OTC Painkillers

The Safest and Most Effective OTC Painkillers

Which pill works best for what ails you? With more than 75 percent of us taking over-the-counter painkillers at least once a month (per a Self.com poll), it's key to know the safest and most effective choice.

Lee Helland, SELF magazine

 

 

Acetaminophen (found in Tylenol)Best for:

• Fever
• Mild to moderate musculoskeletal pain
• Mild to moderate back pain
• Mild to moderate headache

Pain-signal reducer

How it functions isn't well understood, but acetaminophen may block COX-3, a protein that helps send out the body's pain signals. It's not as potent as some other OTC painkillers such as naproxen and ibuprofen, so it's typically effective only for low-intensity aches. If you've had alcohol in the past 24 hours (or plan to), hit the brakes: Too much acetaminophen and alcohol can damage the liver. An advisory committee to the FDA has proposed lowering the maximum daily dose from 4 grams (which may be too much for some people); watch these pages for the new limit. If you feel weak or "off" after use, see a doc, stat.

Aspirin (found in Bayer and Anacin)
Best for:

• Mild toothache
• Moderately sore muscles
• Mild to moderate back pain
  
  
• Blood declutterer

  Aspirin eases pain and inflammation by slowing the production of prostaglandins, molecules that activate pain receptors. The active ingredient, acetylsalicylic acid, also makes blood platelets less sticky, which is why people at risk for heart attack take aspirin to help prevent clots. In many people, acetylsalicylic acid reaches toxicity faster than do ibuprofen and naproxen (the maximum daily dose is 4 grams), so regular use has a higher risk for side effects such as gastric irritation. Thus aspirin is useful for mild to moderate, but not severe or chronic, pain. If you just had or are about to have surgery, steer clear.
  Ibuprofen (found in Advil) and naproxen (found in Aleve)

  Best for:
  • Acute muscle injury
  • Arthritis
  • Joint pain
• Mild to moderate headache
• Lower-back pain
• Moderate to severe headache
• Moderate to severe menstrual cramps
• Anti-inflammatories

  Like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen inhibit prostaglandin production to stop inflammation and pain. But they can also disrupt H2, a gut histamine, stimulating the overproduction of gastric acid and leading to stomach upset and even bleeding, warns Rollin M. Gallagher, M.D., of Philadelphia, past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. If you have a history of stomach problems (like ulcers), these might not be for you. Call your doc if you have stomach pain, vomiting or black stools or if you cough blood after taking one. The max daily dose for ibuprofen is 1,200 milligrams; for naproxen, 600 mg.

The most important ruleListen to your body! An OTC pill that works well for one person may not help another, so trial and error can be your best pal. One caveat for pregnant ladies: Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen can cause heart problems in the fetus, so consult your M.D. before you take any pill.

DISCLAIMER:  THIS is NOT medical advice---consult your medical doctor for that!!!

Mosquito Repellents ALL NATURAL RECIPE

K. I have a similar recipe here but I'm here to pass great information to everyone!

MOSQUITO REPELLENTS   ALL NATURAL

Do It Yourself - DIY

1/4 cup vegetable oil mixed with these essential oils (mix and store in a spray bottle):
8 drops cedar
5 drops eucalyptus
4 drops lavender
2 drops rosemary
2 drops juniper
1 drop peppermint
1 drop cinnamon
1 drop clove
-OR-
2 cups witch hazel
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
20 drops citronella essential oil
20 drops lemongrass essential oil
Mix in a spray bottle and shake well before use.

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry Syrup
1/2 C. dried elderberries
2 tsp. ginger powder (or a 1" chunk of fresh ginger)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 echinacea tea bag
2 C. water
1 C. honey (preferably raw, local honey)

Place everything but the honey in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over med. heat.  Simmer 5 minutes.

Strain liquid into the honey and mix well.

Take 1 tsp. for children or 1 Tbsp. for adults once a day to boost your immunity.  You can take it every 2-3 hours if you are feeling like you might be catching something.  You can also use the "syrup" on pancakes or place it in juice or yogurt. 

*Because of the raw honey I would not give this to an infant or toddler without first checking with your pediatrician! 

~Store syrup in the refrigerator, it will last several weeks.

~This makes a nice addition to a care package for a sick friend.

~You can buy dried elderberries from many herb shops and natural food stores, or you can order them online from here.

~I use echinacea tea that is available at any grocery store, it contains more than just straight echinacea, but I like the flavor.  You could use 1 Tbsp. of dried echinacea if you have some on hand.

http://heart-hands-home.blogspot.com/2011/02/elderberry-syrup-for-immunity.html

Throat Drops

Honey Lemon Throat Drops

"A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down." ~Mary Poppins

These soothing throat drops not only soothe the throat, the lemon helps clear up the phlegm and open the passageways.  There is no corn syrup, artifical colors or additives which makes them great for kids or anyone with allergies.  They are easy to make with just a few simple kitchen ingredients.

Honey Lemon Throat Drops

2 C. sugar
1/2 C. honey
3/4 C. water
juice of 1/2 lemon
1-2 Zinc tablets, crushed (optional)
1-2 Vitamin C tablets, crushed (optional)

Butter an 8"x8" pan. Set aside.

Place sugar, honey and water in medium saucepan. Place pan over medium heat.  Cook and stir until mixture boils, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. 

Turn the heat down to med.-low and continue to lightly boil , stirring occasionally until a candy thermometer reads 285 degrees (soft crack). Approx. 20 minutes total.

Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice. Add zinc and Vitamin C (if desired), letting mixture cool for 1-2 minutes. 

Pour into prepared pan.  Cool for 10 minutes, score top of mixture.  If not cool enough to score, wait a few minutes and try again.

Cool completely.  Break into pieces using score lines. 

You can wrap pieces individually or store in a baggie or other container until ready to use.

Store in a cool dark place.

http://heart-hands-home.blogspot.com/search/label/lemon%20honey%20throat%20drops