These are some remedies, for common problems, that will hopefully help you or someone you know.
{*As with all herbal remedies, you should check with your doctor first}
Allergies
- Nasal Congestion
> Put 1 Tbsp. each of rosemary and eucalyptus into 1 cup boiling water, place a towel over your head to make a tent and breathe in fumes for at least 5 minutes.
Anemia
> Strawberry Tea- Crush about 3 tsp. of fresh strawberry leaves or use 1 tsp. dried leaves and place them in 1 cup boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes, scoop out leaves and enjoy.
Asthma
> Chest Rub- Make your own by using 1 tsp. olive oil and 3 to 4 drops of thyme oil. Warming vapors keeps respiratory passages open and moist.
Athlete's Foot
>Foot Soak- Crush several garlic cloves, drop them into a tub of warm water(as warm as you can stand it) with a little rubbing alcohol. Place feet in tub and soak for about 10 minutes once a day. (if you have diabetes check with your doctor first)
Back Pain
> Use one or more of the following herbs in equal parts- gingerroot, chamomile, and peppermint. Put 1 tsp. herb mixture into 1 cup boiling water...steep covered about 10 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup three to four times a day. (People with ragweed allergies may be sensitive to chamomile).
> You can also toss a handful of dried thyme into the tub while you run a hot bath. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
Bad Breath
> In small dish combine 1 Tbsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt, 1/2 tsp. powdered allspice, and 1/2 tsp. ground sage. Blend well and sprinkle onto toothbrush and brush, or stir mixture into 1 cup warm water and gargle. You can use this daily or rotate with commercial brand.
Breast Conditions
> Swelled Breasts- Saturate clean cloth with castor oil and place against skin. Take care to completely cover the breasts. Cover with plastic wrap so it will not stain your clothes and place a hot water bottle or heating pad on top for 1 hour. Do this 3 to 4 times a week.
> Carrot Poultice...If your breasts are swelled from clogged milk ducts try this. Grate a carrot into some cheesecloth and moisten it. Place on breast all the way up to your armpit. Cover with hot water bottle or heating pad and leave for 1 hour. Fresh poultice should be applied several times a day until discomfort is resolved.
Bug Bites
> Make a sage poultice using sage and apple cider vinegar. Crush handful of freshly picked sage leaves to bruise them. Put leaves in pan, cover with apple cider vinegar and simmer on low until they get soft. Remove sage leaves and wrap in a washcloth. Place the pack on stings and swellings.
Burns
> St. John's wort oil can be applied to burns as long as the skin isn't broken. Promotes healing and eases pain...apply two to three times a day.
Colds
> Make a Bloody Mary with or without the booze. Pour tomato juice and add some lemon, a celery stalk, and horseradish..drink it quick. It's the horseradish that really does the trick, the fumes loosen congestion making your cold more bearable and you get the benefits of the vitamin C in the tomato juice.
> Oil rub- Add 3 to 4 drops of essential oil like eucalyptus, lavender, or thyme, to 1 tablespoon olive oil. Apply liberally to chest then cover with a clean cloth. Cuddle up, get cozy and rest.
> Mix just a dash of cayenne pepper and a pinch of salt into 1 ounce apple cider vinegar. Drink 3 or 4 times daily.
> An old but good one also is to use 1 Tbsp. honey with 1 Tbsp. lemon juice. Stir into cup of hot water and sip. Do this 3 times a day.
Constipation
> Puree some dandelion leaves in blender with water. Pour juice into glass. Drink up to 3 glasses. Be sure the leaves come from a yard where there are no pesticides or chemicals being used. Dandelions are rich in potassium therefore should not be taken with potassium tablets. Check with your doctor.
Cough
> This was used during the Great Depression when few could afford drugstore remedies... Slice 1 onion into rings and place in deep bowl. Cover them with honey. Let stand 10 to 12 hours. Strain out onion and take 1 Tbsp. of syrup 4 to 5 times a day. You can also finely chop 1 onion and mix it with 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Let stand overnight. Take 1 Tbsp. of syrup every 4 to 5 hours. Caution: Do not give raw honey to a child under 1 year of age.
Diarrhea
> Mix 1 tsp. carob powder into 1/4 cup applesauce and eat slowly. You may need to take 2 or 3 doses throughout the day.
> Boil 1/2 cup brown rice in 1 quart water for about 15 to 20 minutes while stirring constantly. Strain and you may add honey if you wish. Drink throughout day. The rice water soothes the irritated instestinal tract while providing hydrating.
Earache
> Put 2 chopped cloves of garlic into a jar and cover them with olive oil. Put lid on (or seal if no lid) and put in dark for three to four days. Swirl a couple times a day. Then strain it and store in fridge. Warm oil by placing jar in hot water for a few minutes then place 2 to 3 drops into ear. Repeat 2 or 3 times a day. Keep oil refrigerated when not using. Will keep for 1 month.
Flu
> Put 1 tsp. chamomile into cup of water and steep for 10 minutes. Drink a cup 3 times a day. If you don't have the chamomile, just use some chamomile tea from the store. The chamomile eases pain, calms your stomach, makes you relax, and is an antimicrobial. Caution: If you're allergic to ragweed then you may be sensitive to chamomile.
Headache
> Get fresh willow twigs and chew them to ease your headache.
Menstrual Symptoms
> Flower Spritz- You can use this for a fragrant lift throughout the day. These essential oils can relieve the pain and stress being caused by menstration. Put 10 drops each of these essential oils...lavender, sage, and chamomile, to 5 milliliters of isopropyl alcohol . Then add this combination to 100 milliliters distilled water. {A medicine measurer works great for measuring milliliters} If you can't find all three oils, then you may use the one that you find and like best, but you may want to increase the amount of drops you put into the alcohol to compensate for the oils you won't be adding. Use liberally for a 'boost'.
Nausea
> Steep 1 tsp. dill seeds in a cup of hot water while covered for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and sip.
> Mix two 12 oz. cans vegetable broth (or broth of choice, you can also make 2 cups broth using boullion), 2 pieces of gingerroot about the size of a quarter, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 2 minced cloves of garlic. Bring to a boil the turn heat down and simmer for 30 minutes. Sip spoonfuls slowly.
> Scratch into the peel of an an uncut lemon and sniff the fresh citrus scent. (they do this in India for upset stomach)
> Open a bottle of peppermint essential oil and inhale for a few seconds. You may add some to your bathwater as well, breath in deeply.
Pink Eye
> Strawberry leaf tea- Steep a tsp. of strawberry leaves in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes. Strain out the leaves then cool. Use as a compress.
> Make chamomile eyewash by steeping 2 or 3 tsp in a pint of boiling water(again, you may use a chamomile tea bag) for 10 minutes. Let it cool, strain it, and use to wash the affected eye. Caution: If you're allergic to ragweed then you may be sensitive to chamomile.
Poison Ivy
> Anti-itch paste- Make using one of these combinations....Water and cornstarch, Water and baking soda, Water and epsom salts, Water and oatmeal, Witch Hazel and baking soda. Apply to rash.
>There is a Jewelweed plant that grows next to or near the poison ivy that folk healers swear by, You will recognize it by it's bright yellow or orange flowers. It is a wild type of impatiens. They suggest that you squeeze the juice from the stems or leaves and swab it on your skin.
Post Nasal Drip
> Nasal Balm- Put 1/4 cup petroleum jelly in small saucepan and warm til it melts. Take off of heat and stir in 10 drops each of peppermint essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, and thyme essential oil (if you can't find all three you may use the one you can find and like the best). Let balm cool to room temperature and pour into jar for storage. Apply small amount to nostrils 1 to 3 times a day.
> Fill basin with steaming water(but not hot enough to burn you) and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or some kind of mint oil. Hold head over basin and put towel over your head to trap the vapors so you can breathe them in.
Pregnancy Discomfort
> For your achy legs and muscle cramps, drink 1 tsp. of blackstrap molasses stirred into a cup of hot water. Drink 1 cup a day.
> For hemorrhoids, apply the oil from a vitamin E capsule directly to the freshly wash area. Most effective when done before bed and first thing in the morning.
Rash
> Put 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar into 1 cup of water and sponge onto any itchy or rashy areas. Balances PH of skin so rash will soon sooth and quickly go away.
> Rub small amount of flax oil (can be found in vitamin section of store) into eczema before bed and after a bath.
Reflux
> Drink 1 cup of rose hip tea before meals. You may make this by steeping 1 heaping tsp. rose hips in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 mintues, strain and drink...or there are herbal teas you can use at your store that contain rose hips as well, just read the ingredients.
Sinus Problems
> Open nasal passages by using this oil once or twice a day... First, soak a washcloth in hot water and put it on your face for 5 minutes while resoaking in hot water to keep as hot as you can tolerate it. This increases circulation to the area. Next, put a thin layer of olive oil to the frontal bone, above eyes and cheekbones, underneath your eyes, and to the bony part on your nose. Then, put a couple drops of eucalyptus oil on your fingers and massage into the same areas. Then finish by placing the hot washcloth over face again. Rest for 15 minutes while keeping the washcloth hot (you don't have to leave the washcloth on for 15 min, only if you wish. but leave on for at least a few) Very Relaxing.
Sore Throat
> Simply steep a heaping tsp. of violet flowers in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes. Strain then slowly sip 2 to 3 cups a day.
> Carrot Poultice- Just grate a large carrot and spread on clean cloth. Wrap it around your throat and cover it with something like a scarf to keep it in place. To increase its effectiveness you may also place a hot or cold compress over it.
Sunburn
> Put several regular black tea bags into your bath a soak. You can also put brewed tea into a spray bottle, chill it, and then spritz on the skin as you feel the heat.
> Make a cooling lavender spray by filling an 8 oz. spray bottle with cold water and adding 6 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake well and spray on sunburn. Lavender is a great antiseptic cooler that can relieve the burn as well as protect against infection.
Vomiting
> Steep 1 tsp. of dried leaves of any of the following herbs in 1 cup hot water to make a tea.....Peppermint, Lemon balm, Spearmint, and Catnip. Strain and sip (small sips) while it's warm.
Warts
> Apply the juice from the stem of a dandelion to the wart 3 times a day until it disappears. Just pick one out of your yard.
> Place some crushed fresh basil leave right on the wart and cover with bandage. Change bandage every day and it should disappear in about or within a week. Basil has antiviral compounds.
Zits
> Honey Onion Mask- Put 1 tsp onion juice into 2 Tbsp. honey and mix well. Put on face and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then cool water to close up your pores. You may apply Witch Hazel as an astringent (many stored sell this in a bottle ready to use). To get the onion juice, blend an onion in a blender. Put a cloth into a bowl and pour onion and juice out of blender into cloth. Gather up cloth and squeeze onion juice through cloth into the bowl.
