5 natural remedies that actually work!

Natural health remedies have gained a lot of popularity in recent times and your local grocery store can be a pretty effective place to find health fixes. Compiled from Reader's Digest, here are some natural remedies for five common health issues.

1) Acne treatment

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As most people will agree, acne can be one of the most troubling skin conditions. And the worst thing about it? It doesn’t just go away. Fortunately, there are many remedies that do wonders and one of them is rose water. "Rose water helps acne because the essential oils in the rose have anti-microbial activity and anti-inflammatory properties," says naturopath Dr Gabrielle Francis.

2) Hyperpigmentation

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Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. According to nutritionist and herbalist Ward Bond, PD the simplest way to treat this is by applying a milk and honey paste on the affected areas. Mixing curd with it can also help since milk and curd contain lactic acid; they peel off the affected skin after a period of time. "This lightens pigmentation and suits all skin types,” says Bond.

3) Immune booster

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If you want to give your immune system a boost — like when you feel a cold coming on – Dr Francis recommends a hot tea to sweat out the virus. Combine a quarter cup of freshly sliced ginger, one stick of cinnamon, one teaspoon of coriander seeds, three cloves, one slice of lemon, and half a litre of water. "Put the ingredients in the water and bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten with organic honey to taste. It is best to drink one cup every two hours," she states.

4) Brighter smile

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"Brushing your teeth with baking soda and a pinch of sea salt is a natural way to get a squeaky clean mouth while brightening the teeth," says Megan Linney, a spa director. She added that the sea salt is detoxifying and healing to the gums while giving an extra "scrub" effect to the teeth.

5) Mood booster

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Tieraona Low Dog, MD, says, "We hold anxious thoughts and difficult feelings in our muscles as much as in our minds. When we are struggling to regain emotional wellness, we can turn to the mood-boosting gifts from green tea and high-quality dark chocolate." She explains that these contains small amounts of caffeine that increase mental focus and helps calm the mind. "Raw dark chocolate is rich in compounds that gently lift the mood, as well as being good for the heart and mind."

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