Home Remedies from Common Foods

Almost every family has home remedies that have been passed down from generation to generation. They seem to have no rhyme or reason for working, yet they seem to do the job.

Some home remedies have proven themselves under research. Others are anecdotal, and offer little proof. Yet the remedies survive.

I remember my mother wrapping my wrists and ankles with vinegar soaked brown paper to bring down my fevers. It always seemed to work. Recently I was surprised to see this same remedy mentioned in the second verse of the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme.

Up Jack got and home did trot
As fast as he could caper;
And went to bed to mend his head
With vinegar and brown paper.

Every day foods are often used for home remedies. Here are some interesting uses for these foods. 

1-To help heal cold sores and mouth ulcers put a few drops of undiluted lemon juice on the area until healed. Yes, it will sting, sorry!

2-Black tea may help relieve diarrhea. Let it steep for at least ten minutes to release the tannins responsible for "drying" things up. If you drink too much tea, as I sometimes do, you'll probably get the opposite problem.

3-Cabbage leaves are excellent for drawing out infections and bringing down swelling. For mastitis, lightly pound a cabbage leaf and place it directly on the breast. Place the macerated leaves on bruises and swollen areas to help promote healing. Apply to boils and skin infections to draw out the pus.

4-Cucumber juice is good for your skin. Rub a cooling cucumber (the inside part) on inflamed or sunburned skin.

5-Eat four stalks of celery a day to help reduce high blood pressure. Some studies back this up. It's ratio of sodium to potassium makes it a very safe, effective diuretic.

6-Eating asparagus may help control PMS symptoms, probably because it helps clear liver congestion. Asparagus is rich in nutrients and liver detoxifying glutathione.

7- Eat two apples a day to reduce cholesterol levels up to 10 percent. Be sure to leave the skin on. It's the soluble fiber that does the work. Apples can also help relieve gout, indigestion and constipation.

8-Drinking a little extra cold-pressed olive oil is said to cure a hangover and to counteract poisoning from mushrooms or fish. (I wouldn't rely on this - best not to take any chances!) Taking a tablespoon of olive oil before drinking will help coat your stomach, much as any fatty food will, so you absorb the alcohol slower.

9-Eating a little local honey before pollen season reduces hay fever. The honey contains little bits of pollen common to your area. This will accustom your immune system to these "invaders" before pollen season arrives.

10-Eat grapefruit seeds to get rid of intestinal worms. They are also effective against viruses, yeasts, fungi, parasites and bacteria. Grapefruit seed extract is available at health food stores. Cucumber seeds are used to expel tapeworms.

Have you tried any of these remedies? Did they work for you? What is your favorite home remedy? Please share your answers in the comment section below.