Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
Concerned about taking prescription medications? The high cost and possible side effects of many prescription drugs are cause for concern. Natural remedies for a host of common ailments, such as high cholesterol, migraines, heartburn, insomnia and urinary tract infections are as close as the health food store and cost far less than prescription drugs.
***Disclosure -The links in this post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.***
Natural Remedy for High Cholesterol
Red yeast rice is a natural statin that lowers cholesterol the same way prescription statin drugs do, without the possible side effects and high cost. People taking red yeast rice capsules (1,200 to 1,800 mgs per day) often see results in lowered LDL levels within a few short months. Don’t stop taking prescribed statins until cholesterol is lowered and consult your physician before beginning a regimen of red yeast rice.
If you’ve just discovered you have high cholesterol then you’ve also probably been given a prescription for lipitor, lipostat or zocor for example. Unfortunately, the prescription medicines that successfully lower your cholesterol, also come with some unwanted side-effects. Side-effects can range from insomnia, gastric upsets to a general unwell feeling.
The Normal Levels of Cholesterol
- Total Cholesterol – less than 5.5mmol/l
- LDL – less than 3.5mmol/l
- HDL – greater than 1.0mmol/l
- LDL :HDL – less than 2.0mmol/l
The aim of any cholesterol lowering medicine is to lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) and to increase the good cholesterol (HDL). To date, there are only eight natural medicines or substances that have been proven to lower high cholesterol. Here are 5 examples:
Proven Natural Remedies For High Cholesterol
Policosanol
Policosanol comes from the waxy layer of the sugar cane. It works by blocking the synthesis of cholesterol.
Policosanol can lower your LDL by 31% and increase your HDL by 7%. This natural medicine is a powerful and well tolerated alternative to prescription medicine. Many people are choosing to use this product compared to prescription statins as there is no general unwell feeling. Some users have reported having minor gastric upset.
Artichoke
Artichoke has been shown to decrease the bad cholesterol (LDL) by 23%.
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Niacin has the ability to lower bad cholesterol by up to 25% and increase the good cholesterol by an astonishing 35%. These figures sound great but it comes at a price. For niacin to have this effect it must be taken at a high dosage and can cause some unpleasant side-effects.
Side-effects may include flushing, headache and stomach upsets. Niacin can also cause toxicity, check with your doctor if considering using this approach. Alternatively you could use another product like policosanol and supplement with a lower dose of B3.
Plant sterols
Sterols that are added to spreads such as margarine have been shown to decrease LDL by up to 17%. They must be used twice daily. Many food companies are incorporating sterols into foods generally consumed by people with high cholesterol such as butter. However it is a misnomer that most people with high cholesterol consume a high fat diet.
Cholesterol can also be familial, inherited from our parents. There are many people with highly nutritious diets that suffer from high cholesterol.
There have been many natural medicines that have been tested for high cholesterol and many of them have been dis-proven. Make sure that what you are taking has had some research and has shown some proof that it is beneficial.
Natural Remedies for Pain
Eucalyptus Oil has some amazing health benefits when applied to the skin. These health benefits include antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and more. The anti-inflammatory properties of this oil makes it a great Natural Remedy for conditions such as; Joint pain, fibromyalgia pain, neuropathic pain and Plantar Fasciitis. The oil is made from the Eucalyptus Tree and can only be found in certain parts of the world including South Africa, Europe and primarily in Australia.
Natural Remedy for Chronic Migraines
An Asian flower can naturally prevent the onset of well over half the migraine headaches suffered by those who experience chronic migraine headaches. The extract from an Asian flower called the butterbur, works to remove migraine causing toxins from the body and dramatically slashes the frequency of painful migraine headaches. Seventy-five milligrams of butterbur taken twice daily costs less, is more effective and doesn’t produce the queasy side effects of prescription oral and injectable migraine pain relievers.
Read also: 10 Surprising Benefits Of Lavender Oil You Need To Know
Natural Remedy for Heartburn
A homemade, natural herbal tea and apple juice concoction can stop the pain of heartburn or acid reflux (GERD) almost instantly and prevent the onset of a hiatal hernia that usually follows years of chronic heartburn. The herbs in the tea absorb excess stomach acid, soothe inflammation and reduce infection in the digestive system. The apple juice contains minerals that neutralize stomach acid.
Mix one teaspoon each of chamomile flowers, lemon balm and licorice root with one-half teaspoon of powdered slippery elm bark.
Add one-fourth teaspoon each of powdered fennel seeds and dried catnip. Steep this herbal mixture in one and a half cups of boiling water for 15 minutes, then strain out the herbs and mix the herbal tea with one and a half cups of apple juice. Sip a little of this herbal tea-apple juice concoction after every meal and stop heartburn before it starts.
Amino Acid Eliminates Insomnia Naturally
L-thiamine is an amino acid that is a natural relaxant that comes from tea leaves. L-thiamine increases the levels of calming neurotransmitters in the brain which promote sleep. A capsule containing between 75 and 200 mgs of L-thiamine taken daily can eliminate insomnia and have you sleeping better within a week, without the morning-after groggy feeling and high cost of prescription sleep aids.
Natural Remedy for Urinary Tract Infections
Chronic, painful urinary tract infections are bad enough by themselves; however, chronic UTIs may actually be interstitial cystitis (IC). In either health problem, the pain and serious medication side effects can be avoided with all-natural aloe vera. Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and pain-relieving properties. Plus, aloe vera helps repair the damage chronic UTIs or IC cause to the lining of the bladder. Freeze dried aloe vera is available in capsule form.
Thank you for this article. Was diagnosed with high cholesterol so will definitely use all of the tips mentioned.
I am going to get the ingredients for the heartburn remedy now. Gaviscon and Citrus Soda makes me nauseous. I am suffering terribly from heart burn with this pregnancy. Even rooibos tea is giving me heartburn.
Have you tried chewing gum for pregnancy heartburn? I found out about it after my daughter was born and tried it with my second pregnancy and it helped a lot.
I have been chewing gum and it does help. I battle the worst at night. Then nothing makes any difference. Sleeping is becoming a luxury as it get worse when I lie down.