Home remedies for pain relief?

by Mary Kearl (Subscribe to Mary Kearl's posts)
Mar 27th 2008 3:23PM

Whoever believes pills can cure every ache hasn't discovered the benefits of home remedies. Frozen vegetables for muscle pains anyone? How about tooth paste for acne? For me, I discovered early on as a kid with my nearly annual bouts of poison ivy outbreaks that all the steroids and anti-itch creams in the world couldn't soothe my skin without the help of my mom's oatmeal baths. The editors at AOL Body dug through our health histories to pick our favorite home cures to share with readers, but in turn we want to know what works for you. Find out more of our favorite home remedies here.

Did we forget to include your favorite home treatment? Post it in a comment below and it might get selected for our "Readers' Best Home Remedies" tips collection.

Comments (157)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

Richard 3-27-2008 @ 4:53PM

For me, nothing helps sore muscles and migraines like a heating pad or a bag of ice wrapped in a towel depending on how I am feeling that day. I don't bother with cold packs (I have an ice machine after all), but I did buy a nice infrared heating pad at http://www.activeforever.com

Zach Hunt-personal Trainer Spokane 3-27-2008 @ 5:47PM

I believe go as natural as you can in every thing you do ,theres no magic pill out there .a good work out and good sense are all you need.

TxAngelFeathers 3-28-2008 @ 8:18PM

For Cramps...Monthly...I had a wonderful Hungarian grandmother....and I have always suffered with severe menstral cramps....My grandmother would give me a very small glass of Red Wine...she would put it in a juice glass and it was about 1/4 of the way full....It dosen't have to be expensive red wine...but it has to be red wine no wine spritzers...it helps immediately...my daughter who is now 15 says it works....I give it to her before bed or when she is planning to stay at home and not go out....Good Luck....

mom 3-29-2008 @ 1:05AM

we need to encourage out teens to drink more by making them think booze can cure all ills. what you are doing is still illegle no matter what you call it.

margaret 3-28-2008 @ 8:34PM

For relief of hemorridal pain apply a generous amount of "Vicks" salve. ( menthol salve of any brand will work but I like Vicks) It feels great. It may burn a little at first but in seconds you begin to feel cool RELIEF. My mother told me to do this. I was reluctant.. but desperation won! I am so glad I listened.

Svetlana 11-19-2008 @ 9:12PM

Hi Margaret, Hi, Dear Editors of AOL Health,
In reply to your recent post I would like to say that we should not forget about our kitchen pharmacy. For example, if you have potatoes in your fridge, you can do so many things with this vegetable. For example, potatoes are good for more than just French fries or hashbrowns.
Got hemorrhoids? Stop wasting your money on suppositories hawked by pharmaceutical companies. Use an apple core to cut tubular cylinders from organic raw potatoes, and use these in place of suppositories before going to bed each night.
This is just one of 800 natural cures described in my book, Mama's Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living, 2008. This authbiographical how-to-do compendium of old Eastern European curatives, folklore and fairy tales is based on my Grandma's (healer) and Mom's (doctor) experiences and practice in Southeastern Europe. It will warm your heart as you sit by the blazing fire reading the fairy tales to your children and sipping the delicious, spicy, hot, steaming cuppa of tea to cure your cold, insomnia, allergy or respiratory problems.. Learn more at www.aurorapublishers.com or www.mamashomeremedies.com
Please don't think that my reply is an advertising. Just want to help. My mission is to expose people to the ways other cultures prevent sickness and improve their health. The book is selling successfuly around the world.
All the best,
Svetlana

solomeeeo 3-28-2008 @ 8:46PM

To relieve a headache, soak your feet in a basin of warm water at the same time apply a cold compress to your head. It really works!

Cynthia 3-28-2008 @ 9:12PM

I use a tea from traditional Medicinals for womans healthy
menstruation Female toner, Pms Tea, Womens Liberty) all good
They have a throat coat for sore throat problems
and I carry a pack of Listerine pocketpaks great

John 3-28-2008 @ 9:28PM

For burns...try SOY sauce...yes, no scars & quick a quick heal...also, fast pain relief!

Frances 3-28-2008 @ 9:18PM

When I was really itching from poison ivy,for some reason (don't remember why now), I turned on the hot water and let it run over my itchy spots as hot as I could stand it and the itching eased for an hour or longer. I was so surprised, but it really works!!

Linda 3-28-2008 @ 11:50PM

I'm 64 now, but when I was in my 20's, I had poison ivy on my wrist and discovered one day, while rinsing a dish in hot water, that hot water made it quit itching but it also caused the poison ivy to spread and it got infected--I almost lost my hand--so be careful with this one.

fallen5729 3-28-2008 @ 9:20PM

For hicccups, try a spoonful of vinegar or lemon juice. It works for me every time!!

lil sam 4-16-2008 @ 4:13PM

All my life I've had the worst hiccups, tried the sugar, lemon juice, etc. The ONLY thing that works is get a plain glass of water and a straw. Hold your nose and close your ears and without breathing sip as much water as you can. If you plug you ears with your thumbs and index fingers on you nose it works.

Bonnie 3-28-2008 @ 9:35PM

When sinus pain won't go away, try a teaspoon of regular table salt in 6 ounces of warm water. Breathe it in through your nostrils. The salt dissolves any mucus build-up. (ever put salt on a slug? same thing happens with built up mucus in your nasal passages)

katy 3-30-2008 @ 4:11PM

This is to comment on the recommended usage of peppermint and/or lemon juice for upset stomach or nausea by a blogger. According to my gastroenterologist, peppermint or anything citrus is a no-no for stomach probs. Nausea and heartburn are warning signs of acid reflux disease (GERD) and both of those "remedies" are major triggers.

annie 3-28-2008 @ 9:54PM

When my head hurts, I slam my hand in the car door until my head stops hurting. Works everytime!

Lori Bartley 3-28-2008 @ 10:03PM

My family uses Bag Balm for diaper rash. Any Tracter Supply will have it and it wipes off easily and moisturises. Works great for cuts and scrapes and is great for dry skin.