Tips

The doctor-approved remedies using stuff from around your home

Jun 04, 2016

Who doesn’t love a home remedy? But the truth is, often they’re a little more steeped in fiction than fact, which makes some folks dubious. However, when science can back you up, there’s a lot to like.

Starts at 60 did some homework and found 10 doctor-approved health remedies using common items from around the home.

1. Sage

You probably don’t give too much consideration to the natural healing powers of sage. Yes, it’s a classic ingredient for your chicken stuffing, and yes, it is delicious when combined with butter for a fresh pasta dish, however beyond the kitchen it has been associated with potent healing powers.

A study in the European Journal of Medical Research found that a spray containing 15 per cent sage offered significant relief within two hours, compared to a placebo. If you switch your usual tea with honey for a sage tea you might save yourself some money on throat lozenges.

1 cup of almost boiling water
2 tablespoons of fresh sage (or 1 tablespoon of dried sage)
steep for 10 minutes.

2. Aspirin

Anyone who has ever had an acne treatment on their face will understand that aspirin is composed of the anti-acne agent, salicylic acid. For that reason one dermatologist suggests you can use it to remove dead skin from your body, especially your scalp.

1 tablespoon crushed aspirin
regular shampoo
combine and leave in your hair for 5-10 minutes.

3. Garlic

You don’t have to be a serious athlete to develop athlete’s foot. You can pick that pesky fungus up by walking on moist surfaces, and it can cause tiny cracks between your toes that sting like a paper cut. Ouch! The remedy? Garlic. Researchers found that a twice-daily application of mild garlic solution had a 100 per cent success rate, compared to only 94 per cent success when using a topical ointment like Lamisil. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology claims the ajoene in garlic is an anti-fungal compound.

crush 3 or 4 cloves of garlic
add olive oil
use a cotton ball to rub the mix into the affected area
apply until the condition clears

4. Ginger

Ginger works by hastening the emptying of your stomach and the release of intestinal gas according to Stephen Hanauer, professor of gastroenterology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in the United States. Studies suggest ginger can alleviate your desire to vomit if suffering motion sickness and it has been reported that after surgery ginger can quell nausea. It has also been considered as a possible treatment for osteoarthritis.

5. Ice

Migraines can cause a great deal of pain, but unlike the pain of injury a migraine can be treated with simple non-medical remedies. Applying a cold compress to your head or neck will have a numbing effect and has been found to dull the sensation of pain.

6. White wine vinegar

Cuticles, it seems. If you’ve got troubles with your cuticles soaking your hands in a bowl of white wine vinegar and warm water for around 15 minutes is a sure fire way of getting rid of infection. In addition to being incredibly cheap it is also very effective!

7. Super glue

One of the ways you can rid your heels of nasty cracks is to glue them shut with super glue. Soak your feet for a few minutes and then apply a moisturiser. Dab a bit of super glue on any of the remaining cracks and watch how quickly those heels fix themselves.

8. Licorice

According to research coating a corn with a mixture of ground licorice and olive oil can help it disappear. Wrap it in cling wrap and cover it with a cotton sock before going to bed. Over a period of time the corn will soften and go away.

9. Duct tape

This stuff is magic! The Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine suggests the application of a piece of duct tape to your warts will help you get rid of them. Doctors believe the airtight environment created when the tape is applied combined with the adhesive material creates a toxic domain that is harmful to your warts (but totally safe to the rest of your body). It can take anywhere between six days and two months for the wart to disappear, so be sure to change the tape regularly.

10. Baking soda

Apparently baking soda is one of the most celebrated remedies to treating eczema. Many rave about the healing properties of the all-natural mineral and what’s great is that it’s probably a staple in your home. One tablespoon added to a warm bath where you can soak for 15 minutes at least three times a week should provide some relief. Just like the effect of aspirin on dandruff, baking soda brings the acidic skin caused by eczema back to a neutral level and can assist in the removal of dead skin from your body.