Natural Therapies: Kitchen Cures For Health And Wellness

Most of us end up taking a lot of medicines to combat common health conditions caused by a rat-race lifestyle. But what if a few simple remedies can keep you fighting fit, and better yet, you can find them right there in your kitchen? From a quick cure for that annoying headache or a simple concoction that can beat a fever back, easy-to-make and effective natural remedies can be a saviour.

Here is a list of health benefits of some basic herbs and spices you can find in your kitchen shelves. 

Bay Leaf

The humble bay leaf is used most effectively in treating migraines, diabetes, gastric ulcers, rheumatism and colic because of its anti-viral properties. You can soothe a colicky baby with the help of a quick and easy bay-leaf remedy—warm a bay leaf in a pan, smear a small amount of ghee on one side of the leaf and place it, ghee-side down on the baby’s navel for around an hour when the child cries with colic pain. Leave it on for a couple of hours. To aid gastric ulcers, mix one teaspoon of bay leaf powder with a pinch of fenugreek powder in a glass of water and drink on an empty stomach when you wake up in the morning.

Cinnamon

This aromatic and flavourful spice is an excellent fat burner. Mix one teaspoon of cinnamon powder along with a pinch of paprika powder in a mug of warm water and drink every morning to increase one’s metabolic rate. A cup of cinnamon tea after every meal alleviates nausea and provides relief from gas and flatulence.

Clove

Cloves have antiseptic, anti-fungal and germicidal properties, which is why they are often used to remedy dental problems and for general oral care. Boil 5 cloves in 200ml of water along with 10 basil leaves, and use this as a mouthwash to improve the health of your gums and teeth.A cup of clove and saffron tea at bedtime helps reduce anxiety and insomnia.

Ginger

Ginger root stimulates digestion, prevents vomiting, cures a sore throat, protects the stomach lining and prevents gas formation.Make a mix of equal parts of ginger powder, jeera powder, flaxseed powder, fennel (saunf) powder and coriander (dhania) powder and consume one teaspoon of this after lunch and dinner to regulate digestion. Inhaling the steam from a pot of boiling water with fresh ginger steeped in it can relieve a blocked nose and sinuses. 

Honey

Honey is a wonder-food with powerful antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It can stop hiccups, cure worms, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea. It can also keep urinary infections at bay—boil 150 ml of water with 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds, to which add a mixture of one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, strain and drink it twice a day.

Charmaine D’Souza is a health and nutrition consultant with more than 25 years of experience in the field. She is the author of Kitchen Clinic, and Blood Sugar and Spice. Visit http://www.goodhealthalways.in/ to learn more.

Check out more natural remedies from this author here.