“Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food,” wrote Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician who is commonly regarded as the father of medicine.

Today it’s still true that cures for many of our common ailments can be found in the kitchen cabinet rather than in the medicine cabinet. The advantages of using food to remedy our daily aches and pains are that we can save time and money, and we can avoid potential side-effects of over-the-counter medications.

The following remedies use common food items you probably already have in your kitchen to use in your cooking. Some of the perishable items can easily be frozen so that they are available for long-term use. Here is our top 10 list of ailments and situations that have kitchen cures:

1. Soothe a sore throat. Fresh garlic has antimicrobial, antiviral and antibiotic properties and packs a powerful antioxidant punch. The next time you have a sore throat, try mixing five to six pressed garlic cloves into a glass of warm water to gargle with twice a day. While it may not do wonders for your breath, garlic juice fights bacteria and soothes inflamed tissue.

Another kitchen cure for a sore throat is to add a dash of cinnamon, a small piece of fresh ginger and one teaspoon of honey to boiling water. Sip the solution when it has cooled enough to drink.

2. Ease nausea. I discovered the benefits of ginger when I was pregnant with my second child and a trying first-trimester of nausea and vomiting continued throughout the entire nine months. Ginger contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols that help ease queasiness. A growing body of research has shown ginger aids in seasickness, morning sickness and general stomach upset. Try steeping 1 to 2 grams of fresh gingerroot in boiling water to make a soothing tea.  Do not take more than 4 grams of ginger per day, however, as it may irritate the stomach lining.

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3. Quiet hiccups. Mary Poppins was right about that helpful spoonful of sugar! When you swallow a teaspoon of sugar, the dry granules work to reset the irritated nerve that is causing the spasms of the diaphragm that cause hiccups. (Salt works the same way, but your family likely will prefer the sweet stuff.)

4. Calm a cough. While we are thinking about sweet remedies, did you know that dark chocolate can be effective in reducing a cough? Research has indicated that theobromine, a compound found in dark chocolate, appears to block the action of the sensory nerves that cause the coughing reflex. Another easy option to try for relieving a dry cough is to chew on some fresh basil leaves.

5. Help burn pain and skin irritation. For minor burns, including sunburn, as well as insect bites, gently apply a light layer of olive oil and leave the area uncovered. Olive oil helps with pain, irritation and itching and speeds up the healing process. It is gentle enough to use on baby’s sensitive skin as well.

6. Fight a cold. Vitamin C is known for its cold-fighting power. To get the benefits in a soothing drink, squeeze the juice from one half of a lemon into a cup and then drop the peel and remaining pulp into the cup as well. Add boiling water, and then stir in a teaspoon of honey. As it cools, breathe in the steam to open your sinus passages. Now sip the drink slowly…..more here