10 Natural Remedies that Work

In an emergency, when drug stores or pharmacies may be closed, it might not be easy to get medications for an upset stomach, the common cold, or other illnesses. Of course you can store these important medications in your emergency kit. But what happens if you forget to pack them, you run out, or they expire? You can use items from your food storage supplies, garden, and other natural resources you Replace to create natural remedies for minor illnesses, stings, aches, and even acne. Here are 10 natural remedies you can use to keep yourself and your family healthy in an emergency or in everyday life.

1. Rice Water—relieves stomach flu, diarrhea, and nausea. It can even protect you from getting the stomach flu. Boil one tbsp. of rice to one cup water. Cook until rice is tender. Drain water from rice. Rice Water can be taken hot or cold. Double or triple the recipe to make more rice water because the rice typically absorbs some of the water, so you’ll less rice water after the rice is cooked than you think you will have when you begin. Note: I’ve used this method in my home when my husband got the stomach flu—this stuff really works.

2. Pumpkin—for gas and indigestion. Pumpkin helps to reduce the gas created in our systems when we do not digest our food properly. Pumpkin has the ability to soothe your stomach. Eat one cup of pumpkin (boiled, mashed, baked, etc.) with your dinner and the gaseous effects will subside.

3. Honey and Cinnamon—sore throat/cold preventative. You know that itch you get when you think you’re getting a cold? Mix together one tablespoon of raw honey and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon for several days until the itch is gone. Since raw honey is thick, simply suck the honey off the spoon. Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight germs that cause the common cold. Cinnamon kills bacteria that would cause the common cold. Note: I used this a couple mornings ago because I had a sore throat for days, after eating this, the pain and swelling went down within minutes.

4. Pineapples/Pineapple Juice—soothes a sore throat. Pineapple doesn’t cure a sore throat, but helps to alleviate the pain. It’s a great remedy for kids who don’t like the taste of cough drops. Pineapple has natural anti-inflammatory properties which reduce the pain and burning sensation of a sore throat.

5. Vinegar Vapor—for sinus congestion. Boil a big pot of white or apple cider vinegar. Lean over the pot with a towel over your head. Breathe in deeply. The steam and smell of the vinegar will help to clear your sinuses.

6. Baking Soda Rinse—toothache relief. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of warm water. Baking soda helps kill bacteria in your mouth. After drinking this, your pain will diminish.

7. Mud—to remove stingers and venom from bees, and relieves itchy bug bites. Apply mud and wait for it to dry. It will draw out the venom and stingers for bees. And will soothe bug bites. Mud also helps to soothe the pain from stinging nettle Note: Kim, one of our bloggers, used this remedy last summer for stinging nettle and it worked so well that she’s recommending it to others.

8. Honeysuckle Juice—relieves discomfort from Poison Ivy. Puree 3 cups honeysuckle leaves and 1 cup water. Strain the leaves, but keep the juice. Apply juice to the rash.

9. Strawberries and Honey—a homemade acne treatment. Strawberries are rich in Salicylic acid which is an ingredient in many over the counter acne treatments. It opens clogged pores and kills bacteria. Honey also battles bacteria and is an anti-inflammatory. Mash up ½ cup strawberries (make sure they don’t get over-mashed or runny) and mix in 2 teaspoons of honey. After washing your face, apply and wait 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, pat dry, and moisturize. Use twice a week for a month. 1

0. Lavender Foot Bath—headache relief. Soak your feet in warm water infused with a bit of lavender. This list just illustrates a couple of natural solutions you can use. There are hundreds of natural remedies that are used today.

Do you use natural remedies? Share you tips with everyone in the comments!