Everyone grew up hearing different old wives tales’ for a variety of ailments, and then you would reach a point in life where you realized that tying sage to your feet probably wouldn’t cure the cold.
However, don’t let those nonsense remedies put you off the real deal. Nature is good to us and there are plenty of real home remedies that can fix almost anything that might be ailing you.
Whether you’re caught short and don’t have conventional medications to turn to in times of need or you simply prefer more natural home remedies, there are plenty of answers here for you. So, join us on a journey through these amazing remedies.
21 Home Remedies
1 – Aching Muscles
Typically, you turn to those handy, but smelly, creams and sprays and pick up a bottle of painkillers. This may be necessary for serious injuries, but if it’s just a case of an aching muscle (after a difficult workout or a rough sleep) then you can instead turn to a handy home remedy.
Make sure you have tart cherry juice on hand because this is the perfect way to reduce inflammation and get some relief from your aching body.
In 2010 a study discovered that two glasses of cherry juice a day in the week running up to a race was enough for runners to see a 67% decrease in post-workout aches and pains (Efficacy of tart cherry juice in reducing muscle pain during running: a randomized controlled trial; Kuehl, et al). That’s a win!
2 – Burns
We’ve all been there, whether the oven managed to catch your knuckle or you grabbed a hot pan, forgetting you didn’t have hand protection. The typical response is to run the burn under cold water (do continue to do this) and then use antibiotic gel. You can continue using those if you wish, though they often result in allergic reactions that cause itchy rashes.
Alternatively, you can exercise this amazing home remedy. Honey is the ideal remedy for burns (only first and second degree). According to the NHS, it has important antibacterial properties that ensure the burn becomes sterile and works quicker for healing than the typical creams do, thus reducing any risk of infection.
To use, first run your burn under cool water as you normally would, then smear a layer (quite thick) of honey over sterile gauze, place over the burn area and cover with a larger sterile pad that can be taped in place. Of course, if there isn’t any improvement you will need to see your doctor.
3 – Migraines
If you suffer from migraines then you know how debilitating they can be. It’s not ideal at any time, but there’s nothing worse than feeling one coming on when you have a busy day planned or you’re at work. While there are prescription strength tablets that can help you get rid of them, they only work if you take them at just the right time. We’re not all lucky enough to know exactly when that is, and this is where a handy home remedy can come in.
Ginger and feverfew can reduce migraine pain in just two hours! Feverfew comes from a bush that has flowers that are similar to daisies. These are used to create the elixir and when combined with ginger you have a powerful remedy on your hands. It’s believed that ginger takes care of the inflammation problem, while feverfew blocks the migraine triggers.
Of course, you can also try this remedy for a standard headache. If it can take out a migraine it can certainly help you kiss a regular headache goodbye.
4 – The Common Cold
We always hear people say there will never be a cure for the common cold. Therefore, we head to the supermarket and browse the medicine aisle buying cough syrup, throat lozenges, painkillers, and buy shares in tissue companies. Here’s the thing about those remedies – they’re not going to help you get better faster, all they do is relieve the symptoms. Of course, when you’re in the middle of a cold any relief is welcome.
However, there are home remedies that can shorten the life of your cold. Echinacea is a big one. While many people pooh-pooh the herbal remedy, according to WebMD, studies have found that it does, in fact, give your immune system a helpful boost, which often halves the life of a cold (https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/echinacea-common-cold#1). As it turns out, Echinacea might not be the only home remedy you can turn to when faced with the common cold. Elderberry Extract is another popular option.
You should take the one tablespoon of the syrup as soon as symptoms appear four times a day. You should continue taking it for five days, but you can expect to see improvement within three days or so. It’s believed its efficacy is attributed to its ability trigger messengers that boost your immune system. Bonus for the fact that it tastes absolutely delicious.
5 – Rough Coughs
Honey makes another appearance and don’t be surprised to see it crop up from time to time. It’s kind of a magical elixir! When you are plagued with a cough, everything seems worse. Your throat gets dry, your lungs ache, your body hurts, it’s common to bruise a rib from hacking so often, and it leaves you with a pounding headache. There really is nothing worse.
Instead of spending your money on expensive cough syrups, why not try a spoonful of honey? It also doesn’t hurt that it’s delicious. You can also try putting it in a cup of hot tea or go ahead and make a hot toddy to really knock that cough out.
6 – Bee Stings
Yes, there are home remedies for everything, even bee stings. One of the popular home remedies over the years has been to place a slice of onion on it. If you want to try the onion remedy, it’s pretty simple. Simply slice your onion (as you would for hamburgers), place it over the bee sting, and wait for sweet relief.
You can also find relief with toothpaste that reduces the itch and neutralizes acids.
7 – Ear Aches
They come on suddenly and aggressively and this remedy will work for adults and children alike. Of course, if your child has an earache you will more than likely need to make a trip to see the doctor.
Dr. Rachel Lewis, a pediatrician with Columbia University Medical Center recommends using two to four drops of warm olive oil (using a syringe) for children two and older. If it’s for an adult or an older child you can try anywhere from five to 10 drops.
8 – Toenail Fungus
This is never a pleasant affliction to talk about, let alone experience (especially during flip flop season), but it’s one that affects many of us and you have to deal with it. It causes your toenail to yellow and turn brittle and it’s just not fun. There are two potential home remedies here.
This comes as no surprise since mentholated rubs are often used to treat… well, anything and everything. It just happens to be effective in treating toenail fungus as well. This is because it contains thymol, which is something that is often used to combat toenail fungus. You can also add thyme oil to your bath for further help.
9 – Sunburn
There’s really no excuse for any of us to experience sunburn, yet we never learn the lesson. We go out in the sun without sunblock on, dip in the ocean and forget to top up, we just invite the scalding pain on ourselves. If you, like we all have, are dealing with sunburn you probably solve it with aloe and lotions. Aloe is great, but it can get expensive.
You can add oatmeal to your bath for relief from the itching or just create a paste to smear on your skin; milk is also helpful, as is aloe straight from the plant. Of course, that last one means you have to be well-prepared and have an aloe plant nearby.
10 – Warts
They’re unsightly and annoying, but there’s a home remedy for warts, too. It might not be the one that you’re expecting to hear about, but WebMD recommends duct tape. It’s also easy to implement, simply place duct tape over the wart and leave it there for six days. If it falls off in that time just replace it.
Once the six days is up, the tape comes off and the area should be soaked in water before using a pumice stone to rub the wart. Leave it open to air for 12 hours and then put another piece of duct tape on the wart for a further six days. Repeat this cycle until the wart is gone, it may take up to two months, but it’s certainly less stressful than having it frozen off. In fact, studies have found it to be more effective.
11 – Bug Bites
Are you the victim of bug bites? Does every mosquito in the area flock to your home to get a taste of your sweet blood? If you are plagued with itchy, bumpy bites then you have probably tried everything to get relief. Have you tried clear nail polish? It only takes a small drop on the bite to protect it from air and reduce that desperate need to itch.
12 – Hangovers
Okay, so a hangover is a self-induced ailment, but they are terrible and when they strike just about the only thing that’s going to help get you right is a home remedy. Don’t worry, we’re not going to encourage you to go with the hair of dog and drink more alcohol. Instead, we have two separate suggestions for you.
The first is bacon. Who doesn’t love bacon? It might not be the healthiest option, but as it turns out a bacon sandwich is a great solution because it provides you with protein, carbs, and fat. All of which replenish your amino acids which is what your brain needs during this time.
Another great home remedy is chicken noodle soup. Thanks to the sodium and water in the broth your body gets what it is so desperately craving. It might not be the ideal breakfast, but if you want to survive the day… you’ll live with it.
13 – Diarrhea
There’s nothing worse than diarrhea and chances are you won’t want to eat anything because well, you don’t want to give your body any more fuel to burn, do you? In these instances, you should opt for plain and soft foods, think applesauce, bananas, and toast. For something that requires a bit more chewing you can try toast or plain crackers.
14 – Constipation
It’s just as bad as diarrhea, but black licorice is an excellent home remedy that is usually enough to get even the most stubborn bowels moving. It’s a great alternative for anyone who hates prunes or prune juice.
15 – Teething & Toothaches
These are some ideal solutions for children, but they can be used for anyone who is suffering from a toothache. For the babies of the home, this solution will save your life.
Cover a clean and damp washcloth with applesauce, roll it, and freeze it. Your baby will happily chew on this sweet treat, which will numb the gums and relieve the pain. For older kids (and adults) you can chew on frozen blueberries (or even peas) for some relief.
16 – Greasy Hair
Okay, it might not be an ailment, but it is a frustration for a lot of people. Especially for anyone who washes their hair daily only to find that it’s a mess by the end of the day.
There are a few ways you can counteract this, the simplest being to brush talcum powder or baby powder through it. I suppose it really depends on how you prefer smelling for the day. This is also a great solution for anyone who’s running late and didn’t have time to give his or her hair a wash.
17 – Hiccups
Are you trying to chase hiccups away and you’ve tried every trick in the book only to find yourself still suffering? Swallow a teaspoon or two of sugar. The granules can reset the nerve that was irritated and caused the problem in the first place. Salt also works, but it doesn’t taste as pleasant as a spoonful of sugar.
18 – Flatulence
Peppermint capsules taken daily should help quiet your noisy backside. The reason for this is that it kills the bacteria that fuels bloating and helps relax your gastrointestinal muscles. That means healthier digestion and… well, less gas. It’s also great for indigestion.
19 – Bad Breath
Are you worried about your breath? Here’s the perfect trick for you. Gargle with lemon juice to kill the bacteria that’s causing the odor and then finish by eating plain yogurt. The results can last up to 24 hours.
20 – Insomnia
Cherry juice comes to the rescue again. As it contains melatonin, it’s the perfect way to get your body ready for a great night’s sleep.
21 – Fever Reduction
Linden Flower Tea is the perfect remedy for a fever. It induces sweating by dilating blood vessels and triggers the hypothalamus to kick into action to control your high temperature.
You can buy the dried herbs and make your own tea. Just drop a teaspoon into hot water and wait 15 minutes for it to steep before you drink it. Drink four cups a day to keep your temperature at bay, but if it’s not making any difference after you drink it and your fever is high you should seek medical attention.
26 Natural Painkillers & More
There are plenty of natural home remedies that can save you from your pain, whether it’s a headache, a toothache, or general muscle aches and pains. Check out these amazing remedies and what they’re best for.
- Honey – as noted above it’s perfect for relieving the pain of a sore throat.
- Gargling – believe or not, you’re less likely to experience respiratory infections and colds if you gargle with plain tap water every day (at least three times).
- Ginger – whether it’s motion sickness, morning sickness, or just plain nausea – chewing a piece of crystallized ginger can work wonders.
- Cherry Juice – we already noted above its power to reduce inflammation, but it’s also great for preventing gout attacks.
- Dish Soap – looking for relief from poison oak or ivy? Liquid dish soap helps prevent welts and reduce itchiness.
- Olive Oil – it’s not just great for earaches, it can even stop you from snoring. Just a small shot before bed should be enough to keep your throat well lubricated.
- Almond Oil & Sugar – the perfect solution to ditch chapped lips. Use the two to make a paste and use a toothbrush to scrub.
- Pickle Juice – are you prone to cramps? Try drinking pickle juice. Yes, really! 2.5 ounces should be enough to do it and you can expect those cramps to subside quickly.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – it’s quick to kill a sore throat and even better if you throw in some honey. You can swallow it or gargle it, it’s up to you. Another excellent remedy this is handy for is heartburn, just mix a tablespoon of it in with water, and drink before your meals.
- Cayenne Pepper – it might help you burn fat, but as it turns out it’s also great for sore throats, too.
- Garlic – garlic can be pressed into an oil, which is excellent for relieving earache pain.
- Fish Oil – fish oil or the oily fish themselves (herring, salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna) are great for reducing intestinal inflammation.
- Turmeric – just a quarter teaspoon each day can provide you with some relief from chronic pain.
- Oats – a natural pain reliever for endometrial pain.
- Pineapple – do you suffer from gas and bloating? A cup of fresh pineapple should do the trick.
- Grapes – one heaped cup of grapes each day might be enough to provide you with some much-needed relief from your persistent back pain.
- Salt – soaking ingrown toenails in a bath of salty water for around 20 minutes twice a day can relieve pain.
- Water – staying properly hydrated is a great way to relive the pain of general injuries and aches.
- Peppermint – it’s good for sore muscles when dropped in the bath, but peppermint is also great for relieving the pain of an upset stomach, especially if it’s related to constipation.
- Blueberries – looking for relief from your urinary tract infection? Try a cup of blueberries every day.
- Horseradish – it might not be your favorite flavor, but as it turns out a teaspoon of horseradish, (twice a day) could be enough to relieve sinus pain.
- Honey – it’s not just for sore throats, it can also serve as the perfect topical application for canker sores.
- Coffee – when you feel a migraine coming and take medication, the caffeine makes it easier for your body to absorb the painkillers.
- Tomato Juice – As it is rich in potassium, it’s the perfect solution for anyone who is plagued with leg cramps.
- Magnesium – is the perfect solution for anyone who struggles with serious PMS.
- Vitamin D – another effective solution for period cramps.
