Home cures
Weather it’s a squirt of lemon juice to help clean your pans or a mix of several readily available items to cure aches and pains, there are many home cures and solutions to rival commercial products
Over the last 2,000 years, herbs from our kitchens, fields and forests have been used to alleviate pain and cure illness. Owing to their easy availability, low cost and absence of side effects, they are becoming increasingly popular once again. We’ve compiled an A to Z list of some easy home remedies and solutions
A Apple Cider Vinegar has been used around the world for centuries. It’s used for allergies, sinus infections, high cholesterol, chronic fatigue and even weight loss and blood pressure. For weight loss, just add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water at meals and you’ll notice the difference.
Asthma can be relieved in many ways but boiling some aloe vera leaves in a pan and then inhaling the vapours is an easy one. Another is cranberry juice. Cook and mash the cranberries then place in a tightly closed glass container and refrigerate. When needed during an attack, add three teaspoons of the mashed cranberries to a cup of hot water and sip while hot.
B Bran Tea will benefit nervous or anaemic people. For every cup of bran, allow two cups of distilled water. Wash the bran well, as it is generally full of dust, put it in a saucepan with the water, cover tightly and boil for 30 minutes. Strain and then flavour with sugar and lemon juice to taste. Drink morning and evening.
Bad breath can kill your social life so try eating avocadoes; far more effective than any mouth lotions or washes. You could also try parsley. Just boil two cups of water, adding several sprigs of parsley, coarsely chopped with two or three whole cloves or a quarter teaspoon of ground cloves. The mixture should be stirred occasionally while cooling then strained and used as a mouthwash or gargle several times a day.
C Cucumber grated for 15 minutes works miracles on acne and blackheads. And of course, it can work wonders on dark circles. Lay thin slices of cucumber on your eyes, making sure they have contact with the skin under the eyes and leave for five to ten minutes.
Coughing can be eased by a few home remedies. Almonds are good for dry coughs – soak seven kernels in water overnight and peel off the brown coat. Grind well, add 20 grams each of sugar and butter and form into a paste. Take it every morning and evening.
D Dill oil is the main ingredient in one of the easiest home remedies for flatulence. Add a drop of dill oil to a teaspoon of honey after.
Dandruff never looks good and this home remedy is easy. Dissolve 10 aspirins in a cup of warm water. Massage into the scalp for about 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Add a vinegar rinse as an extra help after rinsing the aspirin out completely. Use after shampooing.
E Eggs are an excellent ingredient for all kinds of home remedies but the most effective is when it’s used for treating acne. It exfoliates and absorbs oil so you can use it as a facial mask. Beat an egg white and spread it over your face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and the rinse off with warm water.
Ear aches need warmth, in general. A hot water bottle wrapped in a towel makes a comforting pillow. But another remedy you could use is this: puncture a piece of garlic and pour the juice in the ear. Garlic, being a natural antibiotic, will help to take the pain away.
F Figs are an option for constipation relief. They contain soluble and insoluble fibre, both of which flush out intestines. In a blender, put a cup of fresh apple juice then add an equal amount of dry or fresh figs and raisins and a small apple. Make sure the consistency is not too thick. Eating this home remedy for a few days will give you the relief you need.
Fatigue can be treated with dates. Five to seven dates should be soaked overnight in half a cup of water and crushed in the morning in the same water, after removing the seeds. This water combined with the essence of the dates should be taken at least twice a week.
G Garlic is the most important home remedy for backache. Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to get results. An oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give you great relief. Oil preparation: fry 10 cloves of garlic in 60ml of oil (sesame, mustard or coconut). Fry until brown then apply on back once oil has cooled and leave for three hours. Continue treatment for 15 days.
Gastritis can be relieved by drinking potato juice. Drink half a cup of juice two or three times a day half an hour before a meal.
H Honey is an essential item in every kitchen. It’s antibacterial and will work wonders on the skin. Cover a blemish with a dab of honey and place a band-aid over it. It will kill the bacteria, keep the skin sterile and speed healing. Works overnight. Got a headache? Try mixing two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with two teaspoons of honey in a glass of water and drink it slowly. You should get results within half an hour.
Hiccups can be annoying and sometimes a glass of water just won’t do. There are dozens of home remedies you could use to stop a serious case of hiccups. Lying face down and sticking your arms in the air will help as will a spoonful of peanut butter.
I Ice cream. Eat a cup of vanilla ice cream to get heartburn or acidity relief within minutes.
Itching can be eliminated by covering the affected area in Vaseline and then adding some baby powder. Also butter, baby oil and evening primrose oil will help. For chicken pox, try pouring a cup or two of oatmeal into your bath and dry as usual afterwards.
J Jojoba oil is one of the best ways to battle dry and weak hair. It dissolves sebum left in active hair follicles obstructing new hair growth, so it’s useful in cases of oily dandruff and hair loss.
Joints can cause a lot of pain when sore, so try this cheap and easy solution. Pop down to the beach and fill a bag with sand. Sew the sand into the bag and heat in the microwave or oven and place it on the affected area.
K Ketchup is loved by kids and adults all over the world but what happens when you’ve got a screaming kid and no ketchup? ½ a cup of tomato sauce, ? cup of brown sugar and two tablespoons of vinegar. Stuff it into the ketchup jar and they’ll never know the difference.
Kitty Litter may save you from a lot of mess but the smell it produces can be off putting. To keep it fresh smelling, mix some baby powder in with the litter.
L Lemons are incredible stain removers. You can rub them on sink stains or use them to give any chrome surfaces a bit of a shine. And naturally, it can help highlight hair and whiten teeth and fingernails. For brightening yellow fingernails and toenails slice open a fresh lemon and squeeze juice into a shallow bowl. Soak nails in the juice for several minutes. Repeat as often as you like, just make sure you wash your hands or feet after to replenish valuable moisture. To whiten teeth put some baking soda and some lemon juice on your toothbrush and brush away. Guaranteed results!
Lice are a big problem for kids but thankfully our kitchens should have the ingredients to eliminate this itchy problem. Mayonnaise should be placed on the head and rubbed in. Then place a plastic bag on the head and tie it tightly. Warm the mayonnaise by blow drying the hair and if possible leave it overnight. Lice and eggs fall out.
M Margarine can actually cure goose eggs, knots and bumps. Simply mix a small amount of margarine in the palm of your hand with a little salt and apply generously on the bump (if there isn’t any bleeding). It will disappear almost instantly.
Mowing tips. Grass too wet to be mowed? Try spraying some vegetable oil on the blades and that way the grass won’t stick to them!
N Nettle is extremely good for hay fever and it’s also a blood cleanser. Try drinking nettle tea whene
ver your hay fever works up and you should feel a lot better.
Newer looking towels can be achieved by washing new towels with a cup of salt. The salt will set the colour so the towels won’t fade as quickly.
O Olives or olive oil; there’s no limit to the benefits. If you get motion sickness try eating a few olives. For softer hair, use olive oil, it also gives dry hair a shine. Olive oil can also treat head lice, remove water-proof mascara and when heated, it’s brilliant on cuticles.
Odours of any sort can disappear by using a few tricks. If it’s body odour, then put some apple cider vinegar under your armpits or try baking soda. In bathing water, add a few cups of tomato juice and soak yourself for 15 minutes. For feet odour prepare a mixture of vinegar (not apple cider), hot water and soak for 10-15 minutes. And to get rid of the smell of fish, onions, garlic and even the smell of garbage bag when it’s leaked try putting a couple of tablespoons of coffee in a cloth and tie it with a string. Just rub your hands, whenever the smell persists.
P Parsley can relieve you from bad breath by chewing it and combined with chamomile, it’s extremely helpful at relieving menstrual cramps. It’s also good for bruises. You can crush some parsley leaves, apply it to the area and the bruising will subside.
Pillow refresher. Place two feather pillows (in their cases) into the washing machine. Set on warm water and gentle cycle, then halfway through the cycle, flip the pillows. Now, you have to run the spin cycle twice to squeeze out all the water. Then toss into the dryer with a clean tennis shoe to prevent the feathers from bunching up!
Q Queasiness can be solved in a very quick and easy way. Drink some 7Up or Sprite, but just make sure it’s flat!
R Rhubarb is one of the main ingredients used instead of insecticides. For leaf miners, spider mites and aphids boil two cups of rhubarb leaves in one litre of water for 30 minutes, leave to cool and then strain. Spray the leaves and you should see a difference.
Runny nose and out of tissues? Try mixing some warm water with a tablespoon of salt and then squirt up your nose, then blow.
S Sesame oil for lack of sleep. Gently massage the soles of the feet and rub into scalp.
Sore throat. A sore throat can be annoying and irritating but the cure is pleasant. Add ½ a cup of brown sugar to ½ a cup of brandy and mix well. Very soothing. Don’t like brandy and prefer vinegar? Try mixing two cups of vinegar with 1 cup of honey and drink a wineglass of the mixture three times daily.
T Tomatoes may not be everyone’s favourite fruit but they can help with various conditions. If you want to lose some weight, eat a raw tomato every morning. Mouth ulcers? Gargling tomato juice three times a day will relieve you. To remove dark circles from under the eyes use one tablespoon of tomato juice, ½ tablespoon of lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of gram flour and apply the paste under the eyes for ten minutes.
Toothache. To get some relief until that dentist appointment, place a clove of garlic with a little rock salt on the tooth in question or put several drops of vanilla directly on it. Or you could try a pinch of pepper powder and a quarter teaspoon of common salt as a daily use.
U UV rays can cause a lot of harm not to mention unwanted wrinkles. Ran out of your favourite sunscreen lotion? Try going au naturel! Prepare a mixture of cucumber juice, glycerine and rose water. Apply the mixture to the face and remove after 15 minutes.
V Aloe Vera probably has hundreds of healing values but its ability to work wonders on burns is perhaps the most known. Add coconut oil to the paste of fresh aloe vera gel blended with a pinch of turmeric powder and apply. And it’s also a brilliant and cheap solution to menstrual cramps. Just have a tablespoon of aloe vera with two pinches of pepper three times a day.
Vaginal infections are very common with millions of women suffering from various infections everyday. Believe it or not apple cider vinegar is the main ingredient for this brilliant remedy. Mix three tablespoons of unpasteurised apple cider vinegar with one quart of warm water. Add three drops of lavender essential oil and two drops of tea tree essential oil, use as a douche.
W Walnuts serve as an effective remedy for rheumatism. Chew about five to six every day. They are also valuable in countering brain weaknesses. About 20 grams should be taken everyday.
Window cleaning. Here’s an excellent idea: Fill a spray bottle with three tablespoons of ammonia, one tablespoon of vinegar and cold water. You could also try pouring rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle, which is brilliant for bathroom mirrors and sinks as it kills germs and doesn’t streak.
X Sex. Make your own aphrodisiac: aromatherapy treatments include jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood or rose. However, there are a couple of other ways to go about it. Try eating onions (both of you!) or carrots. Take about 150g of carrots, chopped finely, half a boiled egg and a tablespoon of honey. Take once daily for a month or so, it should increase your sexual stamina.
Y Egg Yolk can work wonders on dry hair. Whip the yolk to a peak, add one tablespoon of water and blend until the mixture is creamy. Then mix the white and yolk together, wet your hair with warm water, remove the excess moisture and apply the mixture to your scalp with your fingertips. Massage gently until the froth is worked into your scalp, then rinse the hair with cool water.
Z Zippers tend to get stuck at the most awkward moments. Try rubbing a bit of lip balm or oil and it should work like a charm.
Beauty treatments
Oil and salt body rub
Mix olive or almond oil with coarse sea salt (if desired add one or two drops maximum of your favourite essential oil to it). Mix in a bowl and rub gently in circular movements all over the body. Start at the legs and work upwards. The treatment is excellent for circulation and to polish dull and lifeless skin.
Natural mask for dry or mature skins
Mash a banana, a rip avocado or honey and apply to the face leaving it for 15-20 minutes.
Natural mask for younger or combination and oily skins
Mash a few strawberries or grate some cucumbers and apply to the face leaving it on for 15-20 minutes.
Natural mask for normal to dry skin
Mix some oatmeal or oat bran into some honey or yoghurt and apply to the face and neck.
Natural mask for sensitive skins
Sensitive skins can use bananas, cucumbers and yoghurt without causing any irritation to the skin.
Natural mask for dry and dull skins
Warm some olive oil and add only the tiniest drop of lavender, rose, jasmine or your favourite essential oil and you’ve got a brilliant nourishing mask.
Hair detox
Detox your hair occasionally by mixing a tablespoon of vitamin C powder and a tablespoon of cider vinegar in a bowl with 4oz of hot water. Smooth through your hair after washing and before conditioning. The mixture helps to strip away product build-up and pollution.
Soothing inflamed skin by heatrash or waxing
Grind porridge oats (not the instant sort) into a powder in your coffee mill. Add a cupful to a warm bath and let the water turn milky. This mixture is also good for children with eczema.
