When you get a cut or feel a cold coming on, what do you do? Do you call your physician or hop on Doctor Google? Do you want to risk an Urgent Care waiting room for a minor ailment?You can remedy many injuries and illnesses at home using natural methods. After all, human beings practiced holistic medicine since the earliest days of recorded history. While there is no substitute for professional medical care for severe ailments, here are nine methods of treating everyday aches and pains using Mother Nature’s gifts.
1. Oregano to Heal Cuts More Quickly
If you scrape your knee, reach for the oregano to heal it more quickly. The essential oil of this herb is so potent that it proved effective against antibiotic-resistant MRSAÂ without spurring any additional resistance to the treatment.When working with essential oils, you should never apply them full-strength. To cleanse minor wounds, add five or six drops of oregano essential oil to an ounce of water in a spray bottle. You now have an antibacterial spray that won’t kill healthy cells the way hydrogen peroxide can.
2. Capsaicin and Arnica to Treat Aches and Pains
If you hit the gym too hard after it reopened in your state, you might feel sore and achy. You have several natural choices for relief. One of them might reside in your fridge. It’s hot peppers. The capsaicin in these spicy foods activates heat-sensitive receptors in your sensory neurons. Continued exposure to stimulation from hot pepper juice deadens the nerves that cause your agony.You might also try arnica for relieving aches, pains and mild bruising. This flower grows in many North American gardens, and you can buy the gel in commercial preparations in nearly any drug store. However, if you have ragweed allergies, you might want to give it a pass, as it can activate the same receptors.
3. Turmeric to Alleviate Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can strike at any age, and it can make life painful. If you have this condition, you might want to add more turmeric to your diet. This root herb is popular in Asian cuisine, and it works best when it is fresh, although supplements abound. While much scientific research focuses on curcumin, others suggest that a mix of compounds might create the pain-relieving effects. One study of 36 patients discovered significantly reduced inflammation levels in those who used the extract for 90 days.You can add turmeric to your tea or even give your morning coffee grounds a chai-flavor twist. All you need to do is grind up a portion of a root and add it to boiling water. If you’re making tea, let it steep for approximately 10 minutes before drinking.
4. Mint and Ginger Tea for Digestive Problems
Do you have a tummy ache? If so, you might remember your mom telling you to drink ginger ale. While she was on the right track, many commercial brews don’t contain any of the healing roots at all. Your best bet is to make a homemade tea from the root and add some mint. Both are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and they can tame intestinal upset.Both ginger and mint are well-known among herbalists for treating stomach trouble. Some mint varieties, like peppermint, though, can increase the burning sensation in people who have acid reflux. Try keeping a pitcher of this tea in your refrigerator for when nausea or other gastrointestinal distress strikes.
5. Echinacea and Elderberry for Immunity
If you want to supercharge your immune system, turn to your herb garden. Researchers believe that echinacea works by activating natural killer cells and macrophages in your body’s immune system. You can take it as a tea or buy over-the-counter preparations containing it.Elderberry features in many cough medicines because it helps keep your mucus membranes healthy. Some evidence suggests that you can shorten the common cold’s duration by taking it within the first 48 hours of experiencing symptoms.
6. Magnesium for Depression and Migraines
If migraines sideline you, you might reduce their frequency and duration by taking a magnesium supplement. Researchers believe it could interrupt the cortical-spreading depression that occurs in the aura variety of the disease. They recommend approximately 400 milligrams daily, but build up slowly, as too much too soon can lead to diarrhea.You should also consider supplementing with this mineral if you feel unusually blue or lethargic. These are classic signs of depression. In patients with a deficiency, taking supplemental magnesium reduced and even eliminated symptoms.
7. Lavender, Chamomile and Valerian for Insomnia
If you have trouble falling asleep at night, you might think of pouring yourself a nightcap. While alcohol can make you feel drowsy, it also interrupts your sleep cycles later in the night. Instead, make yourself a cup of tea. Lavender and chamomile both gently relax you, and they might be enough to put you under when heated with some milk.If you have long-term insomnia, valerian might help. It contains a substance called valerenic acid, which works on the same channels that drugs like Valium and Xanax affect. It can also help to calm your nerves if you have anxiety.
Feel Better Quickly With These Seven Home Remedies
You don’t need to suffer from everyday aches and pains or make a pricey and inconvenient run to the doctor. For mild ailments, try these natural remedies to find relief quickly.
