Healthwise: Natural Health Solutions

It seems that more people are going back to the basics when it comes to their health, and this includes turning to natural cures for minor ailments. Often, the ingredient you need is already in your pantry, so why look any further?

Here are some of the ingredients you can put to good use:

Spices for fresh breath

No need to maintain a wholesale inventory of chewing gum to ensure fresh breath. Instead, chew on cloves! A few minutes of chewing should do the trick (then spit them out). The essential oils found in cloves are antiseptic and therefore eliminate bacteria causing bad breath.

Nourish hair and skin

It seems that coconut oil is all the rage these days, and with good reason. Coconut oil is a source of medium-chain fatty acids, which are used by the body to produce energy, growth and repair.

Not only can you eat this healthy fat, you can also use it to nourish hair. How? Simply massage 2 tbsp of coconut oil into dry hair and scalp. Leave for 30 minutes, then shampoo.

Or dab coconut oil onto skin to help ease dry patches, rashes or even to reduce fine lines, saving you hundreds of dollars on expensive cosmetic creams and skin lotions sold in pharmacies.

Soothe a sore throat

Instead of relying on cold medicine this season, turn to anti-inflammatory sage to soothe a sore throat. Boil 2 tbsp of dried sage and a pinch of salt in water, let cool and then gargle the mixture to help kill germs and ease symptoms.

Calm a stressed mind

Unwind with a warm cup of green tea – rich in a powerful antioxidant that helps fight cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Green tea also improves immune function!

TOP PHOTO: lagosmums.com