Owning a pet isn’t for everyone, but according to several studies, those who do, are usually happier, healthier and better adjusted than those who don’t. There’s plenty of research that shows that dogs in particular can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise, and improve our overall health and wellbeing.

The responsibility of caring for a dog gives us a sense of purpose and makes us feel needed. It also boosts physical fitness and increases social interaction by forcing us to get off the couch and go for a walk every now and then, and perhaps most importantly, a dog can improve mood by bringing real joy and unconditional love into our life.

There has been a massive boom in the use of supplements in recent years, as millions of us try to fight the effects of illness, ageing, and poor lifestyle choices to improve and prolong our health and well-being. Products that were once the preserve of specialist health food stores can now be found alongside our groceries on supermarket shelves, and every month seems to bring news of a newly discovered and exotic sounding remedy that could potentially solve all our problems.

There are few more miserable experiences in life than sitting in a packed surgery, side-by-side with other glum-looking patients and their potentially contagious problems, waiting to be seen by the doctor. So are there some ailments that we could effectively treat at home using everyday items that we’ve probably already got in our kitchen cupboard?

The answer is yes, there do appear to be a number of home remedies that have been proven to work. Here are some that I think you might find useful.