“Old School” Remedies That Can Still Benefit You!

My Grandmother taught me these 3 remedies and I still use them today!

1) Cream of Tartar – 1/8-1/4 tsp in 1 oz of water 1-2 hours before bed helps with sleep and lowers amount of time waking up to urinate at night.

2)   Baking Soda – Aluminum Free of course – 1 tsp in 1 oz of water can stop acid reflux on the dot and prevent it too. 

3)   Castor Oil Packs – castor oil applied over any area of inflammation can help reduce pain. 

These simple things you might even have right now! 

#1 Cream of Tartar (Potassium Bitartrate) – is effective in helping balance fluid in the body because it contains potassium.

While it’s amazing for biscuits it’s also quite a powerhouse when it comes to stubborn night time wake ups to hit the bathroom.

I find the more stressed one becomes the more this phenomenon shows up. 

So having a little cream of tartar around just in case is always a good idea…

…but getting to the root of what’s going on is important!

I recommend looking into your adrenal function as well as your kidney function when you notice you’re waking up more at night to pee.

Granted, this can also be a sign of drinking too many liquids late at night or prostate issues in men…so evaluate accordingly.

#2 Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) – perhaps you remember using it in high school chemistry?

It’s often used as the substance to make acidic reactions more basic!

How does it do that?

It reacts with the acidic molecule and creates carbonic acid that’s eliminated as carbon dioxide and water.

In the case of reducing stomach acid, you tend to burp a few minutes after taking it as the reaction creates carbon dioxide as it’s neutralizing the acid.

#3 Castor Oil Packs – don’t worry I won’t recommend you drink it!

Castor oil is known for it’s ability to calm inflammation.

In ND school I was taught to put the oil over the liver and gallbladder area then a wool rag and a heat source for 20 minutes.

My grandmother, used it like Frank’s Red Hot Sauce – she put it on everything!

That and mentholatum salve.

As a kiddo I ended up constipated – a lot!

(Probably my addiction to cereal wasn’t helping…) 

She would put the castor oil on my abdomen and massage my belly. 

Then a heat pack for 20 minutes.

I always had relief.

So when I heard about it in school I was really excited that her treatment wasn’t just another weird Polish Grandmother thing!

Lately I’ve been bringing back these treatments and every one that’s tried them gets results!

This made me wonder…

…what else from the old days might be worth a second look?

I’m playing with some of the oldies but goodies right now to see what happens!

I’d love to hear from all of you!

Did you learn any remedies from your parents or grandparents that you’re still using today or really worked?

And what were they good for?

Have a lovely weekend!

Here’s to your health,

Dr. J

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