Feel Better Foods: Recipes That Double As Natural Remedies

Food is the best medicine for many of the aches, pains, and illnesses that ail us. Here are 8 natural remedies.

Avoid the temptation to disregard your mom's advice about eating a bowl of chicken soup when you're sick — chicken soup has many of the things your body needs to heal. The broth will help you stay hydrated, the vegetables contain plenty of vitamins, and the onions have antibacterial properties. Do you eat your chicken soup with a squeeze of lemon juice? Even better: vitamin C can help reduce the duration of common cold. Click here for our best chicken soup recipes.
 

Ginger boasts a multitude of health benefits, including the capacity to reduce inflammation and pain. In one study, it proved to be a safe and effective treatment for frequent and mild headaches that can trigger more severe headaches in migraine sufferers. Try cooking with ginger or drinking ginger tea when you have a headache. 

Kiwifruit is high in serotonin, a chemical in your brain that promotes feelings of relaxation. Serotonin also helps your body make melatonin: the hormone that controls your sleep cycles. Whether you're having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, research suggests that eating more kiwifruit could provide you with a better rest. Click here for our best kiwifruit recipes.

As the National Kidney Foundation puts it, "when life hands you kidney stones... make lemonade." Drinking sugar-free lemonade (sugar can be a cause of kidney stones) or water with lemon juice is believed to help prevent kidney stones because the natural citrate prevents calcium from binding and forming stones. Not a fan of lemonade? Click here for a collection of lemon-y recipes.

Turmeric has long been prescribed by as an alternative form of pain relief, due in part to its anti-inflammatory properties. It's a great natural remedy for sore joints post-workout; studies show that turmeric eases pain as well as ibuprofen. Never cooked with turmeric before? Here are a few recipes to get you started.

If you suffer from symptoms like cramps or brain fog pre-period, try cooking with more almonds. In a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the risk of PMS was lowest among women who had high intakes of riboflavin from food sources. Almonds are one of the foods highest in riboflavin. Click here for our best almond recipes.

Good news for your sweet tooth: if you have a cough or sore throat caused by bacteria, a spoonful of honey may be your best medicine. Honey has powerful antibacterial properties that can help you feel better fast. Click here for delicious recipes that use honey.

There are a number of foods that can help settle your stomach the all-natural way, but papaya is one of the most popular. It contains enzymes that help promote healthy digestion and ease stomachache. Next time you're having tummy troubles, try one of these recipes.