Healthcare That Works

Today, we have a whole pharmacy full of prescription and over-the-counter medicines at our disposal for the treatment of just about anything that is bothering us. That hasn’t always been the case. In years past, people had to rely on home remedies or folk medicines; sometimes there was nothing else. Some of these remedies were useful and harmless enough, but others are very dangerous and should never be used. Here are three home remedies you definitely want to keep away from.

#1: Using Kerosene to Get Rid of Head Lice

You may have read accounts where parents used a small amount of kerosene to kill the lice in their child’s hair. This was an effective way to get rid of the pests. Unfortunately, it was also very very dangerous. I’m sure you can imagine why this method is clearly one that isn’t recommended anymore, so no matter what you’re told, you should avoid this one at all costs. This remedy is completely unsafe for the following reason.

Kerosene is flammable. If you put it in the hair, and then a child goes near a candle or fireplace, you can have a very bad situation on your hands. It is also extremely toxic, and absorbs readily through the skin. Many children became ill or even died after receiving kerosene as a treatment for head lice.

#2: Using “Azarcon” or “Greta” for Stomach Upset

In many Mexican and Mexican-American communities, the treatment of “empacho,” or general stomach and intestinal distress, was to take a powder. Two commonly used powders were “Azarcon,” and “Greta.” Both of these were almost entirely comprised of powdered lead.

If you take lead internally, even a small amount can be harmful. Many people were hurt or even killed from this remedy. Believe it or not you can still sometimes find these powders for sale. Obviously, do not even purchase or use them.

#3: Putting Butter on a Burn

You may have been told by your mother to smear butter on a burn. This comes from when women would be cooking and burn themselves butter was often handy, and it makes the burn feel better at first. The down side is that the treatment contaminates the burn. If you put butter on a new burn, you are inviting infection because bacteria will grow rapidly in the butter.

We all know we are to respect and listen to our elders. If your elders recommend home remedies, however, you may want to take this with a grain of salt. Often modern medicine knows best.

By: Robert Shorn

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