Kitchen cures for spring ouches

When a minor accident happens, who wants to run to the pharmacy for a pricey fix? Not you! Turns out there’s no need for that, since pain relief is as close as your kitchen!

Touched the grill? Soak in this

We love barbecuing, but not brushing up against a hot grill. Luckily, Australian scientists say this age-old remedy really is the best: Submerging burned skin under cool water for 20 minutes provides instant pain relief, plus cuts healing time by as much as 45%. Also smart: gently dabbing burns with the inside of a banana peel before bandaging. Brazilian researchers say it calms pain nerves and speeds recovery.

Scraped skin? Coat it with honey

Skin abrasions sting and can feel tight and itchy for 10 days or more. To the rescue: raw honey! Covering scrapes with a thin layer twice daily adds a moisturizing coating that prevents itching, calms inflammation and cuts healing time by 46%, Australian scientists say. Adds microbiologist Thomas Henle, PH.D., honey’s antibacterial compounds help stop scrapes from becoming infected.

Got a cut? Sprinkle on sugar

If you nick yourself with a paring knife, try this: Clean the cut, then sprinkle with sugar before bandaging. A study in the Journal of Wound Care suggests doing so kills bacteria and speeds healing as effectively as antibiotic creams. Study coauthor Moses Murandu, PH.D., says sugar soaks up the moisture that bacteria need to survive, plus it encourages new tissue growth to seal wounds shut.

GI upset? Sip rice water

Sudden spring diet changes double the risk of GI trouble. But Spanish scientists say sipping 2 oz. of rice water provides relief from indigestion and bloat in 20 minutes. And it also eases diarrhea more quickly than electrolyte drinks if you sip a few ounces every half hour. To do: Simmer 1⁄ cup of 2 brown rice in 3 cups of water for 30 minutes. Strain, let cool, then sip.