Herbal Food Remedies

Many of the natural home remedies we use are no farther away than the kitchen cupboard. Traditional folk medicine has employed herbs for medicinal purposes that are also foods for thousands of years. Many of these remedies are substances we use in cooking every day. Depending on what ails you, forget about the medicine cabinet and turn to your refrigerator or pantry for relief. If you use herbs to treat illness and serious disease, consult your health practitioner first. Herbs can produce side effects.

Ginger

The common spice ginger is used for a wide range of ailments. It is an excellent treatment for nausea and vomiting and relieves motion sickness. Additionally, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce pain and swelling in joint disease and from musculoskeletal problems, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Make an herbal tea by slicing a few small pieces of fresh ginger and steeping them in hot water for anywhere from one to three minutes. Test every 30 seconds because ginger tea can get strong very quickly. Once it's ready, remove the ginger and drink to relieve nausea and pain. You can also take ginger powder regularly in capsules if you experience long-term inflammatory pain. Ginger can thin the blood, so do not take it medicinally if you are taking blood thinners. Consult your health practitioner before using ginger.

Garlic

Garlic has been used for centuries for healing and is reputed to possess anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is high in anti-inflammatory compounds, making it an excellent remedy for reducing infections and aches and pains due to inflammation. Garlic should be used fresh, because its potency is lost as it ages or when it is dried or processed. Apply garlic mixed with honey to wounds and sores to speed healing and prevent infection. Make an herbal tea for the treatment of fevers, ulcers, and liver and kidney problems. Mix garlic in oil for earaches. Garlic can thin the blood, which is one of its attributes, making it effective for the treatment of artherosclerosis; however, it can also cause problems for those taking blood thinners. Consult your health practitioner before using garlic medicinally.

Onions

Onions are another herbal food that have been used extensively by traditional and modern herbalists. Raw onions may help to relieve intestinal gas and treat anemia, according to the El Paso Community College newsletter "Borderlands." In addition, the antibacterial properties of onions can be put to good use by cooking them in oil for the treatment of illnesses such as scarlet fever, notes "Borderlands." Onion juice mixed with brown sugar makes an effective cough remedy, and a warm, roasted onion split in half will draw out pus in a boil. If you are using onions cooked or roasted, test the temperature on the inside of your wrist before placing hot onions on a patient's skin.

Cinnamon

The aromatic spice cinnamon is not just for seasoning apple pies. Cinnamon has numerous medicinal qualities and is used for the treatment of indigestion, yeast infection and colic in infants and to reduce blood sugar in Type 2 diabetics, according to Vanderbilt University. However, clinical trials were split on the efficacy of cinnamon to reduce blood glucose levels. More research is necessary. Cinnamon is used as a homeopathic remedy to stop bleeding, especially hemorrhage during childbirth, according to homeopath Dr. William Boericke in the "Materia Medica and Repertory." Too much cinnamon in its raw or herbal form can cause bleeding due to its ability to thin the blood. If you take blood thinners, you should monitor your use of cinnamon. Consult a health practitioner for recommendations.