The lowly cucumber offers surprising list of remedies, uses

I’VE BEEN THINKING

Carol Goodman Heizer is an author who moved to Hood County from Louisville, Kentucky, in 2019. She has had short stories and articles published in six editions of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books. Her column for the Hood County News will appear every two weeks. She was a public school teacher for 17 years earlier in her professional career.

The information for this column came from internet sources, but I felt it was worth sharing. Whoever knew the common, lowly cucumber could be so useful for something other than eating?

— Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins we need on a daily basis. Just one contains vitamins B1, 2, 3, 5, and 6; folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

— Feeling tired in the afternoon? Put down the caffeinated drink and pick up a cucumber. They are a good source of carbohydrates that provide that quick-me-up lasting for hours.

— Tired of the bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower or bath? Rub a cucumber slice on the mirror. It will eliminate the fog and give a fresh spa-like fragrance.

— Are grubs and slugs destroying your flower bed? Place a few slices in a small aluminum pie pan, and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum and give off a scent undetectable to humans. But the scent will drive garden pests crazy, making them leave the area.

— Looking for a fast way to reduce cellulite before going to the pool? The phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the outer skin to tighten. It works great on wrinkles, too!

— Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed. Cucumbers contain enough B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost.

— Looking to fight off an afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries by trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

— Have an important appointment and don’t have time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoes. Its chemicals provide a quick and durable shine that looks great and repels water.

— Out of WD-40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the hinge, and the squeak is gone.

— Stressed out and don’t have time for a massage or spa appointment? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The chemicals in the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam that creates a relaxing aroma. Studies state that this reduces stress in new mothers and college students during exam time.

— Just finished a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it against the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath. The phytochemicals in the cucumber kill the bacteria in your mouth causing bad breath.

— Looking for a “green” way to clean your traps, sinks, or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean. It will remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, But it won’t leave streaks or harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

— Using a pen and make a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing. It also works great on crayons and markers the kids have used to decorate the walls.

Now, as for eating cucumbers, several sources list physical benefits such as the following: detoxifies your body, keeps your brain healthy, relieves constipation, lowers the risk of cancer, keeps your body cool and hydrated, keeps your kidneys healthy, remedies intestinal worms and lowers blood sugar levels. Cucumbers are low in calories and high in water content, so they can also help in weight loss.

Special note: Some health consultants advise not eating tomato and cucumber at the same time because they have different ways of digestion. Eaten together, the combination can cause acid formation and bloating.

Whoever thought the lowly cucumber could be used for such a variety of household chores and, at the same time, be so beneficial to our bodies?

cgheizer@gmail.com