New Uses for Common Remedies

(Prevention Magazine)

Antacid tablet
It’s for: Heartburn
The effervescent type with sodium bicarbonate helps neutralize the acid that causes painful heartburn symptoms.

But try: Soothing insect bites
"Antacid formulations such as Alka-Seltzer contain aspirin, an anesthetic that can help ease the sting and itch of insect bites," says Howard Sobel, MD, a clinical attending physician in dermatology and dermatologic surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

He recommends making a paste with a crushed Antacid tablet, a pinch of oatmeal (also a skin soother), and water and applying it to the skin. Results are immediate—and this DIY formula has a healing bonus that other anti-itch salves lack. "Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide, which can be drying to the skin," Sobel explains. "Effervescent Antacid tablets provide quicker relief from pain and itching—without the dehydrating side effects."

Mouthwash
It’s for: Freshening breath
"Both types of mouthwash—with and without alcohol— contain antimicrobial properties that reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth," explains Edgard El Chaar, DDS, a clinical associate professor of periodontology and implant dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry.

But try: Preventing athlete’s foot
If you have switched to an alcohol-free version (such as Tom’s of Maine or ACT Fluoride), don’t throw away the old bottle: Use the alcohol mouthwash to keep your feet and toenails pristine. To prevent athlete’s foot, soak a cotton ball with the liquid and swab the bottoms of your feet and between toes after every shower. According to Sobel, the high alcohol content of traditional mouthwash helps ward off fungal infections.

Baking soda
It’s for: Tooth whitening
Many dentists recommend baking soda to help remove superficial stains from enamel, making teeth appear whiter. It also prevents bad breath and gets rid of plaque embedded in the area between the teeth and gums.

But try: Calming irritated skin
Used topically, baking soda takes the sting out of sunburn and minimizes the itch and discomfort caused by a variety of skin conditions (including eczema, prickly heat, and poison ivy). "Sodium bicarbonate is a mild alkaline compound that can help neutralize the pH balance of your skin," says Linda K. Franks, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University. "This ‘buffering effect’ may help quell the inflammation that occurs at the skin’s surface, easing your soreness."

To get relief, place a cup of baking soda under a running bath tap so it dissolves completely, and then soak in the water for about 30 minutes.

Aloe vera
It’s for: Soothing burns
Topical application of aloe gel can speed the healing of first- and second-degree burns.

But try: Eliminating canker sores
"Aloe vera contains vitamins as well as amino acids that help repair damaged tissues," says Irwin Smigel, DDS, president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics. "Several compounds found in aloe vera work together to decrease or prevent inflammation and control pain." A research review found that canker sore sufferers who applied aloe vera gel healed about 50% faster than those who didn’t.

Tea tree oil
It’s for: Treating skin infections
Well-known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, tea tree oil is often applied topically for acne and athlete’s foot.

But try: Getting rid of dandruff
People who used a shampoo with 5% tea tree oil reduced their dandruff 41% and significantly improved the itchiness and greasiness of their scalp, according to a study from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. "You can safely add a small amount of tea tree oil to your own shampoo to get a similar effect," says Sobel. "Just use sparingly, no more than a few teaspoons per bottle, to prevent overdrying of your scalp.

Dark chocolate
You eat it for: Heart health
A few ounces weekly reduces risk of cardiovascular disease (and satisfies a sweet tooth).

But try: Protecting skin from sun damage
Dark chocolate may help protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, finds a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
. Researchers say minimally processed versions of the sweet treat are rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that could prevent wrinkles and cut the risk of skin cancer caused by exposure to sunlight.
(Another good reason to eat more chocolate!)