Pill-popping Nation goes Au Naturale?

We hate to admit it but it is true. We are a pill-popping nation. We have pills for almost anything – headaches, insomnia, birth-control, stress, jet lag, muscle growth, weight reduction. You name it, we have it. But is it really wise to keep up with the trend of popping pills whenever we feel like it? And is there really a need to, or are our mind and bodies succumbing to the pill-popping phenomenon?

I get headaches very often and it gets quite bad at times, especially in times of high stress. However, I avoid the most commonly popped pill – Panadol like it is the Black Death. Not because I simply refuse to abide by the nation’s standard of self-medication, but because I am allergic to it, among other common medicines like painkillers and anti biotics. And so, the only way I can deal with headaches and other common ailments is to go au naturale, using the natural gifts mother nature bestowed on our earth that ever so often goes unnoticed and taken for granted.

Here, I will share with you what you can use to cure and combat your common ailments like flu, headaches, jet lag, etc using natural herbs, fruits, and vegetables instead of taking processed medicine.

1)      Headache

Headaches can be caused by different triggers – Heat, cold, allergy, high blood pressure, low blood sugar, stress, and hangover. But instead of popping the widely commercialized Panadol, try the most common natural remedy instead. Take 3 to 4 slices of lemon and squeeze the juice into a cup of tea – any tea. This will provide you with instant relief.  Alternatively, you can drink a cup of soothing herbal tea like camomile, catnip, or linden flower to soothe your nerves that will ease some of your throbbing pain.  

Another common and most likely reason for your headache could be due to the very fact that you are dehydrated. A headache is your body’s way of telling you it needs to drink water. You should constantly drink water throughout the day because by the time you feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. The headache is another warning sign that you need to replace your lost fluids. So, drink away if you have a headache! It will be good for you anyway even if the trigger is not dehydration.

 

 

2)      Hangover

Although this is not considered an ailment but rather a cause for common ailments, it deserve to be on this list because all of us will suffer from it at least once in our lives and for some, probably the rest of their lives *laughs*. Hangovers are caused by excessive consumption of alcohol which eventually takes a toll on a drinker’s liver and health. Because alcohol has a dehydrating effect on your body, a natural and most effective remedy is to drink lots of water while and after you drink to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

Drink a banana milkshake. The banana and milk combination calms the stomach and replenishes the lost nutrients and electrolytes, and rehydrates your system after heavy drinking.

Take honey! Honey contains potassium that helps to counteract the effects of alcohol the same way a banana does. It also contains fructose that helps increase the metabolisation of alcohol.

Drink peppermint tea to relief the uncomfortable feeling associated with a bloated stomach after drinking. Peppermint is a carminative which helps remove accumulated gas in the stomach and intestines.

 

3)      Common Cold

Drink ginger tea. Ginger has antiviral and antispasmodic properties that can elevate or even cure the symptoms of colds as it reduces fever and pain.

Lemon juice is a common cold remedy as it contains vitamin C to boost your immunity, reduce the toxicity in the body and reduce the duration of your cold. Add honey to enjoy its soothing effects.

 

4)      Cough

Coughing is a reflex and is the body’s natural way to expelling foreign matter from the body. Although coughing can be annoying, it actually helps your body to heal or protect itself. Coughs come in two forms – acute and chronic. Acute coughs are coughs lasting less than 3 weeks and can be classified as infectious and non-infectious. Chronic coughs are coughs lasting more than 3 weeks and can be caused by anything from allergies to smoking.

Grapes. Yes, grapes! Grapes are effective for toning up the lungs and acts as an expectorants which can relieve a simple cough in a matter of days.

Raw onions. It sounds scary but it works like a charm. Finely chop it to extract the juice, then mix it with one part juice, one part honey and keep for a few hours. This works wonderfully as a cough syrup and may be taken twice a day. Onions are great at reducing phlegm too! Mix the onion juice with lemon juice and viola! Phlegm reduction formula!

For dry cough spells, try gargling with raw spinach juice.

 

5)      Sore Throat

Sore throats can be nasty and painful and may even be accompanied by a runny nose, cough, and fever. Swallowing can be incredibly painful and be prepared for at least a few days of misery.

Chewing or sucking on liquorice can help treat sore throat and soothes the inflammation quickly.

Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated and to prevent a dryer throat which can increase the pain or swallowing.  

 

The above natural home remedies are suitable for the common ailments we all experience. They are easily available in your kitchen and do not have the side effects of drugs. However, if you suspect that you are suffering from a more serious illness, do consult a doctor.

 

-          Cherie Koh

The information provided on www.nutrifirst.net is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational and educational purposes. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of www.nutrifirst.net nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment.