Home remedies for infectious diseases

• ALSO KNOWN AS: Herbal remedies, home treatments, natural cures, natural remedies

Definition

Home remedies are forms of treatment or cures for illnesses and diseases. These remedies are made from common, usually inexpensive ingredients found in the home or garden.

History

Western medicine depends primarily on prescribed or over-the-counter medications to treat or cure disease. Historically, however, women (especially) in the home employed various herbs or foods to treat illness. By trial and error, some remedies worked effectively, while others did not. Those that successfully cured illnesses were passed through generations as accepted treatments for common ailments.

Some home remedies, such as chicken soup for an upper respiratory illness or the common cold, have become traditions, and studies have demonstrated a scientific basis to explain their success. For example, researchers published findings in the October 2000 issue of Chest, the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. They detailed how eating chicken soup stopped neutrophil migration, providing a mild anti-inflammatory response that suppressed cold symptoms. Other home remedies also have scientific rationale and include willow bark powder for headache. Willow bark contains salicin, a substance later compounded into acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin, which inhibits the production of prostaglandins, providing analgesic relief of pain and fever.

General Types

One type of home remedy comes from the use of herbs grown in kitchen gardens or in containers in small living spaces. These herbs can be harvested as medicinals, flavorings, insect repellants, or room deodorants. Herbs that might be grown for medicinal use include lavender, yarrow, sage, bee balm, and flowering thyme.

Herbs can be processed in different ways to make them useful home remedies. They may be used to make infusions, decoctions, or tinctures for illnesses. Various teas, for example, can be steeped for ten to twenty minutes to become an infusion for the relief of indigestion or nausea, to use as an antiseptic foot soak, or to perfume a bath or pillow to manage insomnia. Drinking tea has historically been a preventive measure and a restorative option for health. The intense level of polyphenols or catechins in green tea acts as an antioxidant to promote health and support the immune system against disease. Other forms of home remedies include poultices, ointments, salves, elixirs, tonics, and aromatics. Food in whole form, dried, or juiced can offer treatment to specific ailments.

Home Remedies and Infections

Some home remedies seem to make common sense. For example, garlic has been used for more than three thousand years as a home remedy for various ailments. Allicin, one of about one hundred chemicals found in garlic, provides natural antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal benefits. Garlic powder can be used in a foot soak to kill the fungus of athlete’s foot, can be used to treat oral thrush, and can be included in many recipes to add flavor yet also to destroy harmful bacteria in the stomach.

Saltwater, a safe and inexpensive home remedy, can be used as an effective antibiotic because many types of bacteria cannot live in a salty environment. Gargling with saltwater to relieve a sore throat or toothache can be a valuable approach at home. Saltwater can also be used as a topical treatment.

Echinacea has long been considered an effective home remedy for colds, earaches, sore throats, and flu. The action of echinacea is antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral and is believed to boost the immune system. Research in 2005 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine did not confirm the effectiveness of echinacea at a low dose, but studies continue about this popular herbal remedy. However, echinacea may produce undesirable or dangerous side effects in some people, including headaches, skin rashes, dizziness, or heartburn. Individuals taking medications that suppress the immune system should avoid echinacea.

The use of camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol, such as in vapor rubs, has been found to display antifungal properties. A study at Michigan State College of Nursing concluded that nail bed fungus can be treated effectively by application of a vapor rub compound used twice daily. Thyme oil is also touted as an effective home remedy for fungal infections of the nails.

Other home remedies for infections include Melaleuca alternifolia or Austrian tea tree oil, goldenseal, pau d’arco bark made into tea, oil of oregano, and manuka honey. Future studies of home remedies may prove them useful in treating infections.

Impact

Because of the high cost of medications and potential side effects, home remedies are increasingly accepted in mainstream society. People across socioeconomic groups seek less costly, safe alternatives to treat illnesses and manage diseases. Many people are uninsured, have high deductibles on their health insurance policies, or have experienced adverse reactions to traditional pharmaceuticals. Additionally, many people use home remedies as an adjunct therapy to traditional medicine treatments. For example, a patient may use a combination of herbs to ease their anxiety before a medical procedure. However, individuals must always disclose the use of any substance to their doctor to ensure drug interactions do not occur.

One should be cautious before using home remedies, especially if one has a complicated illness or is taking medicines (prescribed or over the counter) that might interact with a home remedy. One should always consult with a healthcare provider before using home remedies to determine their usefulness and safety in treatment.

Bibliography

Freeman, Lyn. Mosby’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach. 3rd ed., Mosby, 2009.

Hoffman, Matthew, and Eric Metcalf. Trusted Home Remedies: More than 1,000 Simple Treatments for Everyday Health Problems. Reader’s Digest Adult Trade Publishing, 2017.

Kermott, Cindy A., and Gail M. Boriel. Mayo Clinic Guide to Home Remedies. Mayo Clinic Press, 2024.

Micozzi, Marc S., editor. Fundamentals of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 6th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, 2019.

Rennard, Barbara O., et al. “Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis In Vitro." Chest, vol. 118, no. 4, 2000, pp. 1150-57, chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/118/4/1150.full.pdf+html. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Trivieri, Larry, Jr., and John W. Anderson, editors. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. 2nd ed., Ten Speed Press, 2002.

White, Martha, et al. Traditional Home Remedies. Yankee, 1997.