Before You Run to the Drugstore: 10 Old-School Home Remedies Every House Should Have

It really does seem like the instant-everything generation has changed us from top to bottom. We can barely tolerate discomfort anymore, even when it is just a minor ache or a passing cold. We have gotten used to running to the drugstore for every small issue, but the truth is, we might be better off adopting our grandmother’s perspective on these kinds of complaints. When Grandma said something was good for a certain condition, she was usually right. Not because she graduated from a university with honors, but because her wisdom was passed down from generation to generation and proved itself in real life. 

Even before the age of modern medicine, almost every home had a “grandma remedy cabinet.” It did not contain chemical medications, but simple, accessible products that often brought relief for all kinds of issues: sore throats, coughs, dry skin, bites, digestive discomfort, and more. 

Here are 10 things that are worth always keeping in the house for treating different symptoms that do not necessarily require conventional medicine.

1. Honey

Honey is one of the best-known basics in folk medicine. Various studies even support its effectiveness, showing that it can help relieve sore throats and severe coughs, especially at night. 

Important note: Do not give honey to babies under one year old.

2. Ginger

Ginger root is used to make infusions and hot drinks. Grandmothers relied on it during colds or when stomach discomfort showed up. 

3. Chamomile

Chamomile tea is considered especially calming. Grandmothers from Tripoli, Yemen, and Algeria used to drink it before bed, during stressful times, and to soothe the digestive system. 

4. Olive Oil

Beyond its role in the kitchen, olive oil can help soften dry skin and calm crying babies when the reason for the crying is unclear. In our family, there is still a custom of rubbing a baby with olive oil to give them a sense of calm. Some people also use olive oil for gently massaging dry skin on the hands and feet.

5. Coarse Salt

Coarse salt is good for making salt water to gargle in cases of a sore throat. It can also be used for a warm foot soak after a long day.

6. Aloe Vera

Pure aloe vera gel is used to soothe the skin after sun exposure or mild skin irritation. We used to pick aloe plants straight from the generous bush of Mira, our Russian-born neighbor. She knew how to make all kinds of mixtures from it, and she also taught us how to make them ourselves. 

7. Mint

Fresh or dried mint leaves work well for making an infusion. In the home of my grandmother Hassiba, of blessed memory, people used to drink a mint or wormwood infusion about an hour after eating and between meals to calm the digestive system. 

8. Oats

Besides being a healthy food, oats are also used in baths to soothe dry or irritated skin. If you are dealing with irritated skin, you can add ground oats to a bath of lukewarm water. Repeating this daily can help restore and heal the skin.  

9. Lemon

Lemon is a superstar in the home remedy cabinet. Grandmothers knew how to make use of every drop and every piece of peel, far beyond soothing a sore throat. Its natural acidity, combined with a high concentration of vitamin C and antioxidants, makes it an easy go-to for a variety of everyday problems.

Here are a few ways to use lemon as an effective home remedy:

Nausea and travel: The powerful scent of fresh lemon is one of the quickest remedies for nausea, including pregnancy-related nausea or motion sickness. It is enough to cut a lemon in half and inhale deeply, or suck on a small lemon wedge with a pinch of salt.

Supporting digestion: Half a lemon squeezed into a glass of warm water first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, is known to stimulate the bowels, ease bloating, and support the liver’s natural cleansing process.

Neutralizing mosquito bites and itching: The citric acid in lemon helps break down the proteins injected by the mosquito that cause itching and swelling. A light dab of fresh lemon juice on the bite can calm the area quickly (warning: it may sting for a moment, and you should not go out into direct sunlight immediately afterward, to avoid skin spots).

Spot treatment for pimples: Thanks to its antibacterial and astringent properties, a drop of lemon juice on a stubborn pimple before bed can dry it out and disinfect the area.

Stopping a nosebleed: One of the oldest and best-known grandma remedies is stopping a nosebleed with a cotton ball dipped in a little lemon juice. When we were kids, grandmothers did this a lot when we came back from the playground all banged up. They would gently place the cotton ball soaked in cold lemon juice at the opening of the nostril to help constrict the blood vessels and stop the bleeding quickly. It burned, so of course as children we pulled it out fast and did not have the patience to wait for the happy ending, but it is worth knowing that this is also an effective method. 

10. Garlic

Garlic may be the most powerful “energy bomb” in folk medicine, and it is no coincidence that for centuries it has been called “nature’s antibiotic.” Its healing power comes mainly from an active sulfur compound called allicin, which is created the moment a fresh garlic clove is crushed, chopped, or chewed.

Here are 3 main ways garlic is used as an effective home remedy for a range of health issues:

1. Strengthening the immune system and fighting colds and flu: Fresh garlic is grandmothers’ first line of defense the moment someone in the house starts sneezing or feeling weak. Allicin acts as a strong antiviral and antibacterial substance that helps the body fight off invaders.

How do you use it? Crush one fresh garlic clove, wait about 10 minutes so the allicin can form and reach peak potency, and mix it with a teaspoon of honey or olive oil to soften the sharpness. Swallow immediately.

2. Treating fungal skin and nail infections: Thanks to its antifungal properties, garlic is an excellent solution for athlete’s foot or fungal nail infections, which tend to be especially stubborn.

How do you use it?

* For skin fungus: Crush a few garlic cloves, mix with a little carrier oil such as olive oil or almond oil, and apply to the infected area with a cotton ball. Leave it on for 15–20 minutes, then rinse well.

* For a foot soak: You can add 3–4 crushed garlic cloves to a basin of lukewarm water and coarse salt, and soak your feet for half an hour. 

Important to know: Crushed garlic is a very strong and “burning” substance. You should never place crushed garlic directly on the skin for an extended period (or inside a closed bandage), because it may cause chemical burns to the skin. In addition, people who take blood-thinning medication are advised to consult a doctor before consuming large amounts of garlic, since it is a natural blood thinner.

When Are Home Remedies Not Enough?

Home remedies are mainly intended to ease mild symptoms. If there is a high fever that continues, difficulty breathing, severe pain, dehydration, an unusual rash, or any other worrying symptom, it is important to see a doctor and not rely only on home treatment. Pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, or those who take medication regularly should also consult a professional before using medicinal herbs or natural supplements.