Home remedies vs medicine pt 2

Continuing with the post about home remedies, we bring you other very interesting ones. A Spoonful of Sugar to Cure Hiccups In 1971, Edgar Engelman, MD, conducted a study to find out if a spoonful of sugar really is an effective cure for hiccups. He brought together a group of 20 patients who had experienced intractable hiccups for more than six hours. Each of the test subjects was given a teaspoon of white granulated sugar to swallow dry, and for 19 of the 20 hiccup patients, the cure was immediate. André Dubois, MD, a gastroenterologist in Bethesda, noted that “the sugar is probably acting in the mouth, to modify nerve impulses, because otherwise it would tell the muscles in the diaphragm to spasm.” Bite a Pencil to Cure a Headache While doctors aren’t sure why we do it, clenching our teeth is a common side effect of stress. According to Fred Sheftell, MD, director of the New England Headache Center in Stamford, when we clench, we strain the muscle that connects the jaw to the temples, which can trigger a tension headache. By placing a pencil between our teeth, we relax our jaw muscles, which eradicates tension and reduces pain. Just remember, the remedy really only applies to headaches - not migraines or headaches caused by sinus pressure, etc. Use Salt Water Gargles to Cure a Sore Throat A sore throat is an inflammatory response from infected tissues, and salt helps draw out excess fluid to temporarily reduce the swelling and pain it causes. l Most remedies require a ratio of 1 tablespoon of salt to 8 ounces of water, but it is always better to opt for more salt rather than less. The next time you feel any discomfort, apply one of these home remedies to see if they compare to medicines.