Simple Herbal Remedies
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.
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.
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.
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 ½ 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 ½ 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 ½ 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.
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 ½ 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 ½ 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 ½ cup three times daily.
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 ½ 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 ½ cup three times daily.
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.
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 ½ 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 ½ 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.
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.
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. |
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