You learn a lot of things growing up in Amish country.  One of the things that I value the most is the use of natural and home remedies.  We didn't just run to the doctor's office when we were sick.  Normally, there was a home remedy for just about anything that ailed you.  More than likely this is due to the fact that the Amish have no electricity, cars or telephones. They had to learn how to treat various illnesses based upon what was readily available to them.  Even today, when we are sick, our local health food store is normally our first stop.   We had home remedies for nearly everything.  Stains on clothes, how to get your hair to shine, rings on wood tables, you name it, we had a solution.  Some were better than others.  Here are a few to get started.  I will be adding more posts like this this on a weekly basis.

1)  Plugged Sinks:

Pour in one cup or more of white vinegar and a cup of baking soda, then add hot water out of the tap at full force.  When bubbling stops drain should be clear.

2)  Getting Shiny Hair:

After shampooing, pour vinegar over hair, let saturate for a minute or two and rinse thoroughly with very cool water.

3)  Preventing Steam Build up in Bath:

Fill tub approximately 1 inch with cold water prior to adding hot water.

4)  Oder Eliminator For Burnt Food:

Take a small sauce pan, fill several inches with cold water and add 1-2 Tablespoons of vanilla and simmer slowly.

5)  To Freshen the Smell of Towels:

Add 1/2 cup vinegar and 3 Tablespoons of baking soda to your regular laundry detergent.   This is used by a local B&B...they are amazed at the results.

6) Earaches:

Warm "Sweet Oil" and pour directly into the ear.  Provides instant relief from the pain.  Excellent remedy for pain at 2am in the morning.  Allows you to sleep till you can get to the doctor in the morning.  Sweet Oil "Olive Oil N.F." can be purchased at most drug stores and health food stores.

7)  Sore/Scratchy Throat:

Use approx. 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar, add a shake of cayenne pepper and drink.  Another commonly used remedy is Slippery Elm Herbal Tea.

8)  Slugs in Flowers and Plants:

Purchase any beer, the less expensive the better since slugs are not fussy about their beer.  Pour beer in several saucers around plants and flowers.  The slugs are attracted to the beer, crawl into the saucer and drink the beer.  Apparently they die a happy death.

9)   Grime and Grease on Glass:

Use a damp cloth and baking soda and rub over glass.  Repeat as necessary until clean.

10)  Water Ring Removal:

Use a damp cloth add a dab of toothpaste (not gel...use paste only) gentle rub on the ring.  For even more power add baking soda to it and rub into the ring.  We used this on our wood tables at our restaurant and it worked great.