Next time you or a family member gets sick, why not save yourself a trip to the drugstore and try a natural remedy that is likely already in your cupboard or pantry? We’re all big fans of products which will keep us healthy, but natural remedies are often dismissed as wives tales, but our grandparents who used these weren’t stupid and lived to a ripe old age! These cures made out of herbs and spices have been used throughout the centuries, and can be found without even leaving your home!
Coughs
Thyme, which is found in most gardens and kitchens, contains two properties which are great at curing a common cough. These constituents, thymol and carvacrol, are good loosening phlegm and therefore great for anybody suffering from bronchitis, cough, sore throat or congestion. To make a thyme tea, just put either one teaspoon of dried thyme, or one tablespoon of fresh thyme, in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to three cups throughout a day.
Ear infections
Garlic is said to have microbial and pain relief qualities. To cure an ear infection, just put a few drops of fresh garlic oil or juice in the infected ear. If you don’t fancy pouring liquid into your ear, try boiling some cloves in water, add some salt after crushing the cloves, wrap it all up in some clean cloth and put it on the infected ear. Want to read more natural remedies? Read these little known ways to cure ear infections.
Digestion
Many herbs, spices, and teas are known for being good at reducing bloating and gas. If you have green or peppermint tea in the house, make a cup and feel better within minutes. If not, chewing on half a teaspoon of fennel, caraway or dill seeds is said to reduce both gas and bloating – you can make a tea out of these seeds too.
Nausea
Ginger is known all over the world for relieving feelings of nauseousness. To make ginger tea, put two teaspoons of fresh ginger for each cup of boiling water; add honey to calm down the fire and to add a little sweetness. Ginger is also great for motion and seasickness, so if you are on the move and feeling rough, buy a bottle of ginger ale.
UTI
The dreaded urinary tract infection – we’ve all be victim to at least once in our lives, right ladies? I’m sure you’ll know about this one, but it’s all about the cranberry juice. These berries stop bacteria from sticking to your bladder wall, so drink three cups of the stuff or eat one or two handfuls of dried cranberries daily to avoid.
Bad sinuses
If you’re feeling clogged up and stuffy, try this simple recipe so that you can breathe easy again:
1 cup tomato juice
1 teaspoon of chopped fresh garlic
1 quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Warm up the fiery mixture over a hob and drink slowly.
Bruises
We all know that arnica is great for reducing bruises, as long as you get in there quickly, but it’s not something everybody regularly keeps around the house. For something a bit more accessible, cut a lemon in half and rub the pulpy side on the bruise once an hour for several hours. Avoid cuts and scrapes.