Honey and cinnamon, either as a hot drink or, spread thickly on bread and butter, will stop the worst cough in its tracks.

A very bad sore throat can sometimes be stopped in its tracks by chewing garlic and gargling the mash with water. It ‘burns’ the tongue a bit, but works. Garlic [the smelly bit] is equivalent to a particular big name antibiotic for some diseases.

I see the ads on TV for expensive treatments for cracked heels. Just as effective (if not more!) is to apply a coating of petroleum jelly (generic of course!) to the cracked/rough area. Cover with a piece of cling film, then a cotton sock (to keep it in place). Pumice away the dead skin in […]

Avoid an expensive gym membership and get variety in your workout by having a buddy system. If you have a friend who has different exercise equipment/DVDs etc to you then organise a swap, or better yet take turns visiting each others house (change of venue can increase motivation). This means you can get variety in […]

For fitness, use the internet and do bodyrock. You can find it on youtube. Bodyrocktv is popular and free!

Here’s a helpful hint if you have children with allergies who suffer from anaphylaxis. You will already know that life-saving Epipen or Epipen Junior is very expensive. They are absolutely essential but not subsidised by Pharmac, and through your GP or local pharmacy they cost close to $200. The Epipen expires after a year, whether […]

For minor burns and scalds use fresh aloe vera. No need to buy ointment, just have a couple of these plants growing in the garden or in pots. After cooling skin with cold water, cut off a fleshy leaf and dab on the sticky juice. Apply repeatedly, slicing the leaf back and using fresh juice […]

Another beauty tip. Keep a few used tea bags in the fridge. Makes a great moist compress for puffy eyes in the morning. Its the caffeine that does the trick, that being the main ingredient in the expensive eye creams.