Home remedies have been around ever since … well, ever since our cave-people ancestors decided that a cave was home. There was no clinic, doctor or AMA [American Medical Association] so they had to figure out natural remedies for themselves. In some ways it's 'lucky them' because many of these remedies were not only effective but they didn't have nasty side effects like those so-called remedies promoted by Big Pharma.
The medical profession and their associations have definitely been dominated by males who pride themselves on being 'scientific and logical'. Their arguments are so circular: they won't accept anything unless it has millions of dollars of research and studies – yet there is no profit in simple home remedies so there is no one who can afford to pay for these studies.
Yet, in spite of this war on age-old remedies, many of these home cures have found their way into the mainstream consciousness. So we see products on the store shelves that loudly proclaim the presence of lavender, for example. Yet, big surprise – the amount of lavender is #33 on the ingredient list and it's an artificial lavender anyway, with no relation whatsoever to the wild and glorious plant that grows freely in meadows.
So why buy something in a bottle or a capsule when you can find it in the grocery store or your backyard garden?
Here are a few examples.
Home Remedies For Cold Sores
Home remedies for cold sores are in high demand. Why? because if we put horrid chemicals on our sores we are certain to eat them! When you drink or eat a sandwich, the ointments will come off and get in your blood stream. Plus, we almost involuntarily send our tongues out, checking out the sore and its progress. I've done that – haven't you? Pretty yucky, really, but we humans can be weird. But, never fear, there IS help.
* Most anything that is astringent will be a weapon against cold sore prevention. Lemon is a great example. Place a thin slice of lemon over your sore and fasten it with medical tape. Replace it every few hours. You need to be at home – and probably, alone – to do this! Obviously, wearing lemon slices to work isn't the best idea in town. :-)
* Another option – which isn't as effective – is to fill a bottle with lemon juice and squirt it on the spot. You can use apple cider vinegar in the same way but be sure it's really apple cider vinegar and not that anemic stuff that is often sold as 'real' vinegar. The reason this isn't as effective is because the juice or vinegar evaporates rather than remaining directly on the sore as it does when a lemon slice is taped over the spot.
Will substitutes like RealLemon work? I doubt it. I've never tried fake lemon juice. If a reader does try one of the artificial substitutes, please let us know your results?
A Home Remedy For Heartburn Or For Nausea Relief
* If you need a home remedy for heartburn, ginger has been a favorite for centuries. It's also often effective for nausea and even the over-the-counter manufacturers have conceded this. One way to use ginger is simply to eat a small piece of it (peel it first or yuck!) Supposedly pickled ginger works equally well, but I'm not at all positive of that.
* Another method, which I definitely prefer, is to make a ginger tea. Simply boil a cup of water and insert a small slice of ginger. Allow it to steep for 10-15 minutes. Sweeten with honey or stevia, if desired.
For Constipation Problems Try Foods Rich In Fiber
The most common causes for constipation are:
1) Lack of water …
2) Lack of exercise …
3) Lack of fiber …
So, obviously (duh!) if we are interested in home remedies for constipation, we need to deal with these 3 issues.
The remedies for the first two are obvious, and will be discussed often on this blog. But foods rich in fiber, like fruit, veggies and grains are the answer.
* A case in point: prunes are a classic remedy for constipation but figs, raisins or any other dried fruit will do the same. Soak your fruit in good water for a few hours and be sure to drink the liquid. A few servings will cure up all but the most chronic constipation.
* To prevent constipation, focus on fiber rich foods by eating at least five – and preferably 10 – servings of fruit, vegetables and whole grains like chewy bread (not the white stuff!), brown rich and grains like quinoa. Be sure to drink a lot of water along with your fiber.
So yes, our so-called primitive predecessors did know some home remedies that truly work. Don't make the mistake of discounting them simply because they don't have the AMA seal of approval.
Bruce Ellsworth says
I’ve had cold sores for years. Just read an interesting idea about hair loss so will try the lemon, too. I can see that it would be terrible after the sore is active but you are right that there is a weird feeling before one comes. Perhaps I can head them off.