Household Remedies

Household remedies can be used to treat a variety of minor illnesses and injuries. These inexpensive remedies are made using food items you probably already have in your kitchen. While home remedies can be effective, consult with a doctor if your condition continues or worsens after using a natural remedy.

Hiccups

• Hiccups aren't a serious problem, but the condition can be annoying and embarrassing. To get rid of hiccups, swallow a spoonful of sugar or peanut butter. If neither of these remedies works, add two teaspoons of salt to a cup of yogurt, stir and eat. The mixture won't taste good, but you won't care if the hiccups finally stop.

Burns

• First-degree burns, burns that only affect the top layer of the skin, can be treated with several household remedies. First-degree burns look red, but there is no blistering involved. Second- or third-degree burns, in addition to looking red, may look blistered, waxy or charred and can be serious. These types of burns need immediate medical treatment. Your grandmother may have told you to put butter on a burn, but butter can increase the risk of infection and should be avoided. Honey and aloe vera lotion are better options. Honey has both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, while aloe vera helps soothe burns and may speed the healing process.

Sore Throat

• Most remedies for treating sore throats involve drinking or gargling various concoctions. The simplest method is mixing 8 ounces of warm water with one teaspoon of salt and gargling several times during the day. Another method involves making a drink using 1 teaspoon each of honey, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and a small amount of cayenne pepper. Add this mixture to a cup of hot water, and drink. Chamomile tea can help soothe a sore throat, as can cinnamon and honey mixed with hot water.

Acne

• Toothpaste is a popular natural cure for healing pimples. A small amount of toothpaste is applied to the pimple at night and washed away in the morning. During the night, the toothpaste works to absorb oil and dehydrate the pimple. Gel forms of toothpaste don't work as well as paste forms, and whitening toothpastes should be avoided, as they can irritate skin. If having a minty fresh pimple doesn't appeal to you, make a paste of cooked oatmeal and yogurt and apply it to your face. Wash off the paste after it has dried.

Canker Sores

• Canker sores, those painful ulcers that appear in the mouth, can be treated with a number of household remedies. Mylanta and Milk of Magnesia can be used to speed healing and relieve pain. These antacids should be used as a mouthwash. A paste of baking soda and water applied directly to the canker sore may help to reduce the bacteria in the mouth and promote healing. The paste should be applied several times during the day. If none of these treatments work, wedge a wet tea bag next to the canker sore and keep it there for several minutes. The tannic acid in the tea may help relieve pain and promote healing.