Old Fashioned Medicinals Still valuable

RUBBING ALCOHOL

  • SUNBURNS
    In the heat of summer days at the beach, we all worry about sunburns. On with the lotion, off with the tan. Do you still get the benefit of Vitamin D?I won’t tell you to forego the lotion, but there is a treatment for when you do get a burn. Rubbing alcohol. Not your regular rubbing alcohol. At your pharmacy there are usually two strengths of alcohol – 70% and 91%.Use the 91% on your sunburn and you should get relief right away. It works on most types of burns. I’m not sure why it works, but it does. If after a few hours you still feel the warmth (not the burning) in the burned area, just reapply. What a difference.This is so much easier and cheaper than all those lotions.
  • COLD SORES
    FYI – this also works on cold sores and canker sores and a variety of other things. 90% is an excellent antibacterial too for cleaning your hands during food prep.
  • INSECT BITES – bee stings and mosquito bites quick relief

WITCH HAZEL

  • Warning – “Witch Hazel purchased from the drug store contains an alcohol that is not intended for internal use.”
  • Witch Hazel is a liquid derived from witch hazel shrubs. It is used medicinally on the skin as an astringent and for various other uses.
  • It is an antiseptic. It can treat acne, puffy eyes, varicose veins, redness, scarring, itching and as a skin refresher.
  • It relieves symptoms of sore throats (gargling), hemorrhoids, and swelling.
  • The Tincture version can be taken internally because the Tincture contains a consumable form of alcohol.  Common ailments treated by the Tincture:
    • Interior and exterior for Varicose veins, leg aches and cramps, phlebitis, hemorrhoids. Acute or chronic diarrhea. Pelvic blood congestion leading to heavy and inter-menstrual bleeding. Uterine or abdominal prolapse. Internal passive hemorrhages. Sinusitis, nasal congestion. Aching muscles from over-exertion (interior and exterior).
    • Externally or as a wash for: skin ulcers, mouth sores, sore throat, tonsillitis, laryngitis, wounds, bruises, sprains, swelling, burns, facial blemishes.
  • I have personally had relief from back pain (micro-discectomy) from very small sips of Witch Hazel. Not sure why.

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Kenneth Capron

About Kenneth Capron

Ken Capron comes from a medical background. His Dad was Maine’s 3rd radiologist. His Mom a Mass General nurse. His sister a Physical Therapist in Maryland. His oldest sister was a Resident Manager of a senior housing facility in Maryland. Ken himself was trained as a CPA with a focus on non-profits and healthcare. He worked as Controller at Wentworth-Douglas in Dover and then six years as Director of Accounting at Maine Med. Ken likes to say he’s had 16 different careers – from Real Estate Broker to hobby store owner. Ken also is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. In 2013, Ken founded MemoryWorks to provide support to people with dementia, their caregivers and all the providers that care for PWD.