Herbal Household Remedies

Via: NaturalNews

By Jo Hartley
Wife, Mother of 8, and Grandmother of 2

With the current call for a ban of all cough medicines for children age 6 and under by an expert panel of the FDA, it’s helpful to understand why these cough medicines are being reevaluated and to explore alternative remedies.

The cough medicines are being recalled because they don’t work well and the incidences of drug overdose for the children who use them are too high.

The good news is that there are effective alternatives. One of the best home remedies for a variety of issues is honey. Honey has been shown to be a safe natural remedy.

Researchers at Penn State University conducted a study on honey’s effectiveness for treating coughs in children. Children with cough symptoms were divided into three groups. One group was given nothing, the second group was given a cough suppressant containing dextromethorphan DM, and the third group was given a spoonful of honey before bed. Honey was found to be significantly better for quieting coughs, compared to the DM or no treatment groups.

Honey is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-microbial compounds that are very beneficial for healing. Honey also soothes the throat by coating the area that is irritated. Honey has the added benefit of tasting good!

Dosage: Children ages 2 to 5 can have a half teaspoon; ages 6 to 12 can have a teaspoon; and ages 12 and over can have two teaspoons. It may be helpful to follow the honey with warm decaffeinated tea.
Honey also contains strong natural antiseptics that can be both eaten and used topically on wounds. Many countries recognize the healing properties of honey, including England, France, Japan, Austria and New Zealand. Their practice is to keep honey available as one of the best home remedies.

You can spread it on scraped knees and administer it whenever a sore throat is felt to be coming on. It’s used to control ulcers by preventing the buildup of H-pylori in the stomach. It’s used for acid reflux as an effective remedy. It’s even been touted for its ability to heal leg ulcers in patients with diabetes.

New research is also revealing the unusual antibacterial activity unique to honey. This has led to a greater understanding of the capability of honey to kill certain bacteria through different mechanisms.

* Honey has even been effective against many different drug resistant bacteria, including E. coli.

* Honey has been observed attacking E. coli bacteria in ways that render the bacteria defenseless.

* Honey has been able to kill not only the E. coli bacteria, but other types of bacteria as well.

One of the strongest and most effective kinds of honey is manuka honey (made from the manuka flower). This honey has proven itself the most effective cure for acid reflux. Clover honey and other honeys are effective as well, but to a slightly lesser extent. Researchers have even discovered that manuka honey has been shown to prevent and fight some of the super bugs currently invading hospitals.

Not only does honey possess significant antibacterial qualities, it is also effective in promoting healing by directly stimulating cells necessary in immune response for disease fighting and wound healing.

Honey is the one sweetener that offers not only life-giving qualities that are unique, but also a sweetness that is absolutely natural.

Via: Oregon Healthy Living

For Sandi Thompson, proof of cranberries’ healing power is in her liver.

When Thompson’s liver faltered — the consequence of consuming cocktails of prescription drugs — a doctor suggested cranberry juice. Once Thompson started drinking it — and lots of water — her lab tests improved.

That was 17 years ago, but the experience cemented Thompson’s preference for natural remedies administered in her own home.

“Let’s start natural,” Thompson says. “Let’s start simple.”

Thompson’s liver problems followed a urinary-tract infection for which she was prescribed several medications. When side effects — including hair loss, aches and pains — cropped up, Thompson was given yet more prescriptions.

“They were medicating all these different things,” she says. “When they took me off all the medications, I returned to normal.”

Now a 37-year-old mother of five daughters, the Shady Cove resident has adapted numerous home remedies from “Natural Child Care” by Maribeth Riggs to treat scrapes, nausea, sore throat, warts and other minor health conditions. A 4-H advisor, Thompson has conducted classes on the topic of natural living for the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center’s annual Carnival of Learning.

Proven home remedies

1. A saltwater bath for a stuffy nose

2. Chewing gum to relieve heartburn and speed healing from abdominal surgery

3. Chicken soup for colds

4. Yogurt for belly aches (look for those that contain live, active cultures or are labeled “probiotic”)

5. Honey for a cough (do not administer to children under 1 year of age)

6. Cranberries for a healthy bladder (look for drinks that list cranberry juice as the first or second ingredient)

7. Staying warm to prevent a cold

— Source: Consumer Reports on Health, June 2008 issue

Read the complete article

Via: KeepTheDoctorAway

17/06/2008

Brits are increasingly turning their backs on prescription medicine, instead preferring to use natural remedies, according to a new report out today.

More than 60% of Brits questioned said they would rather use natural products to ease certain illnesses such as flu, digestive problems and depression, and are now opting for remedies such as honey and lemon, Echinacea and St John’s Wort.

With an increasing disillusionment with traditional medicine such as paracetamol, anti-depressants and flu medicines, half of UK adults admitted they are more likely to use natural and food based remedies today than 5 to 10 years ago, the research by honey producer Rowse reveals.

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