If you’re somebody who doesn’t reach out for a pill to pop every time a minor ailment presents itself and believe in trying out home remedies first, then you’re at the right place. Here are 12 natural and safe home remedies to try, the next time you have a minor ailment, and want quick relief, naturally.
1. A Remedy For Bad Breath
To get rid of bad breath, gargle with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice. This will kill the bacteria responsible for bad breath. Follow it up by eating 2 tablespoons of unsweetened yogurt. This lemon-yogurt remedy will neutralize bad odor and keep your mouth feeling fresh for up to 24 hours.
2. For A Sore Throat
Mix freshly extracted garlic juice from 6 garlic cloves with a cup of warm water and gargle with the solution twice a day for three days. Fresh garlic juice with its anti-microbial properties helps fight the bacteria causing the sore throat and helps reduce the inflammation causing the pain.
3. To Get Rid Of Foot Odor
Soaking your feet in 1-part vinegar and 2-parts water removes bad odor from feet, as vinegar helps kill the bacteria causing the odor. What can also help is soaking feet in strong black tea (cooled). The results can be experienced in a few days.
4. For Minor Burns
For minor burns aloe vera gel is a very effective remedy. The next time you graze your skin on a hot skillet, apply aloe vera gel on the affected area for immediate relief from pain. Aloe vera has soothing anti-inflammatory properties and forms a protective coating on the burn and helps with the healing.
5. A Cure For Nausea
Ginger is known to have strong anti-nausea properties. For this remedy, infuse ginger in hot water and let it sit for a while. Strain the liquid and freeze it in ice cube trays. Suck on an ice cube to get instant relief from nausea.
6. To Whiten Teeth
Make a paste out of some water, baking soda and a few fresh, crushed strawberries. Apply the paste onto a soft-bristled toothbrush and polish your teeth with it once every 3 months for shiny and stain-free teeth. The malic acid in the strawberries and the stain-removing action of baking soda together help buff off stains left behind on your teeth by coffee or red-wine. Use it sparingly as using it more often can erode the tooth enamel.
7. Here’s How To Stop Hiccups
Swallowing 1-2 teaspoons of sugar is a time-tested remedy for hiccups. In fact, swallowing anything coarse and granular would stimulate and reset the irritated nerve that causes the diaphragm to spasm, causing the hiccups. Even salt would work. But sugar tastes way better.
8. Remedy For Cough
Dark chocolate contains theobromine, which is a very effective cough suppressant. Having a square or two of dark chocolate is a far more effective remedy for persistent coughs than anything else and carries no side effects.
9. Get Rid Of Flatulence
Peppermint is known to have properties that kill the bacteria that cause bloating and gas. Taking two 500 mg enteric-coated peppermint capsules thrice a day relaxes the gastrointestinal tract and ensures a smooth spasm-free digestion, thereby reducing flatulence and bloating.
10. A Cure For Insomnia
Cherries are known to be packed with melatonin, the same chemical that our body needs to regulate sleep. Eating a handful of cherries right before bedtime helps regulate sleep. Also, following it with a warm bath that relaxes the body and mind is a sure-shot way to have a restful night.
11. Brighten Puffy, Tired Eyes
Black tea is known to contain tannins, compounds that have astringent properties, that help tighten the skin under the eyes. For the remedy, dip a tea bag in a cup of hot water for a few minutes to activate the compounds. Refrigerate the tea bag for some time to cool it and apply the damp tea bag as a compress to closed eyes for ten minutes and say goodbye to puffy eyes!
12. For Dry Skin And Eczema
Latest research has found that oatmeal contains avenanthramide, an active compound that helps calm itchy, irritated skin. For the remedy, fill a clean, dry sock with whole oats and seal the open end with a rubber band. Drop the sock into your bath water and soak yourself for 15-20 minutes, for relief from itching, dryness and eczema.
