The Best Home Remedies That
Will Keep You Out of The Doctors Office
By Craig Middleton
Home remedies have been used throughout history for healing minor ailments before they get serious. While you should always seek a diagnosis for new health conditions, a little self-care goes a long way toward staying out of the doctor’s office for easily-identified common problems. Many of the best remedies also involve natural ingredients that are readily available in most people’s homes, which help keep treatment affordable. When that itchy rash appears or you get that first little sniffle, use these remedies to clear them up and avoid having to schedule an appointment.
Eat Chocolate For a Cough>
Many cough medicines list daytime drowsiness as a side effect, and they may not be suitable for young children. Fortunately, chocolate serves as a delicious alternative because it contains a compound called theobromine. This compound works in a similar way as codeine to relax your lungs and esophagus without the dreadful side effects. Simply eat two squares, and it should help curb your cough within a half an hour. Repeat as needed throughout the day when your symptoms start up again.
Brew a Drink To Shorten A Cold
Hot toddies are a go-to home remedy for coughs, but you can skip the whiskey to shorten a cold if you don’t want to deal with side effects of alcohol. To make your brew, squeeze one half of a lemon and drop the peel into a mug. Then pour boiling water over the lemon, and add a teaspoon of honey. The lemon juice contains vitamin C, which is a known immune booster, and the organic creamed honey contains antibacterial compounds that heal infections. Inhale the steam, and drink up. This remedy can be used three times a day until you feel your cold symptoms start to disappear.
Soothe Shingles With a Cooling Paste
When shingles strike, the burning and itching feels unbearable. Treatment for shingles involves keeping your immune system strong and using topical ointments to heal your sores. Healing baths containing colloidal oatmeal help to ease your discomfort. After toweling off, apply a paste made from two parts cornstarch and one part water. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes, and rinse it off. The cooling effect of the cornstarch helps combat that burning feeling while also helping the sores to dry up.
Unstiffen a Painful Neck
Being unable to turn your head leaves you worried about whether or not you can even drive to the doctor. Fortunately, you can use a method called contrast hydrotherapy to limber up those muscles. Step into your shower and blast your neck with hot water for 20 seconds. Then, switch to cold for 10 seconds. The hot water increases blood flow while the cold constricts your blood vessels. Repeat this process three more times, and make sure you end it on cold. As you get out of your shower, your blood vessels will open up a final time and send blood flowing into your neck muscles, which loosens them up.
Soothe a Sore Throat
Garlic juice may not sound like the most delicious drink around, but cloves of garlic contain antibacterial qualities that destroy the bacteria that cause sore throats such as strep. Mix six pressed garlic cloves into a glass of warm water. You can add a teaspoon of honey to enhance the antimicrobial effect. Gargle with this solution twice a day until your sore throat has healed.
There’s a reason why your grandparents used to give you warm drinks when you were sick and encouraged healthy eating. Many of the best home remedies rely upon natural ingredients to stimulate your immune system. By knowing how to stop common illnesses and injuries in their tracks, you can prevent more serious health problems from developing.
