subject: Home Remedies - Do They Really Work? [print this page] People have used home remedies for many, many years. Before health professionals and insurance, home remedies were used before anyone would consider seeing a doctor. Many old home remedies were based on old wives' tales or superstition. There are some home remedies that people claim work for them. You must use experience and common sense to decide rather or not to use a home remedy.
How critical is the illness? Usually, home remedies that are used today are to treat health problems that are not serious. In other words, if you have a wart or a scratchy throat, there might be some home remedies that can be suggested. If you have an odd-looking growth or wheeze when you cough, you need to see your doctor. Coughing alone is not serious, but when combined with a fever or shortness of breath, it could quickly lead to other problems. Only use home remedies that you know are safe.
What's in your genes? If you have people in your family that have a serious medical condition, always remember that you could also be susceptible to that condition. Your family's medical history needs to be considered if you develop certain symptoms. If many family members have diabetes, for example, then any diabetes-type symptoms should be reviewed by a health professional. This is not the type of illness that you should consider treating at home.
Are you using common sense? Sometimes, home remedies are just ridiculous. This is particularly true for the old superstitious ideas that involved mysticism and spooky remedies. If a home remedy seems impractical or unreasonable, it probably is not worth trying. Don't fall for a remedy that will take you time and money and make you look simple. Instead, only try remedies that seem to make sense and directly relate to your present illness.
What do others have to say? We can get ideas for home remedies from a variety of sources. If your parents always used a particular remedy and it worked for them, it may be worth trying. For example, you may be trying to get rid of a skin problem and you decide to search on the web. There are many online websites that give hundreds of home remedies for skin conditions. Read everything that people have to say and don't look at just one website. Take the time to find remedies for conditions closest to yours that make sense and are not difficult or painful. Never put yourself at risk.
Isn't experience the best answer? When you decide to try something new for a home remedy, you will soon know rather or not it is going to work for you. We are all different so we need to remember that what worked for one person may not work for you. However, you can continue to try different remedies and hopefully find one that will work for your condition.
Many people have had great success with home remedies. Your decision to use them depends on your health issue and how practical the remedy actually is. Don't be afraid to try them, however, as you may be able to save yourself some money at the doctor's office if you find a home remedy that works for you.
