The Right Stuff
Home remedies make use of what nature has to offer. Here are a few foods you can put to use.
Article: Izelle Theunissen
Extra-virgin Olive Oil
Use as a rub. Heat 250ml olive oil and add three sprigs of lavender, rosemary or thyme, and let the herbs infuse in the oil. Cool the oil until it is a comfortable-to-the-touch temperature and massage into aching limbs.
To treat constipation, mix 125ml olive oil with 125ml fresh orange juice and drink.
If you suffer from arthritis pain, try massaging the joints with a mixture of four parts olive oil, eight parts spirit of camphor and one part cayenne pepper.
Eggs
To treat nappy rash, apply unbeaten egg white to the affected area. Leave to dry before replacing the nappy.
Lemons
To help control acne, wash the skin with equal parts of lemon juice and water.
To bring relief from morning sickness when pregnant, try taking 5ml of fresh lemon juice.
Onions
Putting a slice of raw onion on a boil should bring the boil to a head.
For relief from a stuffy nose, mash raw onions and wrap in a cloth. Hold the cloth against the sinuses.
Fresh garlic
A poultice of fresh, crushed garlic can be applied to an abscess as a natural antibiotic. To make a poultice, moisten two tablespoons of crushed garlic with hot water and mix well to make a smooth paste. Soak a piece of gauze in the mixture and place it over the affected area. Secure with a bandage for about an hour, and keep it warm with a hot-water bottle.
Add lots of garlic and onion to your diet – they are said to help break down cholesterol, and garlic is said to help improve blood circulation.
Rub garlic juice on a cold sore or lip ulcer.
Bag of frozen peas
Use as an ice pack on bruises and sore muscles.
Tea bags
A bleeding tooth socket can be plugged with a wet tea bag. The tannic acid in the tea will help to stop the bleeding.
To treat tired and red eyes, place a wet tea bag over closed eyelids. Keep it there for about 10 minutes while you rest.
A wet tea bag placed on a cold sore that is just developing is said to help stop it in its tracks.
Carrots
Apply raw grated carrots to a blistered area for relief.
The discomfort of stomach ulcers may be eased by eating carrot soup or purée. Boil 1kg carrots in a litre of water until soft. Liquidise and serve.
Apple-cider vinegar
Mix equal parts apple-cider vinegar and hot water, and use as an inhalant to relieve symptoms of colds and flu.
To treat wasp stings, dab on pure apple-cider vinegar.
Apply pure apple-cider vinegar four times a day to areas affected by shingles for relief.
To help relieve itching, add 500ml apple-cider vinegar to your bath water ice cubes.
Ice cubes in a damp cloth held against a bruise or swelling should bring relief. Hold against the back of the neck or the bridge of the nose to stop a nosebleed.
Give a child an ice cube to suck before administering unpleasant-tasting medicine. This will temporarily deaden the taste buds.
Anaesthetise the area around a splinter in the skin by rubbing with ice cubes, then pull out the splinter.
Bicarbonate of soda
To treat a sore throat, mix 5ml salt, 5ml bicarbonate of soda and 400ml boiled water, and gargle.
Treat a bee sting with 5ml bicarbonate of soda mixed with a little water.
Honey
Relieve laryngitis with a glass of hot water, lemon juice and honey to taste.
Treat insomnia with a bedtime drink of 10ml honey, 250ml hot milk and 5ml cinnamon.
Apply honey to bedsores.
Salt
When someone is suffering from diarrhoea, make a rehydration solution of one litre of boiled, cooled water with half a teaspoon of salt and eight teaspoons of sugar. Take small sips regularly.
To treat mouth ulcers, gum disease and cold sores, dissolve 25ml salt in a glass of lukewarm water. Use as a mouthwash (for ulcers and for gum disease) or wash the affected area (for cold sores).
Potatoes
Raw potato juice is said to make an excellent antacid because it may help to soothe the gastric tract.
A slice of raw potato on the forehead could help soothe headaches.
To 'draw out' the heat of sunburn, place a grated raw potato in a cloth and hold it against the sunburnt area.
The natural remedy cabinet
Natural health products you may want to keep at home.
Note: Consult a health practitioner before taking remedies, especially if you're pregnant, have a medical condition, are taking medication or want to medicate a child.
A multivitamin and mineral supplement, especially if you have poor eating habits.
Borage or evening primrose oil to counteract symptoms of PMS.
Vitamin E taken internally may enhance the immune system. Use it externally to aid skin healing.
Rescue Remedy to treat shock.
Aloe vera to soothe burns and irritated skin.
Buchu tincture or tea to treat mild digestive problems.
Echinacea tincture to help prevent infection and counter allergic reactions and inflammation.
Liquorice tincture or capsules for mouth ulcers, gum disease and a sore throat.
St John's wort capsules and cream to help treat depression, fight bacteria and relieve pain.
Tea tree oil for cuts and scrapes, and to help treat athlete's foot.
Zinc lozenges to treat colds.
- Ideas