Alternative medicines, natural cures and herbal remedies are always of interest to me – healing the body artificially, or with toxic drugs are worth avoiding where possible, surely?

I’m no doctor, nor have I carried out any extensive research on this subject, but I’ve come across bits of information from things I’ve heard and read, including ‘Readers Digest 1001 Home Remedies’ which goes into great detail about all kinds of health and household hacks, thanks to natural/food and household products.

Readers Digest 1001 Home Remedies

The book also offers advice on symptoms and assessments of when you should seek advice from a doctor, as well as a break down on a range of possible side effects (including reactions to prescription drugs) for each of the remedies explored.

I’d strongly recommend this book if you are interested in exploring this in more detail.

Below I have highlighted few remedies that most of us probably have access to on a daily basis, to get you going!

Bicarbonate of Soda

• Athletes foot
• Bites/stings
• Chickenpox
• Splinters

Camomile

• Boils
• Indegestion
• Menstrual releif
• Teething

Eucalyptus

• Pain relief (but don’t use with anything heated)

Evening Primrose Oil

• Arthritic pain
• Asthma
• Eczema

Garlic

• Bites/stings
• Cold/flu
• Cuts
• Diarrhoea
• High blood pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Urinary tract infections

Ginger

• Pain releif
• Coughs
• Headaches
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• High Cholesteraol
• Irritable bowl syndrome
• Wind/bloating/flatulence

Honey (not to be given to children under the age of one)

• Acne
• Age spots
• allergies
• Insomnia

Lavender

• Anti fungal
• Ear problems
• Head lice

Lemon

• Acne
• Calluses and corns
• Head lice
• Kidney stones
• Hiccups
• Morning sickness
• Varicos veins
• Warts

Mustard oil/powder

• Athletes foot (stops dread of fungus)
• Fever

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

• Antihistamine
• Asthmas drug alternative
• High blood pressure and cholesterol
• Memory problems
• Mentsrual problems
• Pain releif
• Prostate problems
• Wrinkles

Peppermint

• Bites/stings
• Indegestion
• Irritable bowl syndrome
• Snoring
• Toothache

Salt Water (saline solution)

• Clear nasal mucus
• Eye wash

Tea Tree Oil

• Acne
• Antifungal

Vinegar

• Acne
• Athletes foot (apple cider)
• Bruises
• Hiccups
• Nappy rash