Despite what we might think with the plethora of medications available on the market today, natural remedies are a completely viable and acceptable path to holistic wellness.

Whether we’re suffering from nasal congestion and a cold or something more serious, such as cancer, there are all kinds of things we can do to heal your body naturally. Here are a few suggestions to help get started:

1. Bone Broth

So you’ve heard of vegetable broth and chicken broth, but have you ever heard of bone broth? If not, it’s time you did! Bone broth is a nutritional powerhouse complete with a wide variety of healing properties. It lowers inflammation and decreases joint pain, and also enhances the health of your digestive system, hair, nails and bones.

2. Water Therapy

Given that 50-65 percent of the adult human body is made up of water, it should come as no surprise that water has therapeutic benefits for your body. Water Therapy, which involves exercising in water, is frequently used by the elderly and those recovering from an injury. Even athletes use underwater running to maximize their workout and minimize the risk of injury.

With underwater running, you can exert the same amount of effort or more than you would running on roads, and your muscles will be significantly less sore as a result of the water’s hydrostatic pressure consistently pushing lactic acid through your bloodstream. Those experiencing orthopedic injuries as well as those suffering from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis can perform physical therapy exercises underwater to facilitate healing without putting too much strain on the body.

3. Green Foods

Celebrities everywhere are going crazy over kale, the leafy green vegetable that packs a powerful healing punch, thanks to its abundant supply of Vitamins A, C, K, fiber and potassium. Dark green vegies are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They have compounds that are thought to inhibit the growth of tumors, suggesting it may play a role in the prevention of breast, colon, bladder, ovarian, gastric and prostate cancers.

4. Oregano Oil

There are contrary opinions about whether the Oil of Oregano actually heals the body or not. Derived from the Oregano plant that grows in the Mediterranean, Oregano Oil has many health benefits such as anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic. It can be taken orally or topically, though depending on the concentration you get you may need to mix it with olive oil or water to tone it down.

Many people claim that it can heal a variety of ailments such as the following: colds, sinusitis, respiratory infections, urinary infections, yeast infections, fungus like Athlete’s Foot, pinworms, Giardia, arthritis, joint pain, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

5. Probiotics

Probiotics, which are naturally found in dairy sources such as kefir and yogurt, can be useful in treating a variety of conditions such as infections of the skin, irritable bowel syndrome and even certain types of cancer.

6. Relaxation

In her groundbreaking book Mind Over Medicine, author Lissa Rankin, M.D., expresses her bewilderment as to why so many of her patients who should have been the healthiest (the ones getting eight hours of sleep a night, fitting in regular workouts and eating lots of fruits and vegetables) were actually some of the sickest.

She discovered that what people really need in order to heal is to learn how to relax, because only through relaxation are we able to flush out the build up of cortisol from our bodies. So whether it’s a small step like taking time out of your day to be creative and spend time in nature or something more radical like leaving a job that’s been causing you chronic stress, Rankin emphasizes that we should make it a priority to relax, and good health will be sure to follow.

If you’re looking to heal your body naturally, there are plenty of ways you can go about doing so. Start implementing the suggestions listed above today, and the vitality and restoration you’ve been seeking can be yours!

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Editor: Catherine Monkman

Photo: Maja Topčagić/Pixoto