4 Cheap & Natural Cures That Work

I found this article in Glamour April 2010 mag and decided to share.

1) Lemon Juice on a Bug Bite

Acidic liquids 1 like lemon juice or 1 vinegar can act as powerful anti-sting treatments, says Evangeline Lausier,
M.D., director of clinical services at Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
Why It Works: Venom in stingers tends to be alkaline, so applying something acidic can counteract the poison,
preventing it from spreading. (Dab a drop or two on the spot as quickly as you can after you're bitten or stung.)

2) A Pinch on Your to Lower Anxiety

This acupressure move is often prescribed to reduce stress: Squeeze the fleshy portion of skin between your thumb and pointer finger (it should feel uncomfortable but not painful), and hold for three minutes.
Why It Works: Experts believe the pressure can raise levels of endorphins, your body's natural feel-good chemicals, says David Kiefer, M.D., assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine in Tuscon. Western medicine doesn't fully understand acupressure's effectiveness, but we've had success using it for everything from stress and nausea to insomnia,"he says.


3) Honeyed Rum for a Cold
Before NyQuil, there was this cure for stuffiness and a sore throat: a toddy made with a few ounces of hot water, one tablespoon of rum, the juice of one lemon and three teaspoons of honey.
Why It Works: A small amount of alcohol can relieve pain and relax you. "Nighttime cold medicine devotees probably benefit as much from the drug's alcohol content as anything else, because it helps put you to sleep," says Dr. Kiefer. But that's not all this drink has going for it. Honey is antiviral and coats the throat, having a soothing effect, says Dr. Kiefer.

4) Aloe Vera for Tummy Troubles

Hawaiians revere aloe as a cure-all wonder plant:  Not only do they rub it on cuts and sunburns, they ingest the gel to calm upset stomach and and nix constipation.
Why It Works: According to some research, aloe gel may soothe ulcers and improve regularity, says Jamey Wallace, N.D., medical director at Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle.  Be sure to buy the kind of gel that's meant for internal use; aloe gels for sunburn relief often contain ingredients like alcohol!  (You can find bottled aloe gel in health food stores like Whole Foods.)