Banana may heal headache

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LONDON: A new book has revealed the ways in which some office fruit could be used as a natural remedy.

Dr Rob Hicks, who wrote the book, told the Daily Mail: "Even if science hasn't proved a remedy works, if it won't harm you and you understand that positive effects may be due to placebo, they could be worth a try."

So, what does Dr Hicks suggest?

If you've got a bit of a funny tummy, you could try taking an apple from the office fruit basket to help you.

Try grating an unpeeled apple down to the core, leave the bits to go brown, which will take 15 to 20 minutes, and it could help cure your upset stomach.

According to Dr Hicks, the pectin in apples, the amount of which is increased by the fruit going brown, reduces inflammation, while malic and tartaric acids regulate stomach acidity.

If you've got a headache, bananas from the office fruit basket could help.

It's well known that bananas have high levels of potassium, which helps control blood pressure, but another mineral in the fruit could help with headaches.

Dr Hicks recommends mashing a ripe banana skin against the sore part of the head, keeping it there for up to 15 minutes at a time until the pain subsides.

Bananas are high in magnesium, which may help to relax blood vessels.