Remedies

From Antivist

Revision as of 00:18, 24 August 2007

Forms of Topical Herbal Remedies

• Salve - Salves are healing preparations that are applied to the skin. They are generally thick creams that last a long time on the skin, helping to keep moisture in. Salves have protective qualities that shield the skin from harsh effects of sun and wind. Popular salves are those made with calendula, St. John's wort and comfrey.
• Poultice - A poultice is a traditional preparation of fresh or dried whole herbs. The herbs are mashed into a pasty consistency and applied topically to the affected area. Herbs can be moistened and heated and then applied to the skin. Poultices are the way your great-grandmother would have applied herbs and it's still a useful method today. A crude method, poultices are great for instant use and can use parts of the plant that aren't normally used, such as the root and stems.
• Compress - A compress is similar to a poultice. Fresh or dried herbs are mashed and combined with water to make a paste. The paste is then applied to the skin or put into a small bundle, often in fabric, to be held against the skin.
• Oils - Infused oils are made by combining herbs with oil, usually extra-virgin olive oil, and heated on a slow heat. The mixture is then steeped for at least two weeks, then strained and put into jars. Oils can be used for skin irritations and is commonly used as massage oil.
• Ointment - Similar to salves, ointments are thicker in consistency. They are used topically on the skin and are particularly good for minor skin irritations and burns.

Forms of Ingestible Herbal Remedies

• Infusions - Infusions are the most common way that people take herbal remedies. An infusion is a preparation that uses water as a solvent to mix with crude botanicals. The mixture may start out hot or can be a cold mixture. Usually, hot water mixtures infuse the herbs more readily and are therefore made hot and then cooled down for use. The mixture is steeped, rather than boiled. That is, it is let to set in the hot water for a period of time, depending on the type of herbs that are used. Infusions are generally the weakest of the herbal preparations.
• Decoction - A decoction is similar to an infusion because water is used. However, a decoction uses water to boil the herbs and then squeezes them into a container. That "juice" is more concentrated than an infusion and is twice as potent. In prepared decoctions, alcohol is used as a preservative. Otherwise, the decoction would spoil rapidly. Decoctions are often used as additives in prepared foods or drinks.
• Tincture - Similar to decoctions, tinctures are prepared by allowing herbs to sit in liquids for long periods of time to solubilize them. Herbs are stored for weeks to months in dark glass containers containing an ingredient that will make them soluble. That may be water, vinegar, alcohol or glycerine. The herbs break down in the liquid and dissolve. The remaining mixture is strained or pressed. Tinctures are often used added to foods or drinks.
• Syrup - Similar to tinctures, syrups are a thicker liquid. These are most often taken alone as a remedy. Syrups generally have higher concentrations of herbs and care should be taken to follow the directions properly.
• Tea - There are a number of pre-made herbal teas on the market these days. There are also tea bags that come in a variety of herbal mixtures. These are so common that they are available at any regular supermarket. Tea is actually a form of infusion.
• Capsules or Tablets- Next to infusions, capsules are the next most common way to take herbs. Supplements are available in tablet form for almost any herb known. These are ingested in the same way you take aspirin. They dissolve in the stomach and get into your body.

Insect Bites

• Use a cotton ball to dab mosquito and other bug bites with white vinegar straight from the bottle.
• Rub some onion juice on the bite. Smells, but works!

Bee Stings

• Combine a little baking soda and water to form a paste...dab on bite.

Insect Repellents

• Tie a sheet of dryer sheets through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
• Make a solution of mint oil and rubbing alcohol, place in a spray bottle and spray yourself before any outings, the mint acts as a natural deterrent for most insects.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Dilute one part to five parts and use an effective antiseptic wash to heal sores. For bad wounds, soak a gauze bandage in the solution and leave overnight.

Burnt Toast

Burnt toast contains charcoal, which is useful to relieving intestinal wind pain.

Fresh Ginger Root

For very tired and aching muscles and joints, grate some fresh Ginger root, then place in a clean handkerchief or muslin cloth and squeeze out the juice. Add the same amount of vegetable oil and massage into the sore areas until the skin is warm and pink. Applying before bed will help prevent disturbed sleep.

Gingernut Biscuits

Because these contain ginger, they are ideal to munch on before or during a long car or boat trip to help prevent nausea. Also good for dogs that get carsick. If you make your own, add extra Ginger.

Grated Apple

This is said to be great for relieving constipation, nausea and diarrhea.

Potatoes

Grate up a raw potato and apply the juice to soothe sunburn, cysts, inflammation, and swellings.

Cabbage Leaves

To treat sprains and bruises, crush dry cabbage leaves with a rolling pin or bottle. Put them in position over affected area and secure with a bandage. Replace with fresh crushed leaves every two hours and watch the swelling and redness disappear.

Aloe Vera Plants

Snap off a piece of an Aloe Vera plant, open up and use the gel inside as an effective cooler and healer of nappy rash. It's also good for helping to heal wounds, cuts, scraps, dry skin, sunburn and acne in teenagers. The older outer leaves are the most potent.

Baking Soda

Throw a handful into your a bath regularly to help prevent thrush. Baking Soda in the bath is also helpful to help ease itchy or hot sunburn, insect bites or hives, as well as chicken pox and measles.

A teaspoon full can be added to a glass of lemonade or warm water and drunk as a quick anti-acid.

Add a small amount to your shampoo and it will help strip your hair of build-up leaving you with shiny hair.

For smelly shoes, place a teaspoon full inside their shoes and leave overnight. Next morning, shake it out, and the smell should leave with the baking soda.

Peppermint Essence

This is good for reliving itchy bites in children as it smells better than commercial products, doesn't sting and really works.

Cornflour

This is useful for more than just making your own gravies. It is a great cure for diaper rash. Just sprinkle some on and you should notice an improvement by the next diaper change.

Honey

Spread a small amount of honey on a little piece of bread and put 'honey side down' onto an infected wound, ulcer or a boil. The honey acts as a drawing ointment helping to clean it out.

Honey is good for your skin (especially your neck area) when it becomes dry. Apply, leave for half an hour, and then rinse off in the shower.

Tea Tree Oil

Add a small amount to your bottle of family conditioner, and this is said to prevent head lice being contacted, as the lice are repelled by it.

White Vinegar

White Vinegar is another one of those products that has many different uses. One use is helping to heal the pain of a burn. Put some white vinegar liberally on a piece of cotton wool and dab the burnt area. The same can be done for sunburn.

Some vinegar added to a bath with no other oils or bubble bath added, can be valuable in providing relief from eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis. To make your hair soft and shiny, add a glass of vinegar to your final hair rinse.

Remedies for Cold and Flu

Lemons:Mixed with a little honey and hot water, lemons help soothe sore throats. For fevers, my grandmother used to squeeze a little lemon juice in a dish of cold water and apply it to my forehead with a washcloth. It is also gives you some added vitamin C to help your immune system.

Honey: Excellent for sore throats and coughs. You can take it plain, one teaspoonful at a time or mix it with some hot water and lemon.

Garlic:One of my favorite cough and cold remedies involves garlic. Chop and peel five garlic cloves. Cover with a half a cup of honey. Mix in a little cayenne pepper or ginger. Let sit for at least an hour. Take one teaspoonful as needed.

Cayenne pepper: Used in small amounts, cayenne pepper helps your immune system. Add it to food or make the garlic/honey recipe. It also helps keep you warm if you have a chill.

Chamomile tea: Chamomile is commonly used to help you relax and sleep. It is also good for stomach problems and fevers. Don't use if you are allergic to ragweed. Also don't use in large amounts if you are pregnant (more than two cups a day). image Peppermint tea: This is one of my favorite herbs to use, especially when my sinuses are all blocked up. You can either drink it, or put a few tea bags in your bath water. Don't use in large amounts if pregnant.

Ginger: One of my favorite teas to drink when I feel chilled and tired from a cold or the flu is ginger tea. Cut off a one-inch piece of the fresh root and peel it. Grate it into a mug and pour one cup of boiling water. Let it stand for five minutes. You can season it with honey if you want. This is also a good tea for stomach problems.

Thyme: This is one of my favorite herbs to use when I have a cough. To use, prepare a tea with one cup of the dried herb and one cup hot water. Let it steep for fifteen minutes. Strain out the herb and sweeten with honey if needed. Store it in the refrigerator and take one teaspoon every hour as needed. Only use this remedy for a day or two.

Oregano:This is also used for coughs and colds. Prepare it the same way as thyme.

Sage: Sage is a classic sore throat remedy. Prepare the same as thyme and oregano. You can either drink it or gargle with it depending on your preference. Sage is also good for fevers. Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a remedy that may help your immune system. Add small amounts of the powder to food. You can also add the powder or a cinnamon stick to an herbal tea.