Natural remedies and recipes are a great thing to have on hand when allergies kick in or when skin problems crop up.You can also combat conditions such as bad breath, body odour and cystitis naturally, suggests experts. Believe it or not, many things today can be treated in your own home with common kitchen ingredients. Better still, there are hundreds of remedies for health problems and other things that crop up in daily life.
Text: Bauer/ Good Health? Additional Reporting: Shenielle Aloysis
Body odour occurs when bacteria on the skin comes in contact with proteins that are excreted when we sweat, converting them into a variety of pongy chemicals.
Chlorophyll is nature’s deodoriser. Drink chlorophyll-rich green vegetable juice daily. Try mixing several of the following in a base of green apple juice parsley, alfalfa, cucumber, spinach, kale, beetroot tops and celery for a refreshing cure!
The goal is to eliminate the fungal factor and generally improve skin quality. Use a shampoo containing the antifungal minerals selenium and zinc. Alternatively, take fish oil and evening primrose oil daily (3g of each). And increase good oils including cold-pressed olive and nut oils, coconut oil and foods with beneficial fatty acids including fish, nuts, seeds and avocados.
Two-thirds of the wind you expel is caused by bacteria in the bowel, while the rest is made up of air you swallow. A certain amount of flatulence is normal but excess gas in the abdomen causes bloating.
Apple cider vinegar and honey in hot water is an old-fashioned remedy for improving digestion.
Cystitis, also known as a urinary tract infection (UTI), is caused by a bacterial infection that inflames the lining of the bladder and urethra.
Barley water is a traditional remedy for cystitis. Boil 1 litre of water with a handful of pearl barley. Simmer to reduce it down to about 500ml. Drink when the liquid is cooled.
A source of embarrassment, bad breath is usually a symptom of an underlying cause. You’ll have a bad taste in your mouth, and the tongue may have a thick coating that is cream-coloured through to green and brown.
Preliminary research shows that the live bacteria in yogurt can suppress levels of bad breath-causing bacteria. “Good” bugs in yogurt may crowd out the “bad” stink-causing bacteria or create an unhealthy environment for it, says experts.
Motion sickness causes you to produce excess saliva, which can make you nauseated, some doctors say. Compounds in olives called tannins dry out your mouth and can help soothe the queasies. Pop a couple at the first hint of nausea; sucking on a lemon can also do the trick.
Crunchy fruits and vegetables act as little toothbrushes when you chew them; they have a natural cleansing action that works on tooth enamel to remove stains. In particular, “apples have a gentle malic acid that also helps dissolve stains,” say experts.
This tropical fruit contains papain, a protein-eating enzyme that dissolves the dead cells on your skin’s surface. When used twice a month, this peel leaves skin softer, smoother, and more radiant: Grind 2 tablespoons of washed and peeled papaya in a food processor and add 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal. Pat this mixture onto clean skin and let it set for 10 minutes before wiping off with a wet washcloth.
Sprinkle powdered cloves on a cut to keep it from becoming infected, say experts. Clove oil is rich in eugenol, a chemical that’s both antiseptic and pain-killin
Soaked, chilled tea bags will help treat dark circles and puffy eyelids. The caffeine and tannin in green tea bags shrink blood vessels fast, reducing swelling and tightening skin around the eyes.
Take damp, brewed green tea bags that have been cooled and place them over closed eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes. Refrigerate brewed tea bags overnight, so they will be ready to use in the morning.