CURES FROM YOUR KITCHEN CUPBOARD

When I’m feeling ill, the last thing I want to do is drag myself out of bed to get to the nearest pharmacy. Besides the fact that medicine can get pricey, sometimes it makes me feel even sicker. When battling nausea, the chalky taste and artificial pink color of most anti biotics is enough to turn me green.
I was happy to learn that we don’t have to run to the store for solutions to our stress-induced headaches, skin problems, and embarrassing gastrointestinal “issues.” Instead, remedies for what ails us can be found in our kitchen cupboards.

BASIL

Ingesting basil promotes healthy digestion and decreases gas. Though mint teas are touted for their stomach-healing properties, a cup of basil tea is an even better choice when big, hearty meals leave us feeling overly full and bloated. It has also been said to alleviate constipation and cramping. Some believe it has a calming affect, so add basil to your diet when feeling stressed or anxious.

BLACK PEPPER

People have used black pepper, one of the most popular spices in the world, to treat everything from earaches to tooth decay, and it’s even been used to treat skin maladies. One example of this is putting black pepper on a cut (after cleaning the area, of course) to halt the bleeding and heal the cut. Those who do this swear that it’s the best method for minimizing scarring.

GARLIC

Aside from being a delicious addition to just about every meal, garlic is a healing powerhouse. It can treat asthma and fever; it’s great for kidney function. It even prevents the common cold! A study at the Garlic Centre in the UK found that participants who took a garlic supplement every day were less likely to catch a cold than those who didn’t.

CAYENNE

Cayenne pepper can add a kick to your chili or ease your joint and muscle pains. Those suffering from arthritis, skin blisters, and back pain find comfort by adding dried cayenne powder to hot water, pouring the mixture on a towel, and applying the damp towel to the problem area. Its cardiovascular benefits are numerous, ranging from increased circulation to stopping nosebleeds. If a nosebleed comes on (or if you’re prone to them), try drinking a cup of hot water with a few shakes of cayenne pepper. It will take pressure off the hemorrhaging area and promote clotting to stop the blood loss

ROSEMARY

Ancient Greeks believed that rosemary increased brain activity and memory. Its smell is thought to stimulate the senses, relieving stress and elevating energy levels. In essential oil form, it may even prompt hair growth. Rosemary is also great for curing headaches because it opens up constricted blood vessels. Try putting a dab of rosemary oil on your temples, or brew a cup of rosemary tea and drink it a few times a day.

CINAMMON

The addition of cinnamon to meals can lower their blood sugar impact on bodies by increasing insulin activity, making the spice a good choice for diabetics. Even those who don’t like the taste of cinnamon can reap its benefits by smelling its fragrance. Research suggests that just smelling cinnamon or chewing cinnamon gum can improve brain power and memory. A study at the Teikyo University Institute in Medical Mycology in Japan also linked cinnamon to a reduction in fungi that causes ailments such as athlete’s foot and yeast infections. Drinking cinnamon tea is also a useful cure for diarrhea and runny noses.

TUMERIC

This is considered a wonder spice among the alternative medicine community. When added to food or drink, or even applied to the skin in a mixture, it targets anemia, diabetes, allergies, and skin and cardiovascular disorders. Within the past few years, turmeric’s role in reducing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s has come under speculation. Research at the National University of Singapore suggests that turmeric strengthens brain function—elderly individuals who ate varying degrees of yellow curry (turmeric gives it the yellow flavor) were tested, and it was found that those who ate curry more often scored better on tests than those who hardly or never ate it. This also might explain why Alzheimer’s is so rare in India, where turmeric is quite popular

OREGANO

Oregano is not often thought of outside of Italian cuisine, but its medicinal properties are impressive. A tea mixed with the bold herb can cure all kinds of stomach issues, from flatulence and bloating to a dwindling appetite. The miracle tea can even affect throat problems, urinary issues, menstrual cycles, and it can be a substitute for Listerine. Those with cavities can apply the oil of oregano directly to the tooth to decrease pain, and it can alleviate skin disorders like eczema and dandruff.

SALT

Hayfever
Salt water sprayed or squirted into the nose, one nostril at a time, can reduce hayfever symptoms and relieve swelling. Make your own solution by mixing 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking
soda with one cup of warm water.
How it works: the salt shrinks swollen nasal passages by drawing out fluid which then flushes away the viruses, bacteria and pollens causing the symptoms.

TEA BAGS

HAYFEVER Cold, wet tea bags wrapped in paper towels can help soothe itchy eyes caused by a cold or hayfever, says Manchester-based GP Dr Charles Simenoff. It is thought the tannic acid in tea can help reduce the itch.
HEADACHE At the first sign of a headache, have a cup of tea, suggests nutritionist Jane Clarke. "Headaches are caused by changes in the blood vessels: they either contract or expand. A small dose of caffeine seems to reverse these changes."

PEANUT BUTTER

Can be used as an exfoliator. Use the crunchy type as a quick and easy body scrub and as a cellulite treatment. Best to do this one in the shower!

PEPPERMINT OIL

Insect Bites and Stings Rub a drop of peppermint oil onto the
centre of a bite or sting for fast relief.

How it works: The peppermint will cool the bite and increase circulation to the area to quicken the healing.

ALMONDS, HAZELNUTS, CASHEWS

Low Energy
Increase the magnesium in your diet by eating almonds, hazelnuts, cashews and whole grains.
How it works: Nuts and grains are high in magnesium which plays a vital role in converting sugar to energy.

LEMONS

Sucking on a slice of lemon can make lips pucker and beat hiccups

Lemons are great for the feet, believe it or NOT. Lemon is a natural astringent so it closes sweety pores as well as an antibacterial agent, which fights the bacteria that causes smelly feet. Soak your feet in a bowl of cold water to which you've added the juice of one lemon. Dry and dab with a small amount of vodka to help prevent athlete's foot.

OLIVE OIL

EAR WAX Soften ear wax by applying a few drops of olive oil into the ear four times a day, advises Dr Byrom. "This is as effective as anything you can buy over the counter for ear wax."

WARTS Soak an infected hand or foot in diluted vinegar to get rid of unsightly warts, advises Sheffield-based GP and orthopaedic physician Dr Rav Naik. "The acid in vinegar will destroy the viral particles in the wart," he says. Soak for at least 15 minutes every day and repeat until warts clear.

It is also excellent for pregnant women to ward off stretch marks. Cold pressed olive oil contains many nourishing vitamins and essential minerals and will help your skin expand to accomodate your baby's growth. Add a few drops of citrus juice to improve its fragrance. Massage gently around your abdomen and navel in a clockwise direction, using continuous, smoothing strokes.

HORSERADISH

Congested Throat
Mix ground horseradish and honey together in a glass of water, and gargle.
How it works: Horseradish contains solvents that loosen and break up mucous in the throat and nose.



GINGER

NAUSEA Ginger can help, because compounds in the spice have anti-sickness properties.
A study involving Danish naval cadets found that taking just 1g of powdered ginger before embarkation reduced symptoms of seasickness - including dizziness - by almost 40 per cent, and slashed the frequency of vomiting by more than 70 per cent.
It's also good for morning sickness. According to Dr Hicks, pregnant women may get greater benefit from eating ginger biscuits. These have the added benefit over powdered ginger of helping to maintain blood sugar levels, and nausea is often caused by low blood sugar. Take a small amount of powdered ginger before air, car or sea travel. Alternately, take a jar of candied ginger on your trip.
How it works: Compounds in ginger contain anti-sickness properties.

That ginger is good for stomach issues is no surprise—after all, ginger ale is a common recommendation for soothing upset stomachs. A study done at Chiang Mai University in Thailand even found that ginger was a useful remedy for morning sickness among pregnant women in their first trimester. What’s less known is that ginger also helps alleviate inflammatory issues, such as arthritis and headaches. A study conducted by Danish researchers found that taking ginger at the beginning of a headache quickly stops the pain in its tracks by reducing the inflamed blood vessels. Ginger tea and ginger pills are available to buy, or you can try adding ginger root to your meals.

EGGS

Eggs are a traditional beauty treatment to promote healthy, shiny hair. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Rinse well, then rub in two egg yolks. Wrap your hair in cling film and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Whip up the two egg whites, leave for 5 minutes, and then rinse.

CAMOMILE

MOUTH ULCERS Camomile tea can help soothe the pain of mouth ulcers, according to London GP Dr Rob Hicks. Allow the herbal brew to cool with the tea bag in, then swill liquid around the mouth before swallowing. Do this every couple of hours. It is thought the herb contains substances that relieve inflammation.
How it works: Chamomile tea contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds that help mouth ulcers to heal.

BUTTER

Butter can recondition damaged nails. Soak brittle nails in warm, melted butter for 10 minutes. Wash off in warm water, then massage your nails with olive oil.


BANANAS

VERRUCA
Taping the inside of the peel from an overripe banana to a verruca may help the healing process, says podiatric surgeon Michael O'Neill.
This is due to the anti-viral properties in the mucilage (the sticky substance inside the peel).
Apply the peel before you go to bed and do this every night until the verruca has gone.
Plantar Warts
Before going to bed each night, tape the fleshy side of a small piece of banana skin against the wart. Continue until the wart discolours and peels away easily - within one to eight weeks.
How it works: Enzymes within the banana skin kill the wart virus and separate the dead skin from the sole of the foot.

DISPOSAL OF BODY WASTES

Bananas are rich in potassium, which promotes the efficient disposal of body wastes. So eat RIPE bananas to help relieve constipation and green bananas as a remedy for diarrhoea. The inside of the banana skin is also known for its effectiveness in drwaing dirt from clogged skin, rub it over your blocked pores or blackheads, leave for 15 minutes and wash off.

ONIONS

WASP STINGS Treat a wasp sting by rubbing with a slice of onion, says Dr Simenoff. This will reduce the swelling and pain and speed up the recovery time. There are enzymes in fresh-cut onion that help break down the compounds in a sting that cause inflammation.
How it works: Onion contains enzymes which reduce nflammation.

Coughs and Colds
Dice an onion, place in a bowl and cover with honey. Leave for an hour to marinade, and then take as often as needed.
How it works: The onion juice mixed with honey has a mild homeopathic effect and will sooth sore throats and loosen mucus.

EAR INFLAMMATION

Onions can help draw out mild ear inflammation caused by colds and congestion. Boil a whole onion in water until soft. Cool until the core can be removed and place it in the well of the ear for 10 minutes.

CLOVES

TOOTHACHE You can get swift relief from toothache by dipping a cotton bud in oil of cloves and applying it directly on to the area, says dentist Dr Philip Stemmer. Cloves have natural pain-killing properties. Indeed, doctors in Germany have recently devised a quick-acting anaesthetic based on the plant. Be careful, though, not to leave the cotton bud on for more than a couple of minutes as it can cause irritation to the gums. You can buy oil of cloves from health food shops.
How it works: Clove contains a volatile oil called eugenol that has strong antibacterial and analgesic properties that deaden pain.

CHERRIES

GOUT

Gout most commonly affects the big toe and can start quickly and cause excruciating pain. An ice pack will dull pain and lessen swelling.Try: Eating cherries (fresh or dried) as they contain anti-inflammatory compounds that help neutralise uric acid in the blood. Studies suggest that eating 20 cherries will have the same pain relieving effect as one painkiller. If you don’t like cherries, strawberries and raspberries have a similar effect but you will have to eat a lot more.

So, I hope that some of these items may help you in the future if you have any ailments that are bothering you and you need a quick, home remedy.

I know it has helped me! Bye for now .............