25 Health Remedies

That Work From Home

How quick are you to run to your family doc for relief from a common cold or the flu? Try, instead, these home remedies, passed down generations, tried and tested, to cure you of your ailments... Remedies that are simple yet effective!

At the slightest hint of a cold or the flu, we seek the help of our GP, the family doc who prescribes his set dose of the pill cocktail to work its magic in a jiff. Yet, we know of so many, especially the older generation, who swear by age-old home remedies to cure them and their wards, of most small-term ills. A concoction passed down from grandma to ma and on to our children…some warm water with honey and ginger, warm milk with haldi for good measure, a simple saltwater gargle and ingredients that act as preventive measures which are just as, if not more than, important than curative ones.

While we’ve picked out the well-known like sugar as a remedy for hiccups and jeera water for digestion, we’ve also brought forth the lesser-known such as black sesame seeds for menstrual pain and the benefits of baking soda in preventing the spread of infections. Cooking in copper vessels is beneficial to one’s health and an aloe vera ice bath works wonders for your hair, just as cucumber on the face helps clear acne and blackheads.  

These are the remedies we’ve found helpful and easy enough to adopt, from the comfort of your home. Chime in, dear reader, on what else might work for you.

1 Ginger: Provides relief from sore throat, nausea, cough and cold. This spicy root is used by grating it, mashing it or boiling pieces with tea. Its pickled slices can also be used as palate cleansers.

2 Sugar: When someone is thinking of you, the case of the hiccups begin. In which case, some granulated sugar helps as a temporary measure to irritate the throat and stimulate your vagus nerve, which controls your diaphragm movements, including hiccups.  

3 Apple cider vinegar: Just a spoonful with a cup of warm water can cure problems like diarrhoea as it helps in soothing colon lining and is antibacterial. It can also solve the problem of stinking feet, and get rid of acne and oils in the skin.

4 Turmeric milk: Add honey to your 'turmeric latte' for an immunity boost, to cure colds and sore throats.

5 Baking soda: Neutralises harmful acids such as poison ivy stings, bee stings and ant stings. It may be helpful as a cure for UTIs but should only be used in consultation with one’s physician. It is used as a cosmetic product for teeth whitening, too.

6 Jeera water: Boil cumin seeds with carrom seeds, add a sliver of ginger or a spoonful of fennel for digestive issues.

7 Amla: Take Indian gooseberry powder and add water to it. Boil and stir continuously till it reduces. Filter and allow it to cool. Mix jaggery powder and consume before a meal, once or twice daily.

8 Cardamom: You can chew 1 or 2 cardamom pods daily to lower blood pressure. Another remedy is to mix 1/2 tsp honey and 2 pinches of cardamom powder with half a cup of plain yogurt to aid digestion.

9 Sesame oil: Take a tablespoon and rinse your gums for 15–20 minutes. Be careful not to swallow it. After spitting the oil, gently massage your gums. This way, you can not only prevent tooth infection, cavities and bad breath, but also reduce inflammation in the gums.

10 Coconut milk: It's not just for cooking sumptuous curries but good in treating mouth ulcers, too, given its anti-inflammatory properties.

11 Black sesame seeds: Perfect for menstrual pain. Mix 10 g of black sesame seed powder and jaggery in an equal ratio and consume twice daily, early in the morning and late in the evening.

12 Thyme: Thyme has expectorant activity and hence helps in expelling the mucus. It is also antibacterial and antiviral. Add it to tea and use it for cough treatment.

13 Steam inhalation: Have you been experiencing cough with congestion of the airways? Do your steam inhalation; it will immediately clear your airways. Steam also kills harmful bacteria and viruses.

14 Saltwater gargle: A classic way to fight soreness of the throat and control cough. The warm water can help in the quick expulsion of mucus.

15 Peppermint oil: Use some on your forehead to ease headaches. Consuming the oil is said to help with irritable bowel syndrome.

16 Honey: Add a dash every morning with a squeeze of lemon and you're good to start your day. Honey acts as a shield against infections.

17 Chicken soup: Is really good for the soul. It helps clear the nasal passage and reduce swelling as well.

18 Pomegranate juice: One glass daily is good for the heart and useful for those suffering from low BP.

19 Dates: Boil six dates in 1/2 litre milk for 25 minutes over low heat. Drink three cups a day. This is an effective dry cough remedy.

20 Grated cucumber: Apply over the face, eyes and neck for 15 minutes, to combat acne and blackheads.

21 Cayenne pepper: For pain management, mix 3 tbsp cayenne powder with 1 cup of coconut. Heat the oil on a low simmer until the mixture melts. Stir thoroughly for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Let it firm up. Massage onto skin when cooled.

22 Aloe vera: It has soothing and hydrating properties that can promote scalp health, reduce inflammation and support hair growth.

23 Copper vessels: Utilising copper vessels for storing and drinking water is a time-honoured practice that offers numerous health benefits, including boosting iron levels and replenishing essential minerals.

24 Tulsi: Basil, the English word for this holy plant, works wonders against viral infections. Crush a few fresh leaves with a sliver of ginger, a spoonful of honey and a dash of lemon, and chew till al the juices are consumed. 

25 Lavender: Drinking lavender tea or keeping a satchel around during times of stress is one way to reduce anxiety and relax the mind and body. It helps to soothe migraines as well.