True or not?: Your home remedies put to the test
Dr Ginni Mansberg joins Chris Smith to judge your home remedies.
SBS’s new show Medicine or Myth? investigates if there are any truths behind home remedies many Australians swear by.
Chris Smith turned to the open-line to see if our callers’ home remedies really work!
1. Shaving cream helps relieve a sunburn
Listener Bill swears it works wonders.
VERDICT: TRUE
Dr Mansberg says there could be some truth to this!
“It would be quite soothing especially if you had it in the fridge.”
2. Urine helps get rid of blisters
Chris Smith says he heard this when he was younger.
“That’s what I was told by a cricket coach once.”
And caller Barry agrees!
VERDICT: Jury’s out on this one
Dr Mansberg: “I can’t see the theoretical reason why a wee would help with a blister but I’m open to the possibility.”
3. Sulphur and treacle cures acne
Listener Belinda says she drinks half a teaspoon of the concoction and finds her acne is gone!
“You mix it up and you leave it in the fridge.. and it is amazing… it takes like really bad but it works.”
VERDICT: MYTH
Dr Mansberg was surprised by this one and says “generally we don’t recommend any sugar for acne.”
4. Hemorrhoid cream for baggy eyes
Caller Sharon says this works wonders.
VERDICT: TRUE
Dr Mansberg: “It’s got caffeine in it and caffeine is just awesome for constricting the blood vessels.”
5. Apple cider vinegar gets rid of warts
Caller Alan says he has used it on his two children and put a waterproof bandage on top to seal it.
“They haven’t got it back since and it’s been a good couple of months.”
VERDICT: MYTH
Dr Mansberg says she hasn’t seen any proof of this working but says there is some evidence around using duct tape.
6. Tea tree oil helps recurring cold sores
Caller Heather insists the oil dries out the cold sores.
VERDICT: TRUE
Dr Mansberg says it could work for some people but warns to be cautious.
“I would patch test. Make sure you don’t get a huge reaction to it.”
Click PLAY to hear many more home remedies