Remedicated

You’ve read about the weirdest home remedies, and you know about some of the strangest diseases to plague humankind. But the positively implausible treatments of yesteryear deserve a mention also. Here are just a few bizarre outdated home remedies that are virtually guaranteed not to work. These are all real folk remedies that have been used at one time or another. (In case you’re wondering, we don’t endorse or condone the actual use of any of these treatments.)

1. For earaches, de-shell a snail and put the snail’s “froth” in your ears. (If anyone knows how to harvest snail froth, please leave a comment. We’re dying of curiosity.)

Read the rest of this entry »

Every culture has its own folk remedies that its people swear by. Individual families often have their own time-tested and honored traditional remedies. These sometimes-surprising treatments are passed down through the generations until they become almost legendary. Some of them are based on true medical properties of the items used and some are just a question of mind over matter. Although we can’t advocate the use of these treatments or vouch for their effectiveness, the following home remedies are among some of the strangest we’ve seen.
Read the rest of this entry »

The use of herbal treatments for everything from sore throats to cancer has become more and more common with every passing year. We all know about the herbal supplements like St. John’s Wort that can help you with chronic health problems, but did you know that many common edible herbs, spices and vegetables can provide impressive health benefits?

While you probably already use these ingredients in your home, you may not realize that they can do much more than just making your meals tasty and interesting. Here are some common foods that do double duty as effective herbal treatments.

Read the rest of this entry »

Some of the most effective home remedies and herbal remedies are those that have been around for a very long time. Green tea is one such natural remedy. It’s been said to have a host of benefits, from speeding up your metabolism to boosting your immune system to preventing cancer.

The health benefits of green tea have not been conclusively proven in scientific studies, but Eastern cultures have long sung the praises of this noble substance. The health benefits of green tea may some day be proven without a doubt: studies are currently underway in several countries to explore the relationship between green tea and cancer.

The link between cancer and green tea may very well be among the most promising health benefits of green tea. In preliminary studies, existing tumors in animals and humans alike were seen to decrease with the long-term consumption of green tea.

Another of the many health benefits of green tea that has been prominently in the news in recent years is its effect on metabolism. Individuals drinking green tea regularly or taking green tea supplements may experience the pleasing effect of a faster metabolism that allows them to burn fat faster. This well-known health benefit of green tea has led many dieters to reach for the green tea supplements while trying to drop a few pounds.

With all of the health benefits of green tea being known by people around the world, why aren’t more of us using it to support our health? There may still be a lingering prejudice in Western cultures against traditional or “alternative” treatments. However, even the staunchest skeptic would have to admit that the apparent health benefits of green tea warrant a closer look.

Many people find the taste of green tea unpleasant, but a high-quality green tea is earthy, fragrant, and pleasant. Green tea is available in blends that include fruit flavors to sweeten the taste and add to the antioxidants. Even if it isn’t your favorite taste, perhaps the health benefits of green tea will convince you to give it a try.