Dear Ann Landers, Recently, a reader sent in a "sure cure" for a headache. He said it worked every time. It went something like this: Take a banana, and peel it. Tape half of the banana peel to your forehead with adhesive and the rest to the back of your head. He said the headache should be gone in 20 minutes.
I don't get headaches often, but the day I read that column, I had a killer migraine. Although people say you shouldn't put bananas in the refrigerator, I always do, and that is where I found my "lifesaver." I used commercial duct tape to keep half the banana peel on my forehead and the other half on the back of my neck. Ann, in less than 30 minutes, my headache was gone.
I phoned my husband, a chemistry teacher, and told him about my miraculous cure. He said, "That was no miracle. You apparently had a potassium deficiency in your system, and the banana filled it." Mystery solved. -- Greensboro, N.C.
Dear Greensboro, I'm happy it worked for you. Keep reading for more:
From Chatham, Ontario: Your "banana cure" intrigued me, so I taped it to my bathroom wall "just in case." Yesterday, I felt a headache coming on and went into action. When I looked in the mirror and saw myself with a banana peel taped to my forehead, I started to laugh and couldn't stop. After about 10 minutes, I took a brief nap. When I woke up, the headache was gone. I don't know if it was the banana peel, the laughter, the nap or the combination of all three, but from now on, there will always be a banana in my refrigerator.
Seattle: You certainly proved your gullibility when you fell for that old banana-peel gimmick sent in by Dick Frymire of Irvington, Ky.
He assured you that within 30 minutes, if you apply the banana peel and just relax, the headache will disappear. Actually, at least 85 percent of all headaches will disappear if you "just relax" because most headaches are caused by tension.
Sierra Madre, Calif.: You asked readers to try the banana-peel cure for headaches. Oddly enough, I felt a headache coming on just as I was reading that column. I couldn't decide if I should take some pain medication or go for the banana cure. I went to the kitchen, peeled a banana and taped it to the front and back of my head with package tape. Within a few minutes, my headache was gone.
Burke, Va.: I haven't needed the banana-peel headache cure because my husband, an Indian from South America, learned a simple cure from his mother. Apply thick slices of an unpeeled potato to the neck and forehead. Secure with a scarf. It has never failed.
Toronto: Why don't you stick to lovelorn advice and leave medical cures to the experts in the field? I read about your banana cure for headaches and decided to eat two bananas a day for a week. My headaches continued unabated, and I gained two pounds. Don't sign my name. I'm too embarrassed to reveal myself.
Hi! It's Margo here. I'd love to know what you think of the letters -- and the answers!
Also, any additional thoughts you might have. Thanks!
Reader Comment
The statement from "Toronto" was apparently misguided. No one told you to eat 2 bananas every day for a week. Learn to read, sweet cheeks! I've never tried the 'cure' for headaches, but it does sound a little weird. I don't think I'll be trying it any time soon. But I would like to see the end of testimonies about cure all seers and gurus in this column. Just don't belong here!
Jeanette's Comment
Will you be able to tell me the year this was printed?
Dear Ann Landers:
Will you please print this letter on Mother’s Day? It would mean a lot to me. I think it might also mean a lot to others who feel as I do but don’t know how to put it into words. I’m having trouble myself because I’m not much of a writer, but I’ll do my best and pray that it’s good enough, it’s to my mother.
Dear Mom,
I wish I could spend Mother’s Day with you but I can’t, so I’m writing a letter and hope you read it in Ann Landers column.
Mom, I love you so much. So many things that I didn’t understand when I was young, I understand now.
I didn’t know how hurt you were until I was hurt the same way by my own children.
I didn’t realize how lonely you were until I was lonely.
I didn’t know how tough it was when you were having trouble with dad and us kids. Now I know.
I didn’t have any idea how hard you worked and the burdens your carried until I traveled that road myself.
I didn’t know how many times I could have made you happy by just saying, “I love you, Mom.” But now I know what it would mean to hear it from my children.
I didn’t know how completely a mother can love her children until I grew up and had my own.
It took me all my life to learn what a mother is. I wish there were some way I could let you know how much I appreciate everything you did and everything you are.
Thank you, Mom, for the years of devotion and unselfishness, your efforts to teach us by example and help us to grow up straight and strong. You are the greatest.
Anonymous
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Our Reader to Reader Question of the Week:
Dear Readers, , whatever they needed I provided. What really hurt my son and I the most was the obituary - we were not mentioned at all. Our friends (mine and hers) were appalled. I was embarrassed and upset for not just me, but for my son-who loved her also. I never been so upset. Her x-husband put his wife and kids and their grandchildren in the obituary, who my girlfriend barely knew. They live an hour away from us. I know its silly to be mad over a little section of the newspaper, but it still hurts. Will time let this devastating loss of her and this article ever go away? I am so angry at this whole situation, its not like we can go and rewrite an obituary notice.
