Effective Home Remedies That Work

For most of our lives, we have heard about old wives tales and home remedies that have been passed down from one generation to the next. While some of these tales may sound too good to be true, the ones I have listed here actually been proven to be effective home remedies. Many of these were remedies that my own mother would use when my brothers and I were young and I still use, today.

Here are some old wives tales that have been scientifically proven to be true & effective home remedies.

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Affordable & effective Home Remedies: 17 Frugal, Old Wives Tales That Work

Chicken Soup for Colds

The old wives tale of drinking chicken soup when you have a cold has been around for centuries and for good reason. Studies have shown that chicken soup can help to reduce inflammation in the respiratory system, which can relieve cold symptoms such as congestion, coughing, and sore throat.

Honey for Wounds

Our ancestors used honey as a natural remedy for decades and it has been shown to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied topically to a wound, honey can help to reduce the risk of infection, promote healing and reduce scarring.

Manuka honey is probably best known for its wound-healing properties. When applied directly to the wound it supports the healing process and reduces pain – so much so that the US Food and Drug Administration approved it as an option for wound treatment in 2015. 

What is Manuka honey and where does it come from? So glad you asked!

Manuka honey is specifically produced by bees that only visit the manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) in New Zealand. The bees that produce Manuka honey are European honey bees (Apis mellifera) that were introduced into New Zealand. The Manuka tree grows throughout New Zealand.

My mother developed cellulitis after her cat scratched her ankle. The sore got infected (which caused the cellulitis) and this was the treatment that was used to get her healed. It worked when nothing else would, So, I’m a firm believer in (medical) honey to treat wounds.

Prunes for constipation

This small, dried fruit has earned a big reputation as “nature’s remedy” for constipation. Prunes (also called dried plums) are rich in insoluble fiber, as well as the natural laxative, sorbitol. I have a family member (who shall remain nameless) that swears by this natural remedy for constipation because it works!

It’s important to only stick with one serving or six prunes, per day. If you don’t care for eating the fruit, prune juice has been found to be just as effective.

If you follow a low-potassium diet due to conditions such as chronic kidney disease, your doctor or dietitian may recommend that you avoid prunes.

Sugar for hiccups

Hiccups are an involuntary contraction of your diaphragm followed by a closure of your vocal cords. They’re uncomfortable, they come at the most inconvenient times and they are seriously annoying.

This was one of my most favorite, effective home remedies, when I was a kid, that my grandmother always used when anyone in the family would get the hiccups.

She would take either a teaspoon of sugar or a sugar packet (portable!) and tell us to put it on our tongue and let it dissolve. I’ve also read that you can put it under your tongue and let it dissolve. You can also try swallowing before it dissolves.

Why does this work? The sweet sensation is strong enough to stimulate the vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in your body. The vagus nerve starts at your brain stem, extending as far down as your diaphragm to control the stomach.

The vagus nerve sends information on sensations from your stomach, throat, ears and digestive tract. The spoonful of sugar works because it distracts the vagus nerve, sending a signal to your brain that tells it to stop the hiccups because something else has come up. So simple! Right?

Ginger for Nausea

Ginger is a great natural remedy for nausea and vomiting and has been used for many years. Studies have shown that ginger can help to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy, motion sickness, and chemotherapy.

The most common ways to use ginger for nausea are in the form of supplements, essential oils, tea, and crystallized ginger. Ginger ale alleviates the symptoms of an upset stomach, while a cup of ginger tea can treat motion sickness, colic, gas, nausea, diarrhea and more.

Garlic for High Blood Pressure

Garlic has been used as a natural remedy for high blood pressure for years. Studies have shown that garlic can help to reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Garlic contains compounds that can relax blood vessels and improve blood flow.

If you can’t consume that much garlic (or don’t want to), you can take it in supplement form.

Aloe Vera for Burns

Aloe vera is one of the best, effective home remedies that’s used for burns, dating back to ancient Egypt. Studies have shown that aloe vera can help to reduce pain and promote healing in first-degree burns. Aloe vera can also help to reduce inflammation and prevent infection.

I keep aloe vera plants just for this reason, as they are also very beautiful, require little to no care and they multiply like crazy. They’re wonderful plants to keep around and if you happen to burn yourself, just break a leaf off and rub the gel like substance over the burn. It begins to work immediately and can even prevent blistering (depending of the severity of the burn) if you get the gel on as soon as possible.

Salt Water for Sore Throat

Gargling with salt water is an old wives tale that has been around for centuries and for good reason. Salt water can help to reduce inflammation in the throat, which can relieve sore throat symptoms such as pain and swelling. Salt water can also help to flush out bacteria and other irritants in the throat.

Experts recommend ½ tsp of salt and 8 oz of warm water. You just gargle & spit until it’s gone. Rinse your mouth with tap or drinking water after your salt water gargle and repeat the entire process two to three times a day, as needed. Remember not to swallow the salt-water.

Peppermint Oil for Headaches

Peppermint oil is a great alternative treatment for headaches as opposed to over the counter pain killers. Studies have shown that peppermint oil can help to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Peppermint oil has a cooling effect on the skin and can help to relax the muscles in the head and neck.

Massage the oil onto your forehead, temples, and behind your ears. Putting the oil directly on your skin will help your body absorb it fast. Place one to two drops of the oil on these areas and use clean fingers to gently massage in the oil in small, circular motions.

• You can also try applying the oil on your neck, just below your ears, and your chest.
• Peppermint oil is really great for sinus headaches, too. Apply the oil to your skin several times a day—it works really well to clear the sinuses.
• You can also inhale the oil if you don’t want to apply it to your skin. Hold the peppermint oil under your nose and take several deep breaths, inhaling the oil through your nostrils. Do this for at least one minute so you inhale enough of the oil.

 

Oatmeal for Eczema

People have used oatmeal as a natural remedy for eczema for many years and is still used today. Studies have shown that oatmeal can help to reduce inflammation and itching in the skin. Oatmeal contains compounds that can help to soothe and moisturize dry, irritated skin.

How to use for an oatmeal bath: Put 1 cup oatmeal into a blender, coffee grinder, or food processor and grind it into a fine, consistent powder. If the oatmeal isn’t fine enough, it won’t mix into the bathwater and will sink to the bottom of the tub. When the oatmeal’s suspended in the bathwater, you maximize your skin’s exposure to it.

Chamomile Tea for Insomnia

Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to mankind. It has been used for many human ailments from hay fever to hemorrhoids, but the most popular use is Chamomile tea.

Studies have shown that chamomile tea can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, which can improve sleep quality. Chamomile tea has a mild sedative effect and can help to calm the nervous system.

 

Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar can help to improve digestion and reduce symptoms such as bloating and gas. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which can help to stimulate digestive enzymes and improve the breakdown of food.

Experts recommend the consumption of not more than one to two tablespoons apple cider vinegar in a glass of water per day. It works best when consumed before meals. This increases the stomach acid levels which help in the breakdown of food and thus aids in digestion.

People with digestive issues, low potassium levels or diabetes should consider speaking to a doctor before consuming apple cider vinegar.

Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract Infections

People have used cranberry juice as a natural remedy for urinary tract infections for decades. Studies have shown that cranberry juice can help to prevent the bacteria that cause UTIs from sticking to the bladder wall. Cranberry juice contains compounds that can help to flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. While cranberry juice is helpful in preventing reoccurring UTI’s, it’s not effective with active UTI’s.

Recommended dose is 8 oz a day to help in preventing reoccurrences.

Baking Soda for Heartburn

Baking soda is another great natural remedy that’s been used for generations. Studies have shown that baking soda can help to neutralize stomach acid and reduce the symptoms of heartburn. Baking soda is alkaline, which can help to balance the pH levels in the stomach. It works in a similar manner as many over-the-counter antacids.

Try a half teaspoon of baking soda mixed in at least 4 ounces (½ cup) of water to provide a quick relief of symptoms.