Your first instinct when something minor goes wrong with your body may be to run to the drugstore. Surely the remedy for what ails you lies down one of those aisles, right? But you may be surprised to learn that you can cure yourself of a medley of ailments using what you already have at home. And that many products you buy for other purposes actually do double or triple duty as healing agents. Below, some natural solutions to try when these common but annoying ailments strike:
Bug bites. Calamine lotion is fine, but you can also ease the irritation using items found in your pantry. Try these cures from The Doctors Book of Home Remedies: moisten some salt with water, make into a paste and apply it to the bite; dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, dip a cloth into the solution and hold it against the bite for 15 minutes; dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salts into a quart of hot water, chill, and use a cloth to apply the solution to the bite for 15 minutes.
Bruises. If you're prone to bruises, you probably already know that it's a good idea to apply an ice pack to your skin just after banging or bumping it. But according to SimpleSolutions.net, your diet also plays a part in how easily you bruise. What to eat? Foods rich in Vitamin K, such as pumpkin seeds, watercress, and seaweed. And look for a multivitamin that contains Vitamin K.
Sore throat. Surprise! Garlic can help rid you of the pain of a sore throat. Try pressing six garlic cloves into a glass of warm water, and gargle with this solution twice a day. According to Prevention.com, studies show that garlic has antimicrobial properties that battle pain-causing bacteria.
Stained teeth. Although it seems counterintuitive, strawberries can actually whiten your teeth. According to WorlDental.org, an online dental-health magazine, crushing up a few strawberries and mixing them with baking soda to form a paste and then rubbing it on your teeth will remove coffee, wine and soda stains. Use this treatment infrequently, as it can erode tooth enamel.
Hemorrhoids. Drugstore shelves bulge with commercial hemorrhoid treatments, but according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies, witch hazel is one of the best treatments available. Witch hazel causes blood vessels to shrink and contract. Apply it with a cotton ball directly to the anus (the colder it is, the better it will feel). Also, think about losing a few pounds if you're overweight--excess weight puts excess pressure on the blood vessels and veins in the rectum, which may worsen the problem.
