6 Weird Home Remedies That Actually Work

As a child, whenever you had a sickness or ailment and weren’t sure how to fix it, grandma was always there, ready to come to the rescue with some obscure home remedy that she learned from her own grandmother. It’s hard not to question the effectiveness of some of those wacky remedies, but it turns out, there’s something to many of them. Here are ailments and corresponding home remedies that science says really work.

1. Sponge Bath For A Fever

If your temperature is rising, you can actually use sponging to contain your fever. Cold water sponging was found to be effective at lowering body temperature, according to a study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 

2. Duct Tape For Warts

If you need a cheap and effective way to get rid of warts, try using some duct tape. Place it over your wart, and the wart should come off within 28 days—research shows that this method is just as effective as cryotherapy. 

3. Ginger For Nausea

If you’re feeling nauseous for any reason, go ahead and get out that ginger root, just like grandma told you to. The herb can help get rid of nausea and even stop vomiting, whether it’s from motion sickness, sea sickness or other stomach issues.

4. Licorice For Corns And Calluses

Grab some licorice (the real kind, not Red Vines), and grate it up, mixing it with some vaseline or petroleum jelly. The combination can help sooth corns and calluses, as licorice contains a natural phytoestrogen (plant-based estrogen) that helps soften the skin.

5. Peppermint Oil For Headaches

When your head hurts, your first instinct may be to take an Advil, but there’s a more natural treatment that can do the trick: peppermint oil. Research from the journal Nervenarzt found that rubbing peppermint oil on your forehead and temples is an effective way to reduce headaches, in as little as 15 minutes.

6. Cold Tea Bag For A Cold Sore

It sounds strange, but the natural acids in tea can help soothe a cold sore. Soak the tea bag in hot water, and then let it cool. Apply it to the cold sore for 5 to 10 minutes, and then repeat the process using fresh tea bags every few hours.