‘Tis the season…
The season for colds, flu, and other health issues. One thing that I have discovered over the years is that there are plenty of natural health and beauty aids out there that are dirt cheap and often work as well as the over the counter drugs that manufacturers want us to buy. Here are a few ideas that may help you get through the season without all the pesky cold drugs.
Honey is your friend! Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory. Make a concoction of honey and hot water to soothe a sore throat. If it is severe, mix honey, hot water and vinegar and use a gargle every couple of hours. Vinegar will work as an astringent and restores ph balance.
Lemon for chapped lips. Most over the counter chapped lip medications are petroleum based or wax based. These do little to help relieve chapped lips, instead they protect them from the outside conditions. Glycerin will do the same thing naturally. First squeeze half a lemon and about s teaspoon of sugar together. Rub on lips and leave it there for a couple of minutes. The lemon with help exfoliate dead skin while the sugar helps form a barrier. Rinse with water and smear with a little glycerin to seal.
Natural applications for a burn. When I was growing up, my mother always grew aloe vera plants. whenever we had a minor burn, she would cut off a piece and rub the juice onto the burn to seal and heal it. Aloe Vera gel can now be found at many drug stores. Other options include mashing a tomato onto the burn. The tomato has lots of vitamin A and C which may help speed the healing of the wound. Once again, many claim the antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties of honey will help your body to heal the burn quickly.
Cayenne for congestion. Cayenne pepper can be good for congestion and other ailments. Try consuming cayenne in capsule form or by dissolving in hot water (if you can take the heat!) Turmeric works well also. It can be used to stimulate nerves to dull pain sensation. Mix a little powder into a little lotion to alleviate painful muscle aches.
Mustard is for more than hot dogs. The old stories of mustard packs are true. Powdered mustard can be made into a very effective remedy to ease congestion and act as an expectorant.
Cloves for pain. Chew a couple of cloves for a toothache or suck on whole cloves to help with sore throat pain.
Garlic is good. Garlic, onions, shallots and the like are all good for you. Their chemical make up is full of things that are anti bacterial and anti viral in nature. Got a stuffed up nose? Try squeezing a clove of garlic with the insides of an aloe vera leaf and some honey. Soak some cotton in the mixture and insert into your nostrils for about 5 minutes.
Tea for the tummy. There are plenty of remedies for an upset stomach, and most involve making a natural tea. Peppermint is good for the stomach. Try alternating chamomile and peppermint teas on the hour to relieve stomach ache. A tea made from rosemary can also help.
Acne. There are plenty of things to try for natural acne treatment. My friend swears by her scrub made of oatmeal, baking soda and sugar with a little water. The sugar exfoliates, the oats help heal and the baking soda balances pH. A mask made of avocado, egg and honey is said to work wonders for your skin. Avocado adds moisture, honey works to kill bacteria, and eggs help to heal the skin. The whites act as an astringent. Yolks are high in fat, so avoid the yellow part if have oily skin.
Just a few ideas for a healthier winter…
