There are plenty of handy aids, home remedies, and folk cures at home that help with various ailments and discomforts.
They can be found in the pantry, refrigerator, or on the windowsill, often without you even knowing which home remedies are hiding there.
We will now take a closer look at some old folk remedies that still work today and some modern ones that might be good to know about.
Burns
Most people know that it’s good to spend time in the sun and replenish vitamin D stores during the summer. But if you know in advance that you will be out in the sun for a long day, it’s good to apply a sunscreen with a physical sun filter and make sure you have enough shade during the day.
If you forget this and get too much sun, you can get sunburned. Usually, you notice it afterwards when the skin has turned red and may even start to feel hot and sting.
1. Aloe vera
Soothe the skin with gel from an aloe vera plant. Cut off a leaf, peel away the green skin, and gently apply the gel to the skin. Aloe vera cools, soothes, and heals the skin. You can also use this fantastic aloe vera gel.
2. Colloidal silver
Another tip is to spray colloidal silver. Silver has long been used on burns and effectively relieves the stinging sensation.
3. Clear out the fridge
If you don’t have these at home, it can also work to dab the burned skin with thinly sliced cucumber, cold yogurt, mashed ripe avocado, or sauerkraut, which cools the skin. Sauerkraut is also rich in vitamin C, which is believed to help speed up the healing process.
You can also try cabbage if it’s a smaller area. Roll the leaves soft with a rolling pin, place them on the skin, and secure with a gauze bandage. Change a couple of times a day.
4. Wet fabrics
You can also wet linen or cotton fabric in cold water, wring it out, and place it on the skin.
These tips are also said to work if you’ve been burned by something hot.
5. Oil
For scalds, olive oil can also soothe, and if you have essential oils at home, you can add a few drops of lavender or peppermint for increased pain relief.
Insect bites
On the most beautiful summer days, you might unfortunately get stung by insects. Mosquito bites can be annoying and itchy, while bee and wasp stings can be much more unpleasant. If there is a risk of an allergic reaction, or if the sting is in the mouth or throat area, you should seek emergency care. Otherwise, you can try some of these old home remedies.
First, remove the stinger if it’s still there and cool the area with cold water or ice cubes.
1. Sugar cube
Moisten the skin and press against a damp sugar cube, which is said to draw out the poison.
2. Baking soda
You can also make a thick paste of baking soda or baking powder and water. Spread it over the sting site and let it dry.
3. Essential oils
You can also drop a drop of tea tree essential oil on the sting site. It disinfects and can reduce inflammation. This lavender essential oil with roll-on function also works well against stings.
Cure motion sickness
If you’re going out by car, bus, train, or boat, you can sometimes suffer from nausea. If you know you tend to get it, you can prepare with these home remedies.
1. Cinnamon tea
Prepare a tea with a cup of hot water and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Let it steep for ten minutes and strain. Take the tea in a thermos and drink if you start to feel nauseous.
2. Ginger
At the onset of nausea, you can also try chewing a small piece of fresh ginger. It’s easy to carry in your pocket or handbag.
Natural ways to treat cuts and scrapes
If an accident happens and you get a small scrape or cut, there are also some home remedies you can use.
Cleaning and disinfecting is always the most important first step. For scrapes, you can remove any debris and dirt with tweezers. Disinfect with hydrogen peroxide or another antiseptic solution.
Lightly bleeding wounds should be covered with a plaster or sterile compress.
1. Cayenne pepper
If you don’t have plasters, something most people have in their spice rack also works: cayenne pepper. Sprinkle a little cayenne powder directly on the bleeding small wounds and wait 10-20 seconds for the bleeding to stop. Cayenne pepper is also believed to relieve infections because the spice has potent antibacterial properties, and the antioxidant capsaicin is said to relieve pain.
2. Plantain
Fresh plantain leaves have long been used on all kinds of wounds including leg ulcers, sunburn, scalds, other burns, and eczema. Even sprains. Plantain stops bleeding and immediately soothes insect bites. Rub the leaves until they are soft and moist, place them whole with the smooth side down, and tie them in place. You can also squeeze out some juice or chew and apply as a poultice. Plantain herbal oil and wound salve can also be used.
3. Egg white
The membrane on the inside of eggshells can also work. Place the moist side down on a clean wound. It protects, soothes, and dries in a few minutes. Another option is fresh egg white, which you let dry to form a protective and astringent layer on the wound. This was a common home remedy in medieval Swedish medical books.
