Mother Nature provides us with so much, from weather, to natural shade and shelter and of course the fruits of nature, provide us with water, fruits, vegetables and natural goodies that gently nurture and complement our daily lives.
But apart from the amazing natural skin care lotions and potions that we know and love, what else can we utilise the best of nature for?
Cold sores – Easily treated with a cotton bud rubbed in vanilla seeds straight from the pod or another type of pure vanilla extract if you have it. Soak bid in the vanilla and apply directly to cold sore for 60 seconds, 3-4 times per day if you can. As natural vanilla has an alcohol base, it simply prevents the cold sore from thriving and aids in drying it out. You can further help it to clear by applying peppermint oil directly to the sore and remember to change your toothbrush as this can spread the bacteria and encourage it’s return!
Chesty coughs – crush ¼ teaspoon of fresh ginger, 8 basil leaves, 2 peppercorns, 2 cardamom seeds into a cup of water. Add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder, 2 cloves and 5 fresh mint leaves. Boil and infuse, before filtering and adding a little honey to sweeten. Consume 2-3 times per day until cough breaks down.
Sore throat – simply gargle twice per day, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon salt dissolved in a cup of warm water.
Asthma – Licorice has been shown to help ease and prevent asthma attacks. For a simple, natural at-home remedy, boil a teaspoon of licorice root in a cup of water for 5 minutes.
Osteoarthritis – soak 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds in ¼ cup of water for approx. 2 hours before blending together and filtering through a sieve. Consume this sesame milk twice per day to help nourish and strengthen bone tissue.
Bad breath – a sign of poor digestion. To stimulate digestion and clear the bacteria causing bad breath, chew 1 teaspoon of roasted fennel and cumin seeds after your meal and sip a cup of ginger root tea to cleanse and detoxify.
Jetlag – travelling compromises the vata dosha in all of us, leading to that heavy, lethargic feeling. To combat, simply eat sparingly as this is very hard to digest when our systems slow down. And before you fly, and for 2 days post-flight restore the lost hydration to your GI tract, by taking 1 teaspoon castor oil in ¼ cup of hot ginger tea before sleeping.
Hangovers – A little worse for wear after a big night out? Mother Nature has an Ayurvedic remedy for hangovers too. Add 1 teaspoon of lime juice, ½ teaspoon of raw cane sugar, to ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Add a pinch of salt and blend into a glass of water, before drinking.
Please note: These natural remedies are suggestion only and if symptoms are serious, we of course suggest you still consult your GP or natural medical practitioner for further guidance.
Reference: A goal to better health, teach yourself Ayurveda – Sarah Lie.