Introduction:

Backache is such a common problem and sufferers generally resort to OTC pain killers such as Ibuprofen. Some of these pain killers kill the pain and also slowly kill the patient in the process. There are many safer options in alternative medicine which should be considered.

Here are some natural alternatives worth considering:

1. Arnica: A study found that arnica, applied topically, was as effective as ibuprofen for relieving symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the wrist, and with fewer side effects.
2. Ginger: a study  found that ginger was effective as ibuprofen for pain symptoms associated with difficult menstrual cycles
3. Thyme: A study found that an extract of thyme was as effective as ibuprofen in reducing pain and spasm symptoms associated with difficult menstrual cycles.
4. Omega-3 fatty acids: A study found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with fish oil helped neurosurgery patients reduce their need for medications, and experienced results consistent with previous research indicating palliative effects at least as effective as ibuprofen.
5. Cinnamon: a 2015 study found that cinnamon was as effective as ibuprofen for pain associated with difficult menstrual cycles
6. Mindfulness meditation. Several studies have showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction improved back pain. Mindfulness involves being aware of what the body is doing and using meditation techniques to assist with the pain.
7. Deep breathing. Taking deep breaths in and out for several minutes can calm the body’s stress response.
8. Progressive muscle relaxation. This involves tensing and relaxing muscles in the body, focusing on one muscle group at a time. Lying on their back, a person can start with their feet and gradually move up to the shoulders.
9. Guided imagery. This involves focusing on specific mental images to bring about a feeling of relaxation. One study found guided imagery and music helpful in chronic backache.
10. Yoga. Yoga focuses on particular poses and breathing and can help with relaxation, and relieve chronic backaches.
11.  Good sleep. An uncomfortable mattress, pillows that are the wrong size or simply not getting adequate sleep could trigger back pain. When practiced regularly.
12. Wearing shoes that do not fit or that offer no support could cause muscle strains in the back, legs, and even neck.
13. Touching the toes: In addition to stretching the hamstrings, bending forward to reach your toes will help loosen the muscles in the lower back.
14. Cobra Pose: Lying on your stomach, with your hands face down beside the shoulders, gently lift your chest up so that the top of your head points toward the ceiling.
15. Cat-Cow Pose: Beginning on your hands and knees, slowly alternate between arching your back toward the ceiling and dipping it toward the floor.
16. Child’s Pose: Sitting on the heels with your knees hip-width apart, lean forward to place your head on the floor, stretching your arms out in front of your head.
17. Ice packs are most beneficial when a person uses them directly after an injury, such as a strain. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel directly to the back can reduce inflammation.
18. A heating pad can relieve stiff or achy muscles. People should be sure to read and follow the instructions on any heating pad and test the temperature carefully to ensure it is not too hot.

Conclusion:

People can often treat back pain with home remedies and some patience. However, a person should speak to a doctor about chronic or severe back pain.

Introduction:

As we continue on our series of ancient remedies, let us explore more amazing remedies that are used in households even today.

Homemade Cough Syrup

If you want to make a good cough syrup from the ingredients of your pantry, mix together ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon of honey, and a few spoons of water. Mix it all together, and have 1-3 teaspoons to ease coughing symptoms.

Cloves for toothache

 While garlic won’t cure the underlying issue, chewing on garlic at night, particularly chewing whole cloves in the affected area, will ease pain tremendously.

Put on Wet Socks to Treat a Cold

Soak a pair of your socks in ice water. Put the socks on your feet, cover them up with a pair of wool socks, and then go to bed. As you sleep with these horribly cold feet, the blood vessels will constrict, pushing nutrients up into your body to push out the infection.

For Dry Skin

To soften dry skin, break down two bananas and mix them with a bit of honey. Apply this paste to the skin, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and then wash it off, and your skin should feel softer.

Teabags for Burns

Get a cool-temperature, wet teabag, of any tea, and place it directly on the burned area. This won’t fix the burn, but it will relieve the pain almost immediately.

 Oil Pulling

Basically, enhance your dental routine by taking a spoonful of coconut oil – though other oils work as well – and swishing it in your mouth for five minutes a day, specifically pulling it through the teeth, and then spit it out into the toilet. The oil will “pull” all of the toxins out of the mouth, allowing you to spit them out in one go. When used in addition to standard brushing and flossing, oil pulling will help digestion, reduce gingivitis, prevent receding gums, get rid of bad breath, strengthen teeth, and much, much more.

Help Eczema with an Oatmeal Bath

You can hugely reduce the itchiness by following your grandmother’s old advice taking a bath of oatmeal. There’s a reason that so many lotions and pharmaceutical eczema treatments contain oatmeal as an ingredient: it really works! For a home solution, just make a bath for yourself, fill it with colloidal oatmeal, and then soak for a while.

Stop Your Snoring

Is your snoring annoying your wife or husband? Try drinking a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of turmeric powder added to it before bed, and hear your partner’s relief.

Basil Leaves and Ginger for Fever

Crush some ginger and basil leaves together into  paste, then add a teaspoon of honey. Squeeze out the liquid, and then take a drink ever four hours or so.

 Vinegar works in cuticle infections

If you have done too much manicuring and if the cuticles all torn up and infected; make a glass of vinegar and warm water, then put your fingers in it for about 15 minutes. Repeat this procedure once a day and the infection fades away.

Introduction:

Continuing on our series of ancient home remedies, let us explore some more home remedies.

Garlic for Allergies

Garlic contains a lot of the antioxidant quercetin, which eases allergy symptoms. Even onions work as well.

Buttermilk and Ginger for Diarrhea

If you don’t have cumin on hand, another weird-but-effective home remedy for diarrhea is to mix half of a teaspoon of dry ginger into a cup of buttermilk, and drink it. It is a magical home remedy for diarrhea.

Use garlic to drive away mosquitoes

For protection against mosquito bites, rub garlic oil on your skin.

Yams for Menopause

Yams contain vitamin A, lower your cholesterol, and are rich in antioxidants incorporate yams into your regular daily diet. This will help with common menopause symptoms.

Try Vodka for stinky feet

Having trouble with foot odor?  Just soak a thin cloth in some vodka, swipe your foot down, and feel the smell go away. Magically.

Cumin, Honey, Cinnamon and Ginger for Diarrhea

Use a tea made of cumin seeds, honey, cinnamon and ginger and it cures diarrhea like magic. 

Lemons for an Earache

Pain in the ears can be soothed by the application of freshly-squeezed lemons. Just squeeze a lemon onto a Q-tip, and delicately rub this just inside the ear to restore pH balance.

Stinging Nettle for Hair Loss

For hair fall, use stinging nettle, an herb often used for tea. Drinking stinging nettle tea a few times a day should help, and you can also massage stinging nettle itself in your scalp.

Cure Nausea with Olives

Eating olives can cure nausea. This is due to the tannin inside them.

Introduction:

Continuing from our previous article. Let us examine some more amazing home remedies that our elders used.

Use Licorice to Eliminate Corns

 If you soak some licorice with oil, apply it all to the corn and wrap it tight under plastic wrap for 6-8 hours—for instance, overnight—this will cause the licorice to soften the corn.

For your Hangover use Apple Cider Vinegar

Drinking might be fun, but hangovers aren’t fun for anyone. Apple cider vinegar balances the pH levels in your stomach after a little too much alcohol throws it off. Just gulp down a teaspoon of this vinegar, or a small shot-glass. If you can’t take it straight, dilute it with some water. This takes care of all hangovers adequately.

Use beets for constipation

The human body needs to eliminate waste. One home solution you may have heard from your grandparents was to eat some fresh-steamed beets, then drink the water they were steamed in. This should clear out your colon like magic.

Potatoes for Spider Bites

If a spider managed to sink its teeth into you, ease the itching and swelling by shredding a potato, wrapping the pieces in cloth, and applying to the bite area. For a more deadly spider bite, such as a black widow, seek immediate medical attention.

Pine syrup.

Pine needles, along with most other conifer needles, are high in vitamin C and can be used as an expectorant for coughs and for relieving chest congestion. When pine needle tea is combined with honey to make syrup, it is highly beneficial for soothing a dry and scratchy throat and helping to tame coughs.

Apples Help the Bowels

Apples are high in pectin, a naturally occurring fiber that both bulks up and softens stools. This means that apples are an effective treatment for both diarrhea and constipation.

Banana Peel for Poison Ivy

While bananas won’t prevent you from getting the allergic rash that 85% of the population contracts from touching poison ivy, they can help. Rub the inside of a banana peel against poison ivy rash for relief from the pain and itchiness.

Honey for Acid Reflux

As soon as the symptoms of acid reflux begin affecting you, swallow three spoons of honey, and it should help you achieve better digestion.

Blackstrap molasses for Constipation

If you suffer from frequent constipation, try injecting a little blackstrap molasses into your diet, whether as a coffee additive or an extra ingredient in cookies. This molasses should ease constipation.

Raw Honey for Chapped Lips

If your lips are chapped, you can simply apply honey to the affected area—rub it on, just as you would Chap Stick—and it will do the job nicely, and taste better to boot. Just make sure the honey is both raw and organic.