5 Surprising Natural Remedies That Actually Work Wonders!

While some natural ingredients are all hype with no facts, others are absolutely incredible. These are surprising natural remedies that have great benefits, working wonders and fixing you right up.

Keep reading to find out the top five surprising natural remedies that actually work! Best of all, these ingredients are all-natural and have evidence backing up the claims. 

What are Natural Remedies

Just as the name implies natural remedies are, well natural they have no added preservatives, enhancers, coloring, etc. These tend to be very simple ingredients, usually consisting of one or two things. 

Natural remedies get either an extremely bad rep or an overly positive one. People either love them, smiling at the option of having something unprocessed by man or people hate them, as they think natural remedies are extremely ineffective and stupid. I’m here to tell you both can be true. Some natural remedies are absolutely bullshit while others are pretty amazing. 

5 Surprising Natural Remedies

Here are five simple yet effective and always surprising natural remedies that can have a huge impact on your overall wellness easily. Some of them have certain uses while others are an overall great addition to your day.

1. Salt Water Sprays 

That old remedy of gargling salt water can actually have real benefits. This is because salt is, at the end of the day, a preservative. It was used in olden times to cure meat. It is commonly used nowadays in a saline solution to ferment vegetables. Gargling salt water and making saltwater sprays can be super good for a sore throat or used as a nasal spray.

And there’s a whole discussion that could be had t in regards to salt. In reality, if you have healthy working kidneys, you don’t need to watch your sodium all that much, especially if it’s sea salt. Sea salt contains trace minerals of important nutrients that we need at the most microscopic level. We come from the sea, and sea salt is just what we need to keep our system in balance. For example, if you are completely dehydrated and try to drink plain water, your body will not be able to process it well and you might Chuck it up. However, if you add some electrolytes, sea salt, and a bit of sweetness to that water, it will be much more pleasant and easy to drink.

2. Honey

Honey is delicious and it has amazing benefits that you’re going to want to have. It has been found to help coughs in children, performing just as well as over-the-counter cough suppressants. It is important to note that the child has to be over the age of one!!!! Infants cannot metabolize the potential bacteria found in sugar and it can be lethal. I’ll say it one more time, only give honey to children over the age of one. And yourself, if you need a quick cough suppressant.

Let’s get one thing straight though. Sugar is sugar, and while it’s unfair to villainize any one specific ingredient, the overconsumption of sugar is a real problem. However, that does not mean honey is not a slightly better option. Yes, it will still raise blood sugar levels and metabolize in the same way as white bread, coconut sugar, or regular white sugar. When honey is completely natural, though, it has potential gut benefits that can help offset any negative consequence of glucose. Plus, it tastes delicious as tea, on top of oatmeal, and with cottage cheese. This comes down to knowing how to dress up your sugar, meaning that you pair something sweet and delicious with something high in protein, healthy fats, or more complex carbohydrates like wheat bread.

3. Oatmeal 

Speaking of honey, is anyone in the mood for oatmeal? Because yes, oatmeal is one of those surprising natural remedies that is great for the skin! Not only is it a fiber-filled carb that goes great with honey and berries, but it can help treat skin conditions like eczema.

However, it is important to note that it has to be colloidal oatmeal. This is when you grind the oat grain into a very fine powder that can then be used on top of the skin. This is because this will effectively hydrate and moisturize the skin while keeping your fluids in. Vaguely unrelated, but if you’re going to eat oatmeal, make sure that it is steel cut oats, as these are least processed with high fiber. And, if you can, get organic. Organic however does not mean pesticide free. It means that any bug repellent they use is from a natural source.

4. Aloe Vera

Okay, you got me, aloe vera is not that surprising of a natural remedy. It has been used for years and years and years. It is pretty amazing though. Aloe vera comes from a plant that grows in hot, dry climates. However, if you’ve ever cracked open an aloe vera leaf, it is full of this slimy gel-like consistency. This is a plant with many antioxidants and antimicrobial effects. It is great for wound healing, boosting skin hydration, hair growth, and more. 

Specifically, though, it is surprisingly good at dealing with sunburns. If you put aloe vera on this type of burn, it can help increase healing and decrease pain. This isn’t because of the chemical compounds in aloe vera called anthraquinones which will reduce pain and increase wound healing. Also vaguely unrelated because this remedy deals with putting aloe vera on top of your skin, but if you eat it, it’s really good for keeping your blood level stable!

5. Tea Bags 

Yes, we all know the benefits of drinking tea, even if they’re not widely studied, it can’t hurt to get some good quality green tea and drink it every so often. However, this surprising natural remedy deals with tea bags. Don’t throw them out so quickly, tea bags can be used to create a warm compress for your eye in case you have a discomfort such as a stye. This is a gland that is blocked, which will cause a buildup of bacteria and an infection. The tea bag, when it is warm, can help open the gland and drain it. I will say, I prefer chamomile tea for this hack and not black tea or chai.

The Takeaway

Surprising natural remedies for the win! Sometimes, it is best to go natural, as natural remedies can sometimes even perform better than over-the-counter drugs (looking at you, honey hack for a cough). Personally, my first line of defense is looking up how I could do it myself. This may not be the best, or maybe it’s better than rushing to a checkup. In any case, natural remedies do indeed have their place in society, and these may just help you out one day.

Remember that health comes from within. Eat nutrient-dense meals, exercise when you can, at least 3 times a week, and take care of your mental health. Daily habits become the building blocks for emotional, mental, and physical health. Take care of your gut health too! Learn everything you need to know about gut microbiota today for free here.