Testing Grandma’s Knowledge – Home Remedies Under Scientific Eye

Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the activity of the central nervous system by replacing the water around the nervous cells in the body.

There are, however, a few things you can do to make a hangover less severe. Before drinking eat a substantial meal or have at least one glass of milk to protect your stomach lining. After drinking, have a pint of water before bedtime to minimize dehydration.

The bad news, according to experts, is that a hangover can’t be cured once you have one. Some cures may exacerbate the problem. Aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining. Acetaminophen can strain the liver. Copious amounts of coffee can give you a caffeine buzz. Sleep would be a better remedy. Better to drink a lot of fruit juice or eat something sweet and wait for the sugar to absorb the alcohol.

Rub Butter on a Burn – FALSE!

Drs. Rutherford and Dowshen of
KidsHealth.org
say never apply butter, grease, powder or any remedies to a first-degree burn. Before you phone for medical assistance, run cool water over the burned area or hold a clean, cold compress on the burn until the pain subsides. Remove clothing (that is not stuck to the flesh) from the burned area. If water is not available use any cold drinkable fluid, but do not use ice. If the burn area is small, loosely cover it with a sterile gauze pad or bandage. For second and third degree burns follow the instructions for first degree burns. Do not break blisters.

Cure Hiccups by Swallowing Sugar, Sucking on a Lemon, Drinking from a Far Side of a Glass – TRUE!

The medical term for hiccups (hiccoughs), according to Dr. Garry Wilkes, is known as singultus, originating from Latin, which means “the act of one catching one’s breath while sobbing.” Hiccups appear to serve no purpose in humans or other mammals. A hiccup bout is any episode that lasts for more than a few minutes. The reason many traditional remedies are effective is because they employ methods that stimulate components of the hiccup reflex.

And Finally, Laughter is Good for the Soul – TRUE

Grandma didn’t say this but researchers at the University of Maryland who have studied the influence of laughter on the body, concluded that a good guffaw has a positive effect on blood flow, the immune response and blood sugar levels. Check out the net for some more outrageous OWT and if for some reason you develop hiccups between your chuckles, you’ll know what to do.