Herbal Remedies for Common Ailments

Herbal remedies have been used for common ailments for a long time. If you don't want to pay for a prescription, herbal remedies can help you feel better, as long as you use them safely. Here are a few common ailments and some of the remedies often used to treat them.

Acne isn't just for teenagers. It is caused by oily skin, which can be triggered by stress or hormones associated with menstruation or puberty. Aloe gel and witch hazel are topical treatments for acne; they function as an astringent and have antibacterial properties. Echinacea, when taken internally, is used to treat acne and other conditions because it promotes healing in general. Some think acne is caused by a sluggish liver (livers are supposed to cleanse your system). In this case, milk thistle may be used, because it cleanses the liver.

Many herbal remedies are used for treating allergies. Chamomile tea treats hay fever, ephedra treats congestion, and eucalyptus steam can treat congestion as well. Licorice root has anti-inflammatory properties, and acts as an antiviral and antibacterial, which is useful in fighting many allergies and colds.

If you find yourself suffering from the common cold, there are herbal remedies for that as well. Echinacea is thought to speed up the recovery process and lower your susceptibility to colds. Elderberry can break a fever, and ginger can relieve congestion and ease chills.

Sufferers of motion sickness can use herbal remedies, too. Ginger is often used, because it acts on the gastrointestinal tract rather than the central nervous system. Black horehound is often used to treat nausea, although no clinical tests have proved it actually treats nausea.