If you’re suffering from a routine ailment, you might not need to visit the pharmacy. There are plenty of helpful remedies you can try from the comfort of your home. In this article, we’ll show you five of the best.

A sore throat can make anyone feel completely miserable. There are many causes, including tonsillitis, laryngitis, the common cold, flu, allergies, and acid reflux. Depending on the reason, it may also be accompanied by fever, chills, loss of voice, fatigue, and muscle pain throughout the body.

Painkillers can help to ease discomfort, but there’s a natural remedy that will target the area directly. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and stir until the salt is completely dissolved. Then, gargle with the solution every few hours to bring relief of your symptoms and aid treatment of the underlying cause. You can also a teaspoon of baking soda to the mix to help flush away debris from the area.

Healing steam for the common cold

A common cold has a range of symptoms, including a runny or congested nose, sneezing, sore throat, headache, cough, and a mild headache. Steam can help to alleviate these symptoms, and the effect is enhanced by adding essential oils.

Simply take a large bowl and fill about halfway with hot water. It’s best to place the bowl on the surface you’ll be using before it is filled, to avoid spillages and possible burns. Then, add an essential oil, such as eucalyptus or peppermint, and gently mix.

Place your head over the bowl and drape a small towel over your head and the bowl, effectively making a loose seal. It’s best to sit down with the bowl in front of you, on a table or similar flat surface.Inhale the vapours for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time, two to three times a day. This will help to decongest your system and provide relief from upper respiratory symptoms.

Warm compress for blepharitis

Blepharitis is a condition that affects the eyelids, causing swelling, redness, itching, and mild pain. Eyelids may become crusty and difficult to open in the morning. Fortunately, it can be straightforward to find relief from these symptoms, by using a warm compress.

This simple treatment not only helps to gently remove oil and debris from the eyelid, but it can relieve the itching, redness, swelling, and pain. Take a clean cloth and run some warm water. Submerge the cloth and wring dry, then apply to the affected eyelids as required.

Epsom salt bath for tired legs

If you’re a runner, on your feet all day at work, or suffer from tired legs for any other reason, a bath containing Epsom salt can offer substantial relief. Make sure the bath is warm enough to sustain you for around 30 minutes, then add two cups of salt. The temperature of the water, in combination with the soothing qualities of the salt, will help your legs to relax.

Chamomile tea for stomach flu

Stomach flu can involve nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, and low-grade fever. Fluids are essential to keep your system hydrated, and to help flush out the cause of the flu. Chamomile tea is particularly effective, as it is a natural healer of gastric maladies. Drop a chamomile tea bag into almost-boiling water and sip throughout the day. You’ll soon feel better!

We hope these home remedies save you a trip to the pharmacy, so you can recover from the comfort of home!