For Effective, Natural Medicine Opt for These Foods
Whenever we start feeling ill, the first
thing we do is reach for the medicine cabinet. The problem with taking
pills is that even though they’ll probably help with your predicament,
they’re also bound to have unwanted side effects. The best solution is
to use these 14 natural remedies, which are just as efficient as drugs:
1. Bananas: Stress and anxiety
Next time you feel stressed, grab a banana! With an average of 105
calories and 14 grams of sugar, a banana will boost your blood-sugar
levels and help combat hunger. Additionally, a banana contains 30% of
your daily requirement of Vitamin B6, which helps your brain in the
production of serotonin - a chemical that helps reduce stress.
2. Yogurt: Constipation and gas
One-and-a-half cups of yogurt are packed full of probiotics that assist
with digestion and improve the stomach’s ability to digest dairy and
legumes – a major cause of gastric gasses.
3. Raisins: High blood pressure
A large handful of raisins (approx. 60) contains over 200 mg of
potassium, as well as a gram of fiber. These are strongly recommended as
part of a diet to help reduce blood pressure. Recent studies show that
the polyphenols in grapes, raisins and wine help maintain the
circulatory system and reduce blood pressure.
4. Apricots: Kidney stones
Four dried apricots contain two grams of fiber, 235 mg of potassium and
just 3 mg of sodium. This combination is highly effective at preventing
minerals from getting trapped in your kidneys, which are the cause of
the most common kidney stones.
5. Tuna: Foul mood
A can of tuna contains about 800 mg of Omega-3, a fatty acid that is
considered vital in the treatment of depression. Omega-3 is even an
approved treatment for depression by the American Psychiatric
Association.
6. Ginger tea:
Nausea
A time-old proven treatment for nausea, ginger has also been
scientifically proven to be helpful in dealing with nausea caused by
motion sickness as well as morning sickness. It is as effective as
anti-nausea medicine, but without the side effects (such as
‘cottonmouth’ and lethargy).
7. Basil: Indigestion
Studies suggest that the eugenol in basil is highly effective as a
gastric painkiller, and at reducing nausea, cramping and diarrhea by
eliminating bacteria like salmonella and listeria. Basil is also
effective at preventing halitosis.
8. Pears: High cholesterol
The average pear contains five grams of the dietary fiber pectin, which
helps clear the body of ‘bad cholesterol’ (LDL).
9. Cabbage: Stomach ulcers
In a research published by the John Hopkins Medical School, it was found
that the sulforaphane in cabbage helps battle the helicobacter pylori
bacteria (a principal cause of ulcers). It is believed that sulforaphane
may also help prevent gastric tumors.
10. Figs: Hemorrhoids
Dried figs are rich in dietary fiber, which in turn produces softer
feces and aids in reducing hemorrhoids. It also diminishes the
likeliness of developing them.
11. Potatoes: Headaches
A medium-sized potato contains 37 carbohydrates, which help reduce
headaches by increasing serotonin production in the brain.
12. Garlic: Yeast infection
Garlic contains many essential oils that help prevent the development of
yeast infections.
13. Chamomile tea: Heartburn
A great treatment for gastric inflammation, cramping, heartburn, and gas
consists of mixing two teaspoons of chamomile tea in a cup of boiling
water and brewing it for about 20 minutes, then drinking it.
14. Orange juice: Lethargy
The fructose in orange juice is a natural and fast-working stimulant,
and research has proven the ability of Vitamin C to reduce damage caused
by free radicals and provide the body with energy. Vitamin C is also
crucial for maintaining iron levels in our blood, which keeps it
oxygenated.