Two-Year Earache, Basil, New Use for Plastic

 As you may remember, I have had an earache in my left ear for well over two years. I had a telecall from my ENT.  He concluded that it was pain from TMJ. This was before I told him I had that problem. I sort of doubted it, but figured there was nothing to do as I cannot take pseudoephedrine, the one thing that relieves congestion in my ears. 

For four days my ear has not hurt, neither day nor night. For the last day I have been mulling over why the pain and congestion is gone. Finally, I realized I can smell the basil sitting on the table not two feet from me. (I have been able to smell it all along, but it occurred to me this might be a solution.) So, quickly I googled "basil congestion" and discovered there were lots of entries. Most call for steam from a concoction or ingestion of the plant. I am here to tell you I did not need anything but the scent or whatever I am inhaling. 

It just so happens that I love the scent of basil. It is sort of like an aphrodisiac for me or mood enhancer or something. It is pleasant. (Tommy hates everything basil) Most scents from plants or flowers I bring indoors congest me. Therefore, I was anxious about putting it so close to me. 

I have had one other basil this year. I left it outside and it bolted in the heat. So, I was taking no chances with this one.  I have never had two basil plants in one year. I was also anxious that the basil would die in the dark house with no light coming in a window. Thankfully, it is thriving under the lamp beside me. It gets a 180 degree turn every day.  Who knew LED light would work? Not me. I suppose I need to carry a basil plant with me in the car!

All my sinus problems seem less. I thought at first it was because the level of pollutants and allergens in the atmosphere was low. But, that seems not to be the case. Okay, Thursday now. I awoke congested. My head is not well. I reached over and pinched off a basil leaf, folded it and sniffed. The whole inside of my nose burned in a very unwelcome pain! The congestion did subside. 

If I carry around a basil leaf and sniff it, people will talk! Right? Do I care? Not a whit.

Some products like vitamins and prescription medicines are packed with a little paper packet of desiccates to cut down on humidity damage. Instead, now I get a little drum/barrel-shaped plastic with the desiccates inside. Once opened the content is the same as the little paper packets. I am furious. Why did they change to plastic? Maybe the paper packets would biodegrade in a few years. Plus, the volume of the paper was minimal. The plastic is definitely a larger volume. Maybe the plastic will degrade? Maybe it just looks like plastic. Maybe I have over-reacted?

Finally, a search revealed these are plastic. Dastardly plastic! 

Thursday, the lawn guy mowed for the first time. The yard looks really nice for the first time in a long time. I had Tommy give him a bottle of water when he arrived and another after he finished. He expressed his appreciation both time. It feels like 103F. I asked him to cut up the huge limb that fell in the back yard and we could get boys to move it. He spent five minutes cutting it, not moving or stacking or pulling on it, just using the chain saw. The missionaries could not get it over the fence, so now it is in pieces they can manage. 

He is very impressive. He said he picked up the limb, moved it, and mowed under it so it would not get grown up. Most guys would have just mowed around it. 

For dinner on Thursday, Tommy ate meat loaf, potatoes, carrots, and zucchini. I ate meat loaf and cole slaw.

I know that herbs are used for medical problems and but never basil. Have you used basil or heard of its use for congestion? 

Have you noticed the new plastic containers of desiccants in products?