Natural First Aid from the Kitchen

Remedies for Coughs, Allergies, Congestion, Earaches, Cuts And Burns

Jul 16, 2009 Noreen Kassem

Home remedies make use of several natural properties that are used in commercial brands to treat and prevent ailments, injuries and conditions. Try these at home.

Home based remedies are tried and tested methods that make use of the natural properties in common herbs, spices and other foods to treat and prevent ailments and injuries. However, the ingredients in these remedies are not potent enough to treat infections and chronic or severe illness; a doctor must be seen to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Asthma

To prevent and relieve a minor asthma attack have a cup of coffee. The caffeine acts as a natural bronchial muscle relaxer. The universal remedy for colds and flus is also good for asthma: chicken broth, as well as vegetable soup and other fluids, helps thin bronchial mucus and soothes inflammation in the lungs.

Allergies

Seasonal allergies are caused by breathing in pollen and dust. To stop the passage of these allergens into the nasal cavity apply Vaseline or olive oil to the inside rim of each nostril. This catches the pollen before it is inhaled. It also helps to flush the nostrils with water several times a day.

Cold and Coughs

Ginger boosts immune system activity to prevent and reduce cold symptoms. Add a piece of ginger to your regular cup of tea or brew ginger tea by steeping two teaspoons of grated ginger root into a cup of boiling water. To soothe coughs add a spoonful of honey.

To make your own cough syrup: heat a finely chopped onion covered with honey. Warm for forty minutes and take as needed, one or two spoonfuls at a time. The onion has expectorant and antimicrobial properties and increases circulation while the honey soothes the throat (and makes the mixture tolerable).

A common herb that is used in commercial brand cough syrups is thyme. This spice helps prevent infections and eases coughs. Brew thyme tea with fresh or dried thyme when you’re trying to quell a cough. Aniseed and oregano are also used to make herb teas that relieve coughs.

Decongestant

For mucus congestion steaming with a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil opens up the respiratory passages and fights infection. Eucalyptol, the medicinal ingredient in eucalyptus oil, has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action. Inhale the decongesting vapours for ten to twenty minutes.

Earache

To temporarily soothe the pain of an earache, warm olive oil and apply to the ear auricle (outer ear) and just the rim of the inner ear using a finger.

Breathing in eucalyptus infused steam helps treat an earache by opening up the Eustachian tubes, the passageway between the ear and throat, allowing fluids to drain and reducing painful pressure. Ear infections should be checked by a doctor.

Foot Fungus

A garlic soak contains powerful antifungal agents. Steep six crushed cloves of garlic in a basin of hot water for an hour before soaking your feet in it for 30 minutes.

Foot funguses can occur when the pH levels of the skin between the toes is changed. To restore skin acidity try a vinegar and salt soak. Baking soda sprinkled in shoes and between the toes also helps to prevent foot funguses.

Minor Cuts, Scrapes and Small Wounds

Always cleanse the area before applying remedies or bandages. Pasteurized honey on shallow cuts and scrapes decreases infection and promotes wound healing. Honey has natural antibacterial agents that cleanse the wound and keeps it moist and sealed while it mends. This speeds healing and prevents scarring.

A natural anti-inflammatory, honey will also dull pain. Place on the wound and cover with a bandage. Reapply and change the dressing every two hours. Medical studies show that honey even helps heal leg ulcers in diabetic patients.

Vinegar helps to speed healing by limiting the spread of harmful bacteria and reducing itchiness in healing wounds. Tumeric powder is a spice that works to heal wounds. It’s natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties reduce pain and swelling.

Minor Burns

Treat minor burns and scalds with milk instead of ice. Milk contains fat which acts as a balm on the painful, irritated skin. Dip a clean cloth in milk and hold it against the burn.

For more serious burns and burns that are larger than two to three inches across, seek medical assistance immediately.

Bruises

Treat bruises by placing a slice of onion on the skin for 15 minutes. This stimulates the lymphatic fluids to flush away the pooled blood. Also try drinking a glass of pineapple juice. Pineapple contains an enzyme which has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce swelling.

Warts, Corns and Calluses

Mix equal parts vinegar and glycerin and apply daily to warts until they dissolve. The vinegar contains acetic acid which gently abrades the wart while the glycerin soothes and coats the skin. This mixture also removes corns and dead skin on the feet.

Soaking callused feet in a bucket of warm water brewed with three or four tea bags. The tea contains tannic acid which cleanses feet and removes the buildup of dead skin.

The copyright of the article Natural First Aid from the Kitchen in Natural Medicine is owned by Noreen Kassem. Permission to republish Natural First Aid from the Kitchen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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