A little something to help those gardening aches and pains. . . .
Gardening is great exercise. All that bending and stooping and digging helps strengthen joints and muscles. Simply raking leaves or walking behind a power mower burns 300 calories an hour, equivalent to doing light calisthenics or riding a bike at a modest 8 mph. Continuous shoveling or digging burns 600 or more calories per hour.
When those inevitable aches and pains of gardening become bothersome, you might want to try some of Paul's home remedies. (Keep in mind that these remedies aren't medically proven, and if you think you have an injury that requires medical attention, be sure to see a doctor). These remedies may not help, but they definitely won't hurt you (if you're allergic to any of these products, take note): Sore knees? Rub the cut side of some raw garlic or raw potato on your knees. Or you could brew some parsley tea: steep 1 cup of fresh parsley in 1 quart of water. Drinking three cups per day is said to take the pain away. (Fresh parsley also relieves the itching of mosquito bites).
For minor bruises, try a poultice of grated raw onion and a pinch of salt (figure B); place the poultice on the bruise and the pain should disappear in seconds. For minor scratches, place the inside of a banana peel on the scratch and wrap with gauze. Change the peel every few hours. (This technique is also supposed to be good for poison ivy).
After working in the sun all day, some people complain of sore eyes. Try a poultice of grated apple; rest it on your closed eyelids for about an hour (figure C). Come too close to a skunk? Add tomato juice to your bath water and soak a while.
And finally, for those garden parties that leave you a bit hung over, try this: place a slice of lemon under each armpit, and go back to bed till you feel better. (You may be able to avoid the hangover completely if you drink several glasses of water during and after the party). Remember: before you start any exercise program, you should check with your physician first.
Media
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/gby109_2c_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/gby109_2d_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/gby109_2f_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/gby109_2h_e.jpg",350,450))
