Feeling under the weather? Responding quickly to the warning signs that your body gives is often the key to beating the bugs before they settle in, but fitting in that trip to the chemist can be hard. Knowing how to help your body using a natural product off your kitchen shelf can save the day. Here are five natural remedies to try, plus why they work:
- Chicken soup for the common cold
As a cold is a virus, you need to treat the symptoms and wait for your body’s immune system to beat it. So why the chicken soup? The hot liquid soothes the throat and the steam helps to clear your blocked nose. Taking in liquid also helps to re-hydrate the body which speeds up your recovery. Make sure that your recipe has onion and garlic in it, as they are anti-inflammatories and garlic has anti-microbial properties that fight pain-causing bacteria.
- Turmeric for aches and pains
Have you ever been told to drink turmeric tea for aching joints? It works because turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and it also contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant which boosts the immune system. It’s worth making turmeric tea a daily ritual as its benefits stretch to aiding digestion, lowering the risk of a heart attack, delaying diabetes and protecting the brain from strokes and Alzheimer’s. Before making turmeric a habit though, check in with your doctor as it can interact with other medications, particularly blood thinning ones.
- Ginger, lemon and honey for a sore throat
Apart from being comforting and delicious, this combination packs a good punch. Ginger is known to be a cough suppressant and honey soothes inflammation in the throat. The lemon juice contributes vitamin C which, when taken at the beginning of a cold, can make it shorter and less severe.
- Rooibos for tummy aches
Our rooibos tea is a wonderful, home-grown remedy used for years to soothe colic and aching stomachs. It contains flavonoids which are plant chemicals responsible for giving plants colour, but they also have a calming effect on the digestive system and relieve the cramps that come with diarrhoea.
- Fennel seed to relieve gas
Not only is flatulence embarrassing, it can be extremely uncomfortable. Fennel seeds are a quick and effective way of getting rid of bloating as they have an anti-spasmodic effect on the colon and help to relax and then soothe the muscles of the digestive system. You can either chew the seeds after a meal or boil the seed in water, strain it and drink the tea instead.
Remember to combine any natural remedy with good fluid intake and as much sleep as you can get. And if you’re worried about a persistent health concern, you should always see your doctor or GP.
Sources:
http://www.chatelaine.com/health/wellness/10-best-natural-remedies-for-common-ailments/image/6/
https://nursingassistantguides.com/2009/25-ancient-proven-home-remedies-with-science-behind-them
https://www.prevention.com/health/natural-home-remedies/slide/4
https://www.livestrong.com/article/369229-how-to-use-fennel-as-a-cure-for-flatulence
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/fennel-and-digestion/
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.za/entry/turmeric-health-benefits-curcumin_n_5978482
http://sarooibos.co.za/tackle-tummy-trouble-with-rooibos-tea/
