Nasal congestion, allergies, mosquito bites, sunburns – now all these issues can be tackled at your home! Nature has blessed us with herbs and spices that are packed with potential cures for various common illnesses. When you have the option for healing the conditions at home – at your convenience with the help of the ingredients that you come across every day – why rush to a doctor?
Home remedies, while potent, do not replace traditional medication in any way. If you are experiencing severe symptoms that cannot be cured with natural treatment, it is advisable you see your doctor as soon as possible. Their holistic approach with hardly any side effects are making them quite popular. The home remedies for common illnesses outlined here are safe and practical. They can be practiced in conjunction with your doctor’s approval as well. Listed below are twenty common illnesses and simple, effective home remedies to counter them.
Home Remedies for Common Illnesses
1. Sunburn:
So you forgot your loyal SPF the last time you stepped out? One of the best remedies for sunburn is the leaf of the Aloe Vera plant. Cut the tip of the leaf and apply the aloe gel to the affected area. Leave on for about an hour. Wash off later. Apply this treatment twice a day to heal sunburn. Another good treatment is to dip a clean cotton cloth in a solution of vinegar mixed with water in equal measure and dab on the affected area. This will ease the burning sensation in a few minutes. You can even apply honey on the affected area. The antiseptic properties of this sticky golden liquid fastens healing, thwarts infection, and minimizes pain.
2. Sore Throat:
Nothing treats a sore throat better than a spoonful of honey. Have a teaspoon of honey mixed in warm water with a dash of lemon juice and black pepper. An effective remedy is to suck on a clove for a few hours. A teaspoon of powdered garlic mixed with a few drops of milk works well to help relieve you of a sore throat. Prepare concoction by brewing 2 inch slice of ginger in 1 cup of water. Add ½ tsp black pepper powder and a pinch of turmeric powder to it. Flavor with honey and sip the hot drink to ease your sore throat.
3. Bites and Stings:
If you are bitten by ants and mosquitoes or stung by a bee, just apply soap. The alkaline constituents of soap neutralize the acids from the sting to ease the itching and irritation. A cotton swab dipped in vinegar will control the pain immediately. A good cure is a mixture of cider vinegar and baking soda dabbed on the affected area.
4. Toothache:
A toothache can leave you writhing in pain and make you feel crippled at times. Placing a clove next to the tooth that is aching is hands down the best remedy to reduce both pain and swelling. A saline gargle with a pinch of turmeric powder dissolved in it is an effective pain reliever. Repeat as needed.
5. Motion Sickness:
A trip on the highway can at times turn into a nightmare especially if you begin to feel queasy due to motion sickness. Ginger is one of the best natural remedies to cure motion sickness. Lemon is also effective is controlling nausea associated with motion. Suck on ginger or lemon candy while on a long trip. If you have experienced motion sickness on a few trips, drink ginger tea about an hour before you start travelling. Ginger ale helps many too!
6. Cough:
Lemon tea with a few drops of ginger juice is one of the most effective home remedies for cough. Try sipping honey infused milk or warm water throughout the day to ease those irritating bouts. A mixture of ginger juice with lemon and honey also eases cough. It soothes the throat and clears mucus to control cough.
7. Constipation:
While bananas are hands down the best constipation remedy, here is one for those times you run out of stock of the yellow fruit. Water and fennel seeds are effective in curing constipation. Drinking this mixture at least thrice a day will help the digestive tract flush out toxins from the body. An alternate remedy is to mix a teaspoon of Psyllium (Isabgol husk) in a glass of juice and drink the mixture thrice daily to relieve constipation. Drink the Psyllium misture within seconds of preparing it as it tends to thicken. Mix two tablespoons pure aloe vera gel with fruit juice and consume it on empty stomach early in the morning to ease constipation. These are all best natural remedies for illness constipation.
8. Earache:
Add a clove of garlic to a teaspoon of sesame oil, warm the mixture, and add two or three drops to the affected ear. Lie down before you apply the remedy to your ear. Hold your position for about ten minutes. A good alternative is to hold a hot compress against the affected ear to reduce pain and discomfort and melt hardened ear wax.
9. Heartburn:
A good home cure for heartburn is a concoction made of equal parts honey and apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water. The mixture relieves heartburn quickly, easing pain and discomfort caused by the condition. A glass of cool milk also helps in easing the burning sensation, especially if you are pregnant.
10. Bad Breath:
Baking Soda is an excellent remedy for bad breath. Add a pinch of baking soda to your toothpaste and brush with this mixture twice a day. The remedy works by altering the pH level of your mouth to a measure that is not conducive to bacteria that feeds on loose food particles. While brushing, ensure you brush the roof of your mouth and tongue as well to cure bad breath. Gargling regularly with a lukewarm lemon-water concoction could save you from bad breath.
11. Body Odor:
Do not grab that fragrant-rich deodorant as soon as you start sweating. There are few other simpler ways to deal with this condition. Sweating is a natural process, while some sweat less others sweat excessively. Dab your underarms with a white vinegar dipped cotton ball to mask body odor. The acid in the vinegar kills odor causing bacteria without damaging the skin in the underarm area. This is a good alternative to deodorant that can damage the skin with continued use. You can take the help of tea tree oil or essential oils such as peppermint and lavender to keep the odor away.
12. Diarrhea:
We know how you feel having to run a dozen times to the rest room! Not only is it inconvenient, but can also leave you drained and fatigued. Yogurt is a fast-acting cure for diarrhea. The good bacterial cultures in yogurt help to control the loose motions by inhibiting the growth and effect of the bacteria. Fenugreek seeds mixed in a cup of curd is an excellent remedy to cure diarrhea. Tender coconut water can also help those subjected to diarrhea. Drink fresh coconut water instead of plain water, to revitalize your body. This tonic will work better than any multi vitamin on the counter.
13. Eczema:
An ice pack is a good cure for itching associated with eczema. Place a few ice cubes in a clean napkin or a plastic bag and apply onto the itchy areas of the skin for immediate relief. The next time you cannot control the urge to itch those flaky patches, add a few teaspoons of corn starch to your bath. Or just rub in a paste of corn starch for quicker relief from itchiness that is often accompanied with eczema.
14. Headache:
Headaches do leave you blank and incapable of going about your daily chores. Cinnamon helps to cure headaches triggered by stress, irregular sleep patterns, and common cold. Make a cinnamon paste by crushing the spice and mixing with a few drops of water. Apply the paste to the forehead for quick relief. Prepare a mixture of black pepper powder and turmeric powder with a little water; heat it gently and apply it to your forehead. You will find your headache vanishing within minutes. However, it is not advisable for people with sensitive skin.
15. Menstrual Cramps:
Ginger root is the best remedy to relieve menstrual cramps. Finely slice a fat ginger root and add to boiling water. Let the pieces simmer in boiling water for about fifteen minutes. Strain the tea and drink. This relieves pain from menstrual cramps instantly! Applying some eucalyptus oil on your tummy will also aid in pain relief. Lying on your tummy atop a hot water bag can also ease the pain experienced during this condition.
16. Nasal Congestion:
A whiff of eucalyptus oil can do wonders to relieve a nasty nasal congestion. The oil, used for several centuries as a remedy for colds, acts on the receptors in the mucus membranes to relieve congestion. To use Eucalyptus oil in a remedy, add 3 to 4 drops to a cup of boiling water and inhale the steam for about ten minutes. Repeat twice a day to cure congestion quickly. Gulp down a black pepper loaded steaming hot cauldron of chicken soup to unclog the clogged nose. These are all effective home remedies for illness nasal congestion.
17. UTI (urinary tract infection):
A good remedy for UTI is to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. This helps your body flush out toxins to cure an infection in the urinary tract. Cranberry juice is also an excellent remedy to relieve UTI as it is a good source of Vitamin C and Quinolic Acid which prevent bacteria from multiplying the bladder walls. Drink about 12 to 24 Oz of cranberry juice till the infection clears. Increase your vitamin C intake to fight those UTI-triggering bacteria.
18. Nail Fungus:
Apple Cider Vinegar can control nail fungus effectively and quickly. Mix 1 part of cider vinegar in two parts warm water and soak your hands and feet in the solution for about twenty minutes per day. Continue the treatment for about a week until the fungal infection has been cleared from your toe and finger nails.
19. Vertigo:
Those suffering from vertigo can suck on a ginger candy or drink ginger tea to cure nausea associated with vertigo. Peel and grate a quarter of fresh ginger, boil in a cup of water for about five minutes, strain into a mug and drink the tea twice a day to reduce the symptoms of vertigo, dizziness and nausea.
Vertigo for many is also caused by wax build up or an inner ear infection. The dizziness can at times be overwhelming. Using a hot compress at the base of your neck is said to relieve the ear infection and clear the wax buildup! Simmer 2 cloves of garlic in 2 tsp sesame seed oil, strain, and discard the cloves. Using a dropper, instill few drops in the affected area. Rest for 10 minutes and then drain to clear up and ease the pain.
20. Wounds:
A nip in the finger while slicing veggies or a cut on the foot when at the gym are perhaps the most common wounds we succumb to. While leaving an wound open heals it faster, dabbing a generous amount of turmeric powder is also good. Being an antiseptic, it allows faster healing while preventing infections.
While excessive sugar intake could drastically increase your waist line, the same granulated sugar could actually heal your wound. Sprinkle granulated sugar on the affected area in generous amounts. Sugar absorbs the water present in the wound, killing the bacteria, thus leading to a faster healing.
The healing properties and antiseptic nature of honey is well-known and that is why it is one of the quintessential ingredients in various home remedies for illnesses. Applying honey to wound aids in faster healing, at the same time ensures that the wound does not get infected.
These amazing home remedies help you combat most common illnesses at home without any trouble. Try them out, and share with us any other home remedies that have helped you. Live healthy; live happy!
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