In other continents across the world, chemist products such as painkillers, anti inflammatory medication, sinus unblocking inhalers, sore throat lozenges and indigestion tablets simply don't exist. Just like our ancestors, people are still using plants and more importantly food to heal their ailments and there's no reason why we can't do the same.

If you're suffering from a common cold then you don't simply have to wait it out. A lot of us dive straight for the orange juice which does contain that all important vitamin C, but it's not the food that contains the most. Strawberries and apples contain just as much vitamin c as oranges do, and in ways that will release differently. Goji berries are great for the immune system and flaxseed acts as an anti inflammatory (to help keep your sinuses in shape), so grind up some goji berries and flaxseed just as you would with coffee beans and throw one tablespoon of the mixture into a smoothie maker. Add 3 strawberries, one apple and half an orange with a cup of cold water and whiz until it's ready to drink. For a cold-busting juice (if you have a juicer rather than a smoothie maker) juice one fresh beetroot, two apples and one/two carrots. Don't forget that all kinds of berries (strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry etc.) are packed with antioxidants, so munching on a bowl of these will do you a great deal of good.

For stomach upsets, there's no need to reach straight for those nasty, gloopy, chalky mixtures. If you can manage it, munch on a handful of pumpkin seeds. Alternatively, ginger is the main ingredient in all natural stomach settling remedies and ginger ale is popular with moms to be suffering from morning sickness. If you've simply eaten too much then try making yummy ice lollies from frozen ginger tea with lots of lemon, glycerine (to help get that proper ice lolly texture) and honey. You may want to add some grated ginger to the mix to give it that spicy hot kick that settles your stomach quickly.

For ailments like eczema, psoriasis and allergies, oatmeal (or porridge oats) are the magical ingredient. Not only can they really help reduce anxiety, but they also act an a natural anti-inflammatory. Some of the most helpful eczema creams contain oatmeal and it's great to apply directly to the skin, but eating it will also do you good. This could be in the form of flapjack or a simple bowl of porridge. Grind up some flaxseed and sprinkle it on top for extra effect without any taste at all.

Last but not least on our best foods to eat when you're ill is chicken broth. This is one a lot of us are familiar with, but only as 'comfort food' our moms give us when we felt poorly as a child. A lot of us don't realize that chicken broth is actually an anti inflammatory too and this is why it works so well for colds and flu. Easily digested, warm, fatty and nutritious it's got all the ingredients we need to get better. Even if you have had a nasty sprain or an insect sting you may feel the benefits of chicken soup, and especially one with chili in it which will flush out toxins.

Stan Tian

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