What are bunions?
Bunions aren’t something only grandma gets and complains about; they can appear on anyone’s feet, regardless of age.
“A bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. A bunion forms when your big toe pushes against your next toe, forcing the joint of your big toe to get bigger and stick out. The skin over the bunion might be red and sore.”
- Definition by Mayo Clinic
So they are unpleasant inflammations (salt deposits, in reality!) which appear on your feet, usually because of ill-fitting footwear that is tight and uncomfortable. However, they can also appear because of poor nutrition, tonsillitis, rheumatic infection, gout, influenza or a poor metabolism.
How can bunions be treated?
Bunions are not only a problem when it comes to shoe-shopping, but they are also unappealing, aesthetically speaking, which is why most people (especially women) usually try to get rid of them. There are some devices available on the market that do help, like a good foot spa. Fortunately, there are natural ways to achieve that, through recipes for treatments you can do in your own home:
#1 – The first thing you need to do is take a grater (like the one you would use for cheese, for example) and shred or grate some soap. Then, take the pieces and place them on your bunion, massaging it lightly at the same time. Then, you can rinse the area, dry it off and don’t forget to apply a little iodine.
The easiest and least messy way to apply it is to draw some lines, vertical and horizontal, across the problematic area. The solution must be allowed to dry, before putting on socks. You can also create a solution using iodine and lemon juice, mixed in equal parts. Use this remedy daily, for a month.
#2 – Take some bay leaves and crush them in small pieces; make it a tablespoon’s worth.
#3 –Then, pour some water over it (about 300ml) and put it over heat to cook it for around five minutes. The resulting solution should be kept warm overnight (preferably in a thermos) and then strained the following morning. Make sure to drink this tea throughout the day, but only take it in small sips, not all in one go. Note that some medications can interact with bay leaves so they are best avoided if you're taking certain prescription drugs.
You should finish what’s in your thermos by the end of the day, and make a new one at night, in order to drink the next day. Employ this remedy for three consecutive days, and then take a seven-day break, before starting again. You will notice that you might be going to the bathroom more frequently, which only means that the treatment is working properly and it is dissolving the salt in your body.
As you can see, you don’t have to quietly suffer because of your bunions. There are very easy and effective treatments you can employ right at home. You just have to take a few minutes to prepare them and make sure to administer them consistently, and your problem should soon disappear.