Cures in the Kitchen from Third Age

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The Cures in Your Kitchen

By Angela Epstein

Most of us keep the bathroom cabinet stocked with remedies for common

ailments, but we could just as well look in our kitchen cupboards instead. Many

everyday ingredients can double as home cures for a host of complaints, from

toothache to sciatica -- and with no worry of side-effects. Here, we round up 25

of the best home remedies ...

Mouth Ulcers

Camomile tea can help soothe the pain of mouth ulcers, according to London

practitioner Dr. Rob Hicks. Allow the herbal brew to cool with the tea bag in,

then swill liquid around the mouth before swallowing. Do this every couple

of hours. It is thought the herb contains substances that relieve

inflammation.

Urinary Infections

To relieve the pain of a urinary tract infection, such as cystitis, mix half

a teaspoon of baking soda in an 8oz glass of water and drink, says Dr. Jenni

Byrom, a gynecologist at Birmingham Women's Hospital. This changes the pH

level of the acidic urine so that it will burn less when passing water. Do this

once or twice a day at the first sign of infection.

Drinking a glass of homemade cranberry juice twice a day can also help, she

says. Cranberry juice contains chemicals which inhibit the activity of E.

coli, the bacteria most often responsible for cystitis. To make the juice, boil

fresh or frozen cranberries until soft, liquidize when cool and drink a

standard glass. This way, you know you are getting the benefit of pure fresh

fruit,

unlike with a commercial drink which may be diluted and contain added sugar.

 

Eczema

An oatmeal bath can help if you suffer from eczema or dry, itchy skin, says

Dr. Paul Griffiths of the Blemish Clinic in Manchester, UK. This is because

oats contain anti-inflammatory compounds known as avenanthramides, which also

have an antipruritic (anti-itch) effect.

Fill a piece of muslin or cheesecloth with several tablespoons of oats and

then let the water run through this as you fill the bath. Olive oil can also be

used to relieve eczema, as it contains mild antibacterial agents which may

help contain skin outbreaks.

Verruca

Taping the inside of the peel from an overripe banana to a verruca may help

the healing process, says podiatric surgeon Michael O'Neill. This is due to

the anti-viral properties in the mucilage (the sticky substance inside the

peel). Apply the peel before you go to bed and do this every night until the

verruca has gone.

Leg Cramps

A glass of tonic water before going to bed can help prevent cramping, says

Dr. Mike Dixon, visiting professor of integrated health and care at the

University of Westminster, London. Tonic water contains naturally-occurring

quinine

(the ingredient that gives it its bitter taste), which prevents the muscles

from going into spasm and causing the pain of a cramp.

Keep a spoon by your bed, too. If you wake with leg cramps and this makes

your leg feel hot, put the spoon on your limb. The coolness of the metal will

draw heat from the body, relieving the cramp.

Sciatica

The muscular pain caused by sciatica can be relieved by standing against a

wall, with a potato placed strategically against the part of the buttocks

where the pain originates.

" By pressing against this, the potato acts like a fulcrum on the muscles,

providing a pivot over which they can stretch, " says Robin Shepherd, acting

chairman of the General Osteopathic Council. " This will relieve the muscular

tension associated with sciatica. " The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the

body, running from the spinal cord and down the back of each leg.

" The potato digging into the tender muscles in the buttocks will relieve the

pain running down the leg, " Mr. Shepherd says. For greatest relief, repeat

several times every day.

Cuts, Grazes and Blisters

Manuka honey contains a powerful antiseptic to prevent infection and can be

applied in small amounts to treat cuts, grazes and blisters, says Dr. Dixon.

Use the lowest strength Manuka honey (basic factor 10-15).

Nutritionist Jane Clarke adds that the honey has also been shown to have

strong anti-viral properties, and taking a teaspoon of Manuka honey twice a day

may help speed up recovery after a viral infection.

Cold and Flu Symptoms

Relieve a stuffy nose, ear infection or congestion of the chest by eating

something spicy -- such as a hot curry dish, says Dr. Griffiths. This makes the

nose and eyes run, loosening the mucus.

Garlic, which is often used in Indian food, helps break down mucus and is

antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and an antioxidant, so will help fight

infection and boost the immune system.

Body Odor

Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda in your armpits or on your feet, says Dr.

Rob Hicks. A natural antiperspirant, this reduces the amount of moisture

normally produced in a day.

Hayfever

Cold, wet tea bags wrapped in paper towels can help soothe itchy eyes caused

by a cold or hayfever, says Manchester-based Dr. Charles Simenoff. It is

thought the tannic acid in tea can help reduce the itch.

Smearing Vaseline up each nostril can also help, says Dr. Dixon. The pollen

catches on the sticky jelly, preventing it from travelling further up the nose

and triggering an allergic reaction. Remove the Vaseline every two hours

with a tissue, and then repeat the process.

Nausea

Ginger can help, because compounds in the spice have anti-sickness

properties. A study involving Danish naval cadets found that taking just 1g of

powdered ginger before embarkation reduced symptoms of seasickness -- including

dizziness -- by almost 40 percent, and slashed the frequency of vomiting by

more

than 70 percent.

It's also good for morning sickness.

According to Dr. Hicks, pregnant women may get greater benefit from eating

ginger biscuits. These have the added benefit over powdered ginger of helping

to maintain blood sugar levels, and nausea is often caused by low blood sugar.

 

Arthritis

To ease the joint pains caused by arthritis, mix one teaspoon of honey with

one teaspoon of cider vinegar and take with breakfast, says Dr. Dixon. Both

ingredients are natural anti-inflammatories.

Ingrown Toenail

Draw out the infection from a septic ingrown toe nail by making a poultice

from bread mashed in milk, suggests Michael O'Neill. Apply it to the toe with

cling film and leave it on for at least 20 minutes. Repeat this until the pus

begins to come out. " The heat of the warmed milk widens the blood vessels

and draws the infection to the surface, " says Mr. O'Neill.

Discolored Teeth

Prevent discoloration of the teeth by having a piece of sugarless gum after

drinking tea or coffee, says dentist Dr. Phil Stemmer of the Teeth For Life

Clinic in London. Chewing gum causes an increase in the production of saliva,

which will help to wash away such liquids before they have a chance to stain

your teeth.

Splinters

To remove a splinter, take a piece of sticky tape, press on the area firmly

and then remove by pulling from the opposite direction to the way the

splinter is embedded, advises Rob Hicks. The splinter should come out on the

tape.

Headache

At the first sign of a headache, have a cup of tea, suggests nutritionist

Jane Clarke. " Headaches are caused by changes in the blood vessels: they either

contract or expand. A small dose of caffeine seems to reverse these

changes. "

Ear Wax

Soften ear wax by applying a few drops of olive oil into the ear four times

a day, advises Dr. Byrom. " This is as effective as anything you can buy over

the counter for ear wax. "

Athlete's Foot

Take a clove of raw garlic and apply to the affected area.

Active chemical compounds known as ajoenes in the garlic act as potent

antifungals and may stop the growth of a range of common fungal infections,

including thrush and athlete's foot.

Mr. O'Neill adds that mixed to a paste and applied between the toes and on

the sole, baking soda can also help prevent athlete's foot.

Warts

Soak an infected hand or foot in diluted vinegar to get rid of unsightly

warts, advises Sheffield-based practitioner and orthopaedic physician Dr. Rav

Naik. " The acid in vinegar will destroy the viral particles in the wart, " he

says.

Soak for at least 15 minutes every day and repeat until warts clear.

Toothache

You can get swift relief from a toothache by dipping a cotton ball in oil of

cloves and applying it directly on to the area, says dentist Dr. Philip

Stemmer.

Cloves have natural pain-killing properties. Indeed, doctors in Germany have

recently devised a quick-acting anaesthetic based on the plant.

Be careful, though, not to leave the cotton ball on for more than a couple of

minutes, as it can cause irritation to the gums. You can buy oil of cloves

from health food shops.

Wasp Stings

Treat a wasp sting by rubbing with a slice of onion, says Dr. Simenoff. This

will reduce the swelling and pain and speed up the recovery time. There are

enzymes in fresh-cut onion that help break down the compounds in a sting that

cause inflammation.

Upper Back Pain

To relieve upper back pain, place a rolling pin on the floor and lie on top

of it so that it runs across the back, positioned between your shoulder

blades, and forms a T-shape with your spine, says osteopath Robin Shepherd.

" By rolling the body over it up and down, this will arch the spine and so

relieve the tension in the muscles which causes back pain. " Always contact your

doctor if the problem persists.

Source: Daily Mail; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and

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