The good news is that there are some foods which are called natural-born soothers. And the better news is that they are available in your kitchen. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, nutrients and they can easily alleviate some of your most pesky daily problems. Though it is always advised to see a doctor in case of serious conditions but count on these 7 most-effective home remedies to soothe minor health problems-
Oatmeal for eczema
I get your point, kids do not eat it! I hate oats! We are not asking you to have this in your breakfast. But this breakfast food is packed with phytochemicals that are rich in anti-inflammatory properties.
First option
• Time to have a soothing bath by grinding 1/3 cup of oatmeal into a fine powder
• Pour the powder into lukewarm water and mix it until water leaves a milky color
• Take a bath and get instant relief (recommended by Kavita Mariwalla, MD, New York based dermatologist
Second option
• Take ¼ cup of oatmeal
• Add enough water to make a paste
• Apply it directly to the affected area for 10 minutes
Cucumber for puffy eyes
You would be surprised to know that cucumber works better than ice packs. It may sound silly but laying cold cucumber slices over your eyes do reduce puffiness. That is the reason why salons use cucumber while doing facial or cleansing. Cucumber consists of 95% water offering a cooling sensation. Cucumber slices perfectly fit the contour of your eyes and aid in swelling reduction.
Sugar for hiccups
Hic!… Hic!… Hic! There is a great trick to stop the hiccups by putting a teaspoon of sugar underneath your tongue. Sugar stimulates the vagus nerve, which makes the body forget to hiccup. This nerve conveys the sensory information about the organs to the body. When it is distracted by something else-like swallowing sugar-it directs the brain that something more important than hiccupping has come up.
Prunes for constipation
Most of us might not have heard about prunes helping in digestion. Prunes are the dried plums that are rich in insoluble fiber. Doctors strongly advocate having prunes in case of indigestion because insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and creates more bulk so waste can push through the digestive system.
Apples for heartburn/acidity
The best way to deal with acid reflux is to avoid trigger foods such as fried foods, soda and high quantity of salt. One food to include in your diet- apple. Apples are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that has the power to absorb stomach acid.
Sea salt for dry skin
Are you struggling with rough patches on your elbows, heels and knees? No need to buy the expensive skincare products, a scrub made from sea salt will disappear all the worries. Sea salt’s thicker grains works great in clearing away dry skin.
How to make the scrub?
• Mix one cup of sea salt with ½ cup of massage oil
• The mixture should be like wet sand not runny
• Keep the scrub away from sensitive areas like the face.
Turmeric for infection
Turmeric has been considered the most effective treatment for infections and wounds. The credit goes to one of its compounds-curcumin. These have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help in healing. If you are running out of antibiotic ointment, dab a little turmeric on your scrape or cut.
Picture source -Almanac.com, Birmingham mail, The independent,Hindustan Times, Food to live, Grist, Reader digest
