11. Stress
Cloves: Soak in a bath with a few drops of clove oil. The oil, which has natural pain-killing properties, will soak into skin, increasing circulation to loosen up muscles. Doctors in Germany have devised a quick-acting anaesthetic based on the plant.
12. Sore Throat
Arnica: Rinse the mouth with a few drops of arnica extract in warm water (don’t swallow). Arnica, a plant belonging to the sunflower family, has an anti-inflammatory effect and is available in pill or tincture form from health food shops
Bay Leaf: Boil a handful of bay leaves and mash into a poultice (a soft, moist mass). When cool enough, apply to the outside of the throat and leave for 30 minutes. No one knows why this old remedy works, but bay has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and the warmth is soothing.
13. Toothache
Horseradish: Grate a little horseradish and apply to the gums near the aching tooth. It contains a compound called synthetic allyl isothiocyanate which is used as a topical anaesthetic.
14. Gout
Figs: Soak four figs in water, mash them, apply directly to the affected area and keep in place with a clean cloth. Leave for up to an hour. Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the joints, and figs are alkaline, helping to counteract this. Morin, a compound found in figs, has been shown to reduce uric acid in rats.
Lavender: Make a compress – a dressing soaked in lavender infusion and left until the temperature is at a level tolerable to skin – and apply to the affected area until it cools. Lavender deadens pain and is anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic.
15. Headaches
Bananas: Mash ripe banana peel and place against the sore area of the head for up to 15 minutes at a time (repeat as often as needed). Headaches are caused by changes in the blood vessels. Bananas are high in magnesium, which may help to relax blood vessels.
Onions: Place a slice of raw onion on the back of the neck as a cold compress to relieve the neck strain that may be causing the headache. (dailymail)
