Weighing up the alternative

 basil, carrot, catnip, chamomile, General, marjoram, mustard plaster  No Responses »
Jun 232008
 

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

Gout

 corncob, mustard, mustard plaster, pumpkin, squash  No Responses »
May 082008
 

corncob, mustard, pumpkin, squash

  • Corncob tea can be used to treat gout.  After removing (or eating) the corn from 2-3 fresh cobs, cover with enough water to cover the cobs by 2 inches.  On low heat, cook for an hour, strain, cool.  Drink 2-3 cups a day until the problems subside, then reduce to only one cup per day.  Keep refrigerated what you do not use right away.
  • Grandma’s Old Time Mustard Plaster still helps for a variety of disorders, gout 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.
  • The seeds of pumpkin and squash can be used to treat gout, too. Crush a handful of seeds and add them to a quart of boiling water, turn heat to low, cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and let steep for an additional half hour, then strain.  Until the desired relief is obtained, drink several cups of the tea each day, as needed.
 Posted by at 12:08 pm  Tagged with:

Fever

 catnip, ginger, marjoram, mustard, mustard plaster, oregano  No Responses »
Apr 112008
 

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.

Common Cold 3 – More remedies

 chives, mustard, mustard plaster, thyme, thyme compresses  No Responses »
Feb 032008
 

mustard, chives, ginger, thyme

  • Grandma’s Old Time Mustard Plaster still helps for a variety of disorders, just like it used to do: asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, fever and chills, sciatica, neuralgia, gout, bumps, bruises, sprains, tendinitis, common cold and flu, eruptive sores and boils. 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.
  • Chives and ginger tea relieves headaches due to sinus congestion caused by colds and flu. In 1 cup of boiling water put 1-1/2 tbsps of finely chopped chives and 1/2 tsp finely shredded ginger root. Cover with a flat plate and steep for half an hour. Strain, then drink lukewarm. Headaches usually go away within 20 minutes or less. Repeat as often as needed.
  • For hot compresses to put on the chest to help break up lung congestion, or as a massage lotion for aching muscles and joints, put 1 1/2 handfuls of fresh thyme in 2 pints of boiling water. Cover and move away from the heat. Let steep for 40 minutes. Strain and use.

Bruises

 cayenne, mustard plaster, peach tree leaves, potato plaster  No Responses »
Feb 032008
 

cayenne, mustard, peach tree leaves, potato

  • An ointment made of one part ground hot pepper and five parts Vaseline can be applied directly to the injured area. To prepare, melt Vaseline and add ground hot pepper, mix well and let cool until it congeals. Apply the ointment once daily, or once every two days. For effectiveness, 4 to 9 applications are usually enough.
  • Grandma’s Old Time Mustard Plaster still helps for a variety of disorders, just like it used to do: asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, fever and chills, sciatica, neuralgia, gout, bumps, bruises, sprains, tendinitis, common cold and flu, eruptive sores and boils: 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.
  • To remove inflammation and discoloration accompanying bruises, bumps and abrasions, apply the following solution either directly to the skin or soak a wad of cotton in it and hold it in place with adhesive tape: Mash 3-5 peach tree leaves by hand before simmering in 2 cups of sweet condensed milk for about 25 minutes on low heat. Allow to steep, covered with a lid, and strain when cool.
  • The following potato plaster reduces inflammations caused by contusions, sprains, burns, fractures, hemorrhoids, abscesses, arthritis, neuralgia and eczema: Peel and grate ordinary potatoes, mix half of them with an equal amount of green vegetable leaves (either spinach, radish or cabbage). The vegetable leaves should be coarsely pureed in t a food blender before mixing with the potatoes. To this wet mass add 10% white flower, then mix everything thoroughly by hand in a big bowl. Add just enough ice water (never warm water) to give the paste a wet, somewhat even and thick consistency. Apply plaster directly on the skin. For sensitive skin, rub the affected area with olive oil before applying the plaster. Put a clean cloth over the plaster and secure with a linen bandage. When the plaster dries out, apply warm water on the dry mass until it becomes moist again. Let the plaster sit in place for about 3.5 hours, while reclining. Remove plaster and rinse skin with warm water.

Bronchitis

 ginger, mustard plaster, oregano, sage tea, thyme compresses  No Responses »
Feb 032008
 

If you are unsure about your home-brewed teas or if you lack time and patience for plasters, Alternative Health & Herbs Remedies Sinus & Lung Congestion 2 Ounces (Pack of 2) might be a good alternative for you.  Otherwise, try the following:

ginger, sage, thyme, mustard

  • Hot ginger compresses break up mucus congestion well: 1.5 grated unpeeled ginger roots need to be tied in a small cloth, then hung for 7 minutes into a gallon of hot water that just stopped boiling. The ginger juice colors the water golden. Towels dipped in the still very hot water, then gently squeezed and applied to the aching spot, should stay warm for 15-20 minutes and grant relief. The procedure might be repeated for a total treatment of about 45 minutes, and repeated after 4-6 hours. These compresses also help with all kinds of muscular pains and even kidney stone attacks.
  • A tea made of sage leaves helps to remove mucus from congested lungs, as well as provides soothing and healing for soar throats, loss of voice and tonsillitis: Steep 2 tsp dried or fresh leaves in 1-1/4 cups of boiling water for 35 minutes, strain, sweeten with honey if desired, and take 1/2 cup every few hours as needed. For raw, irritated throat, add 1/4 tsp of fresh lime juice and gargle well before swallowing.
  • For hot compresses to put on the chest to help break up lung congestion, or as a massage lotion for aching muscles and joints, put 1 1/2 handfuls of fresh thyme in 2 pints of boiling water. Cover and move away from the heat. Let steep for 40 minutes. Strain and use.
  • Grandma’s Old Time Mustard Plaster still helps for a variety of disorders, just like it used to do: asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, fever and chills, sciatica, neuralgia, gout, bumps, bruises, sprains, tendinitis, common cold and flu, eruptive sores and boils. 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.

Asthma

 carrot, ginger, hot ginger compresses, mustard plaster, sage tea, thyme compresses  No Responses »
Feb 022008
 

carrots, ginger, sage, thyme, mustard

  • To relieve asthma, eat boiled carrots and drink the warm broth. Lukewarm carrot juice has the same effect.
  • Hot ginger compresses break up mucus congestion well: 1.5 grated unpeeled ginger roots need to be tied in a small cloth, then hung for 7 minutes into a gallon of hot water that just stopped boiling. The ginger juice colors the water golden. Towels dipped in the still very hot water, then gently squeezed and applied to the aching spot, should stay warm for 15-20 minutes and grant relief. The procedure might be repeated for a total treatment of about 45 minutes, and repeated after 4-6 hours.
  • (these compresses also help with all kinds of muscular pains and even kidney stone attacks)
  • A tea made of sage leaves helps to remove mucus from congested lungs, as well as provides soothing and healing for soar throats, loss of voice and tonsillitis: Steep 2 tsp dried or fresh leaves in 1-1/4 cups of boiling water for 35 minutes, strain, sweeten with honey if desired, and take 1/2 cup every few hours as needed. For raw, irritated throat, add 1/4 tsp of fresh lime juice and gargle well before swallowing.
  • For hot compresses to put on the chest to help break up lung congestion, or as a massage lotion for aching muscles and joints, put 1 1/2 handfuls of fresh thyme in 2 pints of boiling water. Cover and move away from the heat. Let steep for 40 minutes. Strain and use.
  • Grandma’s Old Time Mustard Plaster still helps for a variety of disorders, just like it used to do: asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, fever and chills, sciatica, neuralgia, gout, bumps, bruises, sprains, tendinitis, common cold and flu, eruptive sores and boils. 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.