Conventional wisdom swears you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I’m hoping the reverse is true, and I can use that same vinegar to chase nasty bugs away.
After all, the Web says so, so it must be true. 😉 My ongoing sinus issues led me online to search out natural remedies for sinus infections — seems many people swear by apple cider vinegar (“ACV” to those in the know) either mixed with water and sipped or boiled with water and the steam inhaled. I’m giving it a shot — it’s a little hard to swallow, but so is this nagging headache, congestion, and teeth pain. I’ve never actually had a sinus infection before, so this is all foreign territory. But I’ll take a natural remedy over synthetic drugs anyday.
Personally, I believe the cure for every disease and illness exists in nature. That God put all the right ingredients right here, and it’s up to us to figure out how to use them. It’s a shame you can’t find “medicine men and women” wise in the ways of herbs and plants as easily as you can find doctors on every street corner. Or that you can’t go into your local Wal-Mart and find homeopathic remedies as readily as you can find aisle after aisle of chemical concoctions.
Those ancient Indian and Asian cultures have it all over Western Civ when it comes to natural healing. In just a two-minute search, I see that Indian sage is said to relieve fevers, colds, and flu; slippery elm is good for coughs and phlegm; cool witch hazel tea is a great gargle for sore throats. But, here I sit, with nary an all-night homeopath or drive-through Herb Hut in sight. So, I’m limited to what lives in my cupboard — vinegar, honey, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, hot sauce. Heck with a little vodka and tomato juice thrown in, they might be just what the shaman ordered.
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday,
lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
~ Redd Foxx
Writing by Ear 
joe said,
Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Hey, this is so small nobody can read it. What gives?
WritingbyEar said,
Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Not sure what you are seeing, Joe. On my computer, it looks like every other post (except the picture is larger than I normally insert).
Mel L said,
Monday, January 7, 2008 at 8:09 am
thanks, Chris, for jogging my failing memory once again: I’d been looking forward to a good rant about the commercialization of prescription meds! coming soon to melmoirs.
in the meantime, I’d like to guess why there are so few natural healers and so many docs. ummmmmm… decreased profit margin? ’cause once people know how simple and accessible the new cure is, they’ll never be duped into spending thousands on man-made miracle drugs? and believe me, I’m not completely anti-meds or docs or any of it… but something is really wrong with our society when I see more ads for drugs than I do for cars and restaurants. MESSED UP.
WritingbyEar said,
Monday, January 7, 2008 at 9:15 am
Yes, and you just have to be amazed at the long list of side effects (laughable if not so scary) that goes along with every commercial for the latest & greatest drug.
Kevin said,
Monday, January 7, 2008 at 9:25 am
the best thing for sinus problems is saline solution, bought at drug stores, and an individual ‘vaporizer. i have suffered for years from sinuses. there is no chance of abuse here, save maybe a little soreness of the nose after a week of salt solution…my doctor says it is the best possible prescription he can offer!
WritingbyEar said,
Monday, January 7, 2008 at 9:35 am
Thanks, Kev. I’m going to get some! I’ve also seen that people swear by those little teapot-looking things (Neti pots) that you use to rinse your nose out (salt water goes in one nostril and comes out the other). Looks a little gross but it’s supposed to be quite healing and soothing.