For minor ailments and illness you can use natural herbal remedies without running to the doctor for drugs that contain chemicals, which might cause other side effects. These herbal remedies are generally mild, and thus work best at the initial stages of illness. However if the illness is serious then it is always best to consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Below listed are a few common ailments and their natural herbal cure.

INDIGESTION
For indigestion ginger tea is the best remedy. Boil your tea with a thumbnail piece of ginger. Add sugar or honey for taste. Drink this tea 3 times a day to soothe the upset organ. You can also try one teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water.

NAUSEA
For nausea, try lemon-lime soda. Make sure it's not icy cold; room temperature is better as it won't startle your stomach into cramping.

COLD
If you have a cold, cook a vegetable soup to boost your immune system. Boil lightly a colourful range of different vegetables with garlic and a teaspoon of black pepper. Toss in a couple of tomatoes for a good measure of Vitamin C. The vegetables provide multi-vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system to fight the cold. Garlic has anti-bacterial properties and helps to fight germs and viruses. Black pepper has chemicals to affect your body's metabolism, which will in turn boost the immune system.

COUGH
For a good homemade cough syrup, mix a tablespoon of honey with a quarter cup of lemon juice and a quarter cup of warm water. Adults may also try adding a tablespoon of brandy or whiskey. This is not particularly tasty but it is effective.


SORE THROAT
Sooth a sore throat by gargling with one teaspoon of salt mixed in a small amount of warm water. Do not swallow. Repeat as often as necessary.

CUTS
Fresh, unprocessed honey contains vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. This is a powerful healer for cuts because the nutrients act directly on the wound, speeding up the recovery of cells. Honey also absorbs water when it is applied on the skin. A skin without moisture is not conducive to bacterial growth. Honey is not an antiseptic but acts like one in its action to inhibit bacterial growth.

THIRST
Cucumbers and coconut juice are "coolers" because they remove metabolic heat generated in the body. They are excellent thirst quenchers for the parched throat, dry body, or feverish body. They work twice as effectively as plain water alone and do not give you the bloated feeling of drinking too much water

INSOMNIA
Insomnia is a common sleeping disorder that may affect people of all ages. Even children may experience difficulty in falling to sleep from time to time. A hot, milky beverage will usually lull you to sleep. Lavender in its dried form or essential oil form is commonly used in aromatherapy to help insomnia sufferers. A few whiffs of the herb send you to dreamland. It is harmless enough for use with children and babies in the same room. There are also sedative teas like chamomile tea, which relaxes your body to induce sleep.

HEADACHE
Stave off a migraine headache by drinking a high-caffeine beverage as soon as you feel it coming on. Take one aspirin and lie down in a dark room. A cool cloth across the forehead can be soothing as well. A tension headache can be eased with a hot shower, massaging the affected area, or even by brushing your hair.