The Home Remedies My Grandma Was Right About

Let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way: taking care of yourself isn’t always intuitive. There was a time when I felt like I was piecing together my wellness puzzle blindfolded. I’d Google every weird symptom, stand frozen in the supplement aisle, and ask friends what worked for them like I was collecting magic spells. Sound familiar?

But slowly, I started noticing a shift—not in what I was doing, but how I was doing it. I began turning to natural remedies. Not as a quick fix, but as a way to gently support my body from the inside out. And now, with a blend of trial, error, and a whole lot of peppermint tea (and yes, some wisdom passed down from my grandma), I’ve gathered a few trusty go-tos I turn to again and again. I’m sharing them here not as prescriptions, but as stories and solutions that might just help you too.

Finding Calm for Digestive Troubles

My grandma always said most problems start in the gut—and science backs her up. As stated in Johns Hopkins Medicine, ginger promotes gastrointestinal motility, helping food move efficiently through the digestive system.

It also reduces bloating and gas by cutting down on fermentation in the gut. Honestly, that tracks with my experience. When your stomach’s in knots, everything else feels off. And when I need quick, natural relief, I always start with ginger.

1. Ginger

After one particularly overindulgent holiday meal (yes, I ate the third slice of pie), I turned to ginger tea and felt instant relief. Ginger contains compounds that reduce inflammation and stimulate digestion. Whether it’s grated into meals or steeped in hot water, this root has never let me down—and grandma was always quick to make a cup when someone had a tummy ache.

2. Peppermint

This one takes me back to my grandma’s house. She always had peppermint candies on hand for stomachaches. I’ve upgraded to peppermint tea, and it’s my post-meal staple—especially after something heavy. Its menthol relaxes digestive muscles, which helps ease cramping and bloating.

3. Probiotics

Okay, this one’s more modern, but it echoes grandma’s love for fermented foods. I used to think probiotics were just trendy, but adding Greek yogurt to my breakfast changed that. It helped stabilize my digestion and kept that uncomfortable, gassy feeling in check. You’ll even find natural probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut and kefir in grandma’s old recipe books.

Sleep Naturally and Soundly

Grandma always believed in a bedtime routine—and a warm drink before bed. Over the years, these natural remedies have helped me sleep better and stress less.

1. Valerian Root

This one’s been a lifesaver during anxious nights. I discovered valerian root tea in college, during finals week. It helped take the edge off my racing thoughts, and even now, it’s my go-to when I’m wired before bed. Grandma used to call it "nature’s tranquilizer."

“When your mind won’t hit pause, nature’s chill pill—valerian root—steps in to press reset.”

2. Lavender

Lavender is more than just a pretty scent. A warm bath with lavender oil or a few drops on my pillow can make the difference between tossing and turning or drifting off peacefully. I even keep lavender tea on hand for extra stressful weeks. Grandma used to press lavender between book pages—and now it lives on my nightstand.

3. Chamomile

If sleep came in a cup, chamomile would be it. It’s calming without being sedating and has become a nightly ritual. I started drinking it after a friend brought some on a camping trip—and even under the stars, it worked its sleepy magic. Chamomile tea was always simmering on my grandma’s stove after long days.

Stress and Anxiety, Meet Your Match

Grandma had her own ways of calming nerves—usually involving a walk, some deep breaths, or a cup of tea. Here are a few nature-based helpers that build on that timeless wisdom:

1. Ashwagandha

I first reached for ashwagandha during a season of burnout. Within a few weeks, I noticed I wasn’t snapping under pressure quite so easily. It’s an adaptogen, which means it helps your body manage stress more effectively over time. I can’t help but think grandma would’ve kept a bottle of this by the kettle if she knew about it.

2. Rhodiola Rosea

This herb helped clear the mental fog I didn’t even realize I was living under. It boosts energy and mental performance, and on days when I’ve got a mountain of work, it gives me the clarity to tackle it calmly.

3. Passionflower

Anxiety doesn’t always show up loudly. Sometimes it’s just this background buzz that won’t quit. Passionflower tea helps quiet that noise, especially at bedtime. It’s been a gentle, reliable way for me to wind down—another one that would’ve fit right in with grandma’s “tea fixes everything” philosophy.

Skin Solutions From Nature’s Cabinet

My grandma swore by her garden for healing just about everything. And honestly? She was onto something. These natural skin remedies are tried, true, and still part of my routine today.

1. Aloe Vera

After a beach day that turned into a sunburn saga, aloe vera was my saving grace. I keep a plant in my kitchen window now and use the fresh gel on burns, cuts, and dry patches. It cools, soothes, and heals like nothing else—and grandma always had a pot of it by the door.

2. Tea Tree Oil

This stuff is magic for breakouts. I use it as a spot treatment (always diluted!) and it shrinks blemishes fast. It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which makes it a natural choice for clearer skin.

3. Calendula

Calendula cream has been in my family for generations. I used it for my child’s diaper rash, and I use it on my own eczema flare-ups. It’s gentle, healing, and works wonders on sensitive skin—just like grandma used to say, “Let the flowers heal you.”

Breathe Easier With Herbal Relief

Respiratory struggles are nothing new, and neither are the remedies. My grandma had tricks that always seemed to work, and I’ve blended them with a few discoveries of my own.

1. Eucalyptus

This one’s nostalgic for me. My mom used to boil eucalyptus leaves and have us breathe in the steam. Now, I use eucalyptus essential oil in my diffuser or add it to hot water. It’s a go-to for clearing nasal passages—and a tradition I’m passing down too.

2. Oregano Oil

Not gonna lie—it tastes intense. But when I feel a cold coming on, a few diluted drops of oregano oil give my immune system the nudge it needs. I’ve learned to chase it with lemon water to soften the punch. Grandma would’ve wrinkled her nose, but she’d respect the hustle.

3. Mullein

After a nasty winter cough, mullein tea became a staple. It coats and soothes the throat, helping me breathe easier without that scratchy irritation. This one’s an herbal gem I wish grandma had known about.

Buzz Bits!

• Ginger Kick – Add fresh ginger to your tea or meals to soothe stomach upset.
• Chamomile Calm – A nightly cup can ease anxiety and prep you for better sleep.
• Ashwagandha Reset – Try it daily to support stress resilience over time.
• Aloe Soothe – Keep a fresh plant or gel on hand for burns and dry skin.
• Steam Relief – Eucalyptus steam or diffuser use helps open up your airways.

Let Nature Lead the Way!

One of the most empowering lessons I’ve learned is this: wellness doesn’t always have to be complicated. Nature gives us tools that are gentle, powerful, and often right within reach. No magic formulas, just simple support for your body to do what it does best—heal.

Whether you're sipping chamomile after a tough day or applying tea tree oil to an unexpected breakout, these small acts add up. They remind us we’re in tune with something bigger—our bodies, our rhythms, and the natural world.

Turns out, grandma was right about a lot more than I gave her credit for.