Who hasn’t tried a home remedy? Whether it’s because of your grandmother, a friend who swears by it, or the Internet, we’ve all tried these natural remedies for a sore throat, colds, or anything in between. Not only are they simple and inexpensive, but the ingredients you need are also almost always readily available around the house. But which ones are backed up by research and science? In today’s list, we give you our top five!

 

 

1. Turmeric

Looking for pain relief? Then some turmeric will do the trick thanks to the main active ingredient in it called curcumin. It’s even more effective for pain associated with inflammation. In fact, studies show that turmeric extract is as effective for pain treatment as ibuprofen as shown by this study in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. In another study, people with pain caused by arthritis reported lower pain levels after 500 mg of curcumin compared to taking an anti-inflammatory drug.

 

Unlike other home remedies, though, turmeric isn’t about instant relief—to see and feel the benefits, it’s recommended to consume 1/2 to 1 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric per day! Add it to a cup of warm water and drink away!

 

2. Ginger

Known for its medicinal properties, it’s impossible not to include ginger in this list! Over its long history as a traditional and alternative medicine, it’s been used to help with the flu and common cold, reduce nausea, and can even aid in digestion. It’s also recognized to help with weight loss, which may be due to its potential effects of increasing the number of calories people burn as well as its ability to reduce inflammation.

 

3. Lavender

Studies indicate that lavender has been used for many centuries to help treat anxiety and depression. Whether it’s the flowers or the extract and in the form of essential oils or tea, one study found that lavender can be a promising treatment option because of how it improves depression-like behaviour. This herb is known to be calming without being sedating and can also reduce anxiety because of its effect on our fight and flight response. By regulating breathing, improving sleep quality, lowering adrenaline levels, and improving mood, it’s a great complementary treatment for people experiencing mental health challenges.

 

4. Oregano

Oregano has several antioxidants that not only give it its flavour and scent—these also help provide health benefits. Among these antioxidants, a study found that carvacrol and thymol may have antimicrobial properties when they prevented strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria from developing on meat and dairy products. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, and testing on animals suggested it could help prevent allergic asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. That and did you know that both the Greeks and the Romans associated oregano with happiness? So it’s probably great for your emotional wellbeing too!

 

5. Garlic

Garlic isn’t just great with food—it’s a known home remedy too! Popular for its antibiotic properties, the Greek physician Hippocrates even used garlic to treat respiratory problems, poor digestion, fatigue, and even parasites in the past. Nowadays, however, its also used for cardiovascular-related conditions, some of them being hypertension, heart attack, heart disease, and high cholesterol. A note, though, that heating or cooking garlic can reduce some of its effects – so if you want to eat it with good food and still enjoy the benefits, make sure to add garlic by the end of cooking.

 

 

While there are a lot of modern medications out there that we can either buy over the counter or through a prescription, nothing beats the convenience of natural remedies. They’re almost always readily available at home, and the fact that they’ve been around for centuries just goes to show how effective they are. Of course, going to a health professional is still recommended for any type of sickness and disease, but if it’s something any of the things on this list can fix? A home remedy is a great choice!

 

Most of us probably know at least one person who rarely gets sick. You’ll hear them feeling under the weather once in a while, but overall, they’re as healthy as a horse. What sets them apart from us mere mortals? Two words: immune system. But hey—good thing there are easy steps we can take to give our own immunity a boost. And while there are a ton of ways to do that, we’ve narrowed today’s list down to four basic things that will give you the best headstart there is!

 

 

1.Get enough quality sleep.

According to studies, sleep and immunity are correlated and affect one another—consistent and quality sleep can help strengthen the immune system by allowing effective and balanced function. In short, proper sleep provides the immune system with the support it needs so that it can do its job: defending the body from infection and disease.

 

2. Exercise!

Did you know that chronic inflammation can affect the immune system by slowing it down? Thankfully, regular exercise reduces inflammation, according to a study, which can ultimately help the immune system function better. Exercise is also linked to the following: a reduction in stress hormones (with chronic stress having a significant effect on immunity by manifesting as an illness), and stronger antibodies that aid in fighting off infection.

 

3. Eat right.

According to Harvard, there are no specific foods that can “prepare the body for microbial attacks and excess inflammation”,—but certain ‘dietary patterns’ may better prepare the body’s immune response to illnesses. And because our immune system relies on different micronutrients to function properly, it’s important to eat healthy and nutritious meals based on our individual needs. Some examples of nutrients that were found to be critical for both the growth and function of immune cells include the following: vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and protein.

 

4. Minimize stress.

The stress hormone, called corticosteroid, can lower the number of lymphocytes in our body—that is, one of the main types of immune cells that help protect us from illnesses. This can make our immune system less effective, reducing our ability to fight off antigens and making us more prone to infections. Therefore, it’s important to find ways to manage stress. It can be through meditation, deep breathing, exercise (yes! Exercise again), and even counselling if it’s needed.

 

 

It’s worth noting that having a strong immune system can’t be achieved overnight. It’s all about dedication and consistency and a willingness to make the lifestyle change needed to become a better, healthier you. You can start slowly, taking small steps as you go, but the important thing here is to begin. Get into these good habits now and experience less instances of sickness for yourself!