15 Home Remedies For Common Ailments
This idea popped in my mind when having a discussion with my guides on a separate topic. I had asked for inspiration and ideas on what would be a good next topic and they delivered!
Here are 15 home remedies for common ailments that I've used in my household or have recommended to others with positive results.
1. Garlic for earaches and toothaches.
For earaches, cut a garlic clove in half, wrap it in a single ply of tissue and put this wrapped garlic in your ear with the cut/open side of the garlic facing your ear canal. You can put a headband on and over it to keep it in place overnight. I've used this for ear infections on my daughter when she was a toddler and worked every time! For toothaches, cut a garlic clove in half, place the cut/open side on the aching tooth.
2. Vitamin B for period cramps.
Take 2-3 times the recommended daily dose of vitamin B6 when you feel cramps starting. It's helped alleviate pain when I had no heating pad available and is now my go-to method.
3. Peppermint tea for gas and bloating.
Peppermint tea helps alleviate painful gas and sometimes bloating. I've tried spearmint tea as well and while it helps, I find straight peppermint tea a bit more potent. No sugar, cream, or anything else added.
4. A tight knot on painful joints.
This is best for knee or elbow joint pain. Use a thin scarf or other fabric to wrap around the joint and tie a really tight knot where the pain seems to be centered (double knot preferred). It should be tight enough where it makes it stiff and difficult to move, but not so much that you're tearing the fabric. Then leave your leg or arm unmoved for the next 20-30 minutes. I usually do this when I go to sleep; you can leave it on overnight.
5. Do this stretch to relieve lower back pain from weakened discs.
Lay on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Raise your right foot and place it on the thigh of your left leg, just below the knee. Now press down on the inside of your right knee until you feel a pull/relief. You can hold for about a minute before doing the same with the other foot.
6. Baking soda or apple cider vinegar for acid reflux.
Baking soda helps alleviate acid reflux when there's too much acid, while apple cider vinegar works when you have too little acid. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda or apple cider vinegar in some water and drink it (do NOT mix baking soda and apple cider together, it should be one or the other). Don't know if you have too much or too little acid? Try one of these first (I suggest the baking soda) and if it doesn't work, try the other.
7. A hearty dish for strength and healing when you're sick.
If you're sick with the cold, flu or have a fever, try this simple and tasty dish to gain some strength. Add diced carrots, onions, chicken, salt and a short-grain rice in a rice cooker and use bone broth instead of water to cook them. Vegetarians and vegans can skip the chicken and use a vegetable broth instead of bone broth. The rice dish should come out soft enough for babies to consume.
8. High doses of vitamin C for colds.
Most people take a max of 1000 mg of vitamin C when they're sick, whereas I aim for 10,000 mg but only ever manage to get 6,000-7,000 mg throughout the day. If you have the common cold and want a faster recovery, aim for 5,000 mg of vitamin C to start with, spread out throughout the day. If you're feeling apprehensive about the high dose, try 4,000 mg, and if you're feeling ambitious, go for 7,000 mg. Spread your consumption throughout the day to gauge if you need more or have enough, and you'll be able to tell by how your symptoms reduce.
9. Increase iron if you find yourself colder than usual.
If you're not sick and barring any thyroid issues, increasing your iron intake can alleviate feeling cold. Cold hands and feet are common symptoms of iron deficiency.
10. Honey for coughs.
Take 2 teaspoons of raw, local honey daily to help with stubborn coughs. I’ve only seen this yield positive results with good quality honey, and less so with the cheaper, store-bought honey.
11. Remove dairy to alleviate certain coughs.
If you have a cough that's reminiscent of a post-nasal drip cough or strep throat, try eliminating dairy completely from your diet. I've seen this common amongst young children, including my own daughter.
12. Apples when you can't keep food down.
If you can't keep food down, especially post-operation or because of pain medication, try eating only apples or freshly squeezed apple juice (not store-bought). Wait a couple hours before consuming regular foods and avoid greasy foods.
13. Full color veggie plate for optimal digestion.
This one may take a couple weeks to yield results but is well worth the nutrients and vitamins you get in the process. If you are having gut issues (barring any allergies) or want to improve your gut biome, try consuming a red, green, yellow, orange and purple vegetable everyday. This adds a variety of micronutrients to your gut, diversifying it. Warning: your body might start rejecting ultra processed foods, and it’s its way of telling you it wants the good (healthy) stuff.
14. Baby spinach for high blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, consume raw, baby spinach in tandem with foods that may increase your blood pressure. For example, having a party where there's only pizza? Bring a bag or raw baby spinach and eat it together. And I mean handfuls of baby spinach, not a few pieces.
15. Bone broth for aching/popping joints.
Vegans can skip this recommendation. If your joints are making popping noises when you move, try taking bone broth for several weeks and ensure that you're stretching your entire body every day and frequently.
Lastly, my guides wanted to throw in a bit of fun to this: if you want a fun way to help reduce headaches in addition to increasing your water intake, have sex!