Nature's Healing Power: 9 Clinically Validated Natural Remedies for Common Ailments

You may have come across the phrase, Nature is the best healer. Did it make you think about how you can utilize natural products for your health? And whether these natural remedies have any scientific backing .

In this article, we’ll answer these questions and bring you some clinically validated natural remedies for common ailments. We’ll also educate you about the possible side effects that these may have.

Natural remedies were the go-to treatment method before the advent of modern medicine. With the development of medical science, their importance has faded but not entirely vanished. Additionally, the scientific community has examined the efficacy of home remedies through experimentation and clinical trials as a result of their popularity.

Be it home remedies for allergies or those for anxiety, now it is possible to choose a herbal medicine after knowing its benefits and side effects through concrete evidence.

Here, we’ll take you through the nine natural remedies for common ailments that can be easily included in your health regimen.

The chamomile plant is termed the king of herbs in Hungary, and it has earned that accolade, but not without certain merits. For a long time, chamomile extracts have been used for the treatment of a variety of illnesses, ranging from hay fever to digestive problems. However, its effectiveness, according to scientific research, is centered around general anxiety disorder.

A clinical trial on 179 participants conducted between 2010 and 2015 found that chamomile can be effective against symptoms of moderate-to-severe general anxiety disorder. However, it did not influence the rate of relapse among the patients. This study also concluded that chamomile was safe for long-term use, making it one of the potential natural remedies for anxiety.

You can consume chamomile as an herbal tea by infusing its flowers or leaves in water, just like you would with green tea.

Cinnamon is used as a spice and as a flavoring agent in food products such as bread, breakfast cereals, and tea. It also possesses multiple medicinal properties and is used for antioxidizing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial purposes.

In regards to the scientifically verified uses of cinnamon, a review of studies examining its effects on blood glucose control concluded its efficacy. Here, eight clinical trials on diabetic patients and two on those with pre-diabetes were reviewed. Extract from the true cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) was recommended as being safer for long-term use compared to its other variety, Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia).

Consuming cinnamon in higher doses than what is recommended or for longer periods of time can result in some adverse side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues and allergic reactions. However, these were mostly self-limiting (requiring no intervention) in nature.

Another wonder herb, the peppermint plant, finds many uses due to its medicinal properties and strong fragrance. Traditionally, it is used for treating indigestion, an upset stomach, a cold, skin irritation, and headaches.

A scientific review of twelve clinical trials on the effectiveness of peppermint oil against irritable bowel syndrome (its symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation) revealed that peppermint oil can be safe and effective against the symptoms of this condition.

Peppermint is not suitable for infants and young children, and its essential oil can lead to seizures when applied to the skin of children under the age of 2.5 years. It should also be avoided if you suffer from acid reflux.

You can avail of the benefits of peppermint in different forms—peppermint tea, capsules, or essential oil.

Turmeric is extensively used as a curry ingredient in India and as a healing agent for various conditions in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. The medicinal properties of turmeric are attributed to a compound called curcumin present in it. Its traditional uses include treating skin problems, respiratory infections, arthritis, and digestive issues.

Ten studies on the use of turmeric for treating skin diseases such as acne, psoriasis, vitiligo, and dermatitis attest to its effectiveness in improving the symptoms of these conditions.

Curcumin was found to be safe when taken six grams daily for a period of four to seven weeks. However, it may cause side effects like an upset stomach in some individuals.

When it comes to the ways you can use turmeric, there are multiple options to choose from: turmeric powder, capsules, tea, or ointment.

Used commonly for relieving nausea, bloating, and inflammation, ginger is a must-have in your arsenal of home remedies. Its characteristic taste makes it a perfect ingredient in dishes and drinks.

Scientifically, ginger has been shown to be safe and effective against nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. Here, ginger was consumed multiple times throughout the day, amounting to a total daily dosage of 1500 mg over a period ranging from four days to three weeks.

You can add ginger to your tea, stir-fries, soup, or pies to avail of its health benefits.

Garlic is widely used in different cuisines across the world and as a natural supplement for boosting immunity against bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections. It is also used for preventing or treating cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Aged garlic extract can help reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream and prevent the development of chronic diseases due to inflammation in obese individuals.

Garlic use is generally related to relatively benign side effects like bad breath and body odor, but it has also been linked with some other adverse effects. Allergic reactions, bleeding, burns (topical application), and interaction with anti-AIDS medicines are some of the risks associated with garlic consumption.

You can include garlic in your soup, tea, and other preparations.

Derived from the Eucalyptus globulus tree, a native of Australia, eucalyptus oil is traditionally used in medicines for coughs and colds, gum diseases, arthritis, and skin infections.

Inhaling vapors of eucalyptus oil can provide relief from respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, and chronic lung disease, according to scientific data on its use and effectiveness.

Eucalyptus oil is poisonous if taken orally but may also have a toxic effect in the case of topical application. The case of a 6-year-old child who experienced symptoms like slurred speech and loss of muscle control and strength after using eucalyptus oil as a home remedy for treating hives served as evidence of this.

Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your bath, mixing it with a carrier oil for massage, or inhaling vapors containing it are some methods that you can go for.

Lavender belongs to the mint family of plants found in the Mediterranean region and has been used since ancient times for its fragrance and medicinal properties. It is included among the natural remedies for anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and inflammation.

Inhaling lavender oil was found to help ease anxiety due to a dental procedure carried out under local anesthesia. This highlights lavender’s effectiveness as a natural remedy for anxiety.

Lavender oil use may sometimes cause dermatitis, eczema, or facial allergic reactions as adverse side effects.

Mix it with a carrier oil and apply directly to the skin, or inhale lavender oil-infused vapors to avail of its benefits.

Derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) is used as a topical home remedy for treating skin problems like acne, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, and dandruff.

A clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of tea tree oil against chlorohexidine solution (a disinfectant and antiseptic) concluded that the former can be used as a substitute for the latter. Moreover, the use of tea tree oil didn’t result in a bad taste or teeth discoloration, in contrast with chlorohexidine.

Tea tree oil is toxic when taken orally but is generally considered safe for topical application in the case of otherwise healthy individuals.

You can apply tea tree oil to the skin after adding it to a carrier oil or put a few drops into a warm bath.

Now that you are familiar with the natural remedies for common ailments, let’s take a brief look at how you should select and use them.

Home remedies can be cost-effective and easy to use, but you shouldn’t consider them a substitute for conventional medical treatment. They can only be used along with modern medicine after consulting your doctor. As some herbal natural remedies may cause adverse side effects or interact with drugs, avoid self-medication through them.

If you are interested in trying natural remedies for common ailments, visit a naturopathic physician and let them know your underlying medical conditions, if any, before seeking treatment. By observing these simple precautions, you’ll be more likely to have a safe and effective treatment experience with herbal medicine.