18 best home remedies for every ailment

A potent antioxidant found in green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may help put the brakes on the joint pain and inflammation that are hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study in mice published in Arthritis and Rheumatology. While the results are preliminary (and animal research isn’t always applicable to humans), there’s no harm in sipping a cup or two of green tea a day until scientists know more. And if we are talking about osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear form of the disease, a substance in red hot chilli peppers may do the trick. Chilli peppers contain capsaicin, and a study review published in Progress in Drug Research found that in topical form it can reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling related to osteoarthritis. Try applying a capsaicin cream four times daily to sore joints.

And check out these 13 science-backed natural home remedies for arthritis pain relief.

For run-of-the-mill itching, look no further than that breakfast staple, oats. “Colloidal oatmeal has a long history and equally solid biological basis for its anti-inflammatory and anti-itch effects,” says Dr Adam Friedman, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Hospital. Find it as a cream or even an over-the-counter bath powder, and follow instructions on the label.

If you’ve already scratched the bite, prevent infection with Manuka honey (not regular honey), which comes from New Zealand and may help in the treatment of wounds. “It is a great osmotic agent, meaning that it pulls water into the wound/skin and is an antibacterial agent,” Dr Friedman says. “Hydrating the skin can help cool it off, and the antibacterial properties are useful as a scratched bug bite is susceptible to infection.”

Discover 10 ways to avoid mosquito bites.

Your mother was right. (Isn’t she always?) “Chicken soup has been shown to be helpful for colds in a study,” says Dr Len Horovitz, a clinical instructor in medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. One of the best home remedies, chicken soup may have anti-inflammatory properties that can ease the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, according to a study published in Chest. The researchers found that chicken soup curbs white blood cells called neutrophils, reducing their movement when tested in laboratory dishes. Just keep in mind that a warm cup of chicken noodle is no stand-in for a visit to a doctor. “It’s important to be seen and examined, to have a strep test or influenza test to be sure it is ‘just a cold,’” Dr Horovitz says.

Here are 13 foods doctors eat when they have a cold.

Regular store-bought honey may be more effective at easing cough and improving sleep for kids than honey-flavoured over-the-counter cough suppressant, according to a study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The researchers gave one-half teaspoon of honey to children ages 2 to 5, 1 teaspoon to children 6 to 11 and 2 teaspoons to those ages 12 to 18. Just don’t give honey to children under 1 because it can cause potentially life-threatening infantile botulism.

Fibre is the best fix for constipation, and of all the proven ways to boost your fibre intake, flaxseed may be the best home remedy. “It’s almost as if nature tailor-made ground flaxseed to relieve constipation because there are actually four mechanisms by which it helps,” says Dr Will Bulsiewicz, a gastroenterologist. For starters, this effective remedy for constipation is a great source of both insoluble and soluble fibre, which work in different ways, he explains. “The insoluble fibre adds bulk to the stool, helping it to move quickly through the intestines, [and] the soluble fibre acts as fertiliser for the gut garden, promoting the growth of good bacteria.”

There’s more to it. “Unique to ground flaxseed is the mucilage component of its soluble fibre. Mucilage is a slimy, gum-like compound that provides both bulk and softness to help relieve constipation,” Dr Bulsiewicz says. Finally, ground flaxseed is an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids that are known to help soften stool and relieve constipation. Aim for two to three tablespoons a day as part of a fibre-rich diet. “Be sure to drink a lot of water when consuming ground flaxseed to ensure adequate hydration,” he adds.

What causes constipation? Learn 13 factors you shouldn’t ignore.

Another reason to keep Manuka honey on hand: “One of my all-time favourite home remedies – that works 100% of the time – is Manuka honey on open cuts, burns or scrapes,” says Nadia Kumentas, a naturopathic doctor and founder of affecthealth.com. “Its potent antibacterial and wound-healing abilities help you heal quickly, minimise scarring and prevent infection,” she says. “Make sure you apply a thin layer of Manuka honey to the wound and cover it to keep the environment moist. Change the dressing/Band-Aid daily.”

If you have a throbbing headache, try reaching for a cup of coffee. “The caffeine constricts blood vessels, which can help with headache relief,” says Dr Tania Elliott, a clinical instructor in medicine at NYU Langone in New York City.

Caffeine also provides relief by blocking adenosine receptors, or neurotransmitters in the brain that are elevated during a migraine, she adds. If the pain is overwhelming, try pairing your cuppa with OTC pain medication. “Studies have shown that caffeine taken in combination with pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen enhances pain relief,” she says. Just don’t overdo this remedy. “The body can become tolerant to caffeine and withdrawal symptoms include headaches,” Dr Elliott warns.

Discover 10 unexpected reasons you’re waking up with a headache.

For natural haemorrhoid relief, experts at the Cleveland Clinic recommend Sitz baths – a shallow bowl that fits over your toilet and allows you to bathe just your bottom. Sitting in warm water for 15 minutes, several times a day – especially after a bowel movement – can soothe the irritated area.

A spoonful of sugar doesn’t just help the medicine go down – when it comes to hiccups, it may be the solution. Why does it help? Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm, which is a muscle beneath the lungs that helps you breathe. Anything that stimulates the back of your throat, including swallowing a gritty spoonful of sugar, could stop hiccups, according to a 2018 “Ask the Doctor” column in the Harvard Health Letter.

If that fails, try these 18 home remedies to get rid of hiccups.

If you have the tell-tale signs of a bacterial or fungal infection – nails that are thick, crumbling and yellow – try soaking in white vinegar, a natural anti-fungal. “The white vinegar soak should be half vinegar and half water,” says Dr Friedman. Soak the affected finger or toe three or four times a day for 15 to 20 minutes until it clears up.