In the old days, when you had a sore throat; your first reaction was probably not to call out the doctor but to head for the kitchen cabinet. There you would find the. Honey jar, spoon a liberal portion into some boiling water, add the juice of two or three lemon and sip the warming concoction slowly .honey and lemon is one of the best known remedies and it is still used today as a basis for many of the most over-the-counter medicines and sore throat sweets. Nowadays; however, new technology and increasingly sophisticated medical advances have all but banished the old fashioned home remedy to the archives of history. But yet many of these ancient remedies have been the subject of rigorous clinical trial. The humble garlic for example, has probably been the subject of more scientific studies than any other herb. It is marketed as the new cure-all for myriad complaints. Modern drugs can be life savers but they often have too many side effects to warrant their use for every little sniffle or tummy upset. Home remedies are now called the “wonder drugs”. And no wonder now more and more people are looking for a healthier option for everyday complaints including homeopathy, essential oils, crystal, home remedies….etc.. By being more aware of the benefits of home remedies you can begin to understand how to heal yourself naturally.

Remedies for back pain
Massage is an excellent remedy for most kinds of back problem. Make up soothing massage oil from peppermint or coriander oil mixed with a tablespoon of almond oil. Massage it well into the muscles of the back. Boil up cabbage leaves in milk until they become a jelly, spread this mixture on the affected area with a cloth and leave it on overnight, covered with gauze held in place with plaster. This helps to release toxins from the body; you will feel extremely rested next morning. Cabbage has an extraordinary ability to draw out toxins. One dessert spoon of cayenne pepper in a hot bath will help give some relief from most back problems.

Remedies for arthritis
Chilies and peppers are rich in capsaicin, an active chemical that can control the pain. Western doctors do run trials to see if it may work as pain reliever for rheumatic diseases. Eat plenty of garlic and onions, mix a teaspoon of cider vinegar and honey in hot water and drink it first thing in the morning.  Teaspoon of ground turmeric three times a day. A back rub made from dessert spoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of olive oil and applied to inflamed joints will bring a soothing heat to the aching area.

Remedies for shock
Hot, sweet tea was always thought to be a restorative remedy for shock, and in fact honey added to any hot drink is great healer. Basil and sage tea sweetened with honey is a great cure for someone who has experience a mild shock. Chamomile tea ia also useful in this situation because it acts as a gentle sedative and therefore eases tension. Orange blossom in hot water is believed to relieve anxiety and restore calmness.

Remedies for hangovers
For some reason, eggs have always been a big feature of hangover cures across all cultures and; in fact, eggs do contain a certain chemical now known to neutralize the effects of alcohol, so it seems that the old eggnog remedy or fried eggs the morning after may work well after all!! For an upset stomach or nausea, try grating some fresh ginger root into a mug of boiling water and sipping it slowly. And one of the best herbal fixit for a hangover is peppermint tea to replenish your lost vitamin C with a glass of orange juice adding a dash of cumin powder to really get you back in gear.

Remedies for headache and migraine
A warm cabbage leaf compress placed on the head can help to ease a headache, or try eating a crust of stale brown bread with butter and marmalade –a curious remedy, but very effective! Headaches caused by hypertension can also be eased by eating garlic, which lowers blood pressure. Sinus headaches respond best to steam inhalations. Add the essential oils of pine, eucalyptus, rosemary or thyme, either on their own or in combination. In boiling water lie down and breathe in the aroma. A drink made from fresh gingerroot has been shown to be almost a effective at preventing migraines (when taken daily) as powerful prescription drugs.

Remedies for sore throat
For a bad sore throat, make up a gargle with salt, lemon juice or cider vinegar diluted with warm water. The salt helps to destroy the bacteria that cause the sore throat and helps to relief the burning sensation. Squeeze the oil of a whole garlic clove together with cayenne pepper and warm salt water and soak a clean cloth in the liquid. Wear the cloth around the throat for instant relief.

Remedies for asthma
Fresh carrot juice is believed to help protect against asthma attacks. Drinking a glass a day could help reduce the risk. Soak a cabbage leaf in hot water until saturated and drink the liquid.  Onions, nettles and garlic protect against asthma too..

Remedies for corns
Rub corn with castor oil daily for two weeks to get rid of them completely. Put a piece of lemon peel or raw tomato over the corn and cover with a bandage. The juice of the fruit will soften the corn overnight.

Remedies for warts
Peel the skin of a potato as thinly as possible rub the inner side of skin on the wart twice a day. Thanks to chemical in the potato near the skin, the wart should turn black and drop off within couples of weeks.

Remedy for dry hands
Mix together 25g of ground almond, a beaten egg, a handful of comfrey root and a tablespoon of honey. Coat your hand with the mixture, pull on an old pair of cotton gloves and wear it overnight. Repeat for a week and you will be amazed of how soft and supple your hand will feel.

Remedy for split ends
Comb in a mixture of equal quantities of warmed castor oil and olive oil follow in by massaging with an egg yolk. Wrap your head up in a warm towel and let the egg yolk soak in for at least an hour. Shampoo as usual.

Remedy for “feel good” tonics
Make yourself a natural tonic. Some people swear by drinking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey in 225 ml of hot water mid-morning and mid-afternoon. it provides a boost of energy .it s guaranteed to make you feel a million dollars.

Useful ingredient for home remedies

• Asparagus: for eczema
  
• Almond oil: as a base for massage and rubs; for earache.
  
• Avocado: as a hand cream; face cleanser; sunburn; acne.
  
• Bananas; for diarrhea.
  
• Beetroot: for fever; to clear the blood; for acne.
  
• Blackberry leaves: for food poisoning.
  
• Carrots: for stomach disorder; for cleansing the system; for eye problem.
  
• For asthma; constipation.
  
• Cayenne peppers: for joint irritation; with garlic for joint pain
  
• Celery; for urinary tract infection.
  
• Chili peppers: for rheumatism.
  
• Echinacea: a natural antibiotic; for cold and flu and boost the immune system.
  
• Fennel; for bad breath, for indigestion, diuretic; for cold and flu.

By Nermine El Ramlawy