Before the convenience of modern clinics, our ancestors relied on nature’s bounty for healing. Home remedies, passed down through generations, continue to hold value today.
Our experts, along with our readers and staff at Prevention, have compiled a list of tried-and-true natural remedies for various ailments like back pain, nausea, and hot flashes.
While these remedies can offer relief, individuals with medical conditions or those who are pregnant or nursing should consult their doctor before trying them out.
Best Natural Healing Remedies
1. Acne Solution: Honey & Turmeric
Mix a quarter teaspoon of honey (preferably raw) with an equal amount of turmeric to create a potent pimple paste. Apply this paste directly onto the affected area.
Note that the remedy might temporarily leave a yellow stain on your skin, which can be removed with coconut oil.
2. Allergy Relief: Local Honey
Besides sweetening your tea, local honey can aid in building resistance to allergens specific to your area. However, refrain from giving honey to children under the age of one.
3. Anxiety Soother: Catnip
Catnip, often a favorite herb for cats, can also help alleviate anxiety in humans. It’s easily cultivated in a home garden and can be consumed as a tea or supplement.
Despite being a stimulant for cats, it has a calming effect on people, helping to relax the mind.
4. Arthritis Pain Relief: Consider trying gelatin.
Gelatin contains collagen derived from pig skin or cow bone, which may help alleviate joint pain and inflammation.
You can incorporate natural gelatin into your diet by mixing it with fruit or fruit juice to create a refreshing dessert.
Alternatively, collagen supplements are available. Research indicates that regular intake of collagen has been associated with reduced knee pain.
5. Back Pain Relief: Try white willow
White willow, available as a supplement, contains salicin, a natural compound similar to aspirin’s pain-relieving component. It’s often used alongside other anti-inflammatory treatments to alleviate back pain.
6. Bee Sting Relief: Consider using meat tenderizer
If stung by a bee and not allergic, remove the stinger, apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes, then create a paste using meat tenderizer or baking soda mixed with water.
Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it until it dries, approximately 30 minutes.
7. Dandruff Treatment: Lemongrass oil might help
Lemongrass oil contains citral and geraniol, potent antimicrobial compounds that combat the fungus responsible for dandruff. While it’s not recommended to use the oil alone, a study revealed that individuals who used a tonic containing 5 to 15% lemongrass oil experienced reduced dandruff after two weeks.
8. Diarrhea: Rice or Oatmeal Water
When dealing with diarrhea, you lose essential electrolytes from your body. One effective remedy is to prepare rice or oatmeal water.
Simply boil either brown rice or oatmeal in double the usual amount of water, then strain it.
After cooling, drink this water to replenish lost electrolytes, which can help alleviate the discomfort of diarrhea.
9. Dry Eyes: Flaxseed Oil
If you’re experiencing dry eyes, particularly due to excessive screen time, incorporating flaxseed oil into your daily routine can be beneficial. Consuming 1 to 2 teaspoons of flaxseed oil per day can provide relief.
The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed oil possess anti-inflammatory properties, which help alleviate dryness in the eyes. Additionally, implementing preventative measures can help avoid dry eye issues altogether.
10. Gas: Fennel Seeds
For those troubled by gas, fennel seeds can be a natural remedy. Fennel acts as a carminative, aiding in the dispersion of gas from the intestinal tract.
You can easily find fennel seeds in the spice section of most supermarkets or in Indian grocery stores, where they are often marketed as a digestive aid.
Consuming half a teaspoon of fennel seeds at the end of meals, either by chewing and swallowing them directly or incorporating them into your cooking, can help alleviate gas discomfort.
11. Gout: Try Celery
Managing gout symptoms can be aided by consuming celery regularly. Celery contains compounds that inhibit uric acid production and possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate gout symptoms.
Experts recommend incorporating four stalks of celery into your daily diet. Whether juiced, chewed, or taken in capsule form, celery can be an effective addition to your routine for managing gout symptoms.
12. Addressing Hair Loss:Cedarwood, lavender, rosemary & thyme
When addressing hair loss, one effective approach involves utilizing a combination of cedarwood, lavender, rosemary, and thyme essential oils. A study detailed in the Archives of
Dermatology observed individuals experiencing alopecia massaging these oils, blended with jojoba and grapeseed carrier oils, onto their scalps. Over a span of 7 months, significant new hair growth was noted.
13. For Hay Fever Relief: Butterbur
Combatting hay fever symptoms can be achieved by considering butterbur supplements. Research suggests that extracts from this herb, commonly found in riverside environments, possess the ability to effectively alleviate hay fever symptoms.
14. Handling Coughs: Apple cider vinegar, cayenne & cinnamon
A soothing remedy for coughs involves mixing 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into 8 ounces of hot water. To this mixture, add a sprinkle of cayenne, a dash of cinnamon, and a tablespoon of honey. This concoction offers relief from cough symptoms.
15. Managing Colds and Flu: Garlic & Honey
When facing the onset of a cold or flu, a natural remedy involves crushing garlic cloves and mixing them with a splash of raw honey in a glass of water. This straightforward yet potent approach helps bolster the immune system.
16. Weak Nails: Black Currant Capsules
Black currant oil capsules have shown promise in addressing the common concern of splitting nails. Users have reported significant improvement within a short span of two weeks.
The oil’s rich nutritional profile appears to promote nail strength and growth, offering a potential remedy for weakened nails.
17. Ear Infection: Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice has been recognized for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential remedy for ear infections.
Applying a few drops directly into the ear canal may help alleviate discomfort and aid in combating the infection, as supported by certain studies.
18. Fever: Mint
Mint leaves have long been utilized for their cooling properties, which may aid in reducing fever.
Chewing on a mint leaf has been a traditional method for fever management, as observed in various cultural practices. This natural remedy offers a simple yet potentially effective way to alleviate fever symptoms.
19. Minor Wounds: Comfrey
Comfrey leaves have historically been utilized for their wound-healing properties. Creating poultices from comfrey leaves is a practice passed down through generations, owing to the herb’s purported ability to expedite the healing process.
Cultivating comfrey in home gardens has been a common tradition, emphasizing its role as a natural remedy for minor wounds.
20. Muscle cramps: Pickle Juice
Athletes often advocate for the consumption of pickle juice to prevent muscle cramps. This recommendation stems from the understanding that muscle cramps can be triggered by an imbalance in electrolytes, and the salt content in pickle brine aids in restoring depleted sodium levels, particularly after intense sweating.
This strategy is supported by insights from Prevention Premium, which highlights it as one of the top remedies for addressing muscle cramps.
21. PHemorrhoids: Flavonoids
Flavonoids, potent antioxidants primarily present in dark berries such as blueberries and blackberries, have shown promise in managing hemorrhoid symptoms.
A study conducted by Italian researchers, involving 134 individuals experiencing hemorrhoid flare-ups, revealed that those who supplemented with 500 mg of flavonoids experienced a reduction in both the frequency and severity of hemorrhoid symptoms.
22. High blood sugar: Berberine
Berberine, often supplemented alongside chromium or in combination with it, has demonstrated effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels, particularly in individuals with prediabetes following a diet low in refined sugars and high in complex carbohydrates.
This herbal remedy has shown potential in managing high blood sugar levels, offering a natural alternative to traditional treatments.
23. Hives: Oatmeal bath
An oatmeal bath is a recommended remedy for soothing hives and alleviating skin irritation. By placing raw oats in a thin sock and securing it around the bathtub faucet, the water that flows through the oats becomes infused with soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
This simple yet effective approach provides relief for irritated skin, offering a natural solution for managing hives.
24. Hot Flashes: Sage Iced Tea
Research indicates that sage can effectively reduce the frequency of hot flashes experienced, offering a potential remedy for this common discomfort.
To prepare sage iced tea, steep a tablespoon of the herb—whether dried or fresh—in 8 ounces of water for 5 to 10 minutes.
After straining, chill the concoction and consume it. It’s worth noting that while menopause is often associated with hot flashes, there are several other common triggers to consider.
25. Jet Lag: Melatonin
Melatonin supplements can be highly beneficial in readjusting one’s circadian rhythm, especially after experiencing jet lag.
Sublingual supplements, which are placed under the tongue for absorption directly into the bloodstream, are particularly recommended for faster and more effective results.
26. Knee Osteoarthritis: Curcumin
Curcumin, the active compound found in turmeric, demonstrates promise in alleviating joint pain and swelling associated with knee osteoarthritis. Studies suggest that a daily intake of 1,000 to 1,200 mg of curcumin extract can be effective in managing symptoms.
To complement curcumin supplementation, engage in exercises aimed at preventing knee pain as part of a proactive approach to maintaining joint health.
27. Memory Loss: Rosemary
Inhaling the aroma of fresh or dried rosemary has been shown to temporarily enhance cognitive function, offering a potential solution for combating memory loss. For intensified effects, consider using the more potent essential oil of rosemary.
However, even a daily ritual of simply inhaling the fragrance of a fresh sprig of rosemary can contribute to improved alertness.
28. Nausea: Frozen Ginger Chips
When experiencing nausea, preparing frozen ginger chips can provide relief for an unsettled stomach. Simply chop fresh ginger into small pieces, boil them for 10 minutes, and strain the liquid into ice cube trays.
Crushing and consuming the frozen ginger chips throughout the day can offer a continuous soothing effect.
29. Sinus Congestion: Foot Bath
A foot bath is a simple yet effective remedy for alleviating sinus congestion and promoting relaxation. Fill a basin with hot water, ensuring it’s not too hot to avoid discomfort, and soak your feet for 5 to 8 minutes.
Subsequently, splash your feet with cold water, dry them thoroughly, and put on warm, dry socks. This treatment helps draw inflammation away from the head and neck area while providing a calming sensation.
