Almost every household has aluminum foil stored in the kitchen. People use it to prepare or store food, but only a small number of people know that it also has a place in folk home practices.
So, besides using this foil for cooking, some people also use it for everyday complaints. There is a wide range of traditional applications of this material, from easing tiredness to comfort during a common cold. These uses come from folk tradition and are not confirmed by solid scientific studies.
Refresh a Tired Face
People have used aluminum foil for a tired, puffy face for many years. To use the foil for this purpose, put a few strips of it in the freezer and leave them there for at least three hours.
After that, put them on the face (make sure that the eyelids or the cheeks are covered) and leave them like that until you notice that the area is relaxed.
When you remove the foil, the cooling effect may leave your face looking fresher and less tired after a night of poor sleep.
Ease Discomfort in Your Joints
In folk practice, aluminum foil is also used for painful conditions including gout, arthritis, heel pain and sciatica.
The method is simple: wrap some aluminum foil all around the problematic area of the body and secure it with a medical bandage. Let the wrap stay on during the night. The procedure is usually repeated for at least ten and a maximum of 12 days, followed by a 15-day break. If the pain is still present, some people repeat it. Results vary, and persistent pain should be checked by a doctor.
Protect a Recent Minor Burn
Only a small number of people know that aluminum foil is sometimes used as an outer cover over a dressing on minor burns. For a small, fresh burn, first wash the area with cold water and after that use a soft cloth to dry it.
Next, apply a layer of burn balm and put sterile gauze on top. Finally, wrap the sterile gauze with aluminum foil and use a medical bandage to keep everything in place. Leave it on until the pain starts diminishing. Large, deep or blistering burns need medical attention.
Phantom Pains
People who have had an amputation, or who have unexplained phantom pains, sometimes turn to aluminum foil as well. In folk practice, the foil is wrapped around the problematic limb and secured with a medical bandage, and it is removed once the pain has passed. Talk to your doctor about phantom pain, since there are medical options that can help.
Comfort During a Cold
You never know when a cold or the flu might strike, so many people like to know natural ways to feel more comfortable. One folk practice is to use aluminum foil. Just wrap the feet in six or seven layers of this foil and wait for about 60 minutes before removing them. Free the feet for two hours and use the aluminum foil again. People who follow this practice repeat it three times a day for a period of one week. Some people report that it helps them feel better, but results vary.
Via Quick Recipes
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.