There is a natural remedy for almost anything you can think of, but many of us have forgotten how to make them. Sure you might know to increase your vitamin C intake when you have a cold, but did you know that rosehips have an enormous amount of it and are believed to keep colds at bay over the winter period?
Read on to find out more about 5 natural remedies that everyone can make and use at home, and better yet, they’re pretty easy too.
In no particular order…
5. Rosehip Syrup
Bring 2 litres of water to the boil in a pan. Add 1kg of washed and chopped rosehips, bring to the boil, then remove from the heat. Cover and leave for about half an hour. Strain the mixture through some muslin or similar fabric into a bowl. Put the juice to one side, return the pulp to the pan, add 1 litre of water and repeat this process.
Pour both lots of juice into a clean pan, boil until reduced by half, then remove from the heat. Stir in 1kg of caster sugar and then boil the mixture on high for about 5 minutes. Pour the mixture into warm, sterilised bottles, preferably small ones and seal. You can dilute this with 5 parts water for a nice drink or pour it over ice cream, or simply take a tablespoon a day through the winter for a vitamin C boost.
4. Baking Soda paste for stings and bites
When you’ve been stung or bitten by some unwelcome critter, the worst part is often the itching and stinging pain that accompanies it. There are a number of bee sting and bite relief sprays and creams on the market, but did you know that baking soda and water can work just as well?
Just pop some baking soda in a small bowl and add enough water to make a thick paste, smear it over the affected area and leave for 15 – 20 minutes, or until the pain has eased. The baking soda helps to neutralise the venom.
3. Hops to aid restful sleep
Hops are naturally something people associate with beer. But they also aid restful sleep – explains why too many bevvies make you drowsy!
Sew yourself a small pillow, before sewing it up, add in approximately 2 parts dried hops to 1 part dried lavender. Then lay it next to you when in bed, breathe deeply and enjoy a restful nights sleep.
2. Grapefruit, Lemon and Honey for Hay Fever
In a small saucepan boil 1 cup of water with the fruit of one grapefruit and one lemon, don’t use the rind. Boil for roughly 15 minutes, cool and mix with raw honey. Drink.
This remedy is supposed to really help those suffering with hay fever and if you use local honey, your body can start to build up a defence against those mean little pollen particles.
1. Ginger Tea for Menstrual Cramps
As an anti-inflammatory, ginger makes a very sensible choice as a remedy for menstrual cramps because it helps to relax our muscles and joints. Of course this makes it a pretty good choice for a whole host of other issues such as joint pain and arthritic pain.
To make your own ginger tea at home, peel and thinly slice a 2 inch piece of ginger root. Bring 4 cups of water to the boil, then add the ginger. Simmer for around 15 – 20 minutes. Strain and add lemon and honey to taste.
So there you have it, 5 natural remedies that everyone can make and use at home for everyday problems. Why not drop me a comment and share your favourite natural remedies?
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