18 Bizarrely Effective Home Remedies

    Grandma was right. You can treat anything with what you have lying around the house.

    Jeremy Bender
    by Jeremy Bender

    BuzzFeed Fellow

    1. Almonds can help cure headaches.

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    Eating about 20 almonds can help treat headaches due to the presence of the enzyme salicin. Eating almonds over a period of time may even reduce the likelihood of getting headaches in the first place. Go, nuts!

    2. Clove oil can treat toothaches.

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    A dab of clove oil on a cotton ball can provide temporary relief to aching teeth and gums due to its effectiveness as a topical analgesic. It can also give your grills a sweet sheen.

    3. Playing the didgeridoo helps treat sleep apnea.

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    Studies have shown that playing the didgeridoo can help strengthen respiratory function, leading to decreased severity of sleep apnea. Thus proving, once again, that Lisa Simpson is always right.

    4. Lemon balm can help treat cold sores.

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    Lemon balm is a naturally powerful anti-viral. When applied to cold sores, it helps them to clear up faster than they normally would.

    5. Ginger can help treat nausea and seasickness.

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    Ginger has been proven to reduce the tendency of vomiting and cold sweats due to nausea amongst sailors. It's also just delicious, so there's that.

    6. Ginger can also reduce pain from an ear infection.

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    Ginger is a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory. The major downside to the ginger treatment, though, is that it takes around 20 minutes.

    7. Tart cherry juice helps to ensure a deep night's sleep.

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    Tart cherry juice has been proven to be full of melatonin. Doctors advise that eight ounces of the drink an hour before bed helps to ensure a solid night's sleep.

    8. Mint leaves can help treat acne.

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    Mint, when crushed and applied to the affected area, can help reduce acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, you'll end up smelling really fresh.

    9. Peppermint and cinnamon can increase alertness and decrease stress.

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    Peppermint and cinnamon have been shown to increase energy levels for those engaging in long drives. Even the smell of the spices — or gum flavored with them — works.

    10. Peppermint also treats indigestion and skin irritations.

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    When eaten, peppermint calms the stomach muscles allowing for easier digestion. Topically, it soothes and cools the skin. Basically, peppermint is magic.

    11. Meat tenderizer helps to treat bee stings.

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    A meat tenderizer and water paste will help counteract the venom in a sting, easing pain and reducing inflammation.

    12. Essential oils from aromatherapy can help promote hair growth.

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    Scottish researches have found promising evidence that essential oils from cedarwood, lavender, thyme, and rosemary may help prompt hair growth. Still no word on how vigorously it will need to be applied, though.

    13. Coconut oil helps lower bad cholesterol.

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    Coconut oil has been proven to reduce levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. It also has shown signs of possibly trimming waist fat.

    14. Yogurt is great at preventing dandruff.

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    Yogurt can do a great job moisturizing the scalp, preventing dandruff. Just, please, make sure to wash your hair after.

    15. Cheese can be used to treat muscle aches.

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    Although not medically proven, one Olympic skier used cheese successfully to help with muscle aches after practice runs.

    16. Listerine can be used to treat toe fungus.

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    Although not medically proven, Listerine has a large number of properties that would make it an ideal treatment for toe fungus. It does have the downside of temporarily dying feet green, though.

    17. Lemon juice mixed with baking soda can treat bad B.O.

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    Lemon juice effectively kills bacteria getting rid of any odor causing agents. It can be sprayed directly onto your skin or mixed with baking soda to make a paste. Either way, you'll smell delectable.

    18. Honey can be used as an antibacterial on minor cuts or burns.

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    Honey has been used as an antibacterial since at least Roman times. Recently studies have proven that it is indeed medically effective...and delicious.