From colds to travel sickness and toothaches, people have been turning to natural remedies to address common ailments for centuries. The number of Australians trying natural remedies is in the millions, so much so that the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) has put forward tighter regulations on doctors recommending vitamins, nutritional supplements and natural remedies. The medical board has argued that the new regulations would safeguard patients, as some natural remedies are neither safe nor effective, and may interact with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
We’ve rounded up some common natural remedies that actually work.
Cranberry juice for urinary tract infections
Suffering from a urinary tract infection? According to some studies you should be sipping cranberry juice regularly to reduce the chances of a UTI reoccurring. Caused by bacteria that live in the intestines, women are more prone to suffering from a UTI than men. Packed with special compounds, cranberries help fight off bacteria from settling in the urinary tract lining. Women who drink cranberry juice can be up to 38 percent less likely to have a UTI than women who didn’t, a study in the July 2012 issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine found.
Coconut oil pulling for bad breath
An ancient practice that’s often associated with Ayurveda, oil pulling is a traditional Indian remedy that involves swishing coconut oil around your mouth to promote oral hygiene and remove bacteria. As well as brushing and flossing twice daily, many swear by the technique’s ability to freshen breath for longer. For 20 minutes each day, swish coconut oil around your mouth before cleaning your teeth. According to one study, oil pulling with coconut oil for just 10 minutes daily significantly reduced the amount of Streptococcus Mutans (a significant contributor to tooth decay) in saliva in two weeks, compared to distilled water.
Tea tree oil for a range of skin issues
Applying tea tree oil to the skin can have many soothing and healing benefits. A study has shown that it’s more effective at addressing the itchiness and irritation caused by eczema, than zinc oxide and clobetasone butyrate creams. Tea tree oil’s antiseptic properties may work to combat oily skin and blemishes, a study has also found. It’s worth noting that tea tree oil shouldn’t be applied directly to the skin, and is instead diluted with a carrier oil like olive, coconut or almond.
Acupuncture for headaches
Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine, and involves penetrating the skin in certain parts of the body with a needle to alleviate pain or to help treat various health conditions. According to studies, this natural remedy can help reduce the intensity and frequency of headaches in sufferers. A further study published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine also showed that acupuncture may be helpful in preventing migraine attacks.
Honey for colds and flu
Packed with antimicrobial properties, Manuka honey is known to alleviate the symptoms linked with colds, flu and severe coughs. One study has found that Manuka honey can reduce how quickly the flu virus reproduces, as well as soothing cough symptoms in children.
