Natural Painkillers in your kitchen Part 3/4

– salt, cider vinegar, cherries, blueberries, garlic

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Salt

 

Soothe foot pain with salt. Regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure those painful infections caused by ingrown toenails within four days, say scientists at California ’s Stanford University (and my grandma for that matter) . The salt in the mix naturally reduces inflammation and it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to a  temperature you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection goes down.

 

Cider Vinegar

 

Did you know you can heal heartburn with cider vinegar. Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal. Experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours.

 

According to Joseph Brasco, M.D. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,”.

 

Cherries

 

Who knew that you can calm joint and headache pain with cherries. I didn’t. Studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. A daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers.

 

Research conducted by  scientists at at East Lansing ’s Michigan State University reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatory 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University  advises us to enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until the pain disappears.

 

Blueberries

You can beat bladder infections with blueberries. Now this is cool, I love blueberries…and cherries….and all other fruit as a matter of fact.

 

Blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection, says Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University .

 

Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60%, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University.

 

Garlic

 

We know garlic is the best for colds and the flu but did you know that it can help you can get rid of earaches as well?

 

To cure an earache fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription medication, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

 

Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria.

 

How can you make your own garlic oil. Gently simmer 3 cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For a warm and soothing feeling in your ear canal warm this mix slightly before using.

 

Remember, these old school treatments may not work for everybody so do seek professional medical treatment if you consider necessary.

 

Read more

Natural Painkillers Part 1 – ginger, cloves, peppermint, honey, tomato juice

Natural Painkillers Part 2 – pineapple, fish, water, oats, coffee

 

If you’d like to know more please download my free eBook “15 Healthy Habits For The Body”