Common cures for ailments

Try as much as we want, we all have bouts of common ailments. They come unannounced with a change in weather or a sudden lifestyle modification. I always say try some of my natural remedies and see how they cure you. We opt to choose prescription medicine over natural remedies.

This is because there seems to be a lot of misconceptions about alternative therapy and natural healing which leads us to write off the effects before even trying.

Common sense says that the less number of tablets we put in our body the better it is. What we need to understand is Mother Nature has generously provided us with solutions for these generic ailments which will leave you feeling much better.

Cold: The most common ailment, cold can be naturally cured by the consumption of ginger and turmeric. Ginger is a warming food and has been used for aeons to cure colds. Both fresh and dry ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric, on the other hand, is the most powerful spice for fighting any inflammation; opt for a steaming bowl of rasam to ease any chest congestion.

Constipation: When your stool refuses to exit from your system you end up feeling constipated throughout the day. Whenever my clients feel constipated, I tell them to follow the CRAP diet. This stands for Cherries, Raisins, Apricots and Prunes. All four fruits are beneficial in clearing out your bowels.

Diarrhoea: Just like in constipation, diarrhoea too has the P. BRAT diet which I advocate. This stands for Pomegranate, Bread, Rice, Apple and Toast. These four food items will almost instantaneously control your diarrhoea.

Joint pains: Cure your joint pains by including ghee and ginger in small quantities in your diet throughout the day. Ghee lubricates the joints and ginger prevents back, knee and joint pains. Electrolyte balance: Do you often feel tired and are unable to focus or get cramps? It is due to your electrolyte levels going low. So just add some coconut water to your daily routine as it is one of the best sources of electrolytes.

Flatulence: The quickest cure is to have hot water with one teaspoon of asafetida in warm water.
Blood pressure: At any age, maintaining a normal blood pressure level is important for daily functioning. Blood pressure levels can be maintained by including potatoes, Vitamin C foods like lemons and tomatoes and leafy greens like spinach.

Eye problems: Be it dry eyes, conjunctivitis or getting glasses your eyes help you see the world and any problem with them can be troublesome. Ensure you have a diet rich in yellow, green and orange coloured foods as they are rich in Vitamin A. Leafy vegetables like spinach are a good idea too.

Diabetes: About three grams of cinnamon powder in your diet can reduce your sugar levels by 30 per cent. Elevated cholesterol: Your high cholesterol levels can be easily cut down by adding garlic, tomato, walnuts, barley and lots of vegetables.

I am constantly reminding people to prevent common ailments; one should boost their immunity levels. To do that you need to absolutely avoid white sugar, refined white flour, processed foods, alcohol, fried foods and aerated drinks. Add on organic, local, seasonal and regional foods to live a happy healthy life. Check your vitamin levels especially your Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12 levels. Exercise daily to ensure your energy levels are good.