Home Remedies That Really Work

Here's some wisdom from ages past. Just because we have over the counter medicines, that doesn't mean that our great grandparents didn't know a few things about how to stay healthy. Some of these ingredients are straight from the cupboard and others require a trip to the health store, but make sure you have these things on hand because when you get sick this winter, you'll want to kick that cold or flu quickly and these remedies really work.

When you are hit with a Stuffy nose or sore throat just warm up a half cup of water and put about a tablespoon of salt in it. Gargle for the sore throat and make a nose spray with an eye dropper. The Chinese used to actually pour this solution into one nostril with a tea pot and let it come out the other nostril and then repeat on the other side. The salt seems to dissolve the mucus. It'll help you breathe better immediately and lasts for a few hours.

Is your cough keeping you up at night? Just put Vicks Vaporub on the soles of your feet and put on some warm socks. The coughing will stop within 5 minutes. Most people have Vicks in their cupboards and know that it helps with sinus and chest congestion, but even the Vick's people didn't know until recently that it worked on coughing when you put it on your feet at night.

If you are afraid that your chest congestion will turn to pneumonia cook up a batch of great grandma's Never Fail Chest Rub. Heat Camphor oil with onions and garlic on the stove and while it's warm, but not hot to the touch, rub some on your chest and back and then put on warm clothes. This stuff is nasty and smelly, but it works. Your chest will break up and get better within the hour.

Antibiotics can often lead to yeast infections, since they kill off healthy and unhealthy bacteria in your body. Always eat one serving of yogurt daily while on antibiotics of any kind and it should prevent yeast infections. Yogurt is also good to soothe sunburn. Just gently rub the cool yogurt on the burn and it will not only soothe the pain, but it will heal the burn but help to prevent scarring.

When you're cold symptoms are also accompanied with a fever, chills, body aches and extreme tiredness, you may have the upper respiratory flu. Don't mess around; it's time to make great grandma's hot toddy. This one does require a trip to the health store, but you'll be glad that you have these ingredients on hand if you feel the flu coming on. You'll need some herbal tea drops, Echinacea drops, lemon, honey, and whiskey. Make one cup of steaming hot water, add 2 herbal tea drops, 2 Echinacea drops, a squeeze of a lemon slice, a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of whiskey. Stir it together and drink it as hot as you can stand it. You will feel better before you finish the cup. The combination works together to fight the infection, open up your chest and sinuses and allow you to get a good night sleep. It's best to take this at night. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel in the morning.

I hope these remedies help to keep you and yours healthier this year.