Although you may try to stay healthy by exercising and eating balanced meals, you still might not always feel your best. When the inevitable malady strikes, it’s not always necessary to turn to the medicines you find on drugstore shelves for relief. Instead, here are some natural ways to cure what ails you.
Respiratory Illnesses
Stuffed-up noses and sore throats are no fun to deal with, even when you know those symptoms are just showing you that your illness is running its course. It’s normal to want to seek relief when a cold or similar virus has got you feeling poorly. Fortunately, there are some homeopathic treatments that may make you feel better.
If you’re dealing with a stuffy nose, then rinsing with a nasal irrigation device can help relieve congestion. Taking a hot shower can be beneficial, too, as the steam will moisten your nasal passages. Drinking hot liquids may also help with stuffiness, and it can soothe an aching throat, as well. You can also try a gargle of warm salt water to reduce soreness and scratchiness in your throat.
Many people also find herbal remedies to be useful in alleviating respiratory symptoms and hastening healing. Everything from basil to yarrow can aid in calming your condition, and many herbs can be brewed into a tea to provide you with the added benefits that come from consuming hot liquids. The herb called Echinacea is found in many supplements, as it’s been shown to treat symptoms and possibly prevent respiratory illnesses from taking hold in the first place.
Aches and Pains
If you find yourself subject to occasional muscle or joint pain, you may be leery of taking too much over-the-counter medication to treat those aches. If that’s the case, you might benefit by using some of nature’s pain relievers. By ingesting certain plants or using them topically, you may be able to control your pain without turning to pills.
Consider adding ginger and turmeric to your diet by mixing them into juices or smoothies. Both are believed to reduce the inflammation that is associate with pain. You can also address various aches head-on by applying essential oils directly to the areas that hurt. Seek out therapeutic grade oils, then dilute them in a carrier oil such as olive oil before using them topically. Lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus oils have all been used for centuries to alleviate pain.
Digestive Problems
When you eat too quickly or too much, you might sometimes suffer from indigestion. You may feel uncomfortably full, or experience pain or burning in your stomach. Rather than turning to an antacid to calm your symptoms, this complaint is another ailment that can be addressed by trying natural remedies.
Drinking a bit of apple cider vinegar before eating may help trigger your body to produce more stomach acid so you avoid indigestion in the first place. Even simple lemon water can prevent gastric trouble if taken a few minutes before eating. If it’s too late and the damage is done, then brewing an herbal tea made from peppermint or chamomile can help calm your stomach. Ginger and fennel seed are also believed to soothe distress after eating, as can a solution of baking soda and water.
Even if you take excellent care of your body, you may occasionally find yourself feeling unwell. Before you reach into your medicine cabinet, look for some relief by trying one of the natural remedies outlined above. While it’s wise to consult your doctor first, managing your malady naturally may alleviate your symptoms and have you feeling better more quickly than you might with over-the-counter treatments.
