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15 Natural Remedies From Around the World

Natural remedies are the healthiest way to treat your ailments, but where do they come from? Here are 15 common natural remedies from around the world that you may or may not have heard of. This is necessary information for any health buff!

1. Coconuts Fight Fat - Sri Lanka

You may have heard that coconut oil is a great way to slim your waist. Well the people of Sri Lanka figured this one out way before the rest of the world. It is reported that the average Sri Lankan eats about 116 coconuts per year, and they are half as likely as the average American to pack on the pounds. The reason is that coconut oil is packed with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that stimulate the liver to burn fat 50 percent faster than normal. Try having about two tablespoons of coconut oil daily (in your cooking) and you could shed up to three pounds a month!

2. Yoga Treats Insomnia - Austria

Although yoga is practiced all over the world, in Austria it is used solely as a stress-buster and quick treatment for insomnia. Austrians like to go all out and go on yoga retreats and holidays for up to a week, but according to research from the University of Pennsylvania, practicing yoga for just 20 minutes a day could get rid of your insomnia. The research also found that practicing yoga is just as effective, if not more, than taking a sleeping pill and it also will rid you of anxiety, stress and depression.

3. Ginger Controls Triglycerides - Indonesia

Indonesia is the world's largest grower and consumer of ginger and ginger products, with locals using it in their cooking, teas, candies and breads. Their tradition has long pointed to ginger as an effective treatment for the heart, and there are studies to back them up. Triglycerides are fats that clog your arteries, and according to Stanford researchers, a daily dose of ginger could cut the production of these fats by 27 percent. Ginger is also twice as effective as aspirin at preventing blood clots and preventing inflammation.

4. Turmeric Steadies Blood Sugar - India

Turmeric is a flavorful yellow spice used in rice and meat dishes and even deserts, but it also has outstanding medicinal properties. Indians use turmeric to treat high blood sugar levels, a practice that has been scientifically confirmed by research at Gujarat University. They confirmed that the active ingredient in turmeric, called curcumin, switches on the genes that keep blood glucose levels stable. The compound can also help the pancreas make insulin when it is low. In order to see the benefits of turmeric, start taking about half a teaspoon daily either directly or in your cooking.

5. Mushrooms Fight Cholesterol - Japan

Mushrooms are a popular food and medicine in Japan, with the average Japanese woman consuming about 8 pounds of mushrooms a year. According to research from Penn State University, adding about a half a cup of mushrooms to your daily diet could cut cholesterol levels by nearly 30 percent. This is because mushrooms are packed with antioxidants that prevent the liver's production of artery-clogging fats.

6. Mustard Baths Calm Muscle Pain - England

Ever heard of a mustard bath? While it may sound like a hoax, mustard baths are used heavily in England to quell tight and achy muscles. Mustard has healing plant compounds that draw out toxins through the pores to improve circulation, relax tight muscles and speed the healing of damaged tissue. For your own mustard bath, mix 2 cups of Epsom salts, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup dry mustard in a jar. Pour only 1/4 of this mixture into a warm bath, mix the water before getting in, soak for 20 minutes and rinse.

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7. Chamomile Tea Beats Off Bloating - Germany

What began as a simple German folk remedy has now been proven as a scientifically effective method for fighting off bloating. In research conducted at Stanford University it was found that sipping two cups of chamomile tea daily could help ease bloating and belly pain within just 24 hours. This is because chamomile calms the adrenals and the production of a stress hormone called cortisol that can interfere with digestion and produces painful gas and belly spasms. Not only does chamomile tea soothe the stomach, it also causes the brain to produce more enkephalins, or painkilling hormones that will help fight off depression and negative thoughts.

8. Garlic Fights Off Viruses - Russia

While garlic is used the world over to add flavor to food, in Russia they use this herb to get rid of colds, the flu or any other viral infection. It has recently been proven that this pungent natural medicine is seriously effective. At the University of Florida in Gainesville, it was shown that adding one clove of garlic to your daily diet could cut your risk of viral infections by almost 43 percent! This is because garlic is full of allicin, an immunity boosting sulfur compound that fights off the growth and spread of germs.

9. Acupuncture to Treat Headaches - China

Acupuncture has been used for centuries in Eastern and Chinese medicine, but now more than 80 million Chinese use this therapy to treat chronic headaches. At Taiwan's Kaohsiung  Medical University it was found that daily acupuncture treatments work much better than prescription muscle relaxants. This is because acupuncture prompts the release of powerful painkilling hormones called endorphins and relaxes the scalp muscles to soothe the overactive pain nerves.

10. Coffee Gets Rid of Depression - Finland

This cold Scandinavian country is actually the world's largest consumer of coffee, drinking on average about 1,640 cups per year. Indeed, coffee was originally sold in pharmacies in Finland in the 18th century has a treatment for depression. Now research from Harvard backs up coffee's use as an anti-depressant, finding that drinking 2 cups a day of caffeinated coffee could reduce your risk of depression by 34 percent, and if you drink 3 cups, by 42 percent. The mix of caffeine and antioxidants in coffee stimulates the brain to produce more powerful antidepressant hormones like serotonin and dopamine.

11. Coriander Rids of Food Poisoning - Egypt

One of the world's oldest spices and a popular Egyptian remedy for stomach pain, new research proves the powerful effects of this ancient spice. The research suggests that coriander seeds can speed up recovery from full-blown intestinal infections by destroying dangerous bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. This is because coriander punches holes in the bacteria's' protective outer membranes, effectively destroying them for good. Next time you are having tummy troubles, try adding 1 teaspoon of ground coriander to one cup of boiling water. Drink up to three cups of this mixture daily until the bug is gone.

12. Honey Treats Sinus Infections - New Zealand

Unpasteurized honey is one of the top treatments used in New Zealand to treat sinus and throat infections. According to research at the University of Illinois and the University of Amsterdam, the natural antibiotics and enzymes in unpasteurized honey can destroy nearly 100 percent of bacteria and viruses on contact! This includes the bugs that cause painful sinus and throat infections. For an effective remedy, mix two tablespoons of unpasteurized honey into your coffee or tea to prevent painful infections. Use darker honeys like buckwheat or wildflower for the best results.

13. Aloe Vera to Treat Rashy Skin - Mexico

Where the sun is hot and always shining, aloe vera is used to treat rashes and other skin problems. Researchers at the University of Texas found that aloe vera reduce redness, speeds healing, increases the skin's moisture levels and strengthens resistance to irritants. They also discovered that aloe vera not only treats the current outbreak, but prevents further outbreaks in the same area. Other research from Malmo University Hospital in Sweden found that aloe vera cream can treat psoriasis in 83 percent of cases.

14. Kefir Treats Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Russia

Irritable bowel syndrome is an uncomfortable and serious condition in which the bowels do not perform as they should. However in Russia they use a tart and tangy yogurt called kefir to treat the condition with healthy probiotic bacteria and yeast. Kefir is an effective treatment for IBS because it contains five time more healthy, intestine-soothing probiotics than most regular yogurts. In research conducted by the University of Madrid it was found that having just a half-cup serving of kefir daily could trigger a ten-fold increase of healing probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract.

15. Arnica to Prevent Bruises - Greece

An herb that grows in the mountainous regions of Greece, arnica has been a go-to remedy since ancient times for nasty bruising and closed wounds. It has become the most popular homeopathic remedy worldwide due to its power of healing and treating the most serious of bruises. This is because arnica is a plant rich in compounds that reduce swelling by as much as 30 percent, improves circulation in damaged tissues, boosts the flow of nutrients and flushes out the blood from the wound. You and find arnica gel at your local health store or in some pharmacies. This is definitely a tube to have in your medicine cabinet!

The Health Benefits of Curcumin

Some of us are only finding out now what the Asian Indians, the American Indians and the Chinese knew a long time ago - that one of the most amazing medicinal herbs is no rare plant or an artificially created compound. One of the most effective natural ingredients is actually a common herb - the turmeric.  Or, more exactly, its active ingredient - Curcumin. The percentage of Curcumin is very low in the Turmeric plant, and so it needs to be either digested for a very long time, or one can take curcumin pills, that hold a high percentage of Curcumin, to treat a variety of problems. The turmeric is a shrub with large and wide leaves, that envelope it and hide the flowers in its center. It mainly grows in south-east Asia, where it has been used as a cooking and medicinal herb for thousands of years. It is the herb that gives the traditional Indian dish, the Curry, its typical yellow color and strong taste. The Curcumin hides behind its familiar exterior many upon many medicinal properties - it strengthens the immune system, delays (and may even prevent) alzheimer's disease, prevents neuron death, strengthens the cells, is an antioxidant, is an anti-inflammatory, helps keep sugar levels, helps the digestive system, reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease and most importantly - Is a great ally in the war against cancer, delays its spread and stabilizes patient condition. Only recently, after a sequence of successful experiments, has modern science discovered the potential of the Curcumin. It started in 2005 with a research into Alzheimer's disease, where it was found that taking Curcumin prevented the outbreak of Multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis in mice. This interested the scientific community, and other research was made, with astonishing results: For many patients, the curcumin delayed the onset of cancer cells and even stabilized the condition of patients with aggressive cancer cells. In the last 7 years, over 20 different experiments were made about the influence of Curcumin, and the scientific world was flabbergasted: Delays and stabilizes the spread of cancer Curcumin slows the spread of cancer cells in that it goes against their replication process and strengthens the protection of cell membranes. Is a substance with strong antioxidant effects  Curcumin, because of the shape of its molecule, is very effective in preventing the oxidation processes and activity of free radicals in the body (Anti-Oxidant), and thus slows the damage to our body cells and contributes to slowing the aging of skin cells. Increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy  Curcumin is especially effective in combination with chemotherapy, and although an antioxidant, encourages the process and increases its efficiency. Delays and reduces the chance of deterioration of the brain in adults Curcumin helps the brain activity of older people, and may slow the cognitive decline by 49%. Even the occasional consumption of curry, the popular Indian dish that contains curcumin, reduces the risk of mental decline by up to 38% (American Journal of Epidemiology). Is anti-inflammatory and fights arthritis Curcumin, when given as an essence by injection, fights inflammatory diseases and in fact is an anti-inflammatory in general, and is particularly effective in aiding the body to fight arthritis. Studies have shown that cartilage destruction in mice that were given the extract was reduced by 66%, and bone destruction in patients who received the extract by 57%. Helps maintain a healthy heart and helps a sick heart return to action Researchers in Canada found out that curcumin also reduces the risk of heart failure, as it helps the heart to return to normal and reduces the spread of scar tissue. Anti-diabetic activity and reduces the risk of disease In 2008 it was discovered that Curcumin also encourages the activity of liver enzymes that convert glucose carbohydrates, and creates anti-inflammatory activity that is required by people with a high fat content. The researchers suggest that consumption of small doses of curcumin daily is a great natural booster to traditional treatment, and significantly lowers the risk of diabetes in people who are overweight. Fights cell death and the death of brain cells killed by Alzheimer's disease Curcumin may protect against Alzheimer's disease, and inhibits and prevents cell death caused by the disease. In India, where curry with curcumin eat regularly, Alzheimer's disease is much rarer than in other countries. Increases and strengthens the immune system In 2009 researchers at the University of Michigan found that curcumin strengthens our cell membranes and thus increases the resistance against foreign infections entering the body. Perhaps this is one reason why curcumin fights cancer so well. Reduces the risk of stroke, strengthens the body's blood vessels and lowers blood pressure Researchers realized that curcumin slows the body's blood clotting activity, which causes a decreased risk of blood clots and strokes. Also, since curcumin enhances the blood cells, contributes to the strength of a body's blood vessels, lowers blood cholesterol concentration and fight infections, it actually lowers blood pressure. Helps in digestion and absorption of nutrients Curcumin fights harmful bacteria and thus facilitates digestion and reduces the risk of bacterial infection. Curcumin also reduces the accumulation of gas in the intestines, thereby preventing abdominal pain and swelling. How to take it? The best way is through the consumption of curcumin capsules containing a high concentration of the active ingredient in turmeric, the curcumin. You can find those in most nature shops. When eaten, most of the curcumin gets destroyed by the stomach acid. Taking concentrated pills negates that effect and allows the body to absorb a significant amount of Curcumin, by allowing the compound to go through the digestive tract and reach the bloodstream and from there to all parts of the body, where the curcumin does its work to improve our health.

How To Separate the Egg Yolk Perfectly!

This short video shows you how to use a regular water plastic bottle to PERFECTLY separate the egg yolk from the rest of the egg. You don't need subtitles to understand this incredibly easy technique! All that is left to do is smack ourselves on the forehead and say: "Why didn't I think of that? https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Uz2Vnp5ZW4c 28 Creative Uses for Orange Peels The winter season is all about citrus fruit and oranges in particular. That means a lot of hands will be stinky from orange rinds, and a lot of rinds will be thrown in a trash. Here are some unique uses for orange rinds that you may not have thought of! Photo: Maggie Smith/ freedigitalphotos.net 1. Orange Zest This is probably the most self-explanatory of all the uses for orange peels. Zesting an orange peel with a shredder is a great way to add a sweet and tangy taste to your meat marinades or favorite baked goods. Orange zest can even taste great in your morning cup of coffee or afternoon cup of tea! 2. Preserve Brown Sugar Add your orange peels to brown sugar to help draw the moisture away from the sugar and keep it from solidifying. 3. Start a Fire This fire-colored fruit can also be used to start a fire! Use a dried orange peel as kindling the next time you are on a camping trip, or make your hearth fires fragrant and bright. 4. Make Orange Peels Dipped in Chocolate A wonderful delicacy, candied orange peels are a popular after-meal snack in a number of European cultures, and they are quite easy to make! Just melt some chocolate and cover one or all sides of a sugared orange peel. 5. Make Orange Peel Candy Candied orange peels are made by boiling a dried orange peel in sugar for about an hour. You can then cover them in chocolate as mentioned above, or roll them around in sugar for an even sweeter taste! 6. Orange-Peel Infused Olive Oil If you want to give your salads a kick, place one dried orange peel in your olive oil and your greens will be much more exciting. Photo: Praisaeng/ freedigitalphotos.net 7. Make Orange Tea No need for tea bags here! Dry out a few orange peels and place them in hot water next time you are craving a warm orangey beverage. Orange tea is also great for when you are feeling congested - the citrus will open up your sinuses. 8. Create a Natural Sponge Orange peels can be used as a sponge too! Before the peel completely dries out, it contains a number of essential oils that are helpful in degreasing surfaces as well as pots and pans. If your sink or counter is full of grease, use an orange peel to scrub it down. 9. Deodorizer It's no secret that the smell of a freshly peeled orange can clear out a room. Instead of shocking people with the strong smell of orange, place the peels at the bottom of your garbage bin, or hang the peels from a string in your bathroom for fresh scents all the time. 10. Garbage Disposal Cleaner A great way to clean out your garbage disposal is by putting orange peels down the disposal. Place them in the disposal and run it until clear, then run some water down after it. The citrus will get rid of any yucky scents coming from the disposal. 11. Air Freshener Boil orange peels in hot water to help fresh the air in the kitchen. You can also add a cinnamon stick or mint into the mix if you want to recreate the smell of air fresheners. If you have a fire going at home, place a paper bag filled with dried orange peels into the fire and your house will smell wonderful. Photo: Ambro/ freedigitalphotos.net 12. Refrigerator Deodorizer Orange is also an excellent deodorizer for your refrigerator. Cut an orange in half and remove the fruit from inside (eat it!). Then, fill up the half orange with salt and put it in a small bowl in your refrigerator for up two a week or two. 13. Citrus Cleaner You can make your own citrus cleaner by infusing vinegar with orange peels with a bit of boiling water. 14. Orange Peel Candle Make a candle at home with orange peels infused inside. 15. Topiary Tree Make your own topiary tree with orange peels for a great smelling piece of home decor. 16. Body Scrub Wrap up the orange peels in gauze pads and rub them on your skin while you are in the shower. The scrub will brighten your skin and give it a great smell. 17. Bath Oil Extract the oil from the orange peels by grinding up the peels and fermenting them with vodka or alcohol for about 3 days. Strain the oil and add a few drops to your bath. Orange oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as for improving the skin tone and texture. 18. Bath Powder Dry out the orange peels completely and then grind them down to paste in the food processor. Do this until the rinds become a fine powder and then sprinkle only a bit in your bath. Photo: Ambro/ freedigitalphotos.net 19. Lowers Blood Pressure Orange rinds can be used to lower blood pressure. They have been a part of Chinese herbal medicines for thousands of years for this purpose. 20. Suppresses Depression and Anxiety Orange oil can be used to naturally relieve anxiety and depression by taking a bath or rubbing just a bit on the temple and forehead area. 21. Make a Bird Feeder To make a natural bird feeder that the birds will just love, cut an orange in half and remove the fruit. Take the orange-half and poke 3 evenly spaced holes near the cut section of peel. There, attach a sturdy piece of string and hang it from a tree. Fill the empty orange peel with bird seed and wait for your flying visitors to pile in! 22. Mosquito Repellant If you are looking for a natural way to repel mosquitos, take fresh orange peels and rub them all over your skin. The citrusy smell will repel the mosquitos. Photo: twobee/ freedigitalphotos.net 23. Slug Repellant If you have a slug problem in your garden, try spreading some orange peels on top of the soil to shoo them away. More in DIY: DIY Christmas Table Decorations >> Make a Bulletin Board >> A Stool Out of Old Magazines >> 24. Ant Repellant Place orange peels in problem areas of your house where you usually experience an ant problem. Orange oil can also be used instead of peels if you are worried about them rotting. 25. Keep Stray Cats Away If you want to keep stray cats away from your home, place orange peels outside because they don't like the smell. If you have a cat at home that tends to get into things it shouldn't, you can rub the peels or place them (or rub orange oil) near the dear things in your home (like your sofa). Photo: Carlos Porto/ freedigitalphotos.net 26. Make Silly Teeth Orange peels can be used to make funny teeth with kids that they put in their mouth. Just cut off a slice of an orange, eat the fruit, and then carve out fun designs from the peel. Have the children walk around with the peel covering their teeth and they are sure to have a great time. 27. Orange Peel Boats Cut an orange in half, remove the fruit and use the halves as little boats in the bathtub or out on the lake! 28. Orange Peel Jewelry Make fragrant and fun jewelry with the little princesses you know entirely out of orange peels! Don't throw away those orange peels!