Perhaps you remember "folk" remedies that your grandmother used.  Many of these are still in use today with varying degrees of success.  Enos's favorite is "Vicks and a band aid".  It works on hang nails, torn to the quick - fingernails, and even chest congestion (using a flannel cloth or wrap instead of the band aid.  The theory is that circulation is improved to the area from the stimulating camphor ingredients, however do not use on open wounds.  Here are a few othere noteworthy examples culled from various sources.  They often work better than drugs.

     1.  SORE THROAT - at the first sign of scratchy, sore, or irritated throat, mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in 6-8 ounces of warm water.  Take a mouthful, gargle, and spit it out - then swallow a mouthful.  Repeat until the glass is empty.  Do this every hour until your throat feels better - usually 2-3 hours.

     2.  STOP BLEEDING - in cases of a gash or cut gently cover the cut with cayenne pepper.  It will sting, but the bleeding will stop quickly.

     3.  HEARTBURN - as soon as the burning starts, eat a palmful of almonds (about one ounce).  You can use dry roasted or raw slivered almonds.  Burning   will stop immediately.

     4.  LESS THAN WHITE TEETH - combine 1/2 teaspoon baking soda with 1 0r 2 drops of peroxide.  Brush this on teeth and let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse but do not swallow.  You can also dip a wet toothbrush into 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt. (Not for people on salt restricted diets.)

     5.   MOSQUITO BITES - rub liquid laundry detergent on the spot and let it dry.  The liquid soothes the skin, dries the bite to reduce irritation, and seals the area from outside irritants.  I also use household ammonia, but it smells worse.

     6.    RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME - drink a 6 ounce glass of tonic water each night before bed until symptoms go away.  Tonic water contains quinine which stops repeated muscle contractions.  Other remedies include putting a piece of silverware like a spoon right on the cramp until it subsides.

     7.  FLATULENCE -  sip 1 cup of hot water steeped with 1 teaspoon caraway seeds.  This stifles the enzymatic action that causes gas.

     8.   WARTS - clean the area and cover with a piece ofduct tape cut to a size slightly bigger than the wart.  Apply the duct tape and rub into place.  Every 3 days, remove the tape and file down dead skin with a pumice stone or nail file.  Repeat this procedure until the wart is gone.  Chemicals in the tape suffocate and kill the wart.  It works as well as anything else.

     9.   DANDRUFF -  steep 2 bags of green tea in 1 cup of hot water for 20 minutes.  Once it has cooled, massage it into your scalp.  This method naturally exfoliates dry flakes without dehydrating the skin.

     10.  DRY, TIRED EYES - infuse a bag of chamomile tea in 4-6 ounces of hot water.  Cool at least 20 minutes, then apply as a compress on eyes for 10 minutes.  The tea has a mild anti-inflammatory effect.

     11.  DIARRHEA -  drink a cup of chamomile tea which also has an antispasmodic effect that stops contractions in the lower intestine.

These remedies are worthy of initial use for the listed complaints.  They are inexpensive and can be done at home.  Of course, if you don't receive any benefit from them - see your DOCTOR!   HAPPY SUMMERTIME TO ALL.

Nancy S.