16 Foods to Cure Common Illnesses

8. Pear

Cure for: High cholesterol
One medium pear has 5 g of dietary fiber, much of it in the form of pectin, which helps flush out bad cholesterol, a risk factor in heart disease.

9. Buckwheat Honey

Cure for: Coughing
In a study at Pennsylvania State University, 2 teaspoons of thick, dark brown honey were more effective than OTC cough medicines at limiting the severity and frequency of a cough in children. Honey's antioxidants and antimicrobial properties may soothe inflamed throat tissues, says John La Puma, MD, director of Chef Clinic in California.

10. Cabbage

Cure for: Ulcers
A 2002 study at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found that sulforaphane, a powerful compound in cabbage, clobbers H. pylori (the bacteria that causes gastric and peptic ulcers) before it can get to your gut, and may even help inhibit the growth of gastric tumors. For only 34 calories a cup, cabbage provides 3 g of fiber and 75% of the day's vitamin C.

11. Turkey

Cure for: Sleepless nights
A 3-ounce serving of turkey has nearly all the tryptophan (an essential amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin, hormones that regulate sleep) you need in a day, says La Puma. Studies show that people who suffer from insomnia are deficient in tryptophan.

12. Figs

Cure for: Hemorrhoids
The 3 g of fiber in four dried figs helps create soft, regular stools that will keep hemorrhoids from returning, says Somer. Figs also provide about 5 percent of daily potassium and 10 percent of manganese.

13. OJ

Cure for: Fatigue
The fructose in a 4-oz. glass is a perfect pick-me-up, says Gerbstadt. Some studies suggest that vitamin C's ability to combat oxidative stress caused by free radicals may provide energy, and the vitamin plays a key role in metabolizing iron, which helps your body move energizing oxygen through your bloodstream, she adds.

14. Garlic

Cure for: Yeast infection
Garlic contains essential oils that can inhibit the growth of the Candida albicans fungus, the culprit in the pain, itch, and vaginal discharge of yeast infections, says Gerbstadt. Recent studies suggest that thyme, cloves, and even the essential oils from oranges are also effective fungicides, she adds. Include garlic in sauces, salad dressings, and marinades.

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15. Chamomile Tea

Cure for: Heartburn
"Chamomile can ease digestive inflammation, spasms, and gas," says Dale Bellisfield, RN, a clinical herbalist in New Jersey. Steep 2 teaspoons of the herb in 10 oz. of very hot water for 20 minutes, covering the cup to keep the essential oils in the water. You may have to drink the tea a few times a day for complete relief.

16. Potatoes

Cure for: Headache
The 37 g of carbs in a medium potato can ease a tension headache by upping serotonin levels, as long as you keep the fat and protein below 2 grams.

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