Each month in my newsletter Health & Healing we run a feature called “Works for Me” where subscribers share health, wellness, and lifestyle tips. It’s a treasure trove of practical, useful information and this blog contains just a handful of these suggestions. Enjoy!
Works for Me: Pennies and Water to Deter Flies
Someone told me that if you put three or four pennies in a Ziploc sandwich bag half full of water and hang it above a door or outside, it will keep flies away. I decided to try it and tied one by the backdoor to the house and pinned a couple more to the posts on the patio. It sounds crazy but it really worked. — D.F., via e-mail
There’s a fair amount of “buzz” about this on the internet from both proponents and naysayers. It appears to work by reflecting and scattering light, which somehow signals insects to stay away. I appreciate the tip and will try it myself. You can read more about natural bug repellants here.
Works for Me: Celery Juice for Lower Blood Pressure
Every day I drink two to four cups of celery juice. This has brought my blood pressure down and I no longer take any drugs. — R.S., Mexico
Celery contains a compound called 3-n-butyl-phthalide, which relaxes the arteries and helps lower blood pressure. Juicing is a great idea, but eating four or five stalks a day is also helpful.
Works for Me: Small Changes, Big Results
My mom is a high school physical education teacher who’s been working at the same school for more than 30 years. Because she lives in a small town, it’s common for her to run into former students while she’s out and about. A few months ago, a girl walked up to her and said, “Hi, remember me?” She’s usually pretty good with faces and names but she just couldn’t place her. She apologized and the girl laughed and said, “It could be because I’ve lost 60 pounds!” Astounded, my mom asked what she’d done to lose the weight. The girl claimed that the only change she’d made was cutting ranch dressing out of her diet! Just goes to show that a little change can go a long way. — Whitaker Wellness Employee
This story is a perfect example of how a minor adjustment in lifestyle can produce major results. I encourage you to try this. Start small: stop drinking soda and other sugary beverages, cut out fast food, or begin walking for 20 minutes a few days per week. Over time, you’ll be amazed at the significant changes that can occur.
Works for Me: A&D Ointment for Seborrheic Dermatitis
I had seborrheic dermatitis, which I believe was aggravated by stress. It was really bad and looked like I had a sunburn that was flaking off. I purchased some A&D Ointment (in the diaper rash section) and applied liberally and often. It worked and it seems safe since it is used for infants. — Barbara M., via social media
A great suggestion for this common red, scaly rash. I’ve also used diaper rash cream with vitamins A and D and zinc to speed healing of skin wounds. The stuff’s cheap, too.
Works for Me: Prolotherapy Instead of Surgery
After I learned about prolotherapy, I asked my orthopedic surgeon about it. He said it was “nuts” and that we should continue with cortisone treatment or surgery, as both are well proven. On further review, I found the University of Wisconsin’s Osteopathic Medical School had done scientific tests showing very good success. I finally found an osteopath who was trained in prolotherapy, and after four treatments I am pain-free and able to play tennis, golf, and ski again. Gone are the cortisone, back surgery, and pain. In fact, a couple of my friends who gave in to surgery say it was the dumbest thing they did. I should add that my insurance would not pay anything for the treatments that were so successful, but they paid 100 percent for the useless cortisone and 80 percent of the equally useless prospective back operation. — T.C., via e-mail
Prolotherapy is an excellent treatment for back, neck, shoulder and other types of pain. To learn more about receiving prolotherapy at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, call 866-944-8253 or fill out this form for a complimentary consultation with one of our Patient Services Representatives.
Works for Me: Lifestyle Changes for High Cholesterol
A few years after I first subscribed to Health & Healing, my doctor informed me that my cholesterol was a very high 341 and he was giving me a prescription for Lipitor. Thanks to Dr. Whitaker’s info, I knew the damaging effects of this dangerous drug, so I informed my doc I wasn’t going to take it. He was quite alarmed. My cure? I ate salmon three times a week, cut out all high cholesterol foods, and took red yeast rice and 2,000 mg of omega-3 fish oil daily. I also exercised at least 20 minutes every day. When I was retested, my cholesterol was 141. My doctor was in disbelief. That was 18 years ago, and my level is still below 200. This is a true, authentic testimony. — G.T., Las Vegas, NV
Another great testament to the power of natural supplements and lifestyle changes. Great job, G.T.!
Works for Me: Honey for Insect Stings
You have written about sugar and honey for wound healing, and I would like to make one addition that people should find very interesting. One day while on a filming location in Chatsworth Park, I was stung by a wasp or yellow jacket (I can’t tell the difference). It really hurt, so I went over to the catering truck that is always on set and asked for some ice to put on the sting. An older lady from down South told me to put some honey on it instead. I thought she was crazy, but I tried it. The honey took away the pain almost immediately. I was amazed that it worked so fast, but it seems the honey has enzymes that neutralized the toxins from the sting. I have always remembered that in case I ever get stung again. — Robert B., Oakhurst, CA
Great suggestion. Though I’m not certain about the enzymes in honey neutralizing toxins, I can tell you that honey does have several medicinal properties, from healing open sores and burns to relieving itching due to several skin conditions. I’m not surprised it works on insect stings, too. Other remedies you might try include a paste made from baking soda or unseasoned meat tenderizer mixed with a little water, hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion, and ice to control swelling.
Share Your Works for Me Tips
Have tips of your own that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them. Send them to me at [email protected] or post them on my Facebook page. Your suggestions may appear in a future blog or issue of Health & Healing.
