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.

Cabbage, cayenne, ginger, turmeric (curcuma), yarrow, potato

• Cut out the midribs from several large green cabbage leaves and iron them with a steam iron until they are soft as velvet. Rub a little olive oil on one side and put them on the area of pain, covering them with a heavy towel. Leave for a while before changing again. GUARANTEED relief, every single time.
• Cayenne capsules are very effective as pain relievers. Take two capsules 3-4 times a day with milk or apple juice, on a consistent basis. Pain may increase early on for a short time, but will diminish soon enough.
• Hot ginger compresses relief pains of many sorts, including arthritis: 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.
• Turmeric, one of the main ingredients of curry, has anti-inflammatory properties. Half a tsp in juice taken both morning and night can relief arthritic pains too.
• A tea from yarrow, in combination with CamoCare Pain Relieving creme, reduces all manners of inflammation nicely: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add 3 tbsp of yarrow. Cover and let simmer for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes. Drink 1 cup several times a day when cool, and use the cream to rub the external points of inflammation at the same time.
• 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.