natural herbal remedies

natural herbal remedies

Nature is rich in herbs that can cure naturally without any side effects – a mystery that allopathy is yet to solve or duplicate. We can maintain nutrition, cure diseases, alleviate pain and benefit from using what is available in natural form all around us.

* A vegetable loaded with nutrition is the avocado. But are you aware of its other uses? For example, use a small piece of the seed as a temporary filling for cavities. It will help you till you can get your dentist's appointment! Only remember that you must replace the seed filling at least twice a day.

* Ginger is a pungent addition to any dish. But its medicinal properties are many – chief among them is that it is an excellent remedy for sore throat. You can just chew on a washed and sliced piece of ginger for immediate relief.


* A fruit high in fibre, the papaya is a natural laxative for people suffering from constipation. Just have a slice at breakfast and it will help you to digest your protein intake and relieve you of constipation. Want to use it as a cosmetic? You can mash a ripe papaya with some lemon juice and simply apply the mixture as a face mask. When you rinse after half an hour with warm water, you will find your face cleansed and exfoliated.

* Ladies' finger (okra) is a common, popular desi vegetable, and cooked in many ways. But not many people are aware that its seeds, when dried, ground and boiled in two glasses of water for 15 minutes, can be cooled and strained for use as a medicine. This decoction helps to reduce fever, and is generally taken after a meal. Kids can be given this too – but just a tablespoonful, again after a meal.

* Olive oil is strongly recommended to be used as a light cooking oil as it benefits the heart. But as a cure for hyperacidity? Hmmm… Grandma recommends that you simply swallow one teaspoonful at least 30 minutes before a meal.

* Pineapple? And as a cure? Grandma says 'Yes'! Internal parasites (worms) can be sent scurrying with 2 to 3 slices of delicious pineapple with every meal for at least a week.

* Suffering from severe stomach pain and cramps? What you need is a good home-made antacid. Mix a large slice of cabbage with a carrot, blend in the mixie with some sugar. Drink a glass full of this mix about half an hour before meals and get rid of gastric pain!

* Gingivitis sufferers! Help is at hand – and it is from the common brinjal or eggplant. The brinjal leaves, when boiled in 2 glasses of water for about 10 minutes, and used as a mouthwash, can soothe gingivitis.

* Lemon grass we know, is used to enhance many dishes and gives an exotic flavour. But did you know that it can control diarrhoea? Boil some lemon grass leaves in about 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes. Add sugar and crushed ginger to this decoction and drink 1 cup three times a day.

* When you buy fresh corn, you will find corn hair when you open the covering. Remove these carefully, boil in 1 litre of water. Cool down this concoction and drink it 3 times during the day. It will help to alleviate cystitis or inflammation of the bladder. Kids can be given ½ a cup 3 times a day.

* These days herbs like oregano are available fresh. This is a great cough reliever. All you have to do is to boil chopped oregano leaves in water for 15 minutes and use it as you would a cough syrup.

* Guava leaves have many medicinal uses. Boil guava leaves in water for about 15 minutes. The decoction should be consumed at least 3 times a day. The crushed guava leaves can be used like smelling salts when someone has a fainting fit. The nausea subsides when the strong aroma is inhaled. A cup of the guava leaves, when boiled in water and cooled, are an excellent and soothing rinse for sunburn and prickly heat.

* Suffering from athlete's foot? Don't worry! Simply chop a radish and extract the juice. Apply this on the affected part twice a day for instant relief!

So, are you ready to raid your kitchen? There are natural, easily available cures right in our homes, only if we bother to look! Our grandmas used to have an inexhaustible source of these and it is up to us to see that we do not lose any of these nuggets. Do you know of any more such cures? Do add your contributions in our Women's Blogs and let everyone benefit from the information! After all, such treatments hardly cost money and have no side effects at all!