Five natural ‘drugs’ that could save your life

Imagine a scenario where all the drug stores and pharmacies around your area are closed and you desperately need to get a drug – to take care of an emergency. What will you do?

While you’re thinking about a good answer, let us tell you about natural medicine – a field of medicine that has been practiced for millenniums. Before test tubes, labs, Medical Doctors with doctorate degrees and Pharmaceutical conglomerates, people fell sick, and were cured with natural remedies. Even though times have changed, they actually still work, and – without taking anything away from conventional/contemporary medicine – we have made a list of natural remedies you can use for some common illnesses.

1. Asthma/Bronchitis

Asthma and Bronchitis are both obstructive lung diseases. Having an obstructive lung disease means that air has a hard time getting out of your lungs. People with asthma experience recurrent episodes of airway obstruction. Bronchitis is an infection of the airway lining. Bronchodilators are often prescribed, especially when wheezing accompanies the cough.

What happens when you can’t get a bronchodilator or inhaler during an emergency?

I present to you the Lemon, Garlic and Honey mix

They help provide relief from asthma naturally and I’m here to tell you how.

Garlic: Garlic is one of the best natural remedies for asthma. Garlic is a decongestant that clears out the mucus formed in the throat. Allicin is an organosulfur compound found in Garlic, which helps to kill and remove soreness-causing bacteria from the throat.

Honey: Honey soothes the mucous membrane to reduce wheezing and coughing. It also contains manganese, amino acids, selenium, anti-oxidants and other vitamins.

Lemon: Lemon owes most of its anti-asthmatic properties to Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in suppressing inflammation of inflammatory molecules (histamine) that trigger inflammation of the airways. Lemon also contains citric acid, which cleans and strengthens the lung tissue.

Three herbs are better than one.

These three contain anti-oxidants, which fight off any allergen or irritant that enters the lungs. Many people do not like garlic because of the strong smell but great news; Ginger can be substituted for garlic! If you don’t like ginger either, sorry fam.

2. Boils /Insect bite/Stings

“Quiet a boil by using some clay” – Dr. Carolyn Dean M.D, N.D

Bentonite clay is an effective treatment for boils. It draws out the pain and inflammation.

Draw out? How?

Think of this clay as a magnet for harmful substances. When hydrated, its electrical component changes, giving it the ability to absorb toxins. Bentonite clay carries a strong negative charge, which bonds to the positive charge in many toxins. When it comes in contact with a toxin or heavy metal, the clay will absorb the toxin and release its mineral for the body to use.

How to use: Mix clay with water (preferably in a plastic container) just enough to make a thick paste and apply on affected area. The area of the skin not affected usually dries up faster than where the toxins are concentrated.

NOTE: Do not let it come in contact with metal, as it would be stripped of its detoxing abilities, making it less effective.

Clay can be used externally and internally. It is used internally for…

3. Digestive Disturbances

Clay can be consumed. Yes, this is strange but when consumed, it binds to the toxins, move through the intestine and are eliminated from the body. According to researchers, it is great for flushing out toxins and relives nausea, acid flux and diarrhea. For stomach reflux, clay neutralizes the excess stomach acid that causes discomfort.

You know what else relieves stomach troubles?

Activated charcoal.

Yes, activated charcoal has been found to help with symptoms of a variety of stomach disturbances. It binds to the acids that cause bloating, reflux and indigestion, making you feel less bloated.

Please when I say charcoal, I don’t mean the regular charcoal ash you get from burning wood or other substances. Activated charcoal can be gotten from health stores or pharmacies.

How to use: Add 1 teaspoon of both (Clay + Charcoal) to a cup of water.

ALWAYS make sure you stay hydrated whenever you ingest benoite clay or else it could lead to constipation.

Yeap, go eat some dirt. LOL.

4. Dengue Fever

Papaya Leaf Extract/Tea

You might have dengue fever and mistake it for malaria. It’s not really your fault. Everything is malaria in Nigeria. If someone tells you he/she is sick, the first thing you ask is “Is it Malaria?” Smh.

Anyways, Dengue Fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by dengue virus. It is transmitted by a female Aedes mosquito (not the famous anopheles mosquito), which attacks in the daytime. A drop in platelet count is a characteristic symptom of dengue fever.

The juice or pulp from Papaya plant has been found to regenerate white blood cells and platelets. Papaya leaves also have anti-malarial properties.

“Papaya leaf extract helps in increasing the platelet count and reduces the symptoms of fever like body ache, chills, feeling low, getting tired easily and nausea,” – Dr. Gargi Sharma

 If the bitterness bothers you, you can mix the juice with other fruit juices.

NOTE: Papaya leaf juice is not recommended for pregnant women due to an enzyme called Papin.

5. Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) and Hay fever

Lemon Honey Water is a two in one remedy for these.

Pharyngitis most often referred to as ‘Sore Throat’ is an infection caused by a bacteria or virus. Before using any remedy, it’s important to know the cause of the pain. However, a mixture of honey, lemon and warm water is helpful.

This is how it works.

Lemon is a natural astringent, so it helps to reduce mucus in the throat.

Honey contains an enzyme called glucoseoxidase, which contains anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. This acts as a disinfectant on the bacteria and also coats the irritated throat.

Warm water relaxes the throat muscles.

How to use: Put honey and lemon juice into a teacup or mug. Add hot water and stir. Dilute a little so you don’t burn your tongue!

Asides sore throat and hay fever, I drink this almost every morning. It’s my favorite tea. Try it and you might get addicted.

Hay fever is an allergic condition characterized by sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, etc. Hay fever is not caused by a virus; it’s your immune system reacting to allergies such as pollen, dust, mold. Honey – preferably local honey contains bee pollen, which is effective in treating hay fever.

Use pollen to cure pollen? Yes. Bee pollen is not the same as the pollen that causes allergies. Bee pollen reduces histamine, which is the same target that your regular over-the-counter drugs act upon.

Lemon strengthens the immune system and also contains anti histamine and anti-inflammatory properties that combat hay fever symptoms.

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Although these remedies work for many people (I am a testimony), there is no guarantee that it works for everybody – considering the fact that there is a variation in every one’s body chemistry. There is no harm in trying though; are all natural, and have no toxic effects.

In the end, when sick, always consult your doctor for proper diagnosis.

Curated by Onyekachi Onuora – @Its_Onye