These 20 Natural Methods Can Help With Treating Infections

Nov 04, 2018 by apost team

Infections are known for creating awful experiences. We’ve all gone through it – they’re never quite bad enough to go to the doctor, but their subtle (or not-so-subtle) annoyances certainly create a miserable time for us.

When you’re feeling bogged down by one of the many different types of infections out there, or are in pain due to one of the wide variety of symptoms that they come with, you may feel anywhere from uncomfortable to sobbing in pain, but maybe feel that antibiotics may not be necessary just yet.

Luckily, there are many at-home remedies to these infections. Here are twenty of the best-proven remedies to infections, and we’ve even broken them down by the type of infection they combat!

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One of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms or types of infection, a sore throat can truly make you miserable. We are often desperate to make it go away as quickly as possible, trying anything, even though they often just need to go away on their own. There are a few tips to soothe it in the meantime.

Steam

A steamy shower or a close proximity to a pot of boiling water can help soothe a sore throat. The simple act of inhaling the moist air really does the trick! For a little extra, lean over the pot of hot water with a towel over your head, trapping the steam. You can even add some peppermint essential oil into the water, for extra soothing.

Avoid Smoking

Whether or not you smoke, it should be avoided at all costs when you have a sore throat. Either quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke in order to avoid an irritation and dry cough that comes with a sore throat.

Ginger Elixir

Pouring boiling water over a ginger root, allowing it to cool, and then adding honey and lemon juice is a time-tested method to create a very soothing elixir. Make sure that the lemon and honey are added when it has slightly cooled, and then drink this elixir warm a few times per day. Even if you don’t have each ingredient, a combination of just two of them will still help on their own.

Tomato Juice Drink

Mix tomato juice with hot water, at a 1:1 ratio. Next, add some hot sauce, and gargle. The tomatoes contain lycopene, and the hot peppers in the hot sauce contain capsaicin; each of these work to relieve a sore throat.

Sinus infections are caused by sinus inflammation, which leads to symptoms such as stuffiness, fevers, headaches, and even facial pain. When the sinuses stop being so inflamed, most of these symptoms will resolve themselves. Here are a few tricks to speed the process along.

Warm Compress

One easy way to make a long-lasting warm compress is by using a wet washcloth and a zip bag. Fully soak the washcloth, fold it up, and put it into the zip bag – don’t zip it yet! Microwave it until the overall package is a nice warm, calming temperature, but not too hot. At this point, zip the bag, and this will trap the heat. Apply it to your face for 10-15 minutes, helping the sinuses to flow and congestion to be reduced.

Saltwater Rinse

Dissolve half of a teaspoon of salt into boiled water. Allow it to cool to a warm temperature, and use this to rinse out your nasal passages, killing the bacteria.​​​​​​​

Spicy Food

Hot and spicy food can actually help to open up the passages in your sinus cavity, making them a very useful tool in fighting sinus infections.​​​​​​​

Facial Pressure Points

Pressing certain pressure points, such as between your eyebrows or the points on both nostrils, can help to reduce the congestion and relieve pain by allowing your nasal passages and sinus cavity to be stimulated and cleared.​​​​​​​

Skin infections come in different varieties, and are categorized as parasitic, viral, bacterial, or fungal. While it is necessary to seek medical treatment to cure them, these home remedies will do wonders to reduce their symptoms.

Cold Compress

This can be created similar to the warm compress method described above, simply using very cold water, with some ice, in a zip bag to retain the cold. It can be made more effective by removing the zip bag, soaking the washcloth in water mixed with apple cider vinegar, and applying it directly to the face. It may not stay cold quite as long, but the benefits of the apple cider vinegar outweigh the issue. The antibacterial properties of the vinegar are known to help kill infections.

Diet Changes

There are many types of food you can add to your diet that will help you fight off skin infections, and are overall just very good for you. Foods with anti-inflammatory effects and antibacterial agents are excellent for you. Even spices such as garlic, honey, ginger, and turmeric can be added to meals to obtain these properties. Another great example is yogurt, which contains probiotics that stave off harmful bacteria. If you’re comfortable applying any of these to your skin, they can have an even improved effect.

Coconut Oil

Another miracle cure for many ailments, coconut oil can be used as a wonderful moisturizer that also contains antifungal properties.

Tea Tree Oil

You can mix this with a carrier oil such as coconut, or even olive oil or aloe, to see its effective qualities. It works as an antiseptic, killing infections and preventing them from spreading.

Viruses, fungi, or bacteria can enter the eye or the area around it, causing an eye infection. Symptoms will present themselves as redness, discharge, itching, and a swelling around the eyes. To fight or prevent eye infections, try these methods.

Eye Exercise

It may seem strange, but eyes need exercise, too. Rotating them in a clockwise direction, followed by counter-clockwise, is one way to increase the eye’s blood flow, keeping the eye healthy and infection-free. You can also move them in any direction for 10-15 minutes to get the job done.

Tea Bags

Make yourself a nice, hot cup of soothing tea; after, put the used bags on your eyes while they are still warm. Let them rest there for ten to fifteen minutes in order to reduce irritation.

Baby Shampoo

Believe it or not, giving your eyes a rinse with tear-free baby shampoo will remove dirt and secretion from your eye area without irritation. And yes, it is completely safe and even recommended by the NHS.

Salt

Create an eyewash by dissolving salt in hot water, and then letting it cool to lukewarm. This eye rinse is going to remove bacteria in the eye, help the pH levels balance out, and relieve any discomfort.

Foodborne infections can be disruptive, to say the least, and we’ve all experienced the symptoms of abdominal pain and discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea. Here are a few natural remedies that can soothe your foodborne infection symptoms.

Stay Hydrated

Just like with almost every type of ailment out there, drinking a significant amount of water will only serve to help your condition. The same is true for foodborne illnesses, where the body loses a lot of water. Staying hydrated will not only replace the water but will assist in essentially washing away the infection.

Activated Charcoal

Try ingesting activated charcoal through tablets, as it is a very effective remedy in absorbing both bacteria and toxins and then removing them from your body.

Bananas

The potassium in bananas is incredibly effective in the relief of diarrhea.

Herbal Tea

Any types of herbal tea are effective for foodborne infection symptoms such as nausea. Chamomile and peppermint tea are both excellent examples of herbal teas that can neutralize infections and remove stomach discomfort.

Have you tried any of these before? What worked for you and what didn’t? Let us know in the comments below! Remember that sharing is caring, so go on and pass this list to your friends on social media. They will definitely thank you for it!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!