15 Natural Home Remedies

Most of us have resorted to grandma’s home remedies at one point or another. Like gargle with salt water to ease a sore throat or drink a mug of hot milk before go to bed to help you sleep. “Although these natural remedies may have some medical credence as long if it won’t harm you and you understand that positive effects may be due to placebo, they could be worth a try”, said Dr Rob Hicks, a GP and hospital doctor in his new book “Old Fashioned Remedies From Arsenic To Gin”

Here is outlines some of the most effective – and unusual – home remedies by Rob Hicks. Please note that these remedies should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor.

1. Bad Breath
Tomatoes: Two or three tomatoes a day may help prevent bad breath or halitosis. The problem is caused by foul-smelling sulphur compounds produced by bacteria which thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as the back of the tongue. Tomatoes contain compounds called ionones, which are thought to make sulphur compounds odourless.

Yoghurt: Eat a small pot of yoghurt every day – the active bacteria may inhibit the odour-causing bacteria.

Carrots: Chew raw carrots if you think your breath smells. Bad breath is often caused by rotting food particles stuck between the teeth. When you chew, this stimulates the production of saliva, which helps get rid of food particles. The carrot fibres also act like a toothbrush on teeth and gums.

2. Bruises
Vinegar: Soak a dressing in cooled vinegar and apply it for ten to 20 minutes. Bruises occur when a bump causes blood vessels to break and blood leaks under the skin, leading to swelling, discolouration and pain. Vinegar increases blood flow near the skin’s surface, which helps to dissipate the blood pooled in the bruised area.

Onions: Mix grated onion with a little salt and pack against the bruise, holding there for up to ten minutes at a time. Onions are a rich source of quercetin, a plant pigment thought to be anti – inflammatory. This, in turn, will reduce the swelling around your bruise.

3. Body Odour
Radishes: To make a juice, blitz radishes in a food processor, then place in a muslin cloth and strain. After showering, pat the armpits and feet dry, then smear radish juice under each armpit, or on to the feet and in between the toes and allow to dry. Radishes are both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.

Bicarbonate Of Soda: Dust it on to skin with a powder puff to neutralise and remove smells. Bicarbonate of soda absorbs sweat, liquid and other substances that contribute to embarrassing and pungent body odours. Works for sweaty feet, too.

4. Constipation
Aloe Vera: Drink as directed on the packet. The juice of this cactus-like plant contains chemicals called anthraquinone glycosides, which can help relieve constipation by stimulating the bowel.

Cucumber: Eat a quarter of a cucumber a day. It is a rich source of liquid and fibre, and has a mild laxative effect that helps overcome sluggish bowels.

Liquorice: Drink liquorice tea, chew and swallow liquorice or mix halfa- teaspoon of liquorice root powder with warm water and drink. It’s also known to be a mild laxative.