Whether you’ve partied a little too hard or just feel under the weather, look to your kitchen for all manner of get-well-quick cures in plain sight. Best of all, when consumed regularly, these staples also act as powerful preventive medicine. Give them a go and experience the results yourself!
PINEAPPLE
Good for bloated tummies
Fresh pineapple contains powerful digestive enzymes that can help ease a painful bloated stomach. Snack on about a cup each day to keep that food-baby look at bay.
BLUEBERRIES
Good for bladder health
At the first hint of a UTI, grab a bowl of blueberries. Whether fresh or frozen, they’re loaded with plant compounds that target trouble-making bacteria.
RAW HONEY
Good for cold sores, mouth ulcers
Dabbing raw, unpasteurised honey onto cold sores or mouth ulcers can help to heal them faster, thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory enzymes.
WATER
Good for muscular aches, pains
Along with every other good thing water does, drinking eight glasses each day may also help flush out pain-triggering compounds called histamines.
GINGER
Good for nausea, indigestion, pain relief
Fresh ginger is a powerful antispasmodic, which means it’s great for settling upset tummies. Slice or grate one to two tablespoons into a cup of hot water, steep for 20 minutes and sip slowly.
CLOVES
Good for toothaches
Cloves contain a natural anaesthetic called eugenol. Gently chewing on a clove can help ease pain and inflammation if you can’t get to your dentist right away.
BANANAS
Good for hangovers
After a night on the tiles, your instinct might be to reach for greasy burgers or other fast food. But a banana, which is rich in potassium, will make you feel better much faster.
ROLLED OATS
Good for sunburn
The polysaccharides in oatmeal can help heal burned skin. Place a cupful into a sock, seal with a rubber band and put in a warm bath. Press the sock onto your skin to release its heat.
COFFEE
Good for hangover headaches, migraines
A cup of good, strong coffee can help zap a headache into oblivion. If you still need to take a painkiller, experts say coffee may help it work even faster.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Good for heartburn
Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 250ml warm water. Sip several cups throughout the day to help ease and ward off indigestion brought on by overindulging.
