31 Medical Home Remedies You Should Know

Everyone gets hurt or sick sometime in their life. Some people rush straight to the doctor while some people find clever home remedies to cure their ailments and save a few bucks. Medical home remedies have been around for centuries and provide decent results compared to more conventional pharmaceuticals. However, these are not for everyone. If you have more serious problems, it’s definitely time to head to your local friendly doctor.

Burns

Surely, we have all be burned sometime in our life. Whether you grabbed a hot pan or decided to put out that candle with your fingertips, it happens. Here are some tips to handle minor burns:

1. Place the burn under cold water and keep it there for a good 15 to 20 minutes. This will help “draw the burn” out of the skin. However, do not use ice or ice water. Ice will prohibit blood flow to the area and slow the healing process.
2. Things such as honey, vinegar and aloe vera have been recommended to relieve the pain and promote healing. Also, an oatmeal bath (or paste) can help if the burn area starts to itch.

Colds

Cold and flu season is well underway. Obviously, to avoid getting a cold, it’s good practice to wash your hands frequently. If you already feel under the weather, here are some tips to combat the common cold:

1. Your mom was right, chicken soup is good for you when you have a cold. It is said that it helps reduce mucus. It also is warm and tasty which is something we all need when we are sick.
2. Make your own cough syrup by mixing together 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar.
3. A nice cup of tea with honey can help heal a sore throat and clear blocked nasal passages.
4. Get some vitamin C in your system. I recommend orange juice. Yum!

Diaper Rash

We don’t have any children yet, but I bet you parents that do know about this problem. Diaper rash can be a big pain for you and your child. Screaming babies is not a sound that I want to hear day in and day out! Try this solutions to get that baby back to normal:

1. Add a tablespoon of dried oatmeal to your baby’s bath. It will help soothe the itch and promote healing.
2. If you use reusable diapers, try adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse. It will help balance out the alkaline in urine.
3. Use cornstarch just as you would baby powder. It helps dry the area and relieve friction from the elastic. Make sure you shake it into your hand away from the baby!

Fever

Fevers are a big part of the flu and can be one of the worst parts. They just make you feel down and out. Here are some home remedies to kick that high temperature:

1. Don’t try and “sweat it out”. If you feel hot, don’t cover up. If you feel cold, cover up. Use that simple logic when you have a cold.
2. Take your clothes off. This will allow the sweat glands to really work their magic.
3. Drink, drink, drink (not alcohol @BudgetsAreSexy). Fevers, especially if they are accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. Water, Popsicles, fruit juice and Gatorade all work great.

Hangovers

Admit it, most of us have had a nasty hangover sometime in our lives. It may even cause you to stop drinking like me! Here are some remedies to cure that hangover. Ironically, most of them have you drinking something else!

1. Drink lots of water. When you drink alcohol, it it causes dehydration in your bodies cells.
2. Drink bouillon or soup broth as it will help replenish salts and potassium that your body loses when you drink alcohol.
3. Drink two cups of coffee as this is said to relieve the pain of a headache.
4. Time, time, time. What more can I say about that?

Heartburn

Personally, I don’t suffer from heartburn (yet). However, I do know people who do and it just doesn’t look like fun. Try these home remedies in lieu of over-the-counter varieties:

1. Chew up 6 or 8 blanched almonds as they are said to relieve the symptoms.
2. Drink water in between meals. If you drink water with a meal, it increases your stomach contents and ups your chances of heartburn.
3. Cinnamon has been used to relieve heartburn for years. Brew yourself a cup of cinnamon tea by boiling some water with a cinnamon stick in it.

Nausea

Sometimes, you stomach just hurts. Here are some tips to help ease the pain:

1. I find that peppermint really helps with an upset stomach. Earlier in the year, I kept having upset stomachs. When I felt bad, I popped a peppermint in my mouth and it always seemed to help.
2. Ginger helps an upset stomach fairly well. Try ginger tea, gingerbread, or gingersnaps. Be aware that most ginger ale soft drinks are missing the main ingredient these days!
3. For an immediate nausea/vomiting cure, mix together 1 cup water, 10 drops lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Then add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and drink. Yummy!

Poison Ivy

I used to get poison ivy very frequently as a child. Luckily, it’s been awhile and I sure am glad. It’s some of the worst stuff to deal with! Here are some home cures for that crazy, itchy stuff:

1. Make a paste of water and baking soda and place it over the affected area every two hours no more than 3 times a day. At the end of the night, take a nice baking soda bath and light some candles.
2. Lightly rinse the area with vinegar as this will help relieve some of the itch.
3. Take a nice oatmeal bath as this will help soothe some of the open wounds and control itching.

Snoring

I know PLENTY of people who snore. Hopefully they read these:

1. Avoid alcohol before bed as this increases snoring.
2. Sleep on your side. I found a cool tip that tells you to sew a tennis ball in the back of your pajamas. When you try and roll onto your back, you unconsciously roll back on your side.
3. For the other party involved, buy them a nice par of earplugs!

Stings and Bug Bites

Summer is over in most areas of the country, but there is still the chance of getting bit by some type of bug. Here are some home remedies to ease your pain:

1. If you are getting bit, try to flick the bug and not swat at it. Swatting the bug makes it more likely that the stinger will get lodged farther in your skin. After being bitten, take some tweezers and gently remove the stinger by scrapping it out.
2. Place some ice on the affected area to help ease the pain.
3. Place a paste of vinegar and baking soda on the bite to reduce pain.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have a medical problem you should seek the advice of a trained medical professional.