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NATURAL REMEDIES FOR 5 OF THE MOST COMMON AILMENTS

Before heading out to buy expensive medicines for treating these conditions, have a look in your food cupboard, garden or veggie rack for a natural remedy.

Natural remedies are an affordable way to treat certain ailments. While we may wonder if our grandmothers’ remedies are any good, medical science is recognising more and more the value in many homes and traditional remedies being tested. It’s important to remember that plants have powerful properties so be careful when adopting remedies that haven’t been proved effective and safe.
1. CONSTIPATION
  • Prevent constipation by drinking water and getting fibre from fruits and veggies.
  • Aloe ferox has long been known for its laxative effect in ‘purging’ the body when bloated and blocked up. Aloe leaves contain two juices: the white gel is good for the skin and used in health drinks, while the bitter yellow juice is what aids constipation. Try a small amount (half a teaspoon) in a glass of water or juice.
  • Epsom salts – two teaspoons in a glass of water should produce a bowel action within about four hours.


2. TUMMY UPSET
  • Everyone has a favourite remedy for upset tummies, from toast and Marmite to chocolate cake (without icing!). Doctors recommend the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce (mashed, stewed apples) and tea – without milk) to bind loose stools. These foods will also not irritate the sensitive gastric tissues after vomiting. 
  • A weak brew of cooled rooibos tea is good for calming colicky babies, and older tummies also benefit. Adults can try mint, ginger or cinnamon tea to settle upset tums and combat nausea. Dried or powdered herbs and spices are stronger than fresh, so be careful not to make your teas too strong (max. 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water). 
  • Buchu tea is another indigenous South African remedy known to aid digestive problems, as well as having antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. BODY ACHES
  • Muscle pain and cramps can be due to a magnesium deficiency, so eat foods rich in magnesium: bananas, nuts, spinach, beans and lentils.
  • Inflammation causes a multitude of aches and pains, including arthritis joint pain. Turmeric has been tested in various trials and found to be better than anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and pain killers. Make a refreshing tea by boiling 2cm each of turmeric and ginger roots (peeled and grated) in 2 cups of water for 5 minutes. Add a squeeze of lemon. Drinking turmeric every day has been shown to have long-term pain-relieving benefits. You can use powdered turmeric and ginger but be sure to stir well to avoid a gritty texture.

4. HEADACHES
  • Drink a glass of water. Headaches are often the result of dehydration.
  • Stress is often a cause of headaches so before reaching for a pill try a brisk walk in the fresh air.
  • A drop of lavender essential oil rubbed on the temples is soothing and relaxing.
  • Ginger tea is helpful for headaches too.


5. FATIGUE
  • Drink a glass of water. Yes, you did just read this sentence above! Dehydration can also make you feel extremely tired. 
  • Eat some protein during the day instead of waiting for the evening meal. You may experience an afternoon slump in energy because you’ve run out of fuel. Add meat, fish, beans or cheese to your lunchtime salad to give yourself some pep.
  • Boost your iron levels with red meat, liver and eggs. Constant tiredness may well be because you lack iron in your diet.
  • Too little vitamin C can also leave you exhausted. Citrus fruits, red peppers and broccoli are good sources.
  • If improving your diet doesn’t help, do see a doctor.




NATURAL REMEDIES FOR 5 OF THE MOST COMMON AILMENTS NATURAL REMEDIES FOR 5 OF THE MOST COMMON AILMENTS Reviewed by Edgars Mag on April 08, 2022 Rating: 5
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