Health & Beauty Tips

Candy suggests: "Make a paste for a bee sting of baking soda and water. It will take the swelling down and also the sting and itch associated afterwards."

BREAKOUTS or ACNE - Natural Treatments

1. "TeaTree oil is perfect for this. You can buy it at health food stores & I know that Bath & Body Works carries small vials of the oil, as that is where I purchase mine. Just put a few drops on a cotton swab and dot the oil onto the pimples. TeaTree oil is perfect for drying them right up. If you want to use something you already have at home, a little toothpaste will do the trick as well, just make sure it is paste and not gel toothpaste!" (Submitted by Stella)

2. "I have personally tried using white toothpaste (not the whitening toothpaste) on my breakouts and it works. I just dab some on the breakout with a Q-tip and by morning- ITS GONE!!! Also, for the "Blind" breakouts I use Preparation H. It takes down the swelling and the next night I use the toothpaste. I always use the treatments at night as to not disturb your skin. Also, Tea tree oil (Austrailian) works good also." (Submitted by Cindy)

3. "I've had several people with adult acne tell me that about 1/2 cup of raw apple cider vinegar (the kind you get at health food stores) mixed with water to make a quart,and applied with a cotton ball, keeps them from breaking out."(Submitted by Nancy)

Brushes and Combs - Keeping them Static Free

"Keep your comb & hairbrush lying on a fabric softener sheet in your vanity drawer, it discourages static electricity. If you need a little extra help while combing or brushing just wipe the comb or brush against the sheet. This also makes your drawer smell really fresh!" (Submitted by Connie!)

2 drops lavender
2 drops tea tree
2 drops eucalyptus

Boil a pot of water and remove from the stove. While still steaming, add 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops lavender and 2 drops tea tree. Cover bowl and head with towel and inhale for at least 3 minutes. KEEP EYES CLOSED.

Cleaning Eyeglasses

1. "The techs at my eye doctor's have always used alcohol for cleaning glasses. They use it in a spray bottle which is much more cost effective.It generally will take care of most anything and especially the build up from hair sprays. Spray it on...and rinse it off after rubbing it in a little. Works like a charm,every time." Submitted by Julee.

2. "I am an optician in the State of Washington, and the best formula no matter what type of eyeglasses or coatings you have on your lenses is as follows: Fill a spray bottle (any size will do) with 3/4 rubbing alcohol and 1/4 water. Put in a few drops of dish soap. Spray both sides of each lens and rub clean with a soft cloth. Never use paper towels, toilet paper or kleenex as they contain harsh abrasives that will scratch your lenses." Submitted by Rena

1. Wash your hands! The most common way of catching a cold is by coming in contact with it via your hands. Wash hands for 20 seconds, lathering well and scrubbing in all the nooks and crannies –between fingers, etc. Wash hands often during the day.

2. Take a vitamin C tablet every day or get it naturally by eating vitamin C rich foods.

3. Get plenty of rest, which will help to strengthen your immune system.

4. Also to strengthen your immune system – try to reduce stress, which takes a toll on your body's ability to fight off colds.

4 parts dried lavendar
4 parts dried rosemary
4 parts chopped fresh ginger root or 2 parts ginger powder
2 parts dried eucalyptus

Use 1/2 cup of dried herbs or one to two cups of fresh herbs. Crush the herbs first to release their essential oils. Mix the herbs and tie them into a square of muslin or a handerchief. Hang the bag under the faucet as you fill the tub. The bag can be used to scrub your skin as well.

Colds - Soothing Hot Drinks for Colds

1. I use a thumb sized piece of ginger boiled in water. I call it 'ginger tea'. It really clears my lungs and throat. It also does not have much of a flavor but a strong soothing smell that helps clear nasal blockage. Submitted by Kendy

2. OK, I won't mention melting a peppermint in some bourbon and adding lemon juice and honey;-)) But, something that helps when I get a sore throat is hot spiced apple cider with a handful of red hot candies added. Submitted by Dannie

3. if you add 2 cinnamon sticks to the ginger tea you will have a "cure what ails you ' tea.its great for a cold or flu or upset stomach. Submitted by a reader

4. We always use the old standby, honey and lemon. Put 1/4" of honey in the bottom of a large (12 oz.) coffee mug, squeeze half a lemon into the mug, fill with hot tap water, and microwave for 2 min. Stir and enjoy. Submitted by Nancy

5. I have a recipe for a hot drink especially for colds that I have used for years. Take a coffee mug, add a good splash of fresh lemon juice (or reconstituted if you don't have a fresh lemon) Add boiling hot water almost to top of mug and sprinkle in as much cayene pepper as you can comfortably add. The cayene pepper breaks up mucus in your throat, clears your sinus's and warms your chest from the inside out and the lemon juice has lots of good vitamin C. Submitted by Kari

1. Eat real, home-made chicken soup (not the canned or dried varieties.) It contains a certain amino acid that helps thin mucous, and it's just plain old comforting. See Mom really was right about eating your chicken soup!

2. Gargle with salt water, about one-half teaspoon in a small cup of warm water, to relieve dry, scratchy throats.

3. Drink a lot of liquids - your body needs to be hydrated when you're sick.

4. Take hot baths and showers, and really breathe in that steam. It'll help loosen clogged nasal passages, and it's soothing.You can even run a humidifier in your bedroom while you're sleeping.

5. Soothe your sore, red nose by applying some lip balm, or a bit of petroleum jelly. Use the lotion-type tissues when you need to blow your nose to prevent irritating your nose.

6. Load up on vitamin C by drinking orange juice or by sucking on some vitamin C drops.

7. Taking a clove of garlic or two a day, which supposedly helps to both avoid and fight off a cold. It's better to eat it as is, instead of taking in pill form.

1. Most eye drop solutions are nothing more than saline solution. Buy an eye dropper and fill it with saline solution (that costs 99 cents a pint on sale) and use that when your eyes are dry. Much better than paying $3-$5 for 1 ounce of eye drops!

1. Use a dab of glue on a paper cut to seal it together.

Lemon water is a great way to start the day - it really cleanses the body. For tips, visit our page: " Lemon Water Tips

Easy and Good Lemon Honey Drink for Sore Throats

Christina's note: "This is my favorite drink to sip on when I have a cold or sore throat!"

2 tablespoons pure honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
boiling water

In a small cup, mix together the honey and lemon juice until combined. Add boiling water, and stir. Adjust sweetness according to taste. Very soothing for when you have a cold, or sore throat.

1. Dab on Preparation H to soothe eyes and make them visibly less puffy.

1. Budweiser beer rinse conditions the hair.

2. Cool whip will condition your hair in 15 min.

3. Mayonnaise works great as a heavy-duty conditioner!

1. Replace much of the oil in your recipes with plain, unsweetened applesauce. It's add moistness without all that fat content.

Make-Up Recycling Tip

"Since the powder in compacts seem to fall apart or else you use the middle and have the sides left here's a way to "recycle" it! Take the pressed powder from compacts and crush or break up the remaining pieces. Add a small amount of rubbing alcohol and mix it into a paste. Form into a round flat shape. As the alcohol dries another solid cake forms again. The drying time is several hours but the mixing won't take more than a few minutes!" Submitted by Jeannie.

Makeup Remover Alternatives

1. "I've been using Crisco Shortening for years and years and years! I can't even remember how I thought to try it, but it works like a charm. I just keep a little tupperware container of it in my bathroom, and it lasts just fine for months without going rancid or anything!" (submitted by Laurie)

2. "For removing waterproof makeup I use just plain old baby oil. It works wonderful! And it is cheap." (submitted by Renee)

3. "Use baby shampoo as eye make-up remover. Works great, safe - recommended by my optometrist." (submitted by Victoria)

4. ""Get yourself a large jar of the cheapest cold cream from the dollar store. Slather all over your face with your eyes closed. Wash it off with a wet face cloth or in the shower. Takes all make-up off like a dream and leaves your skin nice and smooth and fresh looking. Have been doing this for 40 years and people are always telling me that I have really nice skin." (submitted by Sandra)

Before you give your child a nasty tasting pill or medicine, try giving him a flavored frozen popsicle to suck on. It'll help to anesthetize their sense of taste long enough to make the swallowing a little easier.

1. Use brewed Lipton tea as a final rinse to add shine.

1. Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish.

Make pantyhose more resistant to runs!

To make pantyhose more resistant to runs, we've got the perfect solution. First, wash new pantyhose and allow to drip dry. Then mix two cups of salt with one gallon of water and immerse pantyhose. Soak for three hours, rinse in cool water, and drip dry.

Prettier Eyes - 9 Natural Tips

1) The best overall eye tonic is eyebright (an herb). Make a tea of it and either use the teabags or soak cotton balls or soft gauze in the tea and apply to eyes as a compress while lying down.

2) For puffy and swollen eyes, make a wet compress of 4 Tbsp. freshly grated raw potato. Place on the eyes for about 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

3) To reduce swelling and for bags under the eyes, brew a cup of strong rosehip tea. Soak 2 cotton balls in the tea or use 2 tea bags, lie down and place over the eyes.

4) For dark cirles, cut a fresh fig in half, place a half over each eye.

5) To soothe tired, irritated eyes, cut the end of a cumber into 1/4 in thick slices. Apply a cool slice to each eye.

6) Raw potato slices laid on sore eyes reduces heat and redness.

7) For eye puffiness, any tea bag (herbal is better, especially eyebright), slightly cooled, placed on the eyes while you rest.

8) For tired or bloodshot eyes, soak sterile cotton balls or soft cloth in cold skim milk. Place over eyes for 10 minutes. Rinse entire face in warm,then cool, water.

9) To lighten dark circles under your eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

1. Elmer's Glue - paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads. Also works to remove splinters or cactus spines-just let dry on your skin.

Stretch Marks

"In response to the reader who wanted to get rid of stretch marks after having a baby: My friend had a baby boy a year ago, and taking a Vitamin E supplement along with rubbing the stretch marks with pure vitamin e oil (can be found in the vitamin section of most stores) virtually diminished all stretch marks. Creams or lotions with vitamin e in them don't work as well as the pure form." Submitted by Rena