Ever wondered why chicken soup makes you feel better when you’re poorly? GP Dr Jeff Foster, gives us the science behind why these home remedies bring results…
Oil of clove for toothache
Some people swear by this over-the-counter herbal tincture to ease toothache, and research shows it does have the naturally occurring painkiller eugenol in it. Rub a drop on the gums to bring relief to a painful tooth until you can get yourself to a dentist.
MYTH It won’t get rid of a bacterial infection in your gums or teeth.
Caffeine for migraines
Neurologists tell patients to avoid the three Cs if they are prone to migraines and headaches: caffeine, chocolate and cheese. But some patients believe drinking a strong black coffee or espresso wards off their migraine. This is a misconception. What often happens in people who drink a lot of tea or coffee is that if they don’t have a cup for a long time, they start to get a caffeine-withdrawal headache, which feels like the start of a migraine. Drinking coffee delivers the caffeine the body is used to and the headache clears away quickly. So yes, drinking coffee can sometimes soothe your head, just not in the way you think it does.
TRY If you’re prone to migraines, try slowly cutting down your caffeine intake to reduce the chances of withdrawal headaches or triggering migraines.
Mama’s chicken soup
Have you ever wondered why your mum’s chicken soup is the only thing that makes you feel better when you’re feeling rotten? Scientific studies have shown the salt, protein and fluids replenish exactly what you lose when you’re ill with the cold or flu. The warmth is great on sore throats, too.
DO Cut down on salty food at other times to protect your heart and help keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.
Go for cold
If you’ve had a cold sore in the past, you’ll know that familiar tingle that starts on your lip before the ulcer itself appears. Patients hoping to avoid an outbreak often ask if pressing something cold to their lip will really work. The reality is while you can’t stop or cure the virus activating with a cold compress, it will help with the swelling that occurs with a cold sore. If you suppress the tissue inflammation, the cold sore might not be as bad or as painful.
TRY Never put ice directly on to the skin. Cover ice in a tea towel and use at regular intervals for the first 24-48 hours that a cold sore or its symptoms appear.
High dose vitamin C
There is some scientific evidence that taking high dose vitamin C while you’re fighting off a cold can reduce the number of days it takes to recover. It won’t reduce the severity, but will reduce the duration. Don’t load up on a litre of sugar-laden orange juice — a 1000mg effervescent tablet dissolved in a pint of water daily will be sufficient.
DON’T Take high dose vitamin C every day when you’re well. It doesn’t ward off illness and you don’t need it.
Salt water cures
Saltwater therapy is really helpful in many applications, but particularly for treatment of conjunctivitis. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) advice for common eye infections is to avoid antibiotics for the vast majority of patients, as most are self-limiting. However, symptomatic and antiseptic relief can be achieved by getting a cup of warm water, putting a tablespoon of normal salt and using clean cotton pads to wipe the solution across the lids of the affected eye. Salt is a natural antiseptic and it’s soothing too. It’s practical, cheap and easy to use at home.
DID YOU KNOW You can use a warm salt bath to soothe haemorrhoids, too.
But don’t waste your cash on this: There is no scientific evidence that shows the widely lauded anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. Don’t waste your money on turmeric pills that promise to ease joint pain — there’s no science to back it up… yet.
Edited by Punteha van Terheyden
To learn more, visit drjefffoster.co.uk.