Headache Help
Next time you need relief from the pounding misery of a headache, go with Joe. A study published in the journal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics examined tension headache sufferers and found that 61 percent of those who consumed 200 mg of caffeine (about the amount in a couple of cups of strong coffee) had “significant improvement” in their headaches. Caffeine seems to quell headache pain by constricting blood vessels, thereby preventing them from pressing against tender nerve endings. For even more effective relief, try combining the coffee with ibuprofen. Eighty percent of study participants who used both caffeine and this anti-inflammatory reported “meaningful” improvement in their head pain.
Flake First-Aid
Combat dandruff with an après-shampoo rinse of mouthwash. “Look for those with peppermint oil, an antimicrobial agent that helps fight yeast, a common cause of dandruff,” says Dr. Ali. But make sure the mouthwash is alcohol-free. “Alcohol dries out the scalp, causing even more flakes.”
Sleep Solution
Wrestling with sleepless nights? Chamomile tea may be the ticket to sweet dreams. “Chamomile is thought to quiet down the brain pathway that controls our level of anxiety,” explains Brent Bauer, M.D., director of the complementary and integrative medicine program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “It has a calming, sedative effect, making sleep easier to come by.” Try drinking two, but no more than three, cups a day, suggests Dr. Bauer.
Wound Wonder
No Band-Aids for a paper cut or cracked skin? Dab on some Krazy Glue. “It works just like the liquid bandages medical professionals use,” notes Dr. Ali. “Just make sure the cut isn’t gaping or jagged,” because the edges will be difficult to hold together. “If the wound hasn’t healed when the glue washes off, reapply it.”
Nailing Infections
What’s great for salads and certain nail infections? Vinegar, a product with antibacterial properties. “I recommend vinegar soaks to patients with a bacterial nail infection, usually characterized by green discoloration,” says Dr. Ali. Combine one cup distilled white vinegar and three cups water, and soak the nail for five to 10 minutes daily until the infection clears up.