Home remedies

There are a multitude of home remedies out there that are purported to cure everything from alcoholism to zits. A search for "home remedies" returned nearly four million hits. This, along with traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, seems like the perfect field for a scientist to explore - do these remedies work? How effective are they? Could they be adapted for treatments of other diseases? Is there a way to bottle these remedies or make them into an easily poppable pill? I wish someone would test these theories that are floating around and tell me whether I'm barking up the wrong tree.

Some of the latest theories I've heard of, most of which are currently in practice in my own household, include 

Cancer prevention

Supposedly a soup of equal parts ngao bong, literally "cow tying", radishes and carrots will prevent cancer. Ngao bong is a type of plant, resembles sugar cane, and adds a pleasantly sweet taste to the soup.

Healing wounds

The flesh of the aloe vera plant, rubbed on a cut or burn, is supposed to promote healing, although some studies have shown otherwise. In any case, the jury is still out on this one, but that doesn't stop my mom from slathering the family with the stuff anytime someone gets a cut. 

Swelling reduction

Peptase also known as "that smelly component of vomit and papayas (this guy is hilarious!)", is supposed to help reduce swelling. No, I'm not suggesting you eat your own or *shudder* someone else's vomit. Go for the papayas!

Fighting coughs

A glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice sweetened with honey is supposed to set you straight when you have a cough. I'm currently testing the theory, but haven't noticed much improvement. 

Combating cholesterol

1. The oat challenge

Downing a bowl of instant oats, preferably organic, everyday is meant to lower your cholesterol levels in general and boost your HDL to LDL ratio. My dad did it and it seems to work, although of course it won't send your numbers plunging.

2. Ladies fingers

Eating a few steamed ladies fingers everyday (no dressing!) is supposed to help lower cholesterol levels too. Effectiveness unproven.

I want proof! Does it actually work? Someone needs to do some sort of epidemiological study or whatever it is these things are called and come up with some evidence one way or another.

By the way, has anyone discovered the cure for papercuts yet?