V is for Vick's

I used to take care of a patient that ate Vick's when he had a chest cold.   Yes he ate it.  I don't recommend this but I do have a couple of  uses for Vick's beside as a chest rub.

*For night time coughs apply Vick's to your feet and put on a thick pair of socks before bedtime.  This relieves the coughing.

*Vick's can also alleviate headaches.  Dab some Vick's behind your ears.  I know it sounds kooky but it really works.

Sock it to me

For minor aches and pains a heating pad can bring relief.  You can make your own microwaveable heating pad.  You take a clean sock and fill it with either dry corn or dry rice.    You can sew it closed if you are so inclined.   For those of us who don’t sew you simply secure the other end with a rubber band and/or ribbon.  Microwave for one minute followed by thirty second intervals until you reach a desired temperature.   The sock will conform to where the ache is.  This works really well for neck pain.   

feelin the burn

Ever since I got pregnant with my second son I have had a problem with heartburn.  I am not talking about a little discomfort.  I mean wake you up out of a deep sleep, throat on fire heartburn.  I was going through a bottle of antacids every couple of weeks.  I only used a particular kind and flavor that cost around $4 a bottle.  I thought it was well worth the price.  One night it was a wake up on fire night.  I went to the bathroom, opened the medicine cabinet and confronted my worst nightmare.  I was out of antacid.  I was in a panic.  What was I going to do?  Then I remembered my uncle Doug telling me that he eats baking soda when he had heartburn.  Hmmm  was it worth a try?  At this point I was willing to try anything.  I could not make myself eat baking soda but I was willing to drink some dissolved in water.  I took a spoonful of baking soda and disolved it in a small amount of warm water.  I held my nose and chugged it down.  I stood there for a couple of seconds and proceeded to  have the biggest burb in my life.  Relief was instantaneous.  No more antacids in this house.  Instead of paying $4 for a bottle of antacid I pay under a dollar for a box of baking soda.  I will warn you it does not taste the greatest but it is totally worth it!