Aloe Vera
If you grazed your skin with a hot-from-the-oven cookie pan, apply Aloe Vera gel to the burn as needed. The soothing and anti-inflammatory gel creates a second skin to protect the burn from air, which irritates exposed nerve endings.
Prunes
Dried plums are rich in insoluble fiber, a key nutrient to help fight constipation. Prunes also contain two substances that act as natural laxatives, sorbitol and dihydrophenylisatin, which will work much better for your system over time than drug-store constipation aids.
Apples
Apples have pectin, a soluble fiber that’s really great at absorbing stomach acid. Sweet apples are considered alkaline foods that work at a cellular level to restore pH balance.
Sugar
Swallow 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar. The dry granules stimulate and reset the irritated nerve that is causing the spasms of the diaphragm. Any coarse substance, such as salt, can work in a pinch, but sugar tastes best.
Dark Chocolate
Indulge in a square or two of dark chocolate. Chocolate’s theobromine compound is more effective than codeine at suppressing persistent coughs without the side effects of drowsiness and constipation.
Olive Oil
Rub on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and moisturizing olive oil two or three times a day to soothe, soften, and lubricate. Your lips will feel immediately better, but it will take a few days before they start to heal on their own.
Ginger
A few slices of raw ginger root in boiling water may help soothe a cough or a sore throat. lt can also ward off feelings of nausea that so often accompany influenza.
Turmeric
Foods with curcumin have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties so they can help with cleansing and healing. If your medicine cabinet is running low on antibiotic ointment, try dabbing a little turmeric on your cut or scrape instead, but only for minor or superficial wounds. Using half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a drop or two of water to make a paste, or if the wound is still bleeding a bit, you can apply the powder without water. After the area is dry, cover with a dressing and let the healing begin.
Cherries
Before bedtime, eat a handful of cherries. They are jam-packed with melanin – the hormone created by your body to regulate sleep patterns.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers, which are 95% water, offers a nice cooling sensation and the cold temperature causes blood vessels to constrict and reduce inflammation to reduce puffiness.
