By Ayanna Black
Last night I found myself in Walgreens searching for medicine that would cure my son’s crazy cough. Typically, I’d call my mom and ask what she thought I should give him. I knew she’d likely give me an old school “Madear” remedy but this time I decided to try to figure it out myself. I seem to always be on the fence when it comes to Madear remedies. My mother says I’m one of those “new mothers” that run to the doctor for everything. I guess some of Madear’s home remedies just sound so silly to me that it won’t work.
One day I was visiting a friend’s house with the triplets and we got on the subject of eczema and how to treat it. My friend’s mother-in-law happens to be there and offered a suggestion on how to treat my son’s eczema. She suggested that I put bleach in his bath water at night and that would help. I thought to myself there is no way I’m going to bleach my baby. Another seasoned woman suggested I grease him up in Crisco and not buy all the expensive creams.
My daughter was a late walker, so a lady at church suggested I rub her knees down in oil so they could slip and she would then begin walking. Another woman suggested instead of buying a teething ring get a rag, put ice in it and let them chew. I’ve heard to stop colic blow smoke over a spoon of milk. To stop diarrhea give them flour water. The list goes on and on and on. I guess if I had to choose between Dr. Madear or Dr. MD, I’d choose Dr. Madear out of respect. Although some of the remedies work, I still feel more comfortable with the doctor’s approval. I know, I know I’m one of those “new girls” that Cedric the Entertainer talks about that needs to measure all my ingredients, etc. I’ll get to Madear status one day. lol
Who would you choose Dr. Madear or Dr. MD? What are some of the craziest Madear remedies that you’ve heard?
Ayanna is a married mom of busy triplets in Chicago. She’s a freelance parenting/marriage and technology blogger. Ayanna is also the proud owner of ABlackWebDesign.com and MommyMultiple.com
Wonderful article, it certainly made me journey back down memory lane of my childhood. I remember when I had a bad cough I was made to take a teaspoon of Vicks Vapor Rub. Boy was that the nastiest stuff going down, felt like slimy snot (sorry its gross I know) but boy did it work wonders. So I do believe that Big Mama does have some creditably in my book.
Wow Matt, the comments on this post are going to be interesting. I can see it coming LOL
OMG Matthew! I couldn't image taking Vapor Rub! Lord Jesus! lol
My grandma used to make my dad eat it too. It cleared it right up, he says! LOL
So Tara since you know it works are you using it on your kids?
@Lamar – Um, no. LOL! My dad didn't make us eat it though, so since I don't have first-hand experience I'm not apt to try it.
Aw come on. It'll put some hair on that little boys chest LOL
Tussin can fix anything. And Castor oil too. Just ask my Grandma 🙂
Just the thought of Castor oil makes my stomach cringe!
Well, my dad made us drink ONION juice to eliminate grinding our teeth at night. Yep! That's what I said. He made it and it looked nasty!
I bet you guys don't grind your teeth anymore lol how nasty!!!
I would definitely try the doctor first. Not because I don't respect Madear's advice…it's just that some of it really does sound crazy. I was told to not let a woman who had her “visitor” hold my newborn or she would get the stretches. To this day, I don't know what or why that is.
When my baby would get constipated, I was told to put Karo syrup in her milk. After several trips to the doctor, I was desperate so I gave in and gave her the syrup..it worked!
My grandmother told me to give her red onion tea to bring out the hives. LOL…my husband looked at me and said…WHAT HIVES! My baby didn't have any hives on her and the thought of giving her anything with onions in it made me sick. Needless to say, we passed on that one.
I know that most of the time people mean well when they pass on these old wives tales and home remedies, so I listen with a smile and head right on to the doctor's office when they leave….lol.
Me too K.B.!
Ayanna, this is hilarious! My mother-in-law still stands by that bleach in the bathwater, she even tried to show me the article to prove it. I'm like no thank you. My mother often uses that same term, she'll say “these new moms, just kill me” because we don't take all of their recommendations. But I've also heard of swallowing that vick's vapor rub too, yuck! I think it clearly says on the package dangerous if swallowed.
@Tiya – Like I said above, my grandma would force my dad to eat it. He thought he was being so smart by saying, “Ma, the box says…” My grandma would say, “Boy, put that box down and open wide!” LOL He's still alive so there you go..
LOL
LOL Do you remember when she told me that and the expression on all of our faces! I bet Ms. Mary gave Kenny all kinds of stuff! lol
Ayanna, I bet she did too. Poor Kenny. lol.
Something I had never heard before but was told to me by several people last night(including a registered nurse) when one of the kids at my nonprofit got stung by a bee….tobacco, rip it off the cigarette, wet it and place it directly on the sting once the stinger was removed. Never heard of that before but the “older moms” were already doing it and the girl didn't complain. The RN just said to watch that the bump didn't get bigger.
Now I never heard that one before. My dad got stung by a wasp a couple weeks ago and he just got some green rubbing alcohol to get it out.
When you have hiccups take a piece of broomstick and put it in your hair
When you have a fever sleep with onions in your socks.
I'm sure I could think of more but these are the most ridiculous! LoL.
Broomstick in the hair! lol CLASSIC!!!!!!!
My momma used to send us to the bathroom for everything. “My head is hurting….go sit on the toilet”, My stomach is hurting…….go to the bathroom” , “I feel sick…..did you have a BM today?” That and of course prayer :-)))
LOL Dez!!!!
All I can say is wow!!! Call me what you want to but Im going to say a prayer and ask God for healing and then Im taking my baby to the Dr.
I know right Meka!
Yannie this is funny too me you lefted out a couple of Madear's cures. Here they go if you have pink eye use some of your own urine place a couple of drops in your eye(No thank you) and for cold sores use some of your own ear wax and rub on your lip (again No thank you)When everything said and done you use your best judgement when it comes down to the babies.
Great article keep them coming!!!!!!!!!
Dequita Williams
Oh Lawd!!!! lol I forgot about the ear wax. I tried that before and it didn't work! Now that urine is a new one to me glad I never had the pink eye! Madear sure could come up with some couldn't she!?!?! lol
That urine remedy is a new one to me as well. Who in the world would put urine in their eyes (by the way, how are you retrieving the urine?) Not only will it cure pink eye but also defect your sight. OMG!!! No that's one I did not try….
Auntie Resa
LOL…this article hits home for me…went thru hearing some of the same thing when Kyla was growing up in her infant toddler stages…classic “Madear” remedy was to give her a shot of granddad Liqour to cure I think it was a cold…LOL! Wasnt about to happen!
LOL Big Dupa just wanted Kyla to go to sleep! She ain't slick! lol
As the daughter of an old school mother (aka Madear) I can attest that this home remedies do work. I was told by my mother that if you take the diaper after a child peeps in it and wipe it on your face you will have clearer skin. I did this with my two older chidren and I promise you I didn't have a pimple on my face. Yes, I am the grandmother of the triplets by the author of this article and I do tell her all the time that she is one of those new mothers. If you don't try these remedies how do you know if they work. I have live and had to go through these home remedies with my Madear who live by these remedies. So I guess my vote is for Old School.
Pee pee diaper on your face! Oh no now that's going to far! lol
My wife and I don't trust any of the old school remedies. If we have a question, we call the doctor. That's what we're paying him for. Our mother's can't stand the fact that we don't follow their advice, but we know best for our kid.
My favorite growing up was if your foot hurt, put some coffee grounds in your sock. I only went to school smelling like coffee once before I started taking an extra set of socks to change in to once I was out of her sight. Good times!
LOL What were the coffee grounds supposed to do?!?! LOL
I guess it was supposed to numb the pain. All it did, though was get me some weird looks in the locker room when I had seventh grade football practice!
Love your posts, by the way.
LOL I'm sure it did!
Thanks!
I am rolling on the floor with laughter!!!!!!!! I have heard of some old school stuff, but not these!! OMG Madear!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol Wendy! I know you have some good down south Madear remedies lol
My grandmother's home remedies are as follows: to cure a common cold, mix white liquor, rock candy and honey. to cure eczema, take the roots of poke salad and boil it and wash the child in it. to cure nausea during pregnancy, chew on a stem from a peach tree. to cure colic, have a widowed man to take the child in the woods and tell them a secret. LOL!! These are Southern home remedies.
What is poke salad?
This was too cute! I'll have to remember this if I am ever blessed to have children.
I watched my grandmother spread jelly with mold in it out on a piece of bread. She happily remarked that it was the same as penicillin and healthy for you. Which meant she did that all the time. I was about 9 at the time. I nearly passed out.
okay EPayne that's making my stomach turn lol
Me either!
I’m so love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.
FYI, Actually the urine thing might work as disgusting as it sounds, urine from a healthy person is sterile so It is probably just a way of irrigating the infected eye. There is my medical factoid for the day, that does not mean I would actually recommend this. lol
to bring fever down: put sliced onions in a sock and pin to inside of shirt, the onion will draw the fever out : onion sock