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CHINESE KITCHEN CORNER
          By Barbara Boss, Ph.D., L.Ac.           (208)659-9697

This is the second article on the use of common kitchen spices to aid healing. As a note of explanation, for this series on medicinal spices, we are utilizing knowledge from many different cultures, not strictly Chinese. In the future, however, this column will be focusing on the traditional Chinese way of using the kitchen for healing purposes. Now, let us continue by discussing spices that can aid arthritic pain and swelling.

The majority of of herbal remedies for arthritic pain are used topically, but one spice can be taken internally, and that is cayenne. One quarter teaspoon of cayenne can be ingested three times per day for this condition and many others. It is tolerated quite well by the body! Externally, one can apply oil of bay, cayenne tincture, oil of garlic, a ginger solution, or marjorum solution. To prepare oil of bay, heat a few bay leaves in a little olive oil. When using cayenne tincture, rub a little over the inflamed joint and wrap red flannel around it. Keep in place ovenight. To make a ginger solution, simmer 5 ounces of grated ginger in two quarts of water for ten minutes. After straining, soak a cloth in the solution and apply to the affected area. Keep changing the cloth to maintain a constant warmth on the skin. The area will redden as the blood circulation increases. Cayenne tinture can also be applied to a toothache, as can oil of marjorum. Cloves can simply be chewed to relieve the pain of a toothache, or oil of cloves can be rubbed into the gums.

        Source: The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra L.Ac.,O.M.D. (1998)

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