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Originally Posted by Monomer
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Thanks Monomer
An interesting article.
Lots of stuff I had not heard of
We have used the salt, red wine-carpet thing many times!
I liked this
Relieve stings, bites, and poison ivy (fortunately we don't have Poison Ivy in Oz but there are a few other stingy trees)
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Salt works well to lessen the pain of bee stings, bug bites, and poison ivy:
* Stung by a bee? Immediately wet the sting and cover with salt. It will lessen the pain and reduce the swelling. Of course, if you are allergic to bee stings, you should get immediate medical attention.
* For relief from the itching of mosquito and chigger bites, soak the area in salt water, then apply a coating of lard or vegetable oil.
* When poison ivy erupts, relieve the itching by soaking in hot salt water. If the case is very unfortunate, you might want to immerse yourself in a tub full of salt water.
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This was also interesting for different reasons.
I used to make (Still do a bit) make Pot Pourri commercially
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Make a scented air freshener
Buying fragranced air fresheners can get expensive. Here is a wonderful way to make your room smell like a rose any time of the year: Layer rose petals and salt in a pretty jar with a tight-fitting lid. Remove the lid to freshen the room.
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The original "potpourri" was made like this layering scented flowers and foliage with salt (I guess the logic was salt preserves everything else why not fragrance) As salt is hydroscopic, the moisture would have helped the flower/foliage fragrance permeate the room.(no moisture=nose can't smell=no fragrance)
Eventually all salt flowers and foliage would "compost down" into a black tarry but hopefully nice smelling substance. It would be hard to sell commercially today though!
When the Normans invaded England they saw these pots of salt and herbs and called them "Pot Pourri"! literally translated to "Rotten Pots" !
Hence the name to today pronounced with varing amounts of "French" accent!
Just don't ask for Pot Pourri when in France. you never know what you will get!
