Category: Natural Healing

Rosehips

ROSEHIPS

The “hip” is the part that remains when the petals fall off the flower. Rose hips contain vitamin C.

How to use:

For tea, 2 to 3 teaspoons per cup, steeped 10 minutes. Drink as needed.

Ginger Tea

Ginger Tea
1 inch or so fresh ginger root, sliced thin or grated
1/2 a fresh lemon, sliced (peel & all)
1 clove garlic, mashed
~2 c water
Very generous spoonful honey

Place water, ginger, lemon, & garlic in saucepan; bring to boil, then turn
down heat and simmer gently for 20 min. Strain into mugs and add lots of
honey. The tea *will* get stronger if you let it sit! Most invigorating!
The garlic adds a bit of bitterness, but the honey masks that. This tea is
very soothing to the throat and warms and opens the chest and nasal
passages. Plus there are all those vitamins and other good things! I now
make this tea at the first sign of a cold, which helps me fight it off. I
find it more effective than the commercial hot lemon remedies, and of course cheaper!

Old Fashioned Mustard Plaster

Old Fashioned Mustard Plaster

Helps relieve chest congestion due to colds.
1 tbsp dry mustard
1/4 cup flour
Lukewarm water

Sift together mustard and flour in a bowl. Slowly add just enough water to make a paste. Spread the plaster on a piece of muslin big enough to cover chest. Cover with another piece of muslin.

Make sure the skin is dry. Place the mustard plaster on the chest. Check
frequently and discontinue if there is any kind of allergic reaction. Remove when skin begins to turn red, usually after 10-20 minutes, and don’t leave on any longer than 30 minutes at a time. Then rub the chest w/ petroleum jelly to keep the heat in. Treat twice daily until congestion clears up. NOTE: For children, reduce amount of flour to 6 teaspoons.

Cranberry Soup

Cranberry Soup

1 cup cranberries
2 cups water
Honey to taste
1 tbsp potato starch

Heat cranberries and water together until cranberry skins open. Strain and add honey to taste. Bring mixture close to a boil, then remove from heat. In a separate bowl, mix starch with 2 tbsp cold water. Slowly add this mixture to the cranberry juice – stir vigorously.

Return mixture to heat and bring to full boil, stirring until it thickens
and becomes slightly transparent. Store in refrigerator in a covered
container. Serve w/ warm cream. Soothes colds, and is a good source of
vitamins C and B.

Hyssop Cough Syrup

Hyssop Cough Syrup

Licorice flavored, soothes sore throats.
2 tbsp dried hyssop (flower tops) or 1/3 cup fresh hyssop (chopped flowers)
1/4 cup water
1 cup honey
1 tsp aniseed

In a saucepan combine honey and water. Stir until the mixture is consistency of pancake syrup. Bring slowly to a boil (over a medium heat). Skim off any scum that rises to the surface.

Use 1-2 tbsp water to moisten the dried hyssop. Crush the aniseed. Stir both into the honey. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and allow to cool. While the mixture is still a little warm, strain into a jar. When completely cooled, screw on the lid. Should keep for 1 week.

Marshmallow Cough Syrup

Marshmallow Cough Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice or juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp chopped dried marshmallow root

In a small saucepan, bring the marshmallow root and water to a boil. Recuce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain liquid into another saucepan (should result in about 1 cup). Over a low heat, slowly stir in the sugar until it becomes thick and granules completely dissolve. (Stir in more water if the mixture becomes too thick.) Remove from heat and stir in the orange juice. Transfer to a container and allow to cool before covering tightly.

Wild Cherry Cough Syrup

Wild Cherry Cough Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar (scant)
1 tsp wild cherry bark
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp chopped dried marshmallow root

Make a decoction of the cherry bark and marshmallow root. (Boil in water for about 4 minutes. Steep the mixture with the cover on the pot for a few minutes.) Slowly stir in the sugar and cream of tartar, simmer until the mixture becomes thick and sugar granules completely dissolve. Transfer to a container and allow to cool before covering tightly.

Lemon Cayenne Throat Soother

Lemon Cayenne Throat Soother

Mix 1 tsp honey with 1 tsp lemon juice and dash of cayenne pepper. Take like cough syrup. This does not prevent cough, but does relieve throat pain in two ways. First, the honey and lemon coat the throat. Second, the cayenne pepper brings blood cells needed to fight off infection to the throat area.

Kitchen Cures

Kitchen Cures

By Carole Pagan

Whenever I have any sort of ache, pain, illness, or other ailment – I look to see if I can fix the problem with something in my kitchen.

Why would I do that?

For a lot of reasons really.

* I hate making an extra trip to the store.

* Drugs are expensive. Even the over the counter stuff. We get sick so rarely, I hate buying stuff that’s just going to sit in the cabinet.

* Drugs are chemicals, and many times have a side effect that you don’t want.

You have to eat anyway – why not eat foods that will help solve your problem?

Say you’re coming down with a cold – you’ll want to eat more fruit, drink orange juice, eat salad and chicken soup, drink green tea, take an extra vitamin C, and get a good nights sleep, right?

What’s the first thing you do when you feel like you’re getting a kidney infection? Drink cranberry juice, right?

How about when you have diarrhea? You eat bananas, right?

If you have a headache, the first question you ask yourself is “When did I eat last?” (Actually you should try a glass of water first. You might just be dehydrated.)

We do this stuff all the time, don’t we? But did you know that you can solve most of your health problems with food?

I woke up this morning feeling like I have a bit of tendinitis. I know that’s an inflammation, so I go and look up foods to eat to help prevent disease.

“Foods that act as an anti-inflammatory

Apples, blueberries, cloves, cranberries, curry, ginger, honey, lemon, mustard, onion, pineapple, raspberries, turmeric, black tea, green tea, red wine.”

Aspirin is also an anti-inflammatory, as well as a pain reliever – so if it gets worse I will take a couple aspirins. I also know that I want to stay away from foods that can actually cause inflammation like milk and whole wheat.

You can eat foods to help your asthma, arthritis, blood pressure, cancer, and other diseases and ailments. Now, I’m not saying to quit taking your medications. I am saying that when you eat the right foods, in time your doctor may be able to decrease your prescriptions. The worst that can happen is you’ll just feel better. The best that can happen? You’ll not only feel great, but you’ll save thousands of dollars too.

Circle casting in Spells and Magick

 Circle Casting in Spells and Magick 

Long before circles were adopted by ceremonial magicians, they have appeared in folk tradition as people for thousands of years have danced in circles around a festival fire. They offer power as well as protection.

In essence you can cast a circle anywhere for any kind of spell or ritual (a visualized one using your index finger takes seconds). If someone is being spiteful at work, you can swivel round in a circle in your chair casting a circle close to your area (about an extended arm span all round) so that nasty words bounce off or are diverted back to the speaker.

Any circle you create should enclose yourself your altar and tools, if you are using them, and anyone working with you to create an enclosed protected place of concentrated power. Even if you are carrying out a whole spell with words or in your mind you can cast a visualized circle of light.

An Ear Ache Home Remedy

An Ear Ache Home Remedy

Earaches are a common occurrence in our lives, especially with our children. Learn what causes them and how you can avoid them in the future.

Earaches can be anything from slightly painful to extremely painful and are usually brought on by a fluid buildup (sometimes resulting from an infection), or a buildup of pressure in the middle ear.

A highly common cause of the earache is due to plugged “˜Eustachian’ tubes (the tube that comes from the back of your throat and connects to your middle ear). If and when your Eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid will gather resulting in a painful earache, bringing with it the possibility of bacteria buildup or infection.

Causes of earaches:

· infection of the middle ear

· colds

· allergies

· sinus infections

· buildup of ear wax or fluid

· something stuck in the ear

· teeth problems

· ear injuries

· changes in air pressure in a plane (ascending or descending usually brings this on)

How to prevent earaches:

· Refrain from putting things into your ears such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, your fingers, etc. as this can cause damage to your eardrum and increase your chances of something getting stuck in your ear/eardrum.

· When blowing your nose, do it gently and one nostril at a time.

· Avoid smoke as much as possible. Smoking and secondhand smoke can increase your risk of infection.

· When swimming, wear earplugs and refrain from swimming in dirty waters.

If you’re an adult and you happen to have an earache, try applying a warm washcloth or a heating pad next to your ear. You can also try the cold therapy method by applying a cold compress or ice bag next to your ear for 20 minutes. Be sure to take a pain reliever, such as an acetaminophen, aspirin, or Motrin (ibuprofen) to help with the pain and reduce inflammation. If nothing works, seek medical attention.

To help open your Eustachian tubes and keep them drained, try the following:.

· Sleep with your head propped up

· Chew gum– especially when experiencing pressure changes (i.e. during plane travel).

· Stay awake during the ascending/descending of plane travel – this is when eardrums will plug up and cause pain. Try taking a decongestant a few hours before your plane ride as this will help prevent buildup in your nasal passages.

· Try yawning to contract the muscles that open your Eustachian tubes.

· Gently blow through your nose while holding both nostrils closed until you hear a pop. This helps promote ear drainage and can be done several times a day.

· Take a decongestant when you get a cold and continue taking it until the cold is gone. Check with your doctor to see if it is ok for you to take a decongestant.

· Take a hot shower – the steam will help to break up and soften earwax buildup.

In the case of children and earaches, usually they are brought on by an infection in the middle ear. This could be due to the fact that the Eustachian tubes are shorter and smaller in children.

How to tell if your child has contracted an earache:

· If you notice the ear seeping with fluid or excess ear wax.

· If your child begins pulling or rubbing his/her ear often, sometime your child will hold or cup his/her hand over the ear.

· If your child is crying or more fussy than usual.

· If your child complains of any ear pain.

· If your child develops a fever.

· If your child becomes irritable.

· If your child has trouble hearing you.

· If your child suffers a sudden loss of appetite.

Make sure that your child finishes, in its entirety; the prescription of antibiotics to make sure that the bacteria has been destroyed. If your child has been seen by the doctor, and has taken medicine (usually antibiotics) for under two days and shows no signs of improvement you should visit your doctor again. Also if there is any swelling behind or around the ear, or if any drainage from the ear continues, you should contact your doctor again.

Basic First Aid: How To Care For Blisters On Hands

Basic First Aid: How To Care For Blisters On Hands

First aid treatment for blistered hands often involves keeping the wound clean and the blister intact.

Blisters tend to form whenever a deeper skin layer is damaged and the surface skin remains intact.As the body sends serum and other fluids to the injury site, a liquid-filled pocket often forms.This pocket is commonly referred to as a blister.Blisters are not the same as callouses, which tend to form over skin abrasions and are not filled with liquid.

The most common causes of blisters are burns, abrasions and foreign objects under the skin.Their formation is usually not the problem in a first aid situation- blisters are a natural reaction to an injury below the skin’s surface. The real problem with blisters is protecting the injured area from further infection or damage.Treating a blister on the hands essentially means keeping it clean and intact until it can heal naturally.

 

A typical scenario for blistering involves second-degree burns.A victim’s hand contacts a high heat source and the skin becomes very red from the burn.The body’s natural defenses send out white blood cells and serum to the burned area in order to begin the healing process.Meanwhile, some of the damaged skin begins to shed dead or infected cells.Bacteria may also begin to infect the wound and cause the formation of pus. All of these fluids are trapped beneath several layers of skin, and the pressure raises the area over the wound.In this scenario, the good white cells and serum are protecting the damaged skin and attacking the bacteria, but the resulting fluids have nowhere to escape.This is why blisters formed by burns can be so large and painful.

In order to treat any blister on the hands, no matter the cause, you must first clean the area surrounding the wound.Because any excessive scrubbing may be extremely painful or lead to a premature popping, the best way to cleanse a blister is with a gentle bath of hydrogen peroxide or sterile water.Blistered hands should be patted dry, not scrubbed.

Once the area around the wound has been carefully cleaned, the blister itself should be examined.The most troubling development with a blister would be signs of blood.A blood blister should never be opened without proper medical training. The best first aid in the case of a blood blister would be to wrap the blister loosely with a sterile bandage and tape.Blood blisters can lead to blood infections such as septicemia, so victims should be taken to trained medical personnel as quickly as possible.

For blisters with clear liquid, the best treatment is to apply a layer of antibiotic cream or ointment and then wrap the blister loosely with a sterile gauze bandage.If the fluid appears discolored, especially yellow or green, then the victim needs to be seen by a doctor quickly.Discolored blisters may indicate a serious infection, which can enter the bloodstream and cause more serious problems.

If the blister is relatively small and the liquid is clear, then further medical treatment shouldn’t be necessary.Keep the blister clean and dry, changing out the bandages regularly.If the blister should happen to break, wash the area thoroughly with an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide or a Bactine-type product.Blisters should remain intact whenever possible, but they will occasionally break from pressure or naturally as they heal.

What Is Bergamot: A Natural Healer

What Is Bergamot: A Natural Healer

What is bergamot? It has been sought after through the ages for its essential oil. It is very essential in promoting the body’s ability to inner heal.

Bergamot can be found in Italy, Morocco and the Ivory Coast, it originated in Asia. Bergamot is a small tree with long, oval green leaves with white flowers. The bergamot bears a small round fruit that is yellow when ripe. Bergamot’s essential oil is extracted by cold expression from the fruit peel. It has a spicy, delicate scent that is light and refreshing.

Bergamot is used as an antidepressant, and is calming and refreshing for the nervous system. It is highly useful as an antiseptic and is used as an insect repellent. When using as an insect repellent use caution and avoid strong sunlight, bergamot contains furocoumarins, which can cause photosensitivity.

Bergamot received its name from the city where it was first cultivated, which was Bergamot, Italy. It is said that Christopher Columbus brought the tree from the Canary Islands to Spain and Italy. Bergamot oil was very valued oil during the 15th to 16th century; it was used in teas and perfumes. In voodoo it is thought to ward off evil and danger.

In today’s society bergamot is also very valued oil, it is used to aid in the digestion process, in treating urinary tract infections, and also with colic. The essential oil of Bergamot is great with acne, eczema, varicose ulcers and seborrhea of the skin and scalp.

For people with sensitive skin it is advised to use in moderation because if used in excess may irritate the skin.

Natural Remedies: How To Remove Callouses On Hands

Natural Remedies: How To Remove Callouses On Hands

A callus is a thickening or hardening of the skin.They form as a result of friction or pressure against the skin.In general, calluses are normal and natural. They are part of the body’s defense system.For example, Since they have never walked, infants have very tender feet. They have no calluses.But adults often have hard, even horny calluses.People that are frequently barefoot may develop calluses on their feet that are asthick and hard as leather.

Calluses on the hands form as a result of pressure or friction, just like calluses on the feet.Guitar players, manual laborers and gardeners all know about calluses on the hands.Archers sometimes develop thick calluses on the first three fingers of their dominant hand.That’s the hand that pulls the bow back and looses the string.Gymnasts, especially male gymnasts, often form thick calluses on their hands from the vaulting horse, the rings etc.In other words, friction against their hands causes the skin to toughen to protect the hands.

 

Of course, like any other natural process, it can go farther than we’d like.When calluses get too thick they can interfere with sensitivity and dexterity.It can be like wearing a thick pair of leather gloves at all times.Just the way thick calluses make hands look can motivate some people to remove their calluses. And no one wants to touch a loved one’s sensitive skin with rough, hard hands.

Never try to remove calluses by cutting or slicing without medical supervision. The risk of infection is too great.Besides, there are easier, less painful ways to remove a callus.

The first step in removing a callus is to soften it.You can do this as simply as soaking in the bath for a while, or by rubbing moisturizing cream into your hands.If your are not allergic to wool, many people find pure lanolin to be among the very best moisturizers available.Of course, your local pharmacist has many, many moisturizers on his shelves.

If your callus is relatively thin, moisturizing may be all that’s needed.Simply keep it moist, rub it a little and in a few days it will be gone.For thicker and harder calluses, you may have to use a pumice stone or sandpaper to sand it down.Under no circumstances should you cut or shave a callus. If your callus is so thick and hard that sandpaper and moisturizers will not soften it, you should see a medical professional.

The best way to remove a callus on the hand is to avoid it.Since calluses on the hands are simply the result of friction or pressure, they can be easily avoided by wearing gloves, or by avoiding work!

When you work with hand tools like shovels, rakes, hoes, etc. a good pair of work gloves is your best defense against calluses. Proper fit is important, since an ill-fitting glove may rub and cause more calluses than it avoids. Of course, a daily moisturizer couldn’t hurt!

Cold Symptom Relief & Remedies

Cold Symptom Relief & Remedies

There are basic steps you can do to find relief from common cold symptoms. The key is choosing the right remedies for your individual symptoms.

 

The most common cold symptoms include: headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose, chest congestion, cough, and fatigue. To begin to feel better, you must decide what symptoms you have. The next step is deciding what to do to bring yourself relief.

1. Begin eating to relieve your symptoms. Avoid stressing your digestive tract with heavy or fried foods. Eat chicken noodle soup and other soups with a broth base. Fruits which are rich in vitamin C would be a healthier alternative to a piece of cake or a doughnut if you crave something sweet. Yogurt is also a healthy dessert option.

Also, taking a multi-vitamin everyday is very important. At the onset of cold symptoms, you can add a zinc supplement with vitamin C to help your body battle the virus more quickly. Drink warm teas. If you have a sore throat, relieve pain by mixing honey and lemon juice. Warm the mixture and sip slowly.

2. If you have chest congestion, nasal congestion, cough, or headache, begin by finding some eucalyptus oil. This is sold at most nutrition stores. You can also buy a small sprig of real or dried eucalyptus from a craft or artificial flower store.

Hang the eucalyptus sprig somewhere in your shower stall as you take a hot shower. The eucaylptus has theraputic effects on sinuses and nasal congestion. Not to mention, the hot water will help loosen any chest congestion.

The eucalyptus oil can be used in one of two ways. The first way you can simply wave the bottle or vial under your nose and inhale deeply a couple of times. Do this two to three times a day.

The second way is to pour a few drops into a small pot of water and bring to boil. Take the pot off the stove, place it in a comfortable location, make a tent with a towel, and hold head over the vapors. Breathe in and exhale deeply. This will ease nasal and chest congestion.

3. Get a cold mist humidifier. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. A cold mist humidifier does not dry out the bronchioles the way a steam vaporizer does. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for use and cleaning. If not properly cleaned, a cold mist humidifier can create the perfect condition for mold growth.

4. Get plenty of rest. If you are having trouble falling asleep, prepare yourself before bed. Take a long hot bath and place a warm washcloth over your face. Inhale and exhale through the moistened cloth. It wil help loosen congestion. It will also help relax you before bed.

After a hot bath, apply some vapor rub to your chest and neck. You can also apply a small amount to the underside of your nostrils to help clear breathing passages. Do not put the vapor rub inside the nose because the nose may be come irritated.

Drink a cup of warm tea but sip it slowly. Slow, calm movements will ease your body into a mood for restful slumber. Set up the cold mist humidifier in a sturdy place in your bedroom. Keep the door open you do not want too much moisture in your room either.

5. Avoid over the counter treatments unless absolutely necessary. They only mask the symptoms they usually do not treat them. Allow your body to build up its natural immunities to the cold germ. If you are exhausted from not sleeping all night, by all means get a night time cold remedy to help you sleep. Try not to rely on medication to get you through your days if you can help it.

The length of the common cold varies. It depends on how effectively it is treated. Once you relieve your body of the symptoms of the virus, recovery follows quickly.

Natural Remedy To Cure Hay Fever

Natural Remedy To Cure Hay Fever

Hay fever affects approximately 15-20% of the population every summer. Itchy, watering eyes, runny nose, sore throat and sometimes an unpleasant headache, are difficult to cope with, whatever your circumstances. Summer-time exams, particularly, are a nightmare for those who suffer from severe symptoms.

As well as conventional remedies for hay fever, there are also some very effective nutritional and homeopathic alternatives that have proved extremely successful in controlling hay fever.

The nutritional approach:

Nutritionists take the approach that hay fever is an indication that the immune system is not working properly and that the digestive system is failing to absorb nutrients effectively. Nutritional suggestions that can make quite a difference include:

1. Cut out caffeine, refined sugar and if you can manage, dairy products from your diet for one month.

2. Some hay fever sufferers have also benefited from cutting back on wheat products.

3. Step up your intake of calcium rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, live organic yoghurt and soy milk.

4. Add extra garlic to your food or take a daily garlic capsule.

5. Vitamin C has antihistamine properties, so increase your intake to at least 500-1000mg per day.

6. Eating one teaspoonful of honey a day, before the hay fever season starts, is effective in reducing those unpleasant symptoms.

The homeopathic approach:

Homeopathic treatment for hay fever is most effective if you start in winter when no symptoms are in evidence. You can buy remedies, over the counter, such as:

Euphrasia

Nux Vomica

Allium Cepa

Gelsemium

Pulsatilla

All the above help to reduce or eliminate hay fever symptoms. However, research has shown that they can achieve only a 25% success rate compared with a 75% success rate if the sufferer consults a homeopathic practitioner. A homeopath will treat the whole person and work out what makes an individual particularly hypersensitive to pollen.

If you are a hay fever sufferer, why spend the summer months hiding indoors? Try some of the above alternatives. They are harmless and in many cases, extremely successful.

Remedy For A Sore Throat

Remedy For A Sore Throat

Ease your sore throat during the dry, winter months with these home remedies.

 

During cold and flu season, sore throats can be a real annoyance. During the winter months, breathing through the mouth can cause drying and irritation in the throat. Taking care of a sore throat at home, however, is pretty simple and easy. You just have to know what to do.

Sore throat viruses can’t be treated with antibiotics. They just have to run their course, like the common cold. If the sore throat is especially painful, use a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Cold liquids may also relieve the pain of a viral sore throat.

Older children or adolescents may develop a viral sore throat called infectous mononucleosis or “mono.” If the sore throat lasts longer than a week, mononucleosis may be the reason. Along with the sore throat, the patient will feel much weaker and more tired than usual. Like other viral sore throats, there is no antibiotic cure of mononucleosis.

The most common sore throat condition caused by bacteria is strep throat, caused by streptococcal bacteria. A strep throat should be treated with antibiotics because complications could occur if it remains untreated. Complications of strep throat include an absess in the throat (though this is extremely rare) and acute glomerulonephritis, which causes an inflammation in the kidneys.

The most concerning complication of strep throat is rheumatic fever, which causes painful swollen joints, unusual skin rashes, and heart damage. Strep throat is much less common in adults than in children, and rheumatic fever is rare in adults.

Using antibiotics for strep throat will also prevent the spreading of the condition to other family members and friends. Strep throat is unlikely if the sore throat is a minor part of a typical cold (runny nose, stuffy ears, cough, etc.). If common cold symptoms are not apparent along with your sore throat, make an appointment with your doctor for a strep test. You’ll likely need antibiotics. Only your doctor will be able to differentiate bacterial from viral sore throat using a “rapid strep” test.

To ease a viral sore throat at home, treat the other symptoms of your cold as well. Your sore throat may be caused by drainage from your sinuses. In this case, blow your nose often so the drainage doesn’t drip down your throat. Also, sleep with your head elevated. Run a humidifier or vaporizer near your bed so your throat doesn’t dry out in the night, especially if your stuffy nose causes you to breathe through your mouth.

Remember the old saltwater treatment your mother prescribed? It’s still one of the most effective home treatments for easing sore throats. Pour yourself a glass of warm water and dissolve a couple of teaspoons of salt in it. Then buck up and gargle the stuff. Initially it will make you cringe, but your throat will feel better almost immediately.

If you simply can’t stand the thought of gargling saltwater, you can find throat lozenges at the drugstore. Lozenges containing Vitamin C and Zinc may help you get over your cold faster, but only if you begin taking them as soon as you notice symptoms.

With a little extra care and some saltwater, you should be able to make it through sore throat season with little discomfort.