Many gardeners at Smith Mountain Lake include the delicious cucumber in their summer gardens. Whether eaten fresh or pickled or used around the house, cucumbers can do a wide variety of good in any household. Many people eat them in salads, sliced raw and sprinkled with salt for a snack, made into homemade pickles, etc. But even if you do not enjoy the taste of cucumbers, you might be amazed to know some of the other things they are used for besides food. The following list has not been researched and proven scientifically as far as we know, but it can’t hurt to report the experiences of others and see if cucumbers can be useful to us as well.
1. Skin Tightener: Have you ever wondered why women put cucumbers on their eyes? The photochemical in cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, which reduces puffiness. Did you know that you can rub a cucumber on a problematic spot of cellulite anywhere on your body to tighten it and make it less visible? Did you also know that it has the same effect on wrinkles? You can also rub a little bit under your eyes after a long bout of crying to avoid that swollen depressed look.
2. Window Cleaner: Do you hate the fog on the mirror after a shower? Try rubbing a slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and not only will you get a fog-free mirror, but you’ll have a nice smell that will boost your mood.
3. WD-40 Alternative: Did you know you can get rid of a squeak by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge? Who would have thought?
4. Bad Breath?: Take a slice of a cucumber and put it on the roof of your mouth. Hold it there with your tongue for 30 seconds. The photochemical that women love for reducing puffiness, can also kill the bacteria that are causing your bad breath.
5. Tarnish remover: If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless steel kitchen faucets and appliances? Rub it off with a cucumber slice. Not only will it remove years of tarnish, but it will also leave it streak-free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at risk from a dangerous chemical.
6. Energy booster: If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon, don’t give Starbucks your money. Instead, grab a cucumber. There are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or those health-hazard energy drinks.
7. Frugal facial: Slice up a cucumber and boil it in a pot of water. The chemicals inside the cucumber will mix with the steam. Remove the pot from heat and lean over it, letting the steam hit you. Your skin will be more radiant and healthy, and you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
8. Pest control: Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and place them in your garden. The chemicals in the cucumber undergo a reaction that pests hate. You won’t smell it, but it will drive them from your garden all year long. Replace them periodically.
9. Sunburn: Sometimes sunblock doesn’t always protect you and your little ones from sunburn. If you have sunburns and no aloe, rub some cucumber on them. Many doctors even use cucumbers to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.
10. Blood pressure: Believe it or not Cucumber concentrates have long been used to treat high blood pressure. If you have it, add cucumbers to your daily diet. There is also ongoing research into the use of cucumbers for lowering cholesterol.
