10 Little Remedies to Help You with Minor Ailments!

A busy life inevitably brings minor ailments and accidents. While uncomfortable, they're not serious enough to see a doctor, which can be very annoying. Today, the editor will introduce you to some natural first-aid remedies, and they are right in your kitchen.

1. Puffy Eyes, Fatigue

Remedy: Tea bags, Chrysanthemum + Mulberry leaf + Cassia seed

Experts point out that the tannic acid in tea is a natural astringent that can quickly reduce eye puffiness. You can use a handkerchief or small cloth to wrap a used, cold tea bag and apply it to your eyes for 5 minutes. Do not place the tea bag directly on your eyelids, as the tannic acid can irritate the eyes and cause discomfort.

Chrysanthemum is cooling and can relieve dryness, swelling, and pain in the eyes. Cassia seeds and mulberry leaf also have the effect of improving vision. Take three "qian" (a unit of weight, about 9 grams) of each of the three herbs, boil in 500cc of water, and the resulting liquid can be consumed.

2. Insect Bites, Scalds

Remedy: Cucumber, Mint, Aloe Vera

Mashed or sliced cucumber, mint, and aloe vera all have cooling, anti-inflammatory, and soothing effects. Applying them to the area affected by insect bites or accidental scalds can effectively relieve itching and reduce swelling.

Honey and Pear Juice

Extended Reading: A Complete Guide to Eating Pears

3. Insomnia

Remedy: Cherries, Kiwis, Milk, Lily bulb (or Tremella fungus) + Lotus seeds

Tossing and turning all night and unable to fall asleep? Eat a few cherries before bed for a sweet dream. Experts point out that cherries contain melatonin, which effectively helps with falling asleep and maintaining a regular sleep pattern.

Research has found that eating 2 kiwis 2 hours before bed can improve sleep quality. This is because the calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C in kiwis aid in the synthesis and transmission of neurotransmitters, helping to stabilize mood.

Dried small fish and hot milk are also rich in calcium, which can calm emotions and reduce anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep. Additionally, lily bulbs and lotus seeds have the effect of calming the mind and improving neurasthenia. Drinking a bowl of lily bulb and lotus seed soup before bed can combat insomnia.

4. Sprains

Remedy: Aloe Vera, Coarse Salt

Experts suggest that for minor sprains, you can apply anti-inflammatory aloe vera and gently massage to soothe the discomfort. Alternatively, heat some coarse salt, wrap it in a cloth or towel, and apply it as a hot compress to the affected area to relax the muscles.

Tremella Lily Bulb and Lotus Seed Juice

Extended Reading: A Complete Guide to Eating Lotus Seeds

5. Nasal Congestion, Runny Nose

Remedy: Inhale Steam from Hot Tea

Nasal congestion can keep you awake at night and make you drowsy during the day, making it hard to concentrate at work. When congested, brew a cup of hot tea and let the warm steam relieve the blockage. The tannic acid in tea can inhibit blood vessel dilation, and green tea is more effective than black tea for this purpose.

6. Sore Throat, Cough

Remedy: Garlic Water, Saltwater Gargle, Kumquats

For a mild sore throat or cough, you might try garlic water. A recent study indicates that fresh garlic juice has antibacterial properties. Crush six cloves of garlic, add them to warm water, and consume twice a day for three days to see significant improvement. Gargling with warm water (not too hot) and salt also has an anti-inflammatory effect that can soothe coughs and throat discomfort. Kumquats have the effect of relieving coughs and reducing phlegm; they can be eaten directly or used to make tea. Additionally, tomatoes, starfruit, honey water, and almonds also have cough-suppressing and phlegm-reducing properties.

Pumpkin Mantou Rolls

Extended Reading: A Complete Guide to Eating Pumpkins

7. Nausea, Vomiting

Remedy: Ginger

Drinking a hot bowl of ginger tea on a chilly winter day can drive away the cold and keep you warm. Another magical property of ginger is its ability to prevent motion sickness and stop vomiting. Gingerol and shogaol in ginger can slow the frequency of stomach contractions, providing an antiemetic effect, making it a natural motion sickness remedy. Carry a bottle of grated ginger (including the pulp) with you. When you feel dizzy or nauseous, hold some ginger juice and pulp in your mouth to alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness. Applying crushed ginger to your navel is also effective. For pregnant women with morning sickness, women with vomiting or menstrual cramps due to a "cold" constitution, or cancer patients experiencing nausea after chemotherapy, chewing a piece of roasted or blanched ginger can relieve discomfort.

8. Hiccups

Remedy: Sugar, Persimmon Calyx

Hiccups occur when the phrenic nerve, located between the chest and abdomen, is stimulated, causing a spasm. The diaphragm suddenly contracts downward, creating an inhalation action. As air rushes through, the glottis in the throat snaps shut, producing a "hic" sound. If hiccups persist, consuming 1-2 teaspoons of sugar can provide relief.

Traditional Chinese Medicine also believes that sweet foods have a sedative function, inhibiting the diaphragm nerve's response and easing hiccup symptoms. Furthermore, the calyx of a persim promotes gastrointestinal motility and can quickly stop hiccups. To use, boil 5-6 persimmon calyces in 500cc of water and drink the resulting liquid.

Millet, Sweet Potato, and Blood Wheat Porridge

Extended Reading: A Complete Guide to Eating Sweet Potatoes

9. Urticaria (Hives)

If red, itchy bumps appear on your body and gradually spread from one area, it might be a urticaria outbreak. Applying coriander dipped in rice wine to the affected area can temporarily relieve the itching. This is because coriander induces sweating, expels rashes, and drives out wind and toxins. When combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of rice wine, it can quickly reduce signs of inflammation.

10. Diarrhea

Remedy: Apple, Chinese Yam, Perilla Tea

If you are suffering from diarrhea, eating an apple, having some Chinese yam, or drinking a cup of perilla tea can effectively provide relief! The tannic and organic acids in apples have an astringent effect, which can stop diarrhea. This is effective whether eaten as juice or puree. Chinese yam, rich in starch and digestive enzymes, aids digestion, calms intestinal irritation, and functions as a stomach strengthener and diarrhea stopper.

In addition, perilla is primarily used to regulate qi and harmonize the stomach, and can relieve vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Use 3 "qian" (about 9 grams) of dried perilla leaves, boil in 500cc of water, and consume.

Special Reminder: If your symptoms do not improve after trying these remedies, be sure to see a doctor to understand the real cause of the warning signs from your body.

Stir-fried Chinese Yam

Extended Reading: A Complete Guide to Eating Chinese Yam

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