A Dab of Listerine

I remember visiting my Granny's house in, what I would later learn, "the projects," albeit the rural projects. I loved playing on the porch and sitting in the vintage metal patio furniture and playing out back on the hill, running around the clothesline. I remember the elderly neighbor who would delight in giving my sister and I quarters. I would then sneak it right back into his coin jug.

I remember the array of foods my Granny would fix EVERY time we visited (and we visited a lot). She would have a pot on every eye of the stove and her cast iron skillet in the oven, for the cornbread, of course. On the table would be pickled this or that, fares that didn't quite meet my juvenile taste buds' approval. Rutabagas were often on the menu, as was the seven layer chocolate cake, made, no less, with her homemade chocolate icing.

Naps after lunch were easy to come by, especially when the sun shone on her quilted bed. I had a hard time waking up on those sunny Sunday afternoons.

I remember my Granny's closets being packed full of yard sale items. She and her church friends were yard sale regulars, either as vendors or patrons. And we were always tempted with one of her rummage treasures, taking a doll or other sundry home with us on more than one occasion.

Perhaps one thing that sticks out above the rest is my Granny's advocation of Listerine. Got a bug bite? Rub some Listerine on it, she'd say. Have a blister? You guessed it, reach for the Listerine. It seemed there was no limit to her medicinal cure-all.

Turns out, she was onto something.

Among many others (you can do your own research), here is a list of some helpful uses for the age-old antiseptic:

Uses for Listerine

Acne
Original Flavor Listerine works great as an astringent when it comes to acne. After washing your face with soap and water, saturate a cotton ball with Listerine and apply to face. Pay special attention to blemishes. Leave the antiseptic mouthwash on your face until you feel the tingling stop (usually around 10 minutes). Then rinse your face with warm water to remove the Listerine and follow up with cold water to re-close your pores.

Bee or Wasp Stings
When stung by a bee or a wasp, apply some Listerine to the stung area. It will relive the pain almost immediately.

Blisters
To keep blisters from becoming infected, dab a little bit of Listerine mouthwash on it.

Body Odor
In a pinch, Listerine works great as an under arm deodorant because the antiseptic kills the bacteria that causes perspiration odor. Simply soak a cotton ball in Listerine and dab it under your arms. (Do not use if you have just shaved, however, because it will burn.)

Canker Sores
Listerine can help canker sores heal quicker because the antiseptic it contains will kill the bacteria that irritates the sore. Simply rinse your mouth with this mouthwash whenever canker sores are a problem.

Cleaning
Listerine works great in a pinch as a household cleaner because it disinfects and deodorizes. Mix equal parts of Listerine mouthwash with equal parts water and put in a spray bottle. This mixture can be used to clean toilet bowls, floors or even as an all purpose cleaner. It works well for mold and mildew as well.

Cuts and Scrapes
Because Listerine is an antiseptic, it will prevent cuts and scrapes from getting infected. Pour a little bit of Listerine over the cuts and scraps, and dry with a clean towel.

Dandruff
Listerine actually used to advertise on its bottles that it is great for curing dandruff. While they have removed that advertisement, many people still swear by its effectiveness. After shampooing with your regular shampoo and rinsing your hair, rinse your hair with Listerine.
   
Hives
Listerine is great when used as an anti-itch formula. Apply the Listerine mouthwash to the hives with a saturated cotton ball to get rid of discomfort.

Lice
Another lesser known use of Listerine is to get rid of head lice. Listerine contains thymol which not only kills lice but will also prevent reinfestation. Thoroughly wet your head and scalp with Listerine and cover with a shower cap. Leave the cap on for about two hours. Then wash hair as usual. This remedy can also be used on family members as a preventative measure if they have been in close contact with someone who is infected.

Skin Rashes
Listerine is also effective in reducing the itching that is associated with skin rashes caused by such things as poison ivy, poison oak and other skin irritants.

Shingles
Listerine supposedly works wonders when it comes to the itching that is associated with Shingles. Simply use a cotton ball or cloth soaked in Listerine and apply to itchy areas.

Toothache
Listerine is also very effective in numbing the pain of a toothache, lost filling, broken tooth or exposed cavity. Because it is an analgesic, it will not only instantly relive the pain of the exposed nerve, but it will also keep the area numb for quite awhile.