Herbal Household Remedies

Via: Reading Eagle Newspaper

Although herbs have been used for centuries to treat ailments and promote good health, it is absolutely essential that you never ingest or otherwise use a plant unless you are 100 percent sure what it is, and that it is safe to use.

Yarrow, which grows wild in Berks County, traditionally has been used to staunch bleeding, to treat bowel ailments and as an anti-inflammatory. Pennsylvania Germans used yarrow as a “sweating tonic” to reduce fever.

Sweet violet, a very common plant that grows wild and blooms in early spring, is reputed to soothe sore throats and lessen coughs, promote sound sleep and treat fibrous cysts, lumps, infections and growths in the breast and female reproductive systems. Violet leaves are high in vitamins A and C.

Dandelion leaves, with which many people wage battle every spring, has been used as a diuretic, to improve circulation in lower legs and feet, to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and stimulate metabolism.

Dandelion root is said to be excellent for the liver, as well as to decrease acne and eczema, and regulate hormone balance.

Plantain grows readily in yards not treated with chemicals; you may find some in yours if you look. This broad-leafed plant can treat mosquito or bee stings, increase healthy cell growth or sooth muscle tears. Plantain is used in Europe to for upper respiratory problems.

Catnip is not only beneficial to cats, but can be used to treat nervous tension; gastric reflux and ulcers; colds, flu and intestinal viruses in children; and fever. It also can be used as a mosquito repellent.

The common elder plant may be found growing in gullies along roads. Tiny, white, fragrant flowers give way to berries, both of which traditionally have been used as a cold/flu remedy and to treat measles and chicken pox. Flowers can be used in facial preparations and are said to remove age spots and freckles.

Via: Otago Daily Times Online

Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst
Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine
Review by Ted Nye

Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst explore the merits of alternative medicines.

If responsibility for the production of this book could be laid at the door of any one person, it would probably be HRH the Prince of Wales - the writers virtually say as much.

It would appear that HRH is sympathetic to the claims of Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) but, quite reasonably, says that as millions of pounds are spent annually on the product it would be good to know if people were getting value for money.

The writers rise to the challenge in this careful review of the many claims made for CAM, either in the forms of diagnostic gadgetry or physical procedures, such as acupuncture and chiropractic, or medicinals, such as homoeopathy or herbal remedies.

The authors point out that the claims of any method of treatment can, and should, be tested using rigorously designed trials, placebo-controlled and double-blinded so that neither patient nor therapist know which treatment is being used until the completion of the trial.

New, mainstream, pharmaceuticals must go through the process before being approved by the drug regulating agencies.

Promoters of snake-oil for almost any common condition you could name bypass the process.

However, the claims of homoeopathy, based on an early inspiration by a German physician named Hahnemann in the late 18th century, have been tested.

Complete Review

catnip, ginger, marjoram, mustard, oregano

Warm or slightly coolish tea from marjoram and organo, a tsp each added to a pint of water that just stopped boiling, and let stew for half an hour and strained, helps with fever and relieves cramps too.

Grandma’s Old Time Mustard Plaster still helps for a variety of disorders, just like it used to do, fever among them. Mash leaves and stems of fresh mustard plant into a pulp.  Coat the surface of the skin with petroleum jelly (Crisco lard or Vaseline) before applying the pulp to prevent serious blisters or raising welts on the skin.  Bind into place with gauze and adhesive tape and keep on for several hours or overnight for best results.

Ginger tea breaks high fever:  Grate enough ginger to equal about 2 level tbsps, the add them to 2 cups of boiling water and cover.  Let steep for 30 minutes, drink 1 cup while still warm every 2.5 hrs.

Catnip tea reduces fever and the misery that comes with hayfever and nausea:  Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil, add a tsp of freshly cut or dried catnip after removing the water from the heat and let steep for 20 minutes. Drink lukewarm, and you can add honey to taste.