Avoid Medication, but Still Find Pain Relief with At Home Remedies

We live in a society which is very dependent on over the counter and prescription medications. Got a cold? Take some NyQuil. Got a headache? Take a Tylenol. Though I am very grateful for the advancements in technology and research to help people who are medically in need, I also think a lot of times medication is unnecessary. Your body can start to become addicted to medication and in fact some people abuse these drugs which can lead to death by overdose. I often wonder how many people even do research on medication before they just pop a pill to ease their pain. There could be side effects or warnings that are extremely imperative to be aware of before consumption. Some medications shouldn’t be taken with other medications. Some medications should be consumed with food while others on an empty stomach.

There are times that I feel it’s probably the best route to go ahead and take medication, but for minor everyday aches, pains, and illnesses, I try to avoid them as much as possible. Growing up with my dad, I learned a lot of different at home remedies for basic and minor health issues.

Check out some of the at home remedies I use!

Stomach Ache Remedy
To me, feeling nauseous is one of the worst feelings. When I feel a little queasy, I make rock candy and fresh mint tea. This is not the colorful rock candy you get from the Disney World shops, but plain, white rock candy. My dad usually brings me a bunch when he comes back from a trip to Iran. However, you can probably find it in international food stores or order it online. During the warm seasons, I grow fresh mint in my yard. So, I cut some fresh mint and throw it in a mug with a bit of rock candy, then pour some hot water over it. You don’t need a tea bag as these two will provide enough flavor and sweetness. Sip on the drink slowly for the best effect.

Sore Throat Remedy
You wake up and it feels as though your throat is sewn shut. This is the warning sign that a cold is coming along for me. I always start with a sore throat for a few days, then the congestion arrives shortly after. Now, I don’t think this remedy will cure a sore throat, but it does help sooth your throat better than cough drops. I consume a spoonful of wildflower honey with a sprinkle of cinnamon on it. I typically do this right after waking up and before going to bed when I have a sore throat.

Abdominal Gas Pain Remedy
I had never heard of these until my dad gave them to me when I was experiencing some extreme lower abdomen pain. I had never felt that type of pain before and it brought me to tears driving home from work one day. It felt as though I was wearing really tight pants and it was squeezing my organs. So, this was not a normal stomach ache by any means and I was confused. After taking the charcoal tablet though, I started to feel relief.

You can find all types of charcoal tablets on shelves in stores or online. The kind I use is Russian and I got it from my dad. So, I have not yet tried the store or online version, but I’m sure the content is basically the same. Charcoal tablets are basically used to help relieve gas pain or digestion issues. Charcoal is used in a lot of other remedies as well, so it seems like it has quite a few healing agents to it.

Headache Remedy
The use of essential oils seems to have increased in the past few years. Most people know about doTERRA now, a company that sells essential oils for various illnesses, remedies, etc. I have always loved the smell of essential oils and the herbs used in them. There are a lot of great uses for essential oils besides the common use. The oils can also be used to clean, rid of bad odors, relieve bug bites, etc. I personally like to use essential oils for my headaches and migraines. It’s not uncommon for me to experience a headache on a daily basis. In the past year, it has increased to long term headaches or even worse, migraines. It’s extremely difficult to go about your day at work with 120 eighth graders when you feel like your head is pounding and feeling nauseous too.

I used to take Ibuprofen, Advil, and other pain relief meds only to find that my body basically became immune to them. The medicine started to lose effect because of the frequency I would take them. So, I invested in doTERRA’s Past Tense roll on which has a lavender smell. I roll this on my neck, temples, and shoulders when I feel a headache coming on. For the most part, it really seems to help ease the pain. I have also used essential oil drops in a hot shower to relieve headache tension too.

Hiccups Remedy
Now, even though hiccups aren’t really an illness, they can be extremely annoying (and sometimes painful if you hiccup too hard). There are so many tricks out there, but most don’t work for me. You’ve probably heard of scaring someone with hiccups, bending over and drinking water, laying on a bed and drinking water, and the list goes on. The one thing I think works to rid of hiccups is to take a slice of a lime, dip it in sugar and hold it in your mouth for a bit. It’s simple and it works! Give it a try next time you have the hiccups!

Sunburn Remedy
Almost every time I go to the beach, I get a sunburn even if I use sun screen. It’s painful to get dressed, take a shower, go to bed, and basically move when your skin is radiating heat. You can put a thin layer of plain yogurt (I would use vegan yogurt of course) on your burn. Leave it there for a few minutes and then clean it with a soft cloth or take a shower. It’s going to cool the burn and help it feel a little less painful. This may require some help from someone else depending on where you are burnt.

Mosquito Bite Remedy
I’m one of those people that mosquitos gravitate to unfortunately. My legs have ugly scars all over because of mosquito bites that I tore to shreds from scratching. It’s almost like I get an allergic reaction to the bites because of how badly they irritate me. After being outside to find I had 18 bites on my legs, my dad used to tell me to put fresh lemon juice and a cornstarch mixture on the bites. Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the bites first. Mix a bit of cornstarch and water to create a putty like substance. Use your finger or a q-tip to put on the bites after the lemon juice. Then let the cornstarch harden and dry. Now you can take a damp cloth to remove the cornstarch. It’s best if you do this shortly after receiving the bites to stop the itching right at the beginning.

Of course, these take a bit more work than just consuming a pill or using some medicated cream, but then you avoid all the extra chemicals in those drugs. In no way shape or form am I a doctor, but I am just speaking from personal experience. Of course, if you have medical or health issues you should probably consult a professional on their opinions. Just thought I’d throw some alternatives out there though!

Do you use any at home remedies? Share them by commenting below!