Beating Menstrual Cramps and Bloating

It's that time of the month again. You keep finding yourself checking the back of your jeans in the mirror in paranoia. You scornfully look at your pants in frustration as you roll around in your jeans trying to zip them up while sucking in your bloated belly. You wake up in the fetal position from pain staking cramps and you find yourself searching for meds like hobbits searched for Rings. (I never watched Lord of The Rings so excuse me if that's inaccurate.) Anyway, the moral of the story is that while we are usually grateful when we get our period, we are never quite prepared for the game of Russian Roulette that is PMS side effects. Well it is my one woman mission to find you ladies remedies and being that mine have been milder than usual thanks to some of these remedies, I thought it was time to share.
 
B Vitamins
B Vitamins have been known to relieve menstrual cramps and bloating especially B6, which can reduce bloating by acting as an enzyme catalyst and improving cellular function. In the book "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," it states that patients given a multivitamin with high doses of B6 and magnesium have 70 percent reductions in premenstrual and post-menstrual symptoms; this includes menstrual cramping. B3 is also a beneficial vitamin  and may relieve menstrual cramping by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the uterus. I take a daily hair, skin and nail vitamin that is rich in B Vitamins, but B Complex is also a great source of B Vitamins. Go to your local Health and Nutrition Store to speak with a nutritional expert or talk to your doctor about a good B Vitamin regimen for you.
  
Diced Pineapples
Fresh pineapples have an enzyme that is thought to relax muscles thus relieving menstrual cramps.

Ginger
Did you know that ginger is said to be a tried and true cramp remedy. So drink a few glasses of ginger tea or if you love the spice of the ginger, you can go to many ethnic markets and buy ginger juice.  However, if you are a smoothie-aholic like myself go to the grocery store or your closest juicer and have them add a healthy dose of ginger to your next drink.
 
PMS Prevention
 1. Eat Less High Sodium Foods
Eat less high sodium food the week leading up to your period, like canned soups and salty snacks, because salty foods causes the body to retain water.

 2. Don't Drink Caffeinated Beverages The Week Before Your Period
Caffeine can cause muscles to  constrict and worsen menstrual cramps.

3. Soak In Some Suds
Take a warm bath with bath salts before bed instead of the shower during the week of your period to relax the muscles.




DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Corn Natural Remedies

Women tend to have a love/hate relationship with their toes. Mine began the first time that I realized that shoe sizes were not negotiable and seriously tried to figure out a way to get rid of my pinky toes in an attempt to fit into some sexy peep-toed Aldo shoes on Sale that were made to fit munchkins. For some reason I convinced myself to buy them because they "looked long." Our obsession with sexy, tight, pointed strappy shoes has often led to calluses and corns, and caused many of us to dodge foot massages from boyfriends and limp our way through parties. Below is a natural remedy to try to get rid of those bothersome corns.

Corn  Natural Remedies

If you want to create your own corn-softening recipe, all you need is 5 aspirin, a little lemon juice (natural or the bottled version), water and saran wrap. Plain aspirin contains salicylic acid, the same active ingredient that is in many medicated corn pads. In order to make the corn softening paste follow these steps:

1. You must first crush the 5 aspirin. Place the aspirin between paper and use either a hammer or spoon to crush them.

2.  Place the crushed aspirin in a bowl

3. Place one teaspoon of lemon juice into the bowl

4. Place half a teaspoon of water into the bowl and mix it until a thick past is formed

5. Place the thick paste on your corn and wrap saran wrap around it. Then place a heated towel around the saran wrap for 10 minutes.

6. After you remove the towel and saran wrap, use a pumice stone and scrub off the soft skin

 DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Effective UTI Remedies and Prevention. No Cranberry Juice Needed!

For the longest time, I believed I was the sole woman who experienced Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). I believed that every time I ran to the store and got a gallon of cranberry juice it was like flaunting my scarlet letter. But then I started to observe and realized that I was not alone in line with an attitude and a gallon of Ocean Spray. Four years ago, I was introduced to a fast acting home remedy (by my grandmother of all people) that helped with the symptoms of my urinary tract infection and in some cases have cured them. I have gotten so much positive feedback that I felt it was my obligation to not only spread the knowledge but to teach about prevention. 

Instructions

1. Take 2-3 teaspoons of Baking Soda and stir it into an 8 ounce glass of water, then drink it

2. After drinking the water/baking soda mixture, follow up by drinking an 8 ounce glass of water

3. Repeat until the symptoms subside, do this for 2-3 days

4. Avoid citrus drinks, coffees, tomato juices and alcohol when you have a UTI because these drinks can cause urination to be more painful

Urinary Tract Infection Prevention

1.Urinate after sex. Urine will push out the bacteria that makes its way up the urethra during intercourse

2. Spermacides and diaphragm alter the bacteria in the vagina, making you more likely to contract UTIs, so try other forms of birth control

3. Eat more yogurt! Some studies have shown that women who eat yogurt frequently have less instances of UTIs, most likely do to the beneficial bacteria that keep bad bacteria in check.

DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Natural Gallstone Removal and Liver Cleanse Pt 1

Our livers are the soldiers of our bodies, which is why we must give them the treat of a cleanse every once in a while. They never complain as we pump toxins into them through alcohol filled girls nights, caffeinated beverage addictions, medications, pesticides from the food we eat, preservatives in the food that we eat, overeating etc. Societal structures and limited time has led to the need for food to be produced quickly and to have long shelf lives, as a result we eat more food with minimal nutritional value in exchange for convenience. We are eating less fresh fruit and vegetables and more cholesterol filled meat and dairy products. These activities may lead to gallstones.

According to WebMD "Gallstones develop when cholesterol and other substances in the bile form crystals that become hard stones in the gallbladder." Fortunately, there are ways to naturally cleanse the body of minor bothersome gallstones. The video below will give step by step instructions on how to remove gallstones. But this video is not solely for people with bothersome gallstones. Cleansing the liver can lead to more effective bowel movements, clearer skin and reduction in flare ups with some food allergies. Check it out and let me know what you think. I have heard from many people who have tried similar treatments with much success and I will be doing the same soon.

 DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Stop The Snoring

Do you scare away children and lovers when you sleep and you don’t know why? Have you been told that you snore and still choose to believe that people tease about that sort of thing? Have you snored so loud that you woke yourself up at one point? You might have a problem sweetheart. Fortunately, there are some easy and…not so easy natural solutions to decrease and in some cases eliminate your snoring problems easily.

Cut Out Bad Habits

1.     Don’t Eat A Heavy Meal or Drink Alcohol 3 Hours Before Sleeping. Doing either of these activities can cause your throat muscles to relax more than normal, which leads to snoring

2.    Shed Some Weight. Women are beautiful no matter what size they may be however sometimes our bodies have ways of letting us know when our weight has gone from natural to excessive. Snoring is one of those ways. Losing 10% of your body weight if you are overweight can help ease the constricting of the upper airways.

3.    Quit Smoking. Tobacco smoke swells the throat and narrows the airways, because the smoke irritates the mucous membrane.

Get In a Good Position

1.    Prop Yourself Up. Rather than lying flat on your back when you sleep, buy some extra pillows and prop yourself up! It will prevent tissues in your throat from blocking your airways.

2.    Sleep On Your Side. When you sleep on you back it causes your tongue and part of your palate to rest against the back of your throat, blocking you airway, so if possible sleep on your side. If your bed is against a wall or chest, prop your back up against it so you don’t roll over. Or sew a pocket on your pillow and place a tennis ball in it so if you begin to roll on your back during your slumber, you will hit the tennis ball, prompting you to move back into position.

Get Your Nose Together

1.    Fight Nasal Congestion. Take a decongestant or antihistamine  before you go to sleep if you are dealing with a stuff nose.

2.    Nasal Strip It Up.  Buy some nasal strips at your local drug store. They lift open the nostrils and increase airflow.

3.    Gargle with Peppermint Mouthwash. Do this before you go to bed and it shrinks the lining of the nose and throat..

 DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Headache Remedies To Try

Today at the office, it seemed like everyone was getting headaches. So I couldn't think of anything more appropriate than dedicating today's entry to headaches. Below are some simple remedies to try the next time you have a headache.

Accessorize Your Head
Tie a bandana or scarf around your forehead very tightly. Once you can feel the pressure around your head, tie a knot. Reducing blood flow to your scalp may help relieve swollen blood vessels which are sometimes the source of pain.  Some people have noted that they soak their headbands in vinegar before tightening them for better results. (Note: Make sure you tie a knot that you can easily untie. The last thing you need is a headache and a panic attack because your bandana won't unknot.)

Heat Your Feet
Soaking your feet in hot water as strange as it sounds will help your head feel better. Soaking your feet draws blood from your head to your feet, which will help ease some of the pressure in your head. If that seems too bothersome, get a pedicure.  The soaking of your feet should be sufficient. Once you finish soaking your feet, place a cold wash cloth or frozen vegetables on your head where the pain originates. This will constrict blood vessel, so they can shrink and possible not press on the sensitive nerves.

Drink Some Ginger
Mix a tea spoon of ginger into some water and drink it. Ginger has been traditionally used to treat headaches and seems to work. If grinding up ginger seems like too much work, many African and Caribbean stores carry fresh ginger juice or you can add ginger to a smoothie. It has a bit of a kick to it so you may not need to so generous with how much you put in your drink.

DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Tips To Help Lower Your High Cholesterol

Six months ago, one of my good friends contacted me for recipes of mine that she could try because she now wants to be a vegetarian. I asked her why and she informed that she had high cholesterol, and wanted to take control of her health and diet. I was surprised. Naively, the first things I said were, "How could this happen? You are so skinny and young!!!" In one moment of surprise, all of my medical knowledge completely escaped me.  Then I realized many of my friends and their parents either have high cholesterol, have borderline high cholesterol, or are just worried about high cholesterol in general. Thus I wanted to provide tips on how to help prevent high cholesterol.

Eat Breakfast

1. Oatmeal contains a soluble fiber, which forms a gel like substance in the intestines to reduce the absorption of the fat you eat.

2. Drink a glass of orange juice 3 times a day. Some studies have shown that orange juice can increase your HDL (good cholesterol) by as much as 21%.

3. Have a sangria at brunch. Moderate amounts of alcohol, 1 glass a day for women or 2 glasses of day for men can increase your HDL (good cholesterol).

Cut Out The Junk Foods

1. Limit or eliminate foods with "Saturated fats" , "Trans fats", "Palm Oil" and "Coconut Oil" This can be done simply by buying leaner cuts of meat and not consuming store bought cakes, cookies, doughnuts and chips that can clog arteries.

2. Buy Low Fat Dairy Products when you purchase them. So if you have to eat dairy buy low fat yogurt, 2% milk or lower, and yes maybe even try soy ice cream.

Get Some Good Fat

1. Snack on nuts, they are packed with unsaturated fats and omega-3s

2. Have an avocado a day. This alone could lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) by as much as 17%

3. Eat Peanut butter! I know this sounds crazy because peanut butter has so many calories, but most of the its fat is unsaturated.

Eat More Fish

1. Try to eat fish 3 times a week. Fish are filled with Omega-3 fatty acids that lower your LDL cholesterol.

2. Try some clams. Clams are high in sterol, which are chemicals that help prevent your body from absorbing cholesterol.

Tip: If you don't like fish, take a daily fish oil supplement that contains both EPA and DHA. Take 1mg twice/day.

DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Make Your Own Moisturizer

Your skin is not only your largest organ but it's often your first impression to the world. If it's too dry, you look lackluster, sickly and dare I say it "old." If your skin is too oily you become very noticeable but for all the wrong reasons. I've bought expensive lotions that promise to moisturize but are way to fragrant and difficult to rub in, and I've bought cheap ones that require multiple applications a day to keep you moist. But I didn't try making my own homemade moisturizers until I was recently informed by a friend who's skin I fawned over. She literally glowed, so I asked her what product she uses and she informed me that she makes her own lotions. So I felt compelled to share the knowledge. Learn how to make your own below.

IF YOU WANT GLOWING SKIN

If you really want glowing skin just add Almond Oil to ALL of your moisturizers. It not only locks in moisture but it's a cheap and easy way to make your skin glow.

IF YOU HAVE NORMAL SKIN

Ingredients:

 egg whites, honey, almond oil

Instruction:

1. Beat 1 egg white thoroughly and

2. add 1 tsp of honey and

3. Stir in 3 drops of almond oil. After you use it, refrigerate it and it will be good for about 4 days.

IF YOU HAVE OILY, BLEMISHED SKIN

Ingredients:

Yarrow tea, witch hazel, Cetaphil creme, Distilled water

Instruction:

1. Boil some yarrow tea in distilled water

2. After the tea cools, place 3.5 oz into a bowl

3. Add 1 oz. of witch hazel into the bowl

4. Lastly, stir in the Cetaphil cream

5. After applying place the bowl in the refrigerator


DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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The Real Hangover Cure

Until recently, I thought the best remedy for a hangover was coffee, plenty of water and sleep. Yet despite how ineffective that has always been for me, I continued to do it. Then one day I came across the YouTube video of an Aussie father who had a simple hangover cure of pure orange juice and raw egg that worked in 30 minutes. I thought that this was sure to be malarkey until I began to read all of the comments of just how effective this remedy was.

So of course I was elated to test this remedy on my roommate the morning I found her in agony on the couch wearing the same clothes that she partied in into the wee hours of the previous night. I didn't tell her what was in the concoction and being the hoverer that I am I watched her patiently until she drank each drop (which took forever because she is a slow drinker.) But surely enough a half hour later she was up and moving. Later she let me know that her once throbbing headache was completely gone. Check out the video below for details.

Why This Works?
So according to Reader's Digest 1,801 Home Remedies grapefruit, orange juice and tomato juice speed up the metabolism of alcohol, so that it works its way out of your system faster. The protein found in raw eggs restores many of the nutrients that your body loses as a result of the dehydration caused by mass alcohol consumption. Raw eggs supply selenium, iodine, phosphorus, molybdenum, choline, lutein, vitamins A, B2, B5, B12, E, D and K.

Photo credit: splityarn / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

DISCLAIMER

On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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The Benefits of Beer and Breastfeeding

Who would have thought that beer actually has some health benefits? Not I said the blogger, until I did some deep diving. I was watching Good Morning America and actress and mother Brooke Shields noted that her nanny told her to drink a beer a day to increase milk production and every woman on the panel nodded their heads in agreement without questioning something that seemed so bizarre to me. Being that I do not take hearsay and conventional wisdom as fact, I researched several credible health sites such as the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health as well as several home remedy books and found an overwhelming consensus that in fact beer does increase the production of milk.

How Does It Work?

According to a study done by Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital of the University of Munich, Germany:

"There are clear indications that beer can stimulate prolactin secretion which may enhance lactogenesis both in non-lactating humans and in experimental animals. The component in beer responsible for the effect on prolactin secretion is not the alcohol content but apparently a polysaccharide from barley, which explains that the effect on prolactin can also be induced by non-alcoholic beer."

In summation,  a chemical found in barley helps stimulate breast milk production. Now I know the studies show that this can be achieved through alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer, however before you start sending me hate mail listen closely, I only recommend nursing women have one glass of non-alcoholic beer one to two hours before nursing a day to increase breast milk production. Remember to check with your doctor if you would like to experiment with alcoholic beer. I know that all things are good in moderation, but some people are very loose with their interpretation of moderation, so check with your doctor to see how much alcoholic beer is good for you if that is the route you would like to go. 

 

 http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-true-that-drinking-beer-increases-a-breastfeeding-moms_10303158.bc

DISCLAIMER

On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Effective Bacterial Vaginosis Remedies

A few weeks ago I was out to lunch with some stellar women in Saint Louis and asked what common health conditions they struggled with that they'd like to have some effective home remedies for. Bacterial Vaginosis was the overwhelming response. Lucky for them, I already had an effective remedy in my pocket. Each step is in the video.

Like I always say, make sure you talk to your doctor about all of the remedies you try so you can make sure that you only have Bacterial Vaginosis and not another disease that mimics bacterial vaginosis as a symptom.

Photo credit: an untrained eye / Foter / CC BY-NC

DISCLAIMER

On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Natural Eczema Remedies for You or Your Baby

It seems like every other day I get asked for natural remedies for baby eczema, but I know plenty of adults who have to deal with it as well, so I did some research to help my people get some relief.

Prevention
1.    Do not wash yours or most importantly your baby's clothes with regular detergent
Regular laundry detergent carries harsh chemicals that irritates the skin. Use a fragrance-free and dye free laundry detergent. Consider hand-washing clothes in a sink if your baby has eczema. You also do not want to wash your baby's clothes with everyone else's laundry
2.    In the winter time, use a humidifier in your bedroom or in your baby's bedroom to keep your skin moist
3.    In the summer time, try not to sweat too much
Sweat can agitate the skin, so use an air conditioner when possible

Remedies
1.    Oatmeal Bath
Ground oatmeal is very soothing to itchy skin. The best kind of oatmeal is colloidal. You can either buy it from a convenience store or you can buy regular oatmeal, NOT INSTANT and grind it in a blender until it is powdery enough to dissolve in a tub of lukewarm water
2.    Seal In Moisture
After you bathe, you need to need to use a cream based moisturizer not water. Jamaican Black Castor Oil is very effective at penetrating the skin to deeply moisturize
3.    Eat Fatty Acids
Fatty acids like omega-3s can be helpful in reducing allergic reactions and inflammation, so chow down on some avocados, salmon, and tuna and break out that nut cracker for some walnuts
4.    Put Gloves on Those Hands
People with eczema tend to scratch themselves at night, so put cotton gloves on your hands and if you have a child with eczema and can't find cotton gloves or mittens, throw socks on your hands

DISCLAIMER

On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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Natural Acne Treatments

Most people attribute acne to something that happens during adolescence. Unfortunately, for me and many of you, it's been more of a lifetime struggle. For a while I used ProActiv and was having great results, but after bleaching more than a few of my "nice" towels while drying my face, I began to wonder what those chemicals could be doing to my face. I also wasn't thrilled when I realized I was paying $100 for each order. So I did some research for not only some cost effective remedies for acne but plain ole effective remedies. Here are a few that I have tried and that have worked for me along with the science to back it.

Tea-tree oil

Dab a drop of tea tree-oil on blemishes to help get rid of infections. Studies have found that a solution with 5% tea tree-oil is as effective against acne as a solution with 5% benzoyl peroxide.  Benzoyl peroxide is an active ingredient used most frequently in over the counter acne treatments, such as Clearasil or ProActiv, and it's also found in many prescription acne meds. You can find tea-tree oil in many beauty supply stores.

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

All vinegars contain acids that can flush out pores. Vinegar also kills 99% of bacteria that it touches. I have been experimenting with using apple cider vinegar as a toner for over a month and I must say, "I love it." I wash my face with a mild soap, typically black soap or olive oil soap. Afterwards, I get a plastic bottle and place 1 part apple cider vinegar in it and 1 part water. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can be very strong and have fumes so instead of half vinegar and half water you may want to have 4 parts vinegar to 6 parts water. Whatever, tickles your fancy. However, I would advise against using 100% ACV. It may make your eyes water and the smell can be strong, but it goes away after a few minutes.  Place the solution on a cotton ball and wipe it across your face. Do this twice a day, everyday and watch your acne decrease. You can find apple cider vinegar in grocery stores. Its ridiculously cheap.

Preventing Acne

There is no way to get rid of acne for good...that I know of but these tips may help slow down the occurrences.

1. Avoid wash cloths; they collect bacteria if you use them more than once and irritate the skin

2. Rinse razors with alcohol that you plan on using on your face

3. Don't touch your face; Your hands encounter some pretty dirty things throughout the day and every time you pop a pimple or place your hands on your face as you pout your are collecting bacteria and germs on your face

DISCLAIMER
On Granny's Cures we strive to provide information from credible sources but we are no substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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