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Health & Fitness

Doctor's In: Home Remedies Can Save Expensive Trips to the Pharmacy

Proven home remedies can save money. Questions can be sent to mjyacht58@gmail.com.

Home remedies will always stir up controversy among the professionals.  But here are a few that have a track record and can be tried.  I make no guarantees.  With so many uninsured and office visits so expensive, note the following that might save some money at the drug store, too.

Have you been exposed to Poison Oak or Poison Ivy? Well, try dishwashng soap.  If you apply it within two hours and wash the exposed areas you may prevent the rash and itches. OTC (over the counter) lotions are expensive. 

Another recommended home remedy to clean eyelids that are red,itchy and crusty is to use a half and half solution of baby oil and warm water on the eyelids.  This condition called blepheritis may respond well to this remedy. Worsening eye conditions can be emergencies so use this remedy with caution. 

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Try ginger to prevent motion sickness.  One or two pieces of crystallized ginger, available in most supermarkets, before traveling may be effective.  By the way, too much ginger can have the opposite effect.

A spoonful of honey proved more effective than OTC cough syrups and cough supressants when putting a coughing child to sleep.  Honey does have a high sugar content and could not be recommended for diabetics.

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Gargling with plain tap water with a little salt added can prevent upper respiratory infections and relieve symptoms of sore throats and colds.

Bladder infections may be prevented with drinking cranberry juice daily. Those prone to these infections should try this remedy.

Home remedies cannot replace the doctor or pharmacy.  Developing symptoms always should be evaluated.  But as we've heard before, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." 

Dr. Yacht encourages health-related questions. Due to the volume of questions, he cannot personally respond to readers. The opinions provided are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Questions can be emailed to mjyacht58@gmail.com.

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