Nature made man. Then came the diseases, and so did the mother nature's cures. As simple as that! Nature has been a step ahead of man in solving his problems. These remedies, provided by the nature and recognized by us over the time, are commonly referred to as 'home remedies'. A home remedy treats a disease or medical condition by employing foods or other things that are a part of a common household.
   
Most of the home remedies work for usual day to day problems like minor injuries, sprains, headaches, fevers, cough and common cold. So, the next time you have a headache and fever, instead of popping an analgesic, take willow bark tea. It contains acetylsalicylic acid, which is also an active ingredient in aspirin. And don't confuse home remedies with homeopathic remedies. They are two completely different things. Home remedies are general remedies handed down from mothers and grandmothers to daughter and granddaughter while homeopathy is a recognized, systematic branch of medicine.
   
Home remedies are generally natural medicines made or derived at home from natural ingredients like vegetable, fruits, herbs and alike. What makes them extraordinary is the fact that, unlike chemical medication, they come without side effects, are inexpensive and can be easily prepared at home.
   
The best place to look for natural remedies is the kitchen. Within its little space, it packs a large number of remedies for common ailments. Some of these may also be preventive of more serious diseases in the long run.
   
The basic idea behind home remedies is to use to use the medicinal properties found in the vegetables, herbs, spices and other such things that are a part of our daily food items. They do their work quietly, naturally, efficiently and effectively. However, when the condition is critical, they might not be able to provide as instant a relief as a chemical medicine would. Therefore, besides chronic conditions, chemical medicines are best avoided.
   
Natural remedies are most effective in many such cases where simple health problems become a regular bother. Now, be it hair loss, acne or dandruff, pains, cuts or burns, home remedies work best. Here are a few home remedies for a few very general problems.

Antibiotics unleash an ambush attack on the offending bacteria or virus and in the proces erodes the friendly elements, too, which leaves body cured and injured at the same time. It, therefore, takes a little while before it is back to normal. Natural home remedies work easily and treat cautiously. That's the reason why the effects are not immediate but they are lasting enough. Besides, of course, there are no side effects.

Some very common problems find easy solution in home remedies. A few are discussed below:

Bad breath
So you are one of the many who make the faces turn around when you speak. Well, nothing works better than parsley. Being a herbal food garnish with lots of chlorophyll, it works very well in giving you a fresh breath, for chlophyll is a plant compound known to kill the bad-odour bacteria effectively.

Body odor
Does your body odor persist, no matter how many times you bathe? If yes then you may have clogged pores. Take a body brush and dry-brush your skin before shower. This would remove the dead skin and the wastes that cause bad body odor.

Blemishes
They are also a common problem. Here is how you need to prepare the medicine for it. Take two tablespoons of green clay, and mix it with tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) together with one tablespoon of goldenseal powder and two to three drops of tea. Add water to make a paste. Apply it on your blemish when go to sleep, let it stay overnight, and watch the magic.
 
Blisters
Stop blister-popping, for that could cause infection. Take a little bit of cotton with witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) on it and dab the affected area, four to five times a day.

Home remedies are easy to prepare, effective in results and have no side-effects. Therefore, try them instead of chemical medications and let the ailment fade away.