In past generations, Grandma always knew what to do when you were feeling under the weather but it seems like in these modern times of prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs we've forgotten how some of these everyday ailments can be relieved by simple methods. In most cases, you will find that you have the remedies already in your own kitchen or bathroom cabinet.

Colds

Vitamins can shorten the time you suffer from cold symptoms and getting plenty of vitamin C and vitamin D as well as Zinc can help to shorten your suffering. Get plenty of fluids ( fresh orange juice is great to drink when you have a cold) and you might consider
drinking green tea and try adding some lemon to it or just lemon with hot water to help you sort out those germs.

Speaking of lemon, have you noticed all of the throat lozenges and other medicines coming out with honey and lemon in them? There's a reason for that as both honey and lemon can help sooth common cold symptoms. Try putting some lemon and honey into a glass of hot water and drinking that down to soothe your sore throat.

Is your nose chapped from constantly blowing it? Take some petroleum jelly or even lip balm and put it on the affected area for instant relief.

If your nose is stuffed up and dripping, you might want to place a freshly cut onion next your bed so you can breathe in the fumes as you sleep. If you have watery eyes and a drippy nose take a glass of hot water cut an onion in half and stick it in the water for a few seconds. What the water cool and sip on that throughout the day - it may not be the best tasting cure but it works!

Insomnia

There are some obvious things you might want to do if you find that you are having trouble sleeping and cutting out caffeine, or at least trying not to drink it after noon is one of them. Another strange remedy is to go to bed earlier. Make sure your bedroom is quiet and comfortable and then you have cotton sheets that let your body breathe.

Try drinking either chamomile tea or lemongrass tea before bedtime as these will soothe you and might help you sleep. You can even grow lemongrass yourself in your garden or in a container in your windowsill. Pick it fresh then add it to water that is just below boiling and let it steep for about five minutes.

And don't forget the warm milk, this might seem cliche but it really does work.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be inconvenient and when you find yourself suffering from it, try taking some brown vinegar. While it doesn't have the most pleasant taste, in most cases it will do the trick. Plus you probably aren't having to cabinet so you won't have to run out to the store in between bouts of diarrhea to buy some prescription medicine.

These home remedies are not harmful and can help ease symptoms without having to resort to prescription or over-the-counter drugs which can be harmful. However, if you have very severe symptoms or symptoms that persist you will want to visit your doctor to make sure it is not an indication of something more serious.