A lot of people have strong feelings about the phrase “natural remedies”, ranging from being firmly in favour to expressing moderately dubious thoughts. Certain home remedies have been left behind in preference of options that have scientific backing, and that is understandable. Tim Minchin put it perfectly when he remarked, “‘Alternative medicine’ that has been scientifically proven to be effective? That’s just medicine.”
Although some purported fixes that are wild and unverified have been circulating for a long time, some of them can still be helpful and beneficial in the end. This article provides an overview of thirteen natural treatments that are effective, along with an examination of how they function.
Vodka for Odors
As time has passed, there has been quite a bit of interest in DIY deodorizers due to their cost-saving benefits and the preference for more natural products. A mixture of vinegar, water, and a scent of some kind is still heavily used and is very well-liked. Vinegar’s downfall is that it can neutralize odors but creates a smell of its own that is just as unpleasant. This can sometimes be unpleasant.
Vodka is an excellent alternative. It can be used to eliminate the dampness of shoes, get rid of the odour of cigarettes and animals from your sofa, and can even be directly sprayed on bodily feet if they have an issue. Vodka is effective because its high alcohol content is able to eliminate the bacteria responsible for the odor, and since alcohol evaporates quickly, any excess moisture is eliminated.
Apples for Whiter Teeth
Using store-bought whitening products, no matter if they are said to be all-natural or not, can be dangerous to the enamel on your teeth. Despite cautionary advice about the effects of acid on one’s teeth, people have been utilizing acid for teeth whitening since the Middle Ages. Back then, nitric acid was the material of choice for the procedure. At-home teeth whitening kits commonly contain malic acid as an active ingredient.
Natural malic acid is more sharply acidic than citric acid and even ascorbic acid (vitamin C), therefore, its long-term or frequent high-level use may be harmful to one’s teeth. In low amounts, it works incredibly well at taking away any discoloration from the surface of teeth. It can be located in numerous types of fruit including strawberries and apples. By partaking in the practice of eating apples, it serves as a natural teeth cleaner as the malic acid present assists in removing any surface discolorations.
Duct Tape for Warts
Research in the last 10 years has shown conflicting outcomes with regard to using duct tape to get rid of warts. Medical professionals and researchers have differing opinions regarding this subject. It functions, however there is limited knowledge on the details of how or the reasons why. The phrase “it suffocates it” is the most commonly heard explanation, however there is more to it than just that.
Some reports suggest that duct tape has formaldehyde, which has both antiseptic and antiviral properties. The speculation is that the adhesive tape can go deep enough into the mark to cure the wart in this manner. The most probable mode of operation is to activate the immune system. Taping warts does not make them painful, however it does make it more noticeable to your body. The glue used to attach something to the skin, as well as the tugging and slight stretching of that area may be causing an intense immune response, which is eliminating the wart.
Honey for Fighting Bacteria
Honey has excellent antimicrobial properties, both internally and externally. Putting honey on the skin can be beneficial in many ways. Raw, natural honey is antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral. Honey’s syrupy consistency serves as a kind of protective layer on the wound, and its osmotic qualities keep outside moisture away. It makes a flawless and hygienic atmosphere for a hurt to mend.
Inside the body, honey is just as effective. Honey has components that impede intercellular communication among bacteria, thus preventing biofilm formation. Biofilms are comprised of bacteria that form groups that can create an environment conducive to disease. By preventing bacterial communication, the secretion of toxins is also inhibited. Moreover, the osmotic property of honey can deplete the moisture in the bacteria inside the body, ultimately leading to their demise.
Mouthwash for Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is fairly widespread in part due to more people wearing canvas shoes, slip-ons that don’t accommodate socks, and even high-heeled shoes. Wetness generated by perspiration and the tightness of a shoe can cause the area between your toes to become chafed and irritated, eventually leading to the familiar fungal condition tinea pedis, otherwise referred to as athlete’s foot.
This condition is experienced by more than 3 million people annually. It is extremely painful and spreads easily. Luckily, though, it is easy to prevent. Immersing your feet in mouthwash can accomplish the desired result quite well. Mouthwash with alcohol serves to eliminate bacteria, and its mildly drying nature will combat fungal growth on your feet. You can also prevent athlete’s foot by wiping your feet with a cotton ball that has been dampened with an antiseptic mouthwash.
Black Tea for Sunburn
Everybody is aware that there is nothing superior to a glass of iced tea for cooling off in the summertime. It has more ways of cooling you down than you thought. Your skin can become sore, dehydrated, and blister and flake off if you get too much sun exposure. Drinking tea can assist with multiple issues and even assist in achieving a sun-kissed complexion after the sunburn has healed.
You need to allow the tea to steep until it is nearly completely dark and then once it has cooled, use it to gently dab the affected area. The benefit of this is due to the presence of tannic acid, theobromine, and catechins in black tea. Tannic acid has the ability to diminish the pain of sunburn, theobromine opens up blood vessels, increasing blood circulation in the area and aiding healing, and catechins are antioxidants capable of restoring the skin. It is inadvisable to use this product on skin that is wounded or suffering from sunburn.
Ginger for Nausea & Sore Throats
Ginger, a type of root which has a strong spicy taste, can usually be found at supermarkets, health food stores, and Asian food stores. For millennia, traditional medicines from Asia and India have employed this ingredient.
Put a teaspoon of grated material into a cup of warm water to make a tea that can ease a sore throat. You can get it in a sugary dried form, which you can utilize to relieve your tummy (or throat) when necessary. You can also purchase wafer-thin pickled ginger, something that you would usually see at Japanese cuisine establishments. In restaurants, ginger is incorporated as a way to conclude the meal, and also to refresh the taste buds in-between courses. Incorporate it into your recipes, either as part of the dish or as part of something zesty or citrusy.
Olives for Nausea
Incredible as it may sound, olives are truly classified as fruit. This foodstuff is consumable and yields an oil that can be used in cooking and various other purposes. Olives that can be eaten are produced via a process of cultivation and curing in the Mediterranean region. Fermentation is a part of this process.
Try ingesting a few olives to help prevent queasiness from morning sickness or motion sickness. We are all painfully aware that the horrible feeling of a dry mouth usually signals that one is about to vomit. Olives contain tannins, which reduce saliva and make the feeling of nausea more bearable. They have an abundance of beneficial fats and Vitamin E, thus making them an appropriate and beneficial addition to any dietary plan. The shades of green indicate that the fruits are less ripe compared to the black ones, and they can have a more subtle, fruity taste.
Peppermint for Digestion
Peppermint is a natural herb. The leaves are used to make tea or to obtain essential oils through extraction. Essential oils, dried leaves, and flavoring for candy and other edibles can all be derived from peppermint. Essential oils can be employed for scenting numerous substances, and it can even be utilized therapeutically in aromatherapy.
I love peppermint. (Who doesn’t?) It does all sorts of wonderful things. Drinking a cup of hot peppermint tea or including a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a glass of water can assist with digestion. Therefore, peppermint (or cinnamon) gum is widely enjoyed after-dinner. It is a great way to relieve stress, and chewing it while driving may help to reduce feelings of worry and anger.
Most of us think of dandelions as unwelcome intruders on our lawns, but they are actually quite resilient and have many uses. The leaves of the plant can be used in salads, can be used as a seasoning in root beer, and can even be used for crafting wine! Although they are certainly sour, they are rich in vitamin K and C – enhancing dishes globally with their health benefits and taste. The leaves and in some cases the flowers are dried to be used for tea.
Herbal medicine makes use of dandelion tea in a variety of ways, including to purify and enhance the functioning of the liver. This substance has a diuretic effect, thus it is commonly utilized to alleviate abdominal swelling and cramps. Adding a bit of honey to the tea can help balance out the tannins and make it less harsh on the palate.
Sugar for Hiccups
The sugary substance in your kitchen pantry that comes from vegetation, such as sugarcane and sugar beet, is delightful and scrumptious. A lot has been said about the potential health risks associated with an overconsumption of sugar, a carbohydrate. These repercussions can be vast, ranging from diabetes, extra weight, and disruptions to the brain and central nervous system.
Sugar is one of the quickest and most popular cures for hiccups. Literally: a spoonful of sugar is the cure. It functions by activating your vagus nerve, making the convulsions of your diaphragm cease (the root cause of the hiccup). Frightening someone or causing them to be breathless is also a means of achieving the goal, but it is not as gentle as the other options.
Baking Soda for Bee Stings, Poison Ivy, Teeth Whitening, UTIs and Odors
The well-recognized little yellow and orange box is usually home to baking soda. This is a solid form of sodium bicarbonate, which is an alkaline compound. This has a number of potential uses such as removing odors, counteracting bases and cooking.
Mix water and baking soda together to form a paste that can assist in calming a bee sting or poison ivy rash. This mixture will reduce any burning sensations, lessen the redness in the area, and ease the itchiness, as well as relieving any soreness. You could whiten your teeth by producing a paste using baking soda or adding some to your toothpaste. Using an abrasive agent may feel strange on your teeth, but it works to make them brighter and take away dirt and discoloration. Sodium bicarbonate can be used to provide relief from urinary tract infections, but it cannot treat the infection on its own, so it is necessary to visit the doctor’s office in order to be cured. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water and drink it. This will help to balance the acidity in your urinary tract and soothe the strong need to go to the bathroom. Baking soda’s antibacterial qualities can be used to inhibit the spread of the infection, however, this does not solve the problem. It is essential that you make your way to the physician without delay. In conclusion, baking soda is a powerful tool for reducing and eliminating smells; that is why it is used to eliminate odors from fridges, carpets and other areas. If you suffer from smelly feet, put some baking soda in your shoes to stop the smell and keep it odorless and fresh.
Cornstarch as Dry Shampoo
Cornstarch is a thickener made from corn kernels. It is a desiccated substance used for cooking up baked goods, soups and sauces. It can also be used as shampoo!
Mixing cornstarch shampoo with a bit of cocoa powder (for tint) and essential oil can help reduce oil and perspiration buildup, maintain your hairdo for longer, and make getting ready in the morning a breeze. The greatest aspect of this dry shampoo is that it has a delightful scent! Cinnamon oil can be used to create a scent akin to Mexican hot chocolate, while orange oil may be used to form a smell of chocolate orange. This material is simple to prepare and has a long shelf life.
Garlic for Colds, Flus and Sore Throats
Garlic is undoubtedly a common kitchen staple, with its potent aroma and flavor lending itself to a wide range of culinary creations. Cultivating it is simple, affordable, and readily available.
Garlic has been praised as a miraculous treatment – a beneficial solution for a variety of problems ranging from yeast infections to tiredness. This harmless-looking root packs a lot of advantages, including strengthening your immune system, and also has antifungal and antibiotic properties. When ailing, a steaming bowl of chicken soup (spiked with generous amounts of garlic) could help unclog your nose and hasten the healing process. There is a considerable amount of research which indicates that it can be beneficial. If you are able to tolerate it, fresh garlic works more effectively, as the potency of it can be reduced after cooking. Think about putting it in your salad dressing or using it once you have prepared your food in order to make it more effective.
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