What is Home Remedy?
A home remedy is any alternative traditional treatment for disease, medical condition or injury that does not involve medication. Home remedies are often believed to have health benefits but are not supported by the scientific evidence-base. Home remedies have been around for centuries and are still being used today.
12 most popular fast home remedies worth trying to treat the following conditions:
- Toothache
- Heartburn
- Acid Reflux
- Soar Throat
- Ear Infection
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Hemorrhoids
- Cough
- High Blood Pressure
- Athlete’s Foot
- Vaginal Itching
Let’s get started…
1. Home Remedy for Toothache
Toothache Causes
The main causes of a toothache are:
- Cavity in the tooth
- Infection in the gums
- Inflammation in around one of the teeth
- Damage to the tooth, such as cracks and chips
If a tooth is damaged and cannot be repaired, the dentist may suggest a crown or another way to cover up the damage and make it more stable.
A toothache is a common dental problem that can be very painful. Symptoms of a toothache include pain, swollen gums, and redness around the teeth. The first thing you should do if you experience any of these symptoms is to visit your dentist to make sure it isn’t an abscess or other serious issue.
If the pain doesn’t go away after visiting the dentist, try one of these home remedies for toothache:
- Warm salt water
- Chamomile tea
- Honey and lemon
- Salt water mouth rinse
Clove Oil: Quick Toothache Pain Reliever
Toothache pain reliever clove oil, or eugenol, is a type of essential oil which is one of the most popular home remedies for toothache. It is one part of the essential oils in clove and has been used as an analgesic (pain reliever) to treat toothaches.
Eugenol can be found in many dental care products including toothpaste, mouthwashes and chewing gum.
You can heat some warm water in a cup and drop two drops of Clove Oil in it and gargle with the warm water. You can also put few drops on a clean cotton and apply directly on the tooth. This home remedy for toothache will give you relief from the pain within few seconds.
To relieve toothache pain and reduce inflammation, the Mayo Clinic recommends this home remedy for toothache: “Hold a cold compress wrapped in a thin cloth to the face for five minutes every hour or two”.
2. Home Remedy for Heartburn
Heartburn Causes
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest caused by excess stomach acid. The easiest way to get rid of heartburn is to eat smaller portions and avoid gas-producing foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beans, and carbonated beverages.
If this doesn’t work, try drinking a glass of water. This will stop the spasms that cause the reduction in stomach acid.
Heartburn When Pregnant
The following is the recommended remedy for heartburn during pregnancy:
- Always eat small meals
- Avoid spicy foods and fatty foods
- Don’t lie down after eating
- Try not to drink liquids within one hour of eating
Go see your doctor if your heartburn continues.
Drinking an 8 ounce glass of water before eating is a good general home remedy for heartburn, it will help to prevent heartburn as it reduces the amount of digestive juices that are released.
3. Home Remedy for Acid Reflux
Acid Reflux Causes
There are many causes of acid reflux. The following are the most common causes:
- Over eating fatty foods
- Spicy foods and chocolate
- Alcoholic beverages and carbonated drinks
- Smoking
- Choking on food especially if you eat in a hurry
- Emotional stress
- Insufficient physical activity
- Obesity
- Ccertain medications
When we eat food, our stomach produces hydrochloric acid to digest it. When we wake up in the morning, the body usually needs to produce more acid as a result of not eating overnight. This can result in heartburn or acid reflux.
To relieve this problem, follow this home remedy for acid reflux:
- Drink a cup of water before going to bed and eating an apple before getting out of bed in the morning
- Avoid drinking alcohol or doing any tiring activity before bed because these things might cause acid reflux
4. Home Remedy for Sore Throat
Soar Throat Causes
Causes of soar throat are a group of bacteria or virus which cause it. Viruses include cold and influenza. The swelling may be minor or severe, depending on the cause of Soar Throat that you have.
If you have a sore throat this may be a good time to cut down on your caffeine intake. Caffeine can make a person’s throat feel more irritated and actually worsen the symptoms of a sore throat. This is because caffeine shrinks blood vessels, which can cause dryness that also leads to irritation.
To help with a sore throat, make a mixture of honey and lemon. For best results, use fresh squeezed lemon juice. Add one tablespoon of honey to 16 ounces of warm water. It is best to drink the mixture throughout the day.
Another good home remedy for soar throat: Place a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, cloves, and ginger in a cup of hot water. When it is cool, swish the liquid around your mouth and throat for as long as you can stand it.
In addition to giving relief from swelling and pain, this will also help with the congestion. Drink the mixture several times a day until your sore throat goes away.
5. Home Remedy for Ear Infection
Ear Infection Causes
An ear infection is a condition where the middle part of the ear becomes inflamed and infected. This can be caused by:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Yeast
- Water
Examples of ways that you could be exposed to these are:
- Sharing your earphones with someone else
- Using dirty or wet hands when touching your ears
- Not cleaning your ears regularly
When a person has an ear infection or earache, it is often painful and difficult to hear. A home remedy for ear infection is the topical application of a warm saltwater solution.
Tilt your head to the side and plug your nose. The fluid should drain from your ear, which will help relieve some of the pressure from your ears. The solution should be as hot as can be tolerated without causing discomfort.
After applying to the ear canal, wait about 10 minutes before rinsing out with clean water.
6. Home Remedy for Constipation
Constipation Causes
Constipation is often caused by lifestyle choices like:
- Poor diet
- Inadequate water intake
- Insufficient physical activity
A healthy lifestyle will combat constipation but here are some home remedies to get you started.
When constipation becomes a regular problem. It’s time to find a natural home remedy for constipation before you resort to laxatives. The root cause of constipation is often a lack of fiber, the key nutrients that feeds and cleanses your colon.
You can get more fiber by eating more fruits, vegetables, and nuts. But if you want an all-natural treatment for constipation, try drinking water mixed with apple juice – not apple cider vinegar – every day. It will make your stool softer and easier to pass.
It’s also helpful to include probiotics and soluble fiber in your diet. Prune juice is a common home remedy for constipation. To use the juice, take one teaspoon every morning before breakfast on an empty stomach for two weeks or until symptoms subside.
7. Home Remedy for Diarrhea
Diarrhea Causes
Diarrhea may be caused by:
- Medication reactions such as antibiotics
- Food poisoning
- Infections such as Norovirus or Rotavirus
- Excessive alcohol drinking
- Other causes like stress and eating too much food
For diarrhea, the best home remedies are probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria that are given to people to improve their digestive system. One of the main reasons for taking probiotics is to promote a healthy balance of flora in the gut.
This can help you feel better both physically and mentally. For children, it’s important to consult a doctor or pediatrician first before giving them probiotics.
Drink plenty of fluids (water, juices, sports drinks.. etc.) drink ginger ale or other carbonated beverage drink what your child would drink if they had diarrhea (while avoiding milk).
Drink a mixture of 1 spoon of chia seeds, a small handful of spinach leaves and a scoop of yogurt for rapid relief from diarrhea.
Here’s an effective remedy for diarrhea: Eating a scoop of yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of sumac helps for a rapid relief from diarrhea. If you don’t like yogurt, you may add the sumac to a warm cup of water and drink it.
8. Home Remedy for Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids Causes
There are many other causes of hemorrhoids, including:
- Heavy lifting
- Straining too much when passing stool
- Prolonged sitting on the toilet
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
Increased pressure can cause these veins to swell and become painful.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and anal canal. They usually don’t cause pain or bleeding, but can be painful to sit down if they get large enough.
Hemorrhoids may be caused by straining to have a bowel movement, pregnancy, or aging. Hemorrhoid symptoms include a feeling of pressure or discomfort around the anus, itching, anal soreness, and bright red blood on toilet paper after wiping.
Unless severe, treatment for hemorrhoids is usually not required as the condition is typically not serious. Home remedies may provide relief for some people, but there is no cure.
A home remedy for hemorrhoids can be to take a hot bath. This will relax the muscles in the anal region and reduce any swelling or inflammation. You can also apply cold packs or ice to help constrict blood vessels and stop the swelling. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Eating foods rich in fiber and drinking plenty of water will help to soften stools and prevent constipation. Drinking lots of fluids will also stop the swelling. Performing exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can help to alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
A home remedy for hemorrhoids may be as simple as drinking a glass of water with some apple cider vinegar or soaking the affected area in an Epsom salt bath.
The goal is to help the hemorrhoid become less inflamed and sore so that it can move down the canal of the rectum more easily, but also to reduce the swelling.
9. Home Remedy for Cough
Cough Causes
Coughing is a reflex to clear the throat and upper airways of accumulated mucus, irritants, and pathogens. In most cases, cough is not a disease but a symptom of another illness. It is most often caused by:
- Common cold or viral infection
- Post-nasal drip from allergies or asthma
- Smoking cigarettes
- Inhaling secondhand smoke (passive smoking)
- Inhaling chemicals or dust that irritate the lungs
Any cough, temporary or chronic, can be treated with a variety of home remedies. Some of these remedies include taking hot showers and baths, drinking ginger and honey tea.
A common home remedy for cough is a honey and lemon mixture. You can drink a teaspoon of honey mixed with a teaspoon of lemon twice a day to soothe a cough. IT’s important to stay always hydrated by drinking a lot of water and healthy fluids.
10. Home Remedy for High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure Causes
The most common causes of high blood pressure are:
- Age
- Family history
- Certain health conditions that affect the kidneys
- Certain lifestyle habits such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking
There are many home remedies for high blood pressure (hypertension), but they all have one thing in common: they work best when you consider your body’s natural ability to regulate your blood pressure.
High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because many people are not even aware that they have it.
High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems if not taken care of. Medical conditions caused by high blood pressure include heart disease, kidney failure, and aneurysms.
To try to reduce high blood pressure, doctors recommend engaging in regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, losing weight if overweight, stopping alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, having less caffeine intake (less than 500 milligrams per day), and getting adequate sleep.
Low-salt foods, weight loss, and exercise are all good ways to reduce high blood pressure in the long term.
In the short term, try this home remedy for high blood pressure: A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cupful of water with honey before bed. You can also add garlic to your diet or drink ginger tea to control high blood pressure.
Consider garlic in your diet as a daily remedy for high blood pressure. Garlic contains a powerful compound called allicin, which helps to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is also believed to be an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which can help to protect the cardiovascular system from damage.
Fortunately, garlic has been shown to reduce the symptoms of hypertension.
The most effective way to use this remedy is to eat raw garlic every day mixed with yogurt to avoid stomachache. This may cause some people’s breath to smell bad, but it can be fixed by taking a freshener like chewing mint or parsley leaves.
11. Home Remedy for Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s Foot Causes
Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection. It can be transmitted through contact with contaminated items such as:
- Shower floors
- Damp towels
- Shoes
- Socks
- Sports equipment
Did you know: Overuse of the same pair of shoes or socks can also cause athlete’s foot.
The mycelium fungus grows best in warm and damp areas such as the spaces between the toes or at the tips of the toes and fingers. If left untreated, athlete’s foot can spread to other parts of the body or to family members who come into contact with it.
Athlete’s foot usually does not present any serious health concerns but can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing for patients.
It is very important to treat athlete’s foot at its earliest stages, as it can progress into a more serious condition if left untreated.
Athlete’s foot is a common foot condition that many people get. The condition starts with an infection of the top layer of skin on the feet that becomes inflamed and itchy.
The most effective way to treat this condition is to take anti-fungal medication, but there are also other home remedies that can be tried first.
A good home remedy for athlete’s foot is to soak your feet in water with three cups of white vinegar mixed in for 10 minutes. Repeat daily until the problem resolves.
12. Home Remedy for Vaginal Itching
Vaginal Itching Causes
The vagina itching general causes may include:
- Yeast infection
- Bacterial infection
- Allergy
Apple cider vinegar is a natural treatment for an itchy vagina. It can be used as a rinse to help with the itch.
The acetic acid in the apple cider vinegar or ACV is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory which makes it an effective treatment for the itching associated with the above mentioned conditions.
Apple cider vinegar remedy for vaginal itching is also recommended for those who have sensitive skin because it’s usually very gentle and soothing.
The best way to use apple cider vinegar is by diluting it with water and then applying this mixture into the vagina (douche) and rinse the affected outer areas around the vagina.
Apple cider vinegar is also used to treat itchy skin, scalp, and dandruff. It also has a significant effect on acne. Make sure to dilute apple cider vinegar in water before application.
Takeaway
A home remedy is a self-prescribed treatment, usually at home, for a medical condition that does not require a doctor or medical attention.
Home remedies can be natural substances such as plants and herbs, may be used in concert with more traditional treatments, or they may have origins in religion.
Home remedy is a natural, less expensive or more accessible alternative to traditional medicines. It can be used for the treatment of common ailments such as coughs, colds, headaches, stomach aches and sore throats.
Common ingredients in home remedies are herbs, essential oils, vitamins and minerals. They are usually mixed with hot water to help release their medicinal properties. These remedies are usually made up of common ingredients found in the kitchen (i.e., ginger, garlic, salt, vinegar, baking soda).
It’s important that you don’t neglect the importance of medicine and to see a doctor in case the home remedy doesn’t work with you.
If you have enjoyed this story about home remedies, you may want to checkout Anti Aging: How to Reverse Your Skin Age Quickly and Safely.
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