🌿Fix Common Ailments with These 7 Natural Solutions

By common ailment, I mean everyday illnesses, like fever, cough, common cold, back pain, indigestion, headache, earache, stomach, and anxiety alike. We often run for over-the-counter (OTC) medications for instant relief. That’s okay! But beware if you suffer from these ailments frequently. Unsafe and frequent use of OTC medicines can lead to serious health issues in the long run.

This is what I do: I first try out natural remedies to cure the ailment. I choose OTC medications only if the symptoms persist longer than normal. 

Natural remedies work slowly but they’ve fewer to no side effects. Also, they offer many additional benefits. For example, if I’m using basil leaves for fever, then it may also provide relief in cold, sore throat, and cleansing my body inside.

Now, without further ado, here are seven natural remedies for everyday ailments. Let’s check them out:

1. Basil Leaves for Viral Fever

While the viral fever runs its course, there are certain natural remedies you can use to speed up healing and recovery. The basil plant is one of the most effective ones. Known for its strong germicidal, antibacterial, antibiotic, and fungicidal properties, basil leaves can help reduce the symptoms of viral fever. The herb boosts immunity so that the body can fight the ailment.

You can combine it with other herbs like cinnamon and ginger for added benefits. It’s simple – Boil together 10-15 fresh basil leaves, one teaspoon of crushed ginger, and a pinch or two of cinnamon powder. Put it in a cup through a sieve. You can add honey for taste and flavor. Drinking it warm 1-2 times a day may be helpful.

2. Steam Inhalation for Common Cold

Steam inhalation may not kill the cold-causing virus, but the warm, moist air will loosen the mucus in nasal passages, throat, and lungs. You should now feel a lot better while your body fights off the cold.

I’m not talking about taking a steam bath in a well-paneled room. I’m talking about serious steam. To me, here is the most effective way of steam inhalation:

• Bring water to boil.

• Carefully pour boiled water into a bowl.

• Drape a towel over your head while also covering the water bowl. 

• Slowly lower your head toward the hot water; maintain an 8–12-inch distance between your face and the water. 

• Inhale deeply and slowly through your nose for at least five to 10 minutes.

You can do this daily until you feel good. Just be careful to avoid burning your skin from hot water. 

3. Heat and Cold Pack for Back Pain

Cold ice pack therapy may be helpful in muscle injuries like strains or sprains. In these situations, you can use the ice packs directly. However, when it comes to relieving back pain, wrap ice in a soft towel and apply it to the target area. This should provide some relief in inflammation and pain. This is because of the numbing effects of cold packs that can relieve even sudden, intense back pain. But, as advised by the Arthritis Foundation, don’t apply it for more than 20 minutes.

And, a heat pad can heal an achy back by increasing blood flow. Don’t forget to read instructions carefully to avoid burns or scalds from the heat pad. No heat? Don’t worry! You can also use a hot water bottle.

4. Head Massage for Headache

I often get a headache after a long-overworked day. And, a head massage feels fabulous. I often slip into sleep after getting a head massage. Head massage relaxes the muscles of the head, face, and neck, allowing better blood circulation to the head. This helps provide relief from headaches. Apart from that, a head massage promotes hair growth, lowers blood pressure, and relieves stress.

The best part? Although it’s better to have someone else massage your head, self-massage is also effective. 

Quick steps for a self-massage of your head:

• Sit down in a comfortable chair.

• Start applying light to medium pressure on your head with fingertips dipped in the oil.

• Move around your scalp in small circulation motions.

• Massage for 5-15 minutes while covering your entire head.

• Let it rest for a few hours or overnight. Then, wash the oil out with shampoo.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide for Ear Pain

Dealing with ear pain or muffled hearing? Well, most ear pains can be treated on your own. One proven remedy is to apply hydrogen peroxide.

Earache often occurs when earwax blocks the ear canal. Putting in drops of hydrogen peroxide can loosen painful earwax and provide relief in discomfort.

Here’s how to apply hydrogen peroxide: 

Mix 3% solution with an equal amount of normal water. Now, put 2-3 drops in each ear. Repeat this twice or thrice a day for 5-7 days. Then, flush the ear gently with a syringe to remove the loosened wax.

Important note: Avoid hydrogen peroxide drops if you have perforated ear tubes or eardrums.

6. Peppermint Tea for Upset Stomach

The minty treat is not just for bad breath. Brewing peppermint tea is a (than chewing leaves) relaxing way to ease bloating, constipation, gas pain, diarrhea, or even menstrual cramps. 

A big thanks to the herb’s natural antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties! To be specific, peppermint contains menthol and methyl salicylate. Both the active compounds have antispasmodic effects that calm upset stomach and cramping.

BE CAREFUL: Peppermint is a common heartburn trigger due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Peppermint relaxes the sphincter muscle that connects the stomach to the esophagus. As a result, stomach acid may flow back into the esophagus, making heartburn worse.

7. Physical Workout for Stress and Anxiety

No matter the source of your stress, a workout can have visible results. I’m saying this based on my personal experience. In today’s brutal world of competition, where we all are looking for validation, recognition, or power, anxiety has become a part of everyone’s life. Adding a workout to your daily routine can be pretty helpful. And here are the three reasons why it works:

• Physical activities, from aerobics to outdoor games like tennis, pump up endorphins, which are our brain's feel-good neurotransmitters.

• Exercise imitates stress-fight response.

• Fast-paced workout puts you in meditation-in-motion mode. You forget irritation and stressors, and focus mostly on your body’s movements.

• Improves your mood and sleep quality, which are disrupted by anxiety. 

A safety note:  Tell your doctor about any remedies you are taking, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medications.

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