Christian Maelen
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Remedy is a noun or verb that means a medicine, application, or treatment that relieves or cures a disease, or something that corrects or counteracts an evil, rights a wrong, or makes up for a loss. See synonyms, examples, etymology, and related words from the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Learn the definition of remedy as a noun and a verb, with examples of usage, synonyms, and related words. Find out how to pronounce remedy in different languages and how to use it in a sentence.
- Overview
- Turmeric for pain and inflammation
- Chili peppers for pain and soreness
- Ginger for pain and nausea
- Shiitake mushrooms for the long game
- Eucalyptus oil for pain relief
- Lavender for migraine and anxiety
- Mint for muscle pain and digestion
- Fenugreek for breastfeeding
- Magnesium-rich foods for everything
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Many home remedies exist that may help treat a variety of things, such as colds, inflammation, and pain. These are not always supported by research. But, scientists suggest that some may indeed work.
Chances are you’ve used a home remedy at some point: herbal teas for a cold, essential oils to dull a headache, plant-based supplements for a better night’s sleep. Maybe it was your grandma or you read about it online. The point is you tried it — and perhaps now you’re thinking, “Should I try it again?”
It’s not clear exactly what makes a home remedy do the trick. Is it an actual physiological change in the body or more of a placebo effect? Thankfully, in recent decades, scientists have been asking the same questions in a lab, and are finding that some of our plant-based remedies aren’t just old wives’ tales.
And so, for the skeptic who needs more than a placebo to feel well, we got your back. Here are the home remedies backed by science:
Who hasn’t heard of turmeric by now? Turmeric has been used, primarily in South Asia as a part of Ayurvedic medicine, for almost 4,000 years. When it comes to proven medicinal purposes, the golden spice may be best for treating pain — specifically pain associated with inflammation.
Several studies have found that curcumin is responsible for turmeric’s “wow” factor. In one study, people with arthritis pain noted that their pain levels were more reduced after taking 500 milligrams (mg) of curcumin than 50 mg of diclofenac sodium, an anti-inflammatory drug.
Other studies back up this pain relief claim as well, noting that turmeric extract was as effective as ibuprofen for treating pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Don’t go grinding turmeric — which stains heavily! — for immediate relief though. The amount of curcumin in turmeric is at most 3 percent, meaning you’re better off taking curcumin supplements for relief.
This active component of chili peppers has a long history of use in folk medicine and has slowly become more accepted outside of homeopathy. Now, capsaicin is a popular topical ingredient for managing pain. It works by causing an area of the skin to get hot, before eventually turning numb.
Today, you can get a prescription capsaicin patch called Qutenza, which relies on very high level of capsaicin — 8 percent — to work.
It’s almost law to try ginger when you have a cold, sore throat, or are experiencing morning sickness and nausea. Making a cup is pretty standard: Grate it in your tea for a stronger effect. But the other benefit of ginger that goes less noticed is its effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory.
The next time you feel a little queasy and have a headache, try ginger. Ginger works differently than other pain relievers that target inflammation. It blocks the formation of certain types of inflammatory compounds and breaks down existing inflammation through an antioxidant that interacts with acidity in the fluid between joints. Its anti-inflammatory effects come without the risks of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Lentinan, also known as AHCC or active hexose correlated compound, is an extract of shiitake mushrooms. It promotes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects at a cellular level.
A petri dish study suggests that AHCC can help with inhibiting breast cancer cells, and its interaction with the immune system might help fight cancer by improving chemo-weakened immune systems.
Eucalyptus oil has a component called 1,8-cineole, which may help relieve pain. The component has a morphine-like effect when tested on mice.
And for the essential oils fans, you’re in luck. Eucalyptus oil has been shown to relieve body pains even after inhalation. For lovers of Vick’s VapoRub, who have been inhaling it as a home remedy for congestion, well, eucalyptus oil is your magic ingredient.
Migraine attacks, headaches, anxiety, and general feelings of (dis)stress? Inhaling lavender can help with that. Studies shows that lavender helps with:
•migraine
•lowering anxiety or restlessness
•memory troubles when stressed and sleep
Drinking lavender tea or keeping a satchel around for times of high stress is one way to reduce anxiety and relax the mind and body.
As an essential oil, it can also be combined with other plant oils for aromatherapy. One study found that in combination with sage and rose, lavender was helpful in relieving premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
Mint, as common as it sounds, isn’t simple. Depending on the type, it can provide different uses and benefits.
For pain, you’ll want to look for wintergreen, which has methyl salicylate, a compound that may work similarly to capsaicin. Applying it can feel like a cool “burn” before the numbing effect takes place. This effect helps with joint and muscle pain.
The other mint type that’s commonly used in folk medicine is peppermint. An ingredient in many different cures, peppermint has been found to be especially effective in helping treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.
Studies show that along with fiber, it helps reduce spasms, as well as diarrhea and abdominal pain associated with IBS. Peppermint activates an anti-pain channel in the colon, which reduces inflammatory pain in the digestive tract. This most likely accounts for its effectiveness in treating IBS.
Fenugreek seeds are often used in cooking in the Mediterranean and Asia, but this spice, which is similar to cloves, has several medicinal uses.
When made into a tea, fenugreek can help with milk production for breastfeeding. For people experiencing diarrhea, fenugreek is a great water-soluble fiber to help firm up stools. If you’re constipated, you definitely want to avoid these seeds.
Feeling muscle pains? Fatigue? More migraine attacks? More likely to slip into a numbed emotional state than usual? It might be a magnesium deficiency. While magnesium is often talked about in terms of the growth and maintenance of bones, it’s also essential in nerve and muscle function.
But studies show that almost half of the U.S. population doesn’t get their required amount of magnesium. So, if you’ve ever complained of these symptoms and got a slightly terse “eat spinach” response in return, know that it’s not completely unfounded.
Spinach, almonds, avocados, and even dark chocolate are all rich in magnesium. You don’t necessarily need a supplement to treat magnesium deficiency.
When it comes to mood, magnesium may also help. Magnesium works with the parasympathetic nervous system, which keeps you calm and relaxed, suggesting that having a magnesium-rich diet might aid in stress relief.
Learn how to use some common home remedies, such as turmeric, chili peppers, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, eucalyptus, lavender, mint, fenugreek, and magnesium, to treat pain, inflammation, and other health conditions. These remedies may have some scientific support, but more research is needed.
Remedy is a noun meaning something that cures or relieves a problem, or a verb meaning to make something better. Learn the origin, usage, and synonyms of remedy, and see examples from various sources.
Learn the meaning of remedy as a noun and a verb, with examples of usage and synonyms. Find out how to use remedy in different contexts, such as law, health and business.
A remedy is something that relieves or cures a problem or illness. Aloe vera is a common remedy for sunburn.
Learn the meaning, pronunciation and usage of the word remedy in English. Find out how to use remedy as a noun in different contexts, such as health, law and grammar.
