Simple home-made remedies for cures, illnesses and ailments!.

Ever wonder how mum's from the old country or from the stone age generation always have the most simplest & best cures available. Some of their simple remedies can save you a fortune from the doctor. Although it is always better to take medical advice from a health expert. Still there are some cures in your mum's kitchen or box of cures in her cupboard that prevail like no other!. It seems that this generation are so high tech & every working parent would rather slap on a bandage or run down to the pharmacy for their kids. Below i have compiled a list of simple home made remedies taken from a wonderful grandmother & my very own mother & a few other ye ol' timers.

Tea tree oil as an insect repellent

A day outdoors with the family at a park or outdoor recreational area can spot on some bug action. If you are trying to prevent getting bitten in the first place, then tea tree oil should be your first recommendation. Rub a tad bit on your skin, for the scent is powerful enough to repel bugs. You can also sprinkle moderately around the area you decide to set up camp. Even outside your bedroom door at your house. You will never need other repellent creams and odd smelling products again!. Tea tree oil is a natural pesticide from mother nature herself!.

Lavender oil for insect bites

Now supposing you did get bitten from those nasty bed bugs or mosquitoes, lavender oil is a wonderful antiseptic. Its amazing healing properties which consists of antibiotic, analgesic and antiviral abilities, make this potion the perfect bug cure. Rub gently over puncture or reddish spot. Say bye to rashes & itchiness, for lavender oil even smells splendid!. Growing up on the country side, this really helped a lot.

Chili Peppers for Arthritis & Nerve Damage

Chili peppers have amazing health benefits. An active component found in chili's, called capsaicin which is used to treat many conditions such as chronic pain, joint and muscle dysfunctional pain, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage through diabetes) and more notably psoriasis which is a common skin condition. Both applying or simply eating one chili a day can reduce pain significantly. Be warned if you eat quite a few per day, you could get constipated or mild to serious case of heartburn. The whole point is for the capsaicin to reduce the flow of pain signals to the brain.

Milk as a sleep Inducer!.

Millions of people have issues with regular sleep, many of these cases being insomniacs themselves, say that making a habit of drinking warm milk before bed actually sedates them and off they go snoring. The secret sauce to this simple remedy is a process by which the body converts trytophan to melatonin. Melatonin being the hormone that controls sleep. Warm milk just helps this process faster & increases the effect of sedation. I doubt the old folk knew these terms or the chemical processes involved. Its like they just knew what to do, shut their kids up by making them have milk so they can drop off to sleep faster! (namely me).

Cold Milk To Soothe Burning a Mouth.

Have you ever had spicy Indian food? or Malaysian Kimchi Jjigae?. You will definitely find out the meaning of your mouth catching fire. At some point or another everyone gets into that 1 spicy dish and then moves on to profusely sticking their tongue out and instantly grabbing the glass of water. Resist the urge of drinking cold water & instead try a glass of nice cold milk. The reason behind this is a component in milk called casein. Casein is a natural fighter to the capsaicin found in chili and or spicy foods.

Potatoes To Cure Sunburn.

There are quite a few techniques and home remedies to cure sunburn. For example Cucumber & lime juice applied in affected areas. A turmeric, barley & yogurt paste. Vinegar & olive oil, sandalwood paste. All of these remedies are pretty good. Nothing though beats the potato. Simply cut the potato in half and let the potato fluids (juice) do all the work. If you must take it to another level for severe burns. It is possible to liquidize the potato and make a broth & apply to affected areas. The potato is a miracle worker and great for repairing, mainly consisting of phytochemicals ('phyto', Greek word for Plant) for cell and skin rejuvenation.

Oatmeal bath remedy for Chickenpox (VZV)

Chickenpox at some point affects everyone only once. It is more likely to occur in early childhood than an adult, but nevertheless chickenpox otherwise also known as varicella-zoster (VZV), will occur at least once in your lifetime if it hasn't already. Add a cup of oatmeal to a warm bath. If you like, you can also add baking soda to the mix. This will lessen the itchiness & soothe the body. Relax in the tub if you wish to soak up. No more than 10-15mins is advisable, due to drying of the skin. Try not to rub with a towel if drying after, just softly pad the body. This method can also be used for insect bites, rashes and itchiness.

Salt Water For Itchy / Sore Throat.

Usually before an accompanying flu, comes the itchy throat. In most cases this may vary. It might be simply itching, a sore or difficulty swallowing. Heat some water in your heater. (The act of doing so is to kill bacteria in the water). Wait for it to warm just enough to gargle. Before gargling add about half a teaspoon of salt, stir a bit & proceed to gargling the entire content. Repeat 3-4 times a day for results!. Remember to make sure the saline in the water reaches the back of your throat while gargling!.

Remedy for Athlete's Foot using garlic.

Garlic is a natural disinfectant, wonderful at fighting of fungus, bacteria & germs. If you are able to make a garlic paste, then apply on affected areas of your feet. Try to get in between toenails & soles of your feet. There are garlic creams, ointments & sprays available. The more natural though the better. Eat a 3-4 garlic pieces a day for greater effects. Overall boosting your immune system!.

If you are interested in finding more about living healthy, living simple! i suggest you read my other hub, foods to increase intelligence!.

Inhaling Steam for congestion.

Congestion can be quite bothersome, It can prevent you from breathing properly. Always having phlegm buildup's, stuffiness, are all related to the air passageways in your lungs being clogged and not having a proper airflow. If you can steam up your bathroom, try inhaling then. A more effective way of going about clearing your congestion would be to take a large bowl of hot steamy water, put a towel over your head and Inhale in. Another good idea is to add 1 teaspoon of salt & a pinch of baking soda into the water & inhale. You can even add tea tree oil to a steaming bowl of water, about 4-5 drops is good. Inhale for 15mins. Tea tree oil will also clean and disinfect your face while you are inhaling steam from the bowl!.

Olive oil nutrients for dry skin

Dry skin has been very common amongst the general public since the beginning of time. Olive oil has been dated to cultures as far back as the biblical times and used more specifically for baths & dry skin treatment. Dry skin is not a major ailment per say, but it is rather annoying as it can lead to itching and shedding of skin unnecessarily. Even weather plays a major factor in how our skin is challenged. Applying olive oil over dry areas of your skin will moisturize it back to health. Rinse with lukewarm water, not hot or steaming water, your condition will only worsen otherwise. Apply once a day for a week and you should see no more of dry skin issues. Olive oil also has fundamental value for the human heart. The Egyptians and the Romans knew that as well!. More on healthy oils if you're interested.

Honey to suppress those annoying night coughs.

Almost everyone has this issue, aching coughs that keep you up all night. 1-2 teaspoons of honey should simmer if not cure your cough. if you're in the early stages of a cough, it is advisable to take one of those fizzing vitamin C supplementary dissolubles in a glass of water. Boosting your immune system repairing tissue etc. While the honey suppresses the cough all together. For children, no more than 1 tablespoon of honey is advisable. It is also recommended to have honey with ginger or just honey in your tea or coffee to calm coughs. Proven very effective indeed!.

Sugar to treat hiccups.

Hiccups also known as synchronous diaphragmatic filter (SDF) can be hilarious if not irritating later on. It is caused by an abrupt rush of air into the lungs, causing an irritated diaphragm spasm that repeats itself, close to about a minute or so. A simple remedy for this would be to have 2 teaspoons of sugar or cubes of granulated sugar. This helps clear the spasms, returning you to normal. NO MORE! standing on your head, drinking 7 sips of water and unnecessary shocks by idiot friends to a point of futility, although the theory is to regulate your breathing, tricking your respiratory system into normalizing the diaphragm.

Black tea remedy for stinky feet.

The main cause of stinky feet is germs and bacteria that are associated with shoes and or your feet. Most commonly found in young children that play outdoors a lot, sometimes also in adults. I talk more about germs and bacteria in shocking places you'd never expect, if you're interested. Soak your feet in warm black tea everyday till you see results or smell nothing more like it. This treatment should clear any odorous smells. Proceed then to soak your shoes in a disinfectant if you wish. It shouldn't be a hassle. As black tea has an element called catechins a specific type of tannin (polyphenols). This element can close up spores, disinfect your feet naturally and make bacteria less likely to ever occur, no matter what state or how many shoes you wear! free your feet and everyone else around you, from the wrath of smelly kingdom!.

Peppermint for bad breath & irritable bowel syndrome.

Peppermint leaves or substitutes are miracle workers, providing assistance and relief to your insides. Even yogurt balances out the good bacteria and does calm down irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). if you find yourself with bad breath its only because of bacteria or an accumulation of fungi. Smokers tend to be on top of the list, can you guess why?. Change your type of toothpaste. Try some peppermint leaves. It cures not only your breath, but also your bowel irritations if you are having issues.

Cherries to cure jet lag.

Cherries are loaded with melatonin, This will help you revert your biological clock also known as circadian rhythm back to normal. have a handful of these after a long flight. It should set you on a straight path to normalizing. Health experts refer to this term as desynchronosis (jet lag)

Curing scalp lice with mouthwash.

I remember my friend calling my grandmother crazy, when she said she was going to grab his head and treat it with mouthwash. i believed my friend.....that my grandma finally lost it, until my grandmother proved us both wrong. With further research i see why this is such an amazing cure. Mouthwash is the perfect disinfectant for the scalp. Lie back with the back of your head facing into the sink and get somebody to apply mouthwash into your scalp thoroughly. Let it soak for about a good 2 hours. very effective cure. I now have a sheepish and grateful friend to prove it!.

Black tea relief for mild burns.

Burns are measured in degrees, first degree, being the least which only affects the outer layer, which is your skin. Second degree being the outer layer and the underlying part of your skin which is your flesh obviously. Third degree burns are by far the worst, which are deep into the flesh. This home made remedy can heal up to second degree burns. Anything worse and you should consult a doctor immediately, as it could have negative effects on your heart. The tannic acid in black tea will indeed relieve the pain and begin to repair tissue damage. Warm some black tea and let it cool. soak up 2-4 teabags in water before warming it. Again let it cool down before you salve your burn wound(s).

Licorice root for fever blisters and cold sores.

Cold sores are basically small blisters or a group of blisters around the mouth on the lip. Usually accompanied with swelling and when burst give out a clear fluid. Causes of cold sores are kissing an infected person, exchanging saliva from cups, water bottles etc. Fever blisters can very well be painful and give you a feeling of itchiness. Licorice root which can be found in groceries and not candy shops, will help speed the treatment of this ailment. Simply moisturize over affected area. the acid that gives licorice its sweetness also has healing properties. Licorice powder with vegetable oil made into a concoction and applied over affected area is another good idea.

Teabags to normalize puffy eyes.

Oh yes the women in my family are absolutely crazy, but thank the miracle of Google to verify their crazy theories which after much research turn into actual facts. Green tea and black tea bags that are used much after drinking its contents are proven to work. Remove the tea bag wait for it to cool down and place it over your eyes for 10-15mins. It will not only completely normalize the puffiness, but also ensure your face is looking younger and healthier for some reason. The tannins in green & black tea are truly miracle workers and have stood the test of time, proving their part in healing properties yet again.

Cinnamon for High Blood Pressure (hypertension)

Hypertension can be a very risky health factor, leading to aneurysms, heart attacks, heart strokes / failure, including kidney failure a.k.a renal failure. Cinnamon bread sticks with your morning tea or coffee is proven to lower blood pressure. It regulates the flow of sugar in your bloodstream and distributes it accordingly. Lessening the pressure of the heart pumping, in turn reducing organ damage. Have a cinnamon roll in your day. Add a touch of cinnamon to your morning breakfast. There are different stages to hypertension. If you are suffering in the worst of stages. Please consult a doctor. Cinnamon is otherwise good for this lesser / milder type of ailment.

Honey to treat cuts and bruises.

Honey is loaded with healing properties. Since it is rich with antioxidants. Honey can also be used as an antibacterial healing gel. For more serious and deep cuts, make sure to disinfect it first before applying honey. it is a very natural solution and tremendously speeds up healing at an unbelievable rate, like it the cut scrape never happened.

Toothpaste to cure pimples and acne.

Almost everyone feels ugly when a nasty zit or a pimple shows up. Before even getting to this remedy. You should already know to avoid busting pimples. this only leaves an even nasty mark if not holes or pits in your skin. Applying toothpaste over your pimples and zits will dry it up and erase any trace of it. Keep it for a good 15mins, If you feel any burning, immediately wash it off. Another good solution is to use a towel soaked in warm water. As an adolescent i used to have quite a few of these pimples all over my face. Until i was told to stop having dairy products, which included cakes, ice-cream & chocolates and sugary peanuts. You don't have to completely stop having these treats, but moderation is key. You wont even need to apply toothpaste to slowly heal your pimples. My face is now completely clear and not a trace for a good 14 years. Good advice and toothpaste helped a lot.

Meat spice tenderizer for bee stings.

If you have ever been stung by a bee, then you know the pain, swelling and itching that comes along with it. especially the PAIN!. When bees sting a venom is also injected into your bloodstream. Although other remedies such as, salt, copper coins, toothpaste, clay garlic, urine, onions, baking soda, tomato paste and anything with acetone or papain properties that may suffice (please refrain from the urine, its just eewww, unless you need to save a friend, then i have no qualms). What makes meat tenderizer spice powder so effective is the property it contains, which is papain. Papain hunts and neutralizes the venom flushed into your system. Reducing pain, swelling and itching, allowing the body to recover and heal quickly. Remember if you're in bee country, Carry a vial or the small bottle of seasoned meat tenderizer with you, which can be purchased from your local store.

Boiling it down!.

With all these simple remedies provided, Prevention is still better than cure. Sometimes these minor accidents cannot be helped, but simple treatments like these are lying around your house waiting to be used for free!. Having knowledge first hand is always better than trying random stuff. That's what mums are for. If at any point you are allergic or unsure, it is always better and safer to consult a doctor or a medical expert. Not all mums might have honors in medical treatment, but they do have experience. Theres something magic about that age, which is passed down to their children. The wonders of simple science through home made remedies.

If you've enjoyed reading this hub, I formely thank you and implore you to share this knowledge with your friends and family. Knowledge is power!.

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