Health

9 Weird, Woo-Woo Health Things That Actually Work

New trends circulate constantly, and it’s hard to know what to try without wasting time and money or using your body like a guinea pig. As far as fitness and diet go, no two bodies are the same, and what works splendidly for some won’t work well for others.

By Anna Hugoboom4 min read
Pexels/Olha Ruskykh

But some new things have been catching attention and hype due to their positive results (as in, they actually work). So, without further ado, let’s jump in!

Evie's product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love. 

Mouth Tape

The mouth tape trend on TikTok has everyone trying these elevated sticky pads, and the hashtag #mouthtaping has garnered nearly 77 million views. However, this “trend” is actually a longstanding practice that has multiple health benefits, including reducing anxiety, improving immunity, eradicating bad breath, and improving sleep! And with all the insomnia and sleep problems of today, we’ll take all the sleep help we can get.

For best health results, you’re actually supposed to breathe through your nose. Mouth breathing can cause bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, bacteria exposure and buildup in the mouth, sleep problems, and orthodontic issues. Mouth tape fixes this issue by giving your mouth a rest and allowing your body to breathe as it should – through the nose. Besides helping with snoring, nose breathing also helps regulate body temperature, fights allergens, and lowers blood pressure. 

Mouth tape is very easy to apply. Simply follow the instructions on the package, put it on right before you hit the pillow, and then remove it in the morning when you’re ready to start your day! You can buy mouth tape on Amazon, at Target, from Etsy, or try this Hostage Mouth Tape that’s made in the USA.

Nose Strips

Nasal strips were invented by Bruce Johnson in the late 1980s to remedy his nasal congestion so he could sleep better. These adhesive nose strips have been popular to relieve congestion and snoring by widening nostrils and increasing airflow, as well as promoting more restful sleep. Some minor side effects include small irritation, redness, and/or itching due to the adhesive tape. 

You can buy nose strips at Target, Walmart, on Amazon, or online at Breath Right or Hostage Tape. Follow the package instructions: Simply remove the cover from the adhesive side and place onto the bridge of your nose, right above the nostrils (think of a saddle across your nose). Remove in the morning.

Tongue Scrapers

You might wonder, why not just use a toothbrush? Because these scrapers go to a different level to get the gunk off your tongue. The brush only (literally) scratches the surface of your tongue, but the scraper fully removes the layers of plaque and bacteria that your tongue harbors, which could otherwise contribute to bad breath and bacterial infections, and it does a better job at eliminating bad breath than simply brushing. You can buy tongue scrapers off Amazon, at a pharmacy like Walgreens or CVS, or online here. Use your scraper after brushing your teeth in the morning and evening.

Bee Pollen

Want to go up a bra cup size? Bee pollen has been used as a nutritional supplement for centuries, but it recently rebounded in popularity due to its fertility and hormonal benefits for women, specifically for breast enhancement. TikTokers started calling it Nature’s breast implant, and the social media buzz boosted the hashtag #beepollen to over 99.7 million views and #beepollenboobgrowth to over 15 million views. Girls who ate bee pollen for a few consecutive weeks reported their chests noticeably grew fuller. 

Bee pollen has antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory properties, helps wound healing and boosts immunity, helps lower cholesterol levels, can ease menopausal symptoms, and (drum roll) boosts fertility. According to naturopathic doctor Lisa Jung, bee pollen is high in phytoestrogens, which play a role in reproductive health. And what’s a physical sign people see in a woman that shows she probably has high fertility? Yes, a full figure, so it’s not strange to think that bee pollen would bump up a woman’s bra size. You can grab this figure fairy dust at any health food store, such as Whole Foods, or order on Amazon. Sprinkle atop almond butter toast, in smoothies, and on yogurt or açai bowls! 

Castor Oil

Castor oil for health and beauty dates all the way back to ancient Egypt, and even Cleopatra reportedly used it to brighten her eyes. It’s been used in India as a skin-healing, antibacterial healing agent in Ayurvedic medicine. Besides being a helpful laxative when needed, castor oil is often used in hair and skincare products.

This oil deserves all the pomp and circumstance for its skin benefits. It can lend a glow to your visage and fight inflammation in your skin, such as breakouts and acne, and it helps promote skin healing. It can also help shine up your hair. It’s not considered an edible supplement, so use is strictly topical. 

Gua Sha

Although it’s a trending tool for hot-girl wellness, Gua Sha has been around for decades and is a respected method of wellness in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in Asian cultures. In the States, this ancient beauty tool resurrected as part of anti-aging skincare, especially for sculpting smooth facial features in lieu of Botox. 

Gua Sha is a form of circulation and lymphatic therapy for your skin. Although there is a focus on facial care in the States, it also can be a branch of massage therapy to eradicate tissue knots and lymphatic blockage. Personally, I knew a woman who was doing Gua Sha facials on herself for over a month, and her face and jawline noticeably grew more sculpted and defined. I noticed similar results myself after using the jade roller (a similar tool) consistently for a month.

You can buy Gua Sha tools here online and on Amazon. See this video for tutorial instructions. 

Beef Tallow Balm

Beef tallow for your face might sound gross, but this natural skincare has blown up with glowing responses (pun intended) on social media, especially on TikTok. Beef tallow has multiple benefits for the skin: It contains vitamins A, D, E, K2, and B12, plus the make-up of tallow is nearly identical to the fatty acids in our skin cell membranes, meaning it won’t clog your pores or cause acne. Beef balm – especially when mixed with almond oil, vitamin E oil, or essential oils – can also help prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It’s one of the cleanest skincare options available that moisturizes the face without exposing your pores to a host of chemicals and weird-sounding ingredients. Although it’s not scientifically proven, some women have said it helps prevent stretch marks during and after pregnancy. You can buy grass-fed beef tallow moisturizer here

Marine Collagen

Collagen has been popular for a while, but some people wonder if it actually works or if it’s just another marketing scam. Truth be told, not all collagen products are created equal, so if you don’t buy a good quality product, then yes, you might be “scammed” in the sense that you’re not getting all the benefits you should. But collagen is actually very beneficial for your skeletal and muscular systems, and it’s needed for healthy skin, hair, nail, joints, and muscles. Plus, it’s anti-aging!

Marine collagen specifically has grown in popularity as fish protein is considered by some to be a cleaner, purer alternative to beef collagen. Many beef collagen products are made from the discarded remnants of beef processing and are not sourced well, so unless you’re able to find a trusted source of quality bovine collagen that’s organic and even grass-fed, then marine collagen is often considered a better option. 

I’ve mixed collagen powder in my superfood drinks and smoothies for years, and it’s helped me repair my hair, which now grows super-fast and is very thick. I have friends and women all the time commenting on my hair and asking what I do for it (I don’t do any topical hair products). I always buy collagen powder that is GMO-free and grass-fed if it’s beef, such as Garden of Life collagen or Great Lakes collagen, and I’ve used the Truvani Marine collagen for my marine source (you can also buy these at Whole Foods or on Amazon). 

Magnesium Powder

People are ditching the melatonin and swapping it for magnesium powder! This is because there has been a growing awareness of the negative effects of using melatonin over time. Melatonin is a hormone, and taking the synthetic form actually inhibits the natural (and more potent) production of melatonin. Magnesium is a healthier alternative – it calms the nervous system, relaxes the body, and allows the brain to slow its thinking patterns and get sleepy. My favorite powder products include Moon Juice Magnesi-Om powder and Calm magnesium powder (also on Amazon or at Whole Foods). Around 15-30 minutes before going to sleep, simply stir a serving of the powder into a cup of water and enjoy! 

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