Home remedies
There are a number of ingredients
that we all have in homes that can
be used to help us stay healthy,
ranging from relieving a cough
to increasing our general overall
wellbeing. with help from a couple
of home remedy blogs and websites
(such as organicfacts.net and
home-remedies-guide.blogspot.com), you can find creative
solutions to keep you healthy.
(Keep in mind these home remedies are not replacements for medications prescribed by your doctor; they are easy things you can do yourself for minor everyday issues.)
Honey
Not only is honey sweet and delicious, it also contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties. If you're using honey for medical or health purposes, try to use a natural or raw type of honey, as many varieties of honey available at grocery stores are highly processed.
Internally:
When put in hot tea or simply in warm water, the antibacterial properties of honey will kill the bacteria in your throat and soothe your sore throat at the same time, a perfect combination for someone with a cold.
Externally:
The antiseptic element in honey can help cuts and burns heal faster, while creating a protective barrier between your wound and the dressing you put over it.
Aloe Vera
This succulent plant is used most often for the treatment of sunburns, but it has the ability to help heal in many other ways. Aloe vera contains acemannan and anthraquinon, two compounds that are extremely beneficial to your health.
Internally:
Aloe vera gel and juice can either be purchased or scraped out of the stems of your own aloe vera plant. Anthroquinon is a compound that is also found in many laxatives. Ingesting the gel or juice can help reduce infl ammation in joints, and the acemannan compound in aloe vera is known to boost the immune system.
Externally:
Traditionally, aloe vera is known to accelerate the healing of burns and cuts. When applied to certain areas of the body, aloe vera can also reduce inflammation in joints.
Thyme
The active ingredient in thyme, thymol, is most often used as an herb for cooking, but it is also used as an antiseptic in mouthwash and toothpaste and has been proven to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Thymol is also one of the main ingredients in alcohol-free hand sanitizers.
Internally:
When made into a tea, thyme proves to be an effective expectorant known to break up congestion and ease the cough associated with illnesses such as bronchitis. It is suggested that thyme also increases circulation, which can lessen menstrual cramps and help digestion.
Externally:
Crush some thyme leaves and mix with a bit of water and put on a cloth as a poultice for pain. The antibacterial properties in thyme will help cuts and scrapes heal faster.
Lemon
This vitamin C-packed citrus fruit has a multi-purpose list of uses, such as removing streaks left by self-tanners, cleaning our homes and, of course, making delicious lemonade. This wonderful little yellow fruit contains flavonoid, antioxidants and potentially cancer-fighting properties.
Internally:
When ingested with warm water, lemon juice can reduce throat infections. The juice is also useful for relieving indigestion and can help break a fever by increasing perspiration. The high potassium levels in lemons can also help control high blood pressure.
Eternally:
Lemons contain a natural antiseptic and are known to reduce the burning sensation on skin. They also have the ability to reduce the formation of scars and relieve the pain of a bee sting.
Mint
Menthol is found in many products such gum, candy, decongestant rubs and soothing muscle creams, so why not use real mint leaves to cure a handful of your ailments?
Internally:
Mint leaves crushed in warm water and drunk as tea can help relieve stomachaches and cramping. The warm vapours that come from the tea as you drink it can help clear the sinuses, making mint tea good for fighting colds and allergies as well.
Externally:
Mint extract rubbed on achy muscles has been known to help soothe pain. A couple dabs of the oil on the forehead and under the nose can relieve pain from headaches and migraines.
Fennel
Fennel is used in a variety of ways for cooking, but many cultures have been eating fennel seeds for centuries because of their health benefits.
Internally:
If you can't find a way to incorporate fennel seeds into a meal, after you finish eating, chew on a few seeds to help with digestion. Fennel seeds are also known to reduce swelling in the stomach and facilitate the proper absorption of nutrients. Consuming fennel prior to and during menstruation can be helpful, as fennel is known to increase circulation and regulate the effects of estrogen, therefore reducing the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.
Heat
Using heat to improve your health is one of the easiest things you can do. For everyday aches and pains, use a heating pad or hot compress to relieve sore muscles. The heat will increase circulation to injured areas helping muscles recover faster. To improve overall health (and hygiene), take a hot shower. This will help increase blood fl ow and send nutrients and oxygen all over your body. If you're brave, fi nish your shower with cold water, which will rush all that blood back to your internal organs where your blood gets cleansed.
(Keep in mind these home remedies are not replacements for medications prescribed by your doctor; they are easy things you can do yourself for minor everyday issues.)
Honey
Not only is honey sweet and delicious, it also contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties. If you're using honey for medical or health purposes, try to use a natural or raw type of honey, as many varieties of honey available at grocery stores are highly processed.
Internally:
When put in hot tea or simply in warm water, the antibacterial properties of honey will kill the bacteria in your throat and soothe your sore throat at the same time, a perfect combination for someone with a cold.
Externally:
The antiseptic element in honey can help cuts and burns heal faster, while creating a protective barrier between your wound and the dressing you put over it.
Aloe Vera
This succulent plant is used most often for the treatment of sunburns, but it has the ability to help heal in many other ways. Aloe vera contains acemannan and anthraquinon, two compounds that are extremely beneficial to your health.
Internally:
Aloe vera gel and juice can either be purchased or scraped out of the stems of your own aloe vera plant. Anthroquinon is a compound that is also found in many laxatives. Ingesting the gel or juice can help reduce infl ammation in joints, and the acemannan compound in aloe vera is known to boost the immune system.
Externally:
Traditionally, aloe vera is known to accelerate the healing of burns and cuts. When applied to certain areas of the body, aloe vera can also reduce inflammation in joints.
Thyme
The active ingredient in thyme, thymol, is most often used as an herb for cooking, but it is also used as an antiseptic in mouthwash and toothpaste and has been proven to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Thymol is also one of the main ingredients in alcohol-free hand sanitizers.
Internally:
When made into a tea, thyme proves to be an effective expectorant known to break up congestion and ease the cough associated with illnesses such as bronchitis. It is suggested that thyme also increases circulation, which can lessen menstrual cramps and help digestion.
Externally:
Crush some thyme leaves and mix with a bit of water and put on a cloth as a poultice for pain. The antibacterial properties in thyme will help cuts and scrapes heal faster.
Lemon
This vitamin C-packed citrus fruit has a multi-purpose list of uses, such as removing streaks left by self-tanners, cleaning our homes and, of course, making delicious lemonade. This wonderful little yellow fruit contains flavonoid, antioxidants and potentially cancer-fighting properties.
Internally:
When ingested with warm water, lemon juice can reduce throat infections. The juice is also useful for relieving indigestion and can help break a fever by increasing perspiration. The high potassium levels in lemons can also help control high blood pressure.
Eternally:
Lemons contain a natural antiseptic and are known to reduce the burning sensation on skin. They also have the ability to reduce the formation of scars and relieve the pain of a bee sting.
Mint
Menthol is found in many products such gum, candy, decongestant rubs and soothing muscle creams, so why not use real mint leaves to cure a handful of your ailments?
Internally:
Mint leaves crushed in warm water and drunk as tea can help relieve stomachaches and cramping. The warm vapours that come from the tea as you drink it can help clear the sinuses, making mint tea good for fighting colds and allergies as well.
Externally:
Mint extract rubbed on achy muscles has been known to help soothe pain. A couple dabs of the oil on the forehead and under the nose can relieve pain from headaches and migraines.
Fennel
Fennel is used in a variety of ways for cooking, but many cultures have been eating fennel seeds for centuries because of their health benefits.
Internally:
If you can't find a way to incorporate fennel seeds into a meal, after you finish eating, chew on a few seeds to help with digestion. Fennel seeds are also known to reduce swelling in the stomach and facilitate the proper absorption of nutrients. Consuming fennel prior to and during menstruation can be helpful, as fennel is known to increase circulation and regulate the effects of estrogen, therefore reducing the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.
Heat
Using heat to improve your health is one of the easiest things you can do. For everyday aches and pains, use a heating pad or hot compress to relieve sore muscles. The heat will increase circulation to injured areas helping muscles recover faster. To improve overall health (and hygiene), take a hot shower. This will help increase blood fl ow and send nutrients and oxygen all over your body. If you're brave, fi nish your shower with cold water, which will rush all that blood back to your internal organs where your blood gets cleansed.
