�The following is a listing of simple
home remedies for common ailments such as cuts, scrapes, burns, coughs, colds,
and so on. �Nothing complex will be discussed here, this page is help
you become familiar with how to make your methods of delivery. �Also
it will help acquaint you with some
of the more common herbs which are likely to be found in your kitchen, here
you will find some simple ways to put them to medicinal use. The remedies
found here are for use by ADULTS who are assumed to be in�general good
health.
The following ailments and their
herbal remedies are covered on this page. Acne �
Minor Burns � Poor Circulation
� Coughs and Bronchitis
Diarrhea �Hay
Fever �� Insomnia/Light Nervousness
� Sinus Problems
Toothaches
ACNE--Evening Primrose oil is good
for this condition. �Capsules may be purchased from your local pharmacy
of health food store. �Tea Tree oil is also good for acne this may also
be purchased at your local pharmacy or health food store, if you have sensitive
skin dilute it with vegetable oil before applying to the skin. �Almond
is helpful in the form of a scrub which can
either be made at home or purchased. (We will discuss making scrubs and other
beauty products in another section.) �Witch Hazel may also be useful,
apply with a cotton ball to affected area once to three times a day, if drying
occurs discontinue use. �Basil, for this purpose a wash is made
using two tablespoon crushed basil leaves to one cup boiling water, allow
to cool completely and then apply to affected area with cotton ball.
(top)
BURNS--These directions
are for minor burns of the skin, anything that has blistered should be seen
by a medical doctor before anything other than cold water is applied to it.
�Aloe Vera is probably the best know remedy for burns as well as many
other skin irritations, squeeze the fresh
juice from the plant and apply liberally to the burn once it has been cleaned.
Cover with gauze, lightly, change dressing every three to four hours depending
upon severity of the burn. �Calendula is also good for this and a prepared
product may be obtained from your local health food store, be
sure to follow package instructions. �Ginger, the fresh juice of the
ginger root is especially good for this purpose, apply directly to affected
area after it has been cleaned. �For Sunburn use Aloe Vera. �Also
an wash made of Sorrel is good for this purpose as well.
(top)
POOR CIRCULATION--Cold hands,
fingers, feet or "Restless Leg Syndrome". �For this purpose we want
to try and warm the body to promote good circulation of the blood.
�Angelica can be helpful in this area. �Make a decoction by simmering
one tablespoon of the powdered root in three
cups boiling water, allow to steep for an hour or so or until the water has
been reduced to two cups. �Strain and take � cup two to three times
per day. �WARNING...fresh root is poisonous, use dry root ONLY. �NEVER
ingest while pregnant. �Cayenne, one of the all time favorites!
�Use
externally in the application to bring heat to a specific
area, mix � teaspoon to a cup of warm vegetable oil and rub into effected
area. �Gotu Kola may also be helpful especially for circulation problems
in the lower limbs, you may either take the capsules daily or make an infusion
of one
table spoon slightly bruised leaves to a cup of boiling water, cover and
steep fifteen minutes. Take � cup three times daily, you may sweeten
with honey or lemon to improve the flavor. Butcher's Broom is said to be
especially helpful in "Restless Leg Syndrome" this may be purchased from
your local health food store, follow package
instructions.
(top)
COUGHS and
BRONCHITIS--Marshmallow is helpful here to sooth sore throat and help relieve
phlegm associated with flu and bronchitis. �Make a decoction by gently
boiling one tablespoon chopped or crushed root in three cups water. �Simmer
roughly one hour until water has been
reduced to two cups. �Take � cup three times daily. �Hyssop
is also helpful though some people do not care
for the taste, it does greatly help to loosen phlegm. �For this purpose
make a strong infusion by taking one tablespoon slightly bruised leaves and
one cup of boiling water. �Cover and
steep fifteen minutes. �You will probably wish to sweeten
this with a bit of honey before taking � cup three times daily. �This
is especially helpful when taken very hot at the onset of flu and cough.
Slippery Elm Bark is good for the digestive track as
well as to help soothe the throat make a decoction
by taking one tablespoon powdered or well bruised inner bark to three cups
of water. Boil and simmer for roughly one hour until water is reduced to
two cups. �Strain and take � cup three times daily.
(top)
DIARRHEA--Blackberry
bark or root is very helpful. Make a decoction using one tablespoon graded
root and/or�bark to three cups of water, boil and simmer one hour until
water is reduced to two cups. �Strain and drink one cup every two to
four hours as needed. �Peppermint may also be
helpful, for this purpose make a standard infusion of the
leaves is made (one ounce leaves to two cups boiled water) cover and steep
fifteen minutes. �Drink � cup twice a day as needed. �Red
Raspberry may also be helpful especially if the diarrhea is rather on the
heavy side, for this
purpose make a standard infusion of the slightly bruised dried leaves to
one cup of boiling water. Drink � cup three times daily.
(top)
HAY FEVER--Some of these
may help alleviate the symptoms associated with Hay Fever. Evening Primrose
acts an anti inflammatory and may help reduce severity of attack, for
this purpose take the capsules three times daily during the season.
�Yarrow may be helpful if used as a steaming agent,
add one to two tablespoons dried yarrow flowers to a bowl and pour in
boiling
water. �Drape towel over your head and inhale the steam for as long
as possible or until water cools. �(top)
INSOMNIA
and LIGHT NERVOUSNESS--For light insomnia or simple jumpy nerves try an infusion
of Chamomile before going to bed. �For nerves take this infusion in
� doses three times daily. �Hops are also helpful for the same
level of insomnia and nervousness, for this purpose it is
recommended that you take the capsules, follow package directions. �Lemon
balm is also good for light insomnia and nervousness, make a standard infusion
and drink before bed time or for nerves take � cup three times daily.
�Valerian is very helpful for moderate insomnia, for some people it
acts as a mild depressant which can be taken during the day and for others
it knocks them out cold at night. �You will have to try small doses
of it in order to find out which category you fall into. �For sleeping
problems it is recommended that you take two valerian capsules an hour
before
going to bed, don't try to make teas of this stuff it smells
HORRIBLE and tastes WORSE! Passion Flower, is another one you have to try
for yourself, normally people find it to be stronger
than valerian but your mileage may vary, take one pill an hour before going
to bed. (top)
SINUS PROBLEMS--Peppermint
tea may be helpful in this area, also warm peppermint poultices may be applies
on the face over the sinus areas. �Costmary may also be helpful when
used as an
inhalant. �Take a handful of leaves and flowers add to a bowl of boiling
water, drape your head with a towel and inhale the steam for as long as possible
or until the water is cool. �As also as an inhalant Marshmallow may
work well, take two cups of boiling water and handful of
crushed leaves, drape head with a towel and
breath for ten minutes.
(top)
TOOTHACHE--between the
time the pain and you actually get a dentist appointment, ya gotta do something
to ease the pain. �Tarragon, Allspice, Nutmeg and Clove oils may be
applied with a cotton ball directly on top of effected area. �All cotton
ball to sit on area for a few minutes, try not
to swallow during this time most of it tastes pretty bad!
�In the case of allspice oil it can cause nausea vomiting and convulsions.
�You may make a wash of Fennel by infusion one table spoon crush seeds
in a cup of boiling water, cover and simmer fifteen minutes. �Strain
and use as a
mouthwash or gargle as needed. �Cayenne pepper, for those of you who
are adventurous, may be applied directly to the effected tooth until you
can get to the dentist. (top)
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