6 Home Remedies That Should NOT Be Used

Nowadays we have access to a lot of information about home remedies. We know that they help us to treat or prevent health or aesthetic problems, without having to spend a lot of money on expensive treatments. Thus, we can improve our lives with the help of natural medicine.

Many people recommend natural remedies because they are effective and handy. But  experts warn us that not all of them have positive effects and that sometimes they can do more harm than good.

Given the opinions of specialists about the negative effects that some home remedies can have, we invite you to discover 6 remedies that it is better not to use.

Exfoliant from peels and dried fruits

Natural exfoliants are among the best remedies for deep cleansing the skin and removing excess dead cells.

However, it is important to be careful what ingredients we use to prepare these remedies. Some products can injure the skin, causing microlesions that can even leave scars. 

For example, some natural exfoliants made from pistachios, walnut shells or crushed almonds, combined with olive oil, can injure the skin surface due to roughness. The same thing happens when you exfoliate your skin with peels.

Homemade enemas

Homemade enemas are made by inserting a stream of water into the rectum to stimulate the activity of the intestines. In some cases, coffee is used because it is mistakenly believed that this product helps to clean them.

This practice is very wrong. Specialists warn us that it is dangerous to have enemas at home, because  we risk piercing the large intestine or producing side effects that can even lead to death. That is why doctors recommend that we do not resort to these remedies, especially at home.

Instead, we can ask the pharmacist for advice on remedies for constipation, or we can go to the doctor for proper treatment.

Treating acne with toothpaste

Treating acne with toothpaste is a well-known practice because it has proven to be effective over time. The toothpaste baking soda dries the pimples and, as a result, the acne gradually disappears.

However, although experts agree that the baking soda in the composition of the toothpaste could have a positive effect, the chemical compounds could irritate the skin. Among the most harmful components in toothpaste are: alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and menthol.

Treatment of vaginal infections with yogurt

The basis of this remedy is the belief that yogurt contains acidophilus, a bacterium that helps us get rid of other harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of yogurt against vaginal infections has not yet been proven.

According to Mary Jane Minkin, a gynecologist and professor at the Yale School of Medicine, the use of sweet or flavored yogurt, usually stored in the refrigerator, is strictly forbidden because the sugar in its composition can cause even more severe vaginal infections.

Instead, you can eat yogurt regularly, especially when taking antibiotics, to avoid infections, but never use it intravaginally.

Home remedies not recommended: egg white toning mask

Egg whites are said to provide firmness to the skin, which is why many women use this remedy. However, according to experts, there is no evidence of its effectiveness. 

The confusion stems from the fact that the skin becomes firmer when the egg white dries on its surface. But the skin returns to its original appearance when the yogurt is removed from the face. Moreover, you risk a salmonella infestation if the egg white reaches the mouth.

 Treating burns with butter

Butter is believed to have the property of soothing and healing burns caused by fire or sun exposure. Totally wrong, because butter is the perfect element to keep bacteria and produce an infection. Instead, specialists recommend cold water and antibiotic ointment.

Follow the tips above and avoid using home-made remedies that could have negative effects.