the inner ear and central nervous system as well as the gastrointestinal tract, helping to reduce nausea and dizziness.

• Sip cider vinegar

Stir 2 teaspoons cider vinegar into 1 cup (250ml) water and enjoy a ‘vinegar cocktail’ up to three times a day to improve digestion and to fend off an impending stomach ache. Apple cider vinegar, unlike white vinegar, contains malic acid, and can help to balance the stomach’s pH (the balance of alkalinity and acidity).

• Treat diarrhoea with berries

Simmer 1-2 tablespoons astringent blackberries or blueberries in 1-1/2 cups (375ml) water for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink 1 cup (250ml) of this diarrhoea-fighting tonic several times a day, preparing it freshly each time. Some herbalists recommend that you drink 2 tablespoons every 4 hours or so. Another useful berry-derived remedy is raspberry leaf tea (available from most health food shops).

• Old-time constipation cure

Your grandmother was devoted to castor oil for a good reason: one of its primary uses is as a laxative. Taking 1-2 teaspoons on an empty stomach will produce results in about 8 hours. Castor oil works because a component in the oil breaks down into a substance that stimulates the large and small intestines. Caution: this remedy is not recommended for repeated use, as it impairs the absorption of nutrients.

• Ease constipation with molasses

This byproduct of sugar refining contains lots of calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron, and in addition to easing constipation, it is also recommended as a tonic to treat anaemia. Because it is essentially concentrated cane sugar, you must brush your teeth after ingesting it, to protect the tooth enamel. Take 1 tablespoon before going to bed.

• Tin-can massage

A cold, unopened 375-ml drink can makes a great back massager, no matter what it’s filled with. To help loosen muscle tissue and spur blood flow to the area, stand against the wall with the can on its side, wedged between your back and the wall. Then move from side to side to make the can roll. This impromptu massager does an especially good job of relaxing the muscles next to the shoulder blades and lower down the back.

• A back support for drivers

To make a lower back support to use while you are driving, fold a medium-sized bath towel lengthways, then roll it up; the roll should be about 30cm long. Cut the leg of an old pair of pantihose to fit the width of the rolled-up towel then slip the towel inside. Tuck the makeshift cushion between the small of your back and the car seat and you should be able to ride in comfort, with a back-friendly posture.

• A mustard plaster for muscle aches

To give this favourite old pain remedy a go, combine powdered mustard seed and plain flour in a bowl (1 part mustard seed to 2 parts flour) and slowly stir in water to make a paste. Spread the mixture on one side of a 30-cm square of cheesecloth and fold. Now place the plaster on the ache, securing it with a bandage or slipping it under a tight, dark T-shirt. Leave the plaster on for no more than 20-30 minutes at a time. If any skin irritation occurs, remove the plaster immediately.

• Painful leg cramp relievers

Standing barefoot on a cold floor decreases blood flow and could help to relax tightened leg muscles, so if you’re hit with painful leg cramps in the middle of the night, get out of bed and stand on a cold floor.

• Quinine for cramping

To prevent cramps, make a glass of tonic water part of your total daily water intake (about 2 litres a day). Quinine, from the bark of the South American cinchona tree, is the only drug that has actually proven to be effective for leg cramps, but its serious side effects, including irregular heartbeat, put neat quinine on the prescription -only list. What you can buy instead is tonic water — so-called because it is flavoured with small doses of quinine.

• More curry = less arthritis pain

Turmeric, one of the principal spices in curry powder, is as medicinal as it is culinary. The active ingredient in turmeric, called curcumin, has been shown in clinical trials to reduce swelling associated with arthritis. If you find curries too spicy, use powdered turmeric as a seasoning, sprinkling it over meat, eggs and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach.

• Eat and drink ginger

Incorporating ginger into your diet may bring some relief from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritic pain. Take 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger or 6 teaspoons fresh ginger once a day, either in food or tea.

• Eye can see clearly now

Carrots, celery, kale and parsley can all contribute to the trouble-free operation of your eyes. Either juices the vegetables to make an eye-boosting drink or puree to make a cold soup. The ideal proportions are 2 parts carrots, 2 parts kale, 1 part celery and 1 part parsley. For the best results, consume 2 cups (500ml) of juice or soup a day. Vary the mix by incorporating spinach, tomatoes and melons.

• Tea for two

We’re talking about puffy eyes. Take two cool, wet tea bags, place them on tired or swollen eyes and lie down for 15-20 minutes as the tea soothes and refreshes. Green tea is ideal for these mini-compresses, but black and herbal teas work well, too. Some herbalists also claim that tea-bag compresses speed the healing of a black eye.

• Don’t dry your eyes

Dry eyes are so common that over-the-counter remedies for this ailment abound. What are the causes? Everything from pollution and smoke to age. A good cure is to leave packaged remedies at the chemist’s and eat a banana instead. Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps to control the balance of sodium and the release of fluid in your cells.

• Help lower blood pressure with bananas

Slice a banana into your breakfast cereal in the morning to get a potassium-laden boost to help counteract high blood pressure. Maintaining healthy blood pressure is important for eyes, too.

• Let’s ‘ear it for mullein and garlic!

Paired with garlic, mullein (Verbascurn thapsus) makes soothing drops for an earache that you can keep on hand in the fridge. In a sterilized jar, combine 1 crushed clove garlic with 2 table-spoons dried or fresh mullein flower (crushed if fresh) and 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil. Screw the lid on tightly and shake to blend. Store in a cool, dark place, shaking the jar daily. After two weeks, strain the oil into another jar and store it in the fridge. To treat an earache, bring the oil to room temperature or hold the jar under warm running water. With a sterile eyedropper, add 2-3 drops to the ear, and then gently massage the ear to help the oil to move through the ear canal. Caution: do not use eardrops if you suspect you may have a perforated eardrum.

• Stop gum disease

If your gums are swollen and brushing your teeth has just made them bleed, it may be because the 10-second cleaning you’ve been giving them isn’t enough. Gum disease, or gingivitis, is the first sign of periodontal disease — the major reason adults lose their teeth. But don’t despair, in addition to brushing for longer than those 10 seconds, try this easy solution. Mix bicarbonate of soda with a little water and then massage it with your fingers along the gumline, then brush. You’ll clean, polish, neutralize acidic bacterial waste and deodorize, all in one go.

• Homemade breath freshener

To make a mouthwash, pour 1 cup (250ml) water into a saucepan and add 1 tablespoon cardamom seeds and 1 tablespoon whole cloves. If you like, add a few mint leaves and sugar to improve the taste. Bring to the boil, remove from heat and let steep for 3-4 hours. Strain the solution into a bottle and gargle as needed.

• Brown stains on teeth?

If your teeth are stained by coffee, tea, red wine or cigarettes, simply supplement whitening toothpaste with a dash of bicarbonate of soda and you’ll find that many of those stains will disappear. Load up your toothbrush with toothpaste, then dip it into the bicarb and brush.

• Salt water rinse for toothaches

Swishing warm salt water around your mouth can relieve toothache in the short term. Use 2-3 teaspoons salt in 1 cup (250ml) warm water.