Last month I talked about natural remedies to relieve hayfever, insect bites and sunburn. I realised afterwards that I’d neglected to mention a wonderful traditional remedy for hayfever: local raw honey. This got me thinking about other foods with healing powers that are often sitting in the cupboard or pantry.

Raw honey carries a wealth of health properties, being anti-bacterial, hydrophilic (it helps retain moisture in the skin when applied topically); and a source of various B-vitamins, trace minerals and of course, bee propolis.

Propolis is the sticky substance bees use to block small gaps in the hive (it’s a bit like bee glue) to maintain the structure of their home, prevent parasites from entering and protect the colony from infection by bacteria and fungi. Research has shown propolis has similar anti-infective actions for humans, helping to support our immune systems and aid healing and repair.

Regular honey is pasteurised, causing many of these vital nutrients to be lost. However cold-extracted raw honey retains all its natural goodness. It’s traditional use for hayfever stems from the idea that local honey carries local pollen, and consuming small amounts of this helps desensitise your immune system and reduce hayfever reactions.

Another popular store cupboard remedy is apple cider vinegar. Herbal books are awash with claims for the positive actions of vinegar: anything from arthritis to sunburn can be relieved by it! In my nutrition practice I mostly recommend clients to use it for digestive problems. Heartburn and indigestion tend not (as is commonly thought) to be caused by too much stomach acid, but by not enough stomach acid being produced at the right time. Taking 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a small amount of water before meals can aid the digestion of food and reduce discomfort afterwards. Where possible, purchase apple cider vinegar that still contains The Mother. This odd cloudy looking substance floating in the bottle contains beneficial bacteria and key nutrients.

Apple cider vinegar also has an alkalising effect in the body which is where its reputation for easing arthritis comes from. There are even products available that combine apple cider vinegar with honey – a popular traditional remedy for joint aches!

Oats are renowned for their fibre content that supports comfortable, regular bowel movements, but did you know of their ability to soothe eczema and dermatitis? Wrap a couple of tablespoons of oats in thin muslin cloth and place the parcel under the hot tap when running a bath and you will notice a white milky liquid comes from the oats. Bathing in this liquid can ease sore inflamed skin and is a great simple technique to use on children before applying a natural skin healing cream such as calendula (marigold) or aloe vera.

Oats are also rich in soluble fibres that help keep cholesterol under control. Combine this with a range of brightly coloured vegetables that supply natural plant sterols and you have a heart-healthy diet – no need for any expensive unhealthy margarines with artificially added plant sterols!

- Sally Duffin is a nutritional therapist and writer based in Holgate, York.