Ginger and garlic do more than just flavour your food. They can treat common colds and keep mosquitoes away!
The ingredients in our kitchens that we use to prepare our meals can also be used as natural home
remedies for common ailments, from cuts and burns to colds and other respiratory infections.
The same properties these natural ingredients have that give our body sustenance are also curative and can act to support the body’s natural healing mechanism.
In addition to being safe, effective, and easy to prepare, herbal remedies from your kitchen virtually do not cause the same adverse side effects that are associated with synthetic drugs, such as drowsiness, diarrhea, allergies, or fatigue. Here are five of the most beneficial remedies for common ailments that you can find in your own kitchen.
GINGER
Ginger is an ancient spice that has also been used for its curative properties for thousands of years by the Greeks to help with digestion and the Chinese to help with seasickness.
Whether in chopped or powdered form, ginger is known as an effective home remedy for: headaches; upset stomach, gas and bloat; menstrual cramps; coughs and colds; nausea and seasickness; diarrhea; high cholesterol levels; and fungal infections.
GARLIC
The potency of garlic as an alternative remedy has been well-recognized for more than five centuries. The Chinese have been using garlic not only as flavoring for dishes but also as a natural remedy since ancient times. In addition to its strong flavor, garlic contains antioxidants and is rich in nutrients including vitamins C and B6, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and selenium.
As a natural remedy, garlic can be used in a variety of ways. It is an effective mosquito repellant; is a natural antibiotic; can be used to treat colds, flu and other respiratory infections; high cholesterol levels; blood clots; diarrhea and other intestinal disorders; and acne, wounds and other skin diseases.
BASIL
Basil has been cultivated in most of Asia for both its food and medicinal applications for millennia. This ingredient’s essential oil is also used in many dental, oral and perfume products.
As a natural home remedy, this herb from the mint family is used to treat a variety of conditions: colds, coughs, and flu; nausea and vomiting; fever; insect bites; ringworm; headaches; ear infections; bad breath and mouth infections; and night blindness and sore eyes.
TURMERIC
Turmeric was initially used as a dye in India because of its distinctive yellow color but also became popular as a spice and was later used as a common ingredient in many curry dishes.
This natural remedy has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial properties and is also a known wound disinfectant and a natural painkiller. Turmeric is an effective herbal remedy for: depression; arthritis; cuts, burns, and other wounds; psoriasis; and stomach ailments and pain associated with irritable bowel movement.
MINT
Mint is popular for its distinctive taste and smell but it is also known for its medicinal value. Mint is a common ingredient in most products, such as gums, toothpaste, and inhalers, not only for its great taste but also for its health benefits.
As a natural home remedy, mint is known to: settle an upset stomach and soothe the digestive tract; help treat stomach aches and discomfort associated with irritable bowel movement; treat fungal and bacterial infections; treat asthma and other allergies; help soothe headaches and nausea; relieve cough and congestion associated with respiratory conditions; act as a skin cleanser because of its antiseptic properties; relieve itching; treat pimples; relieve pain and spasms; treat rheumatism; and treat vomiting and anorexia.