For thousands of years, the only way our ancestors could treat disease was with healing home remedies. Until the 19th and early 20th centuries, home cures came from the garden and the kitchen. However, this faded away when the male-dominated doctor and medical profession began to grow. This group scorned the home remedies of our ancestors and these tried and true helpers were discredited for decades. In the 21st century, though, home remedies are making a comeback for two reasons:
First, it has become obvious that many of the heavy-duty drugs that are so pervasive in our culture have really, truly terrible side effects. These side effects can result in serious disease and even death.
Secondly, why pay huge prizes for a so-called remedy that may already be on a shelf in your kitchen or growing in your garden?
So let's look at some common and inexpensive alternative home remedies.
Constipation? Fruit and Fiber Are Your Answer
Constipation is such a common problem in our society that laxatives are a huge seller in the drugstore and doctors office. An almost certain remedy is dried fruit like prunes, dates, figs, cranberries or raisins. Eating the dried fruit won't be nearly as effective as fruit that has been soaked in warm water for a couple of hours. Be sure you drink the juice when eating your fruit. A couple of servings of this every day will reduce or eliminate almost any constipation problem.
Castor oil is a long time home remedy for constipation. Personally, I've never tried it but I know people who have and they've told me that if you take to two to four teaspoons of castor oil you will be relieved in a very short time.
Of course, if constipation is a constant problem it's important to prevent it. Eating dried fruit or castor oil on a regular basis is not a great idea. There are three habits that will make constipation only a bad memory for almost anybody.
The first thing to do is to drink lots and lots of water. Dehydration is an almost certain formula for constipation.
Eat lots of whole grains: choose brown rice over white, eat whole grain bread instead of super-refined and nutritionally useless white.
Get some exercise! Moving to increase circulation will promote regularity.
Get Rid of Cold Sores [AKA Fever Blisters]
Generally people get cold sores or fever blisters in the winter. However those ugly and embarrassing sores can appear anytime of the year and the best way to get rid of them is with a substance that is astringent or acidic.
Lemon is a great example. Cut a small slice of lemon and either hold it over your cold sore or you can even tape it on. Replace your lemon slice every few hours. Obviously, this should be done when you're at home – walking around the mall with a piece of lemon taped on your lips will get you quite a few strange looks.
If you just can't bring yourself to use a lemon slice, fill a spray bottle with lemon juice and spray it on your soon-to-appear sore. This isn't as effective but it is certainly easier.
You can also use apple cider vinegar in your spray bottle.
Important note: only use this lemon or vinegar treatment before the sore actually breaks out. If you'd like to scream in agony, apply either one of these acids to an open sore! Folks who get cold sores on a regular basis have told me that they almost always know when one is about to appear. This is the time to use lemon or vinegar.
If you are a have a sore, you can try drinking lemon in warm water several times a day. Supposedly this will clear up your fever blister sooner than not drinking it. However, prevention is best.
Ginger
Fresh ginger is used in many home keywords. For example, if you have either nausea or heartburn, ginger is your answer. You can either eat a piece of it [it’s delicious] or you can make tea by adding a piece of ginger to water that is just about to boil. Let your tea steep for several minutes and drink it down.
If you're getting a cold, make a cup or two or more of the ginger tea mentioned above.
Be aware that using powdered ginger from the grocery store will not have nearly the same effect as a piece of raw, fresh ginger root.
Healing home remedies are simple and inexpensive – and frequently work better than drugs from the doctor. And one thing is for sure: you will never have side effects from any of the home cures we've mentioned above. You will never see a lawyer advertising on TV for clients who have been injured by alternative home remedies like lemon or vinegar. They are your first response – you can always use heavy-duty drugs later if necessary.
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