Herbal Household Remedies

Via: North Island Midweek

By Ingrid Pincott

The word is getting around that naturopathic physicians offer pre- and post-surgery care.

Sometimes surgery is unavoidable or highly desirable and patients want as much support as possible to speed the healing time and make the experience as painless as possible.

This care is also very effective for dental procedures and surgery.

1. The first goal is to aid with pain management. The two homeopathic remedies that provide great support are Arnica and Hypericum.

Arnica is a well-known remedy used to treat trauma of any kind including emotional trauma. Hypericum is a great remedy to help with nerve trauma and pain and is used commonly after dental surgery.

Another remedy I use with good success is a natural anti-inflammatory composed of a mixture of bromelain, curcumin and quercitin.

This remedy is usually only required in therapeutic dosages for the first few weeks post operatively.

2. The liver is the major blood filtration organ of the body. It takes quite a hit from the anesthetic drugs used during surgery.

Providing liver supporting herbs such as milk thistle and chelidonium will increase the metabolism of these drugs for speedier recovery. For some the most traumatic part of surgery is getting over the anesthetic. I suggest that people take these remedies up to two weeks before surgery as well as afterwards for several months.

3. The adrenal glands are the major organ to help deal with stress and of course surgery is a very stressful event for the body. These glands can take longer than the liver to recover post-operatively.

There are many very effective remedies for the adrenal glands including the wonderful Russian herb, rhodiola. However vitamin C can be a simple and useful remedy to aid the adrenal glands and healing in general when taken post operatively in therapeutic dosages for months at a time.

Sue, 45, was heading in for microscopic surgery to remove her gallbladder. I outlined the remedies (mentioned above) for her and also suggested that she make up ginger juice to help with the nausea and digestion after surgery.

Two cups of raw ginger are boiled in one gallon of purified water for one hour then consumed either hot or cold with a little stevia and lemon or lime to flavour. This can also be mixed with organic gingerale.

If her appetite was low I suggested she use the Greens First Smoothie mixed with a protein powder to provide her with the antioxidants equivalent to 10 cups of fruits and vegetables.

Once Sue recovered I added a bile supplement to her nutritional program to take the rest of her life.

This aids the production of bile by the liver, now that she no longer had the gallbladder where the bile is stored for fat metabolism.

Several months later I suggested a two-week cleansing program to further aid the function of the kidney, liver and bowel.

She told me her surgeon was delighted on how quickly she bounced back and she was glad that she was one of those patients who felt a lot better having her gallbladder removed.

Via:  Tampabays10.com

Tampa, Florida - Summertime means heading outdoors, but outdoor activities come with more accidents and injuries. As many people move toward a green lifestyle, over-the-counter remedies may not be the answer for them.

Anne Champion, the health and beauty manager at the Village Health Market in South Tampa, can answer often asked questions for every day ailments.

“I personally use natural products and my children were raised on it. They do work. I feel better, I feel my system is healthier. I think that’s what people are looking for, that healthy alternative,” says Champion.

While many products are problem-specific, some are multi-purpose. Champion’s list of must haves for a natural first aid kit include: Calendula for burns, scrapes and skin irritations.

For muscle soreness, strains or bruising, Ann recommends Arnica. Champion says it is one of their most popular homeopathic remedies in the store.

Tiger Balm patches on sore areas help aching muscles.

For skin irritations, Champion says to use good old Calamine. “It’s zinc-based [and] helps any bacteria on the skin. [It] also helps with relief of any itching.”

A bottle of Aloe Gel is another first aid essential but Champion suggests keeping it as pure as possible. “Sun burns, gums, any type of surgery need for healing, insect bites, you name it can be used for it.”

Ann swears by Tea Tree Oil. She even takes it on vacations. Champion says it is an antiseptic, a natural antiseptic, it’s antibacterial and an antifungal.

Anne says to be patient; some natural products can take longer to work. “It’s not just putting on the band-aid or quick fix but on a deeper level. I think people are looking for that. It’s more healing that way and you get better results that way.”

Isabel Mascareñas, Tampa Bay’s 10 News