Indian Natural Home Remedies

The people of India have been using natural home remedies to cure a wealth of medical problems for hundreds of years. Considered an alternative form of medicine in the west, India's traditional form of medicine, known as Ayruvedic medicine, utilizes natural ingredients found across India, like neem powder, coriander and other spices, to prevent and cure everything from allergies and sore throats to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Neem

• Derived from India's neem tree, neem powder and neem oil are used in India to treat everything from syphilis to eczema. Neem contains a compound called salannin that repels insects, as well as a number of antibiotic and antibacterial properties that prevent bacteria from entering the skin, making it a natural remedy for bug bites as well as a natural insect repellent free of harmful chemicals like DEET. Combining small amounts of neem powder with warm water produces a paste that is used to cure insect bites as well as alleviate the symptoms of eczema and other skin irritations. Neem leaves may also be brewed as a tea to alleviate infections of the mouth and stomach, as well as taken orally in the form of capsules to help strengthen the immune system.

Holy Basil

• A member of the mint family related to sweet basil, holy basil, or Tulsi, is an herb known as an antioxidant with a number of antifungal and antibacterial properties. This herb is revered by Ayruvedic practitioners as it acts as an adaptogen, releasing ursolic acid and triterpenoic acid to increase the body's natural resistance to stress and lower cortisol levels. The leaves are often chewed daily to relieve stress, or used in a strong tea. The herb also acts as a blood thinner and to regulate blood sugar, making it a natural prevention for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Gooseberry

• A sweet, green Indian berry, gooseberry, or Amla, is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C found in nature. The gooseberry has been used to treat a number of ailments in Ayruvedic medicine due to its many health benefits. Gooseberry is a natural antioxidant and has been taken to prevent degenerative diseases, like cancer, as well as to slow the aging process as it protects the body from free radicals. Gooseberry is also administered as an anti-inflammatory to aid in the treatment of arthritis as well as used to clean and purify the blood, build new tissue and nourish the roots of hair. The fruit also relaxes the muscles in the body and is thus used as a stress reliever and as a sedative.

Spices

• Spices like bay leaf, red pepper, curry, and coriander are an essential part of Indian cuisine, not only to enhance a food's taste and aroma, but also to provide a number of health benefits. Bay leaf and red pepper possess antioxidants as well as antibacterial and antifungal properties, while spices like turmeric, or haldi, in India are believed to help the body heal faster. Coriander has been used to cure a number of ailments from sore throats and allergies, to digestive problems and aching joints.