 Natural Home Remedies and Cures
Common Sense from Home
My friend recently completed paramedic training. At the graduation ceremony, the speaker told them, “Half of everything you’ve learned in class will be proven wrong in ten years. The problem is, we don’t know which half.” Here we share some of our favorite natural home remedies. Maybe they’ll help cure what ails you.
The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease. ~Voltaire
We have lots of choices when it comes to health care. Here are some tried and true home remedies that we’ve relied on over the years. These home remedies are inexpensive and no prescription is required. You may be able to find relief yourself, instead of running to the doctor for minor pains and health complaints. What's more, you can avoid the chemical irritants and allergens you might find in store items. Just remember that these home remedies don't provide miracle cures and aren't meant to take the place of the advice and treatment prescribed by your health-care professional.
 Poison Ivy Cure
Over-the-counter Benadryl, taken by mouth, will stop the itching. These products are available for children, too. To soothe the skin, spray mineral water on it. Spring water that is rich in minerals will relieve the pain of rashes and burns. The minerals work to reduce inflammation.
Acne Cure
Make a paste from a low-dose aspirin crushed with a teaspoon of water. Many acne medicines have salicylic acid as the active ingredient, just like aspirin. This aspirin paste is also useful to reduce the pain and swelling of mosquito bites.
Eczema and psoriasis are patches of dry, flaky skin. For mild cases, apply olive oil to the affected area and keep it moist.
Sunburn Cure
Here is a well-known remedy that my mother used many times. Soak a soft towel in cool tea, and apply it to the skin. The phytonutrients in tea will sooth the inflamed blood vessels.
Sores and Scrapes
After you’ve cleaned the sore and applied antiseptic, it helps to keep the wound moist with petroleum jelly and a bandage. This keeps water trapped on the skin, to minimize scarring and encourage healthy collagen growth.
Motion Sickness Cure
Ginger is useful to calm the stomach. It is more effective than Dramamine and does not cause drowsiness. Mix a half teaspoon of ginger powder in a glass of water and drink. Ginger snaps, ginger ale and, my favorite, candied ginger can all help with mild nausea.
Upset Stomach Cure
For an upset stomach due to morning sickness or a flu bug. The main ingredients in purchased nausea remedies are mostly sugars. You can use the juice from a can of fruit instead. Flat soda will also relive indigestion and nausea. Calcium tablets are also excellent for this.
Diarrhea Cure
Natural health practitioners suggest a tea made from dried pomegranate peel. Oak bark from health food stores will also work well when boiled as tea. Both pomegranate and oak bark have tannins that help the stomach and reduce irritation.
Food Poisoning
For a mild upset stomach when food poisoning is suspected, take black tea and a few pieces of burned toast. Tannic acid in the tea and charcoal in the toast will neutralize the toxins. Naturally, when the symptoms are serious, you’ll want to take the patient to the hospital.
Hangover Cure
There are as many proposed cures for hangover as there are alcoholic drinks. Many people get some relief with a cup of tomato juice and a splash of Tabasco sauce. It stimulates the liver and replaces the antioxidants that alcohol depletes.
Colds and Congestion
Vitamin C has long been suggested for colds. Boil slices of fresh grapefruit, skin and all. Mix honey into the water and drink it like a tea. Besides the vitamin C, there are flavonoids in grapefruit rind.
Congestion and bronchitis. Use a medicated vapor rub, like Vicks, on the chest when you are congested. You can also try using a spoonful of vapor rub in a pot of hot water. Breath in the vapors to relieve congestion. You can make a tent by using a towel or a paper bag over your head to direct the vapors. Take care that the hot steam does not burn you.
Colds and Allergy Remedy
Relieve the sinus and nasal congestion by using a nasal wash. A teaspoon of salt in a cup of water can be squirted into the nose with a syringe. You can also purchase a saline solution ready-made from the pharmacy.
The symptoms of seasonal allergies, itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing, can be relieved by a herbal supplement called butterbur. It works as well as popular antihistamines without making you drowsy.
Toothache Relief
The old-fashioned remedy suggests putting a clove on the ache. If you don’t have a clove in your spice cabinet, the pharmacy has clove extract. A dab placed on the tooth for a few minutes will relive pain until you can get to a dentist.
Fever Blister Cure
Fever blisters, also called cold sores, are caused by a virus. They can be reduced by taking the amino acid L-lysine by mouth. L-lysine is also suggested for other viral problems, like herpes and shingles. Follow your doctor’s recommendation on this.
Backache Cure
Backaches, sore muscles. You can make an easy ice pack by freezing water in a paper cup. Then tear an inch of paper off the top, and apply the ice to the skin while holding the cup. A bag of frozen peas rolled in a towel also makes a quick ice pack. Tart cherry juice is used by professional athletes for the antioxidants that repair sore muscles. Athletes also use gentle exercises to keep the blood flowing to the sore muscle, reduce inflammation and encourage healing.
Back pain. Use cushioned shoe inserts or wear running sneakers to relieve back pain. Also try to improve your driving posture. Sit up straight and close to the wheel, so that you don’t have to stretch forward.
Headache Cure
It sounds curious, but a good foot rub can relieve your headache. A footbath with Epson salts or mustard powder will improve circulation and relieve headache. An ice pack in a towel under your neck can also help the headache.
My wish is that your life brings you much success. I hope you have a very happy day.
-----Surfer Sam
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