DAILY DIRT: Maybe keeping a lemon nearby when you have the flu would be a good idea

Daily Dirt for Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Harry Styles? Who knew?! … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,323 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Remember, I’m always here to help.

Here are five health-related tips tied to every-day food and drink: 

1. Smelling lemon can help reduce nausea and the urge to vomit. Studies have shown that the scent of lemon can be effective in relieving nausea, particularly during pregnancy. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including the refreshing scent triggering a relaxation response, evoking pleasant feelings that distract from discomfort, and potentially influencing breathing patterns. I don’t know about you, but there are few things in life I despise more than throwing up.

2. Chewing a small piece of raw ginger can help relieve a sore throat due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Ginger’s compounds can help reduce inflammation and fight off bacteria or viruses that may be causing the throat irritation. Who knew?

3. Soaking almonds overnight can improve digestion and potentially boost brain function. Soaking helps deactivate enzyme inhibitors in the almond skin, making them easier to digest and improving nutrient absorption. This process may also enhance brain function due to increased bioavailability of nutrients like riboflavin and L-carnitine, which are linked to cognitive health. I’m not exactly sure what those last two sentences mean, but just soak the almonds and things will work out.

4. Eating bananas can potentially help improve mood and reduce stress due to their nutrient content. Does this also count for banana splits?

5. Eating raw garlic, especially on an empty stomach, is thought to offer potential benefits for both immunity and blood pressure. Garlic’s allicin content and other sulfur compounds may help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation, while also potentially lowering blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow. My first thought is eating raw garlic on an empty stomach and I might need to refer back to No. 1.

As always, you’re welcome.

2. Did you know (Part 405)

• That as of today, June 24, the oldest person alive is Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom. She was born on Aug. 21, 1909, making her 115 years old.
• That allodoxaphobia is the fear of other people’s opinions. It’s a rare social phobia characterized by an irrational and overwhelming fear of what other people think.
• That Harry Styles has four nipples. He has a common condition called polythelia.
• That a cat spends an average of 15 hours a day sleeping. So do all Eighinger males.
• That the Northern White Rhinoceros is the rarest animal on earth. Only two females remain at a conservancy in Kenya.

3. Now that NBA season is over and Oklahoma City rules, here are the early odds for next year’s championship, according to BetMGM:

• 1. Oklahoma City
• 2. Cleveland
• 3. Houston
• 4. New York
• 5. Orlando

Note: You might think twice about wagering on the Thunder to repeat. The NBA has had seven different champions in the last seven years.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Admit it, you ready that note about Harry Styles at least twice.