Cut and Keep: 5 Natural (and Bizarre) Methods for Common Health Problems

Recently, people prefer to adopt natural methods rather than dealing with conventional medications. Therefore, here are some various methods offered, all bizarre and original, yet highly effective for different health cases, from headaches to foot warts:

1. Yogurt for Bad Breath – According to several studies, the good bacteria in probiotic yogurt help eliminate bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. A study conducted by Japanese microbiologists found that a diet containing about 85g of plain yogurt (without additives and sugar) daily can prevent the proliferation of "bad" bacteria on the tongue. These bacteria release unpleasant odors that evaporate in the mouth as they process food particles there.

2. Pencil for Headaches – Often, headaches result from stress or anxiety. It may also be that unconsciously, some people tend to clench their teeth or tighten their jaw – actions that strain the muscle connecting the temples to the jaw, thus causing a headache.

The suggested solution lies in... a pencil. Place the pencil between your teeth and hold it without clenching your jaw. How does this help? This action will relax your jaw muscles and prevent pain.

3. Tennis Ball for Foot Pain – Foot massages aren't always possible; however, a tennis ball can be accessible and easy to carry. Place the tennis ball under the arch of your foot to feel relief from pain. Sit down, place the ball under your foot while applying slight pressure on the ball, and roll your foot back and forth over the foot muscles, focusing on painful areas.

4. Chocolate for Cough – Here's another reason to eat chocolate – according to a study published in 2004, chocolate is effective in treating coughs due to a compound called theobromine found in cocoa, which is more effective for treating coughs than codeine, a common ingredient in cold relief medications.

It should be noted that the compound present in chocolate is free of side effects, allowing you to eat chocolate without worry. About 60g of dark chocolate (preferably 70% dark) is equivalent to the dose of an over-the-counter cough medicine.

5. Duct Tape for Warts – Typically, warts are removed by liquid nitrogen during a doctor's visit, which involves significant pain when the nitrogen contacts the skin. The proposed method here works on simple logic: duct tape restricts oxygen flow to the wart, thus preventing its development. The recommendation is according to the WebMD site:

Cut a piece of duct tape the size of the wart, then leave the duct tape on the wart for 6 days (if it falls off, replace with a new piece). After 6 days, remove the duct tape and soak the area in water. Massage the area, leaving the wart uncovered overnight. The next day, repeat the steps until it disappears, but not for more than two months.