When I’m feeling ill, the last thing I want to do is drag myself out of bed to get to the nearest pharmacy. Besides the fact that medicine can get pricey, sometimes it makes me feel even sicker. When battling nausea, the chalky taste and artificial pink color of Pepto Bismol is enough to turn me green.
I was happy to learn that we don’t have to run to the store for solutions to our stress-induced headaches, skin problems, and embarrassing gastrointestinal “issues.” Instead, remedies for what ails us can be found in our kitchen cupboards.
Basil
Photo source: thebittenword.com on flickr (cc)
Ingesting basil promotes healthy digestion and decreases gas. Though mint teas are touted for their stomach-healing properties, a cup of basil tea is an even better choice when big, hearty meals leave us feeling overly full and bloated. It has also been said to alleviate constipation and cramping. Some believe it has a calming affect, so add basil to your diet when feeling stressed or anxious.
Black Pepper
Photo source: brandi666 on flickr (cc)
People have used black pepper, one of the most popular spices in the world, to treat everything from earaches to tooth decay, and it’s even been used to treat skin maladies. One example of this is putting black pepper on a cut (after cleaning the area, of course) to halt the bleeding and heal the cut. Those who do this swear that it’s the best method for minimizing scarring.
Ginger
Photo source: vieux bandit on flickr (cc)
That ginger is good for stomach issues is no surprise—after all, ginger ale is a common recommendation for soothing upset stomachs. A study done at Chiang Mai University in Thailand even found that ginger was a useful remedy for morning sickness among pregnant women in their first trimester. What’s less known is that ginger also helps alleviate inflammatory issues, such as arthritis and headaches. A study conducted by Danish researchers found that taking ginger at the beginning of a headache quickly stops the pain in its tracks by reducing the inflamed blood vessels. Ginger tea and ginger pills are available to buy, or you can try adding ginger root to your meals.
Nutmeg
Photo source: kochtoph on flickr (cc)
Nutmeg in limited doses (too much can be toxic) has healing properties associated with nausea and vomiting, and it’s known as an aphrodisiac in India. It’s also sometimes used as a sleep aid by those who practice Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic (which translates to “the science of life”) medicine is a practice borne out of India that offers a more holistic, natural approach to treatment. An Ayurvedic recipe for “bedtime milk” includes a pinch of ground nutmeg to ensure a restful night.
Garlic
Photo source: mullica on flickr (cc)
Aside from being a delicious addition to just about every meal, garlic is a healing powerhouse. It can treat asthma and fever; it’s great for kidney function. It even prevents the common cold! A study at the Garlic Centre in the UK found that participants who took a garlic supplement every day were less likely to catch a cold than those who didn’t.
