A TRIP TO THE PANTRY, NOT THE PHARMACY

Wondering how to treat everything from PMS to headaches without weird chemicals? Look no further than your own kitchen.

I get it: the easiest thing to do when feeling the slightest ill sensation of a cold coming on, or the gradual throbbing of your head with every loud ruckus or flash of bright light, is to head to the nearest drugstore and pop a pill. The temptation is real. The remedy is quick and at most, effective.

But do you ever stop to think that for every small ache or pain that, quite honestly, could be managed on your own (sans stopping by CVS) is not exactly good for you as you may presume. Which is exactly why if you can avoid resorting to OTC drugs, you definitely should. Instead, take the au-natural route to treat or mitigate your most common discomforts.

For headaches, PMS or pain:

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy that has anti-inflammatory properties, and is a good option to relieve pain. It's commonly used post-surgery and acts similarly to ibuprofen (Advil), but is completely natural. It can easily be found at Whole Foods, or online. Take 3x/daily to help reduce pain and inflammation.

For an upset stomach or acid reflux:

Almonds produce an alkaline substance that helps balance the acidity in the stomach. Eating an ounce (about a handful), which is equal to 20-25 almonds.

One tablespoon of baking soda with half a cup of water also works well to settle an upset stomach and reduce acid reflux. Try drinking this concoction 2x/day.

Chamomile! Drink a cup of warm water infused with one tea bag of chamomile 2-3x/day as needed.

For an oncoming cold:

Echinacea is top notch. Adding 3-4 full syringes of Herb Pharm Echinacea in water also does the trick for me. Watch out for the bitter aftertaste.

Vitaminc C (1,000 mg tablet) daily also helps.

Ginger boosts the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe a sore throat. Try 1/4 cup of ginger root soaked in 1 cup of warm water and drink 3x/day or alternatively, try chewing on small slivers of raw ginger throughout the day. Pro tip: chewing on raw pieces of ginger root also helps calm a bubbling stomach.

#healthyliving #nutrition #selfcare