NATURAL FOLK REMEDIES STILL WORK
Written By : Jeffrey R Hilton
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Today, Good Day/Bad Day, looks at natural centuries old folk medicines. Don't be confused by the word folk. It has a way of lending itself to things that may, or may not be true, such as in the case of the word, FOLKLORE. There's a good reason that Natural Folk Remedies are still around and still an effective aid to both cure and prevent common ailments that have existed and affected man since the beginning of time. They work ! Most of this stuff was discovered and known long before drug companies ever existed and people depended on these time proven remedies. The early native tribes that roamed the plains, the jungles and the mountains, had a great knowledge of plants, herbs and flowers and it was the job of the Tribal Medicine Man to oversee the collecting of these. The Medicine Man, would then process, prepare for use and store these valuable medicines. The natives knew that nature provides all necessary things to promote wellness. Information on these plants was passed on from one generation to the next.
Early medicine men gathered up specimens of everything and experimented with them to identify and record what uses could be made of all the various specimens of flora. Through the observation of wild animals, using various plants and leaves. Bears will often seek out Willow trees if they are having mouth pain associated with abscessed teeth and other oral problems. They have been observed stuffing willow leaves into a cavity or tooth problem are and packing around it. This is for the the high content of Salicin, a natural drug that converts to Salicylic Acid that occurs in both the leaves and bark of willow and is used for stomach and body pain in general. It's properties were recorded by Hippocrates, the ancient Greek Doctor in 5th century BC. Salicin is the precursor to today's aspirin.
Arthritis, is a malady that strikes almost everyone at some point in their life and it can be a real downer, not to mention it's crippling effects. If you have any form of arthritis Calcium supplements should be your fist stop. Secondly, Alfalfa is another time proven helper for the disease. Alfalfa tea is an excellent way to get an intake of Alfalfa. Just these two things alone should be enough to let you feel a difference in a few weeks of using these two remedies. Vitamin C and E, are also geared towards easing arthritic pain. Halibut or Cod Liver Oils are also an excellent source for reducing swelling in joints.
Asthma, and other respiratory afflictions, can sometimes be cured or eased by taking vitamin A, and B6, supplements.
Bed Wetting, among children is a fairly common thing, but it can be bothersome to both parents and the child, as well as an embarrassment. There are a few natural remedies for this that some people swear work, so one of them is to give the child a tablespoon of honey, just before bed. The honey acts as a sedative and honey attracts water, retaining it in the body without straining the kidneys. It's also a good idea to include cranberry juice in your child diet to stave off urinary, bladder, or kidney infections sometimes associated with bed wetting. A lack of Magnesium can be cause for bed wetting.
Boils, are a nasty affliction that's been around since before the early Egyptians, I get the nasty little bugger's myself sometimes, and they can be painful. When I was younger, my grandmother used to apply a bread and warm milk poultice to them and this almost always helped draw out the infection. Putting milk soaked bread on your body sounds a bit gross and messy, but you only need to hold it in place over the affected area overnight or apply for a half hour twice daily and you will have a result. Use white bread and cover your bed sheet to prevent any mess if you are going to leave on overnight.
It's just a method for relief that is cheap and natural. While various poultices may be effective, an even more helpful and less messier solution is to apply vitamin E oil to the affected area, and this will often clear them up.
ALOE VERA |
Burns, are never pleasant, but the quicker they are treat them, the less chance there is of permanent damage. Minor burns should be immediately doused in cold water, as this draws out the heat from the burn and helps prevent damage to the innermost layers of skin. Never use ice, as this can damage the skin further. Aloe Vera is an excellent topical ointment that promotes healing and soothing of burns. just buy an aloe plant and when some is needed, just break off a section of a leaf and squeeze it onto the affected area. Vitamin E cream also works.
Cold Sores and Cankers, The easiest way to deal with these are to simply press and hold an ice cube onto the affected area for 45 minutes 5 times a day. This will usually dry the infection.
Chicken Pox, is never a pleasant thing and the painful itching is enough to drive anyone crazy. scratching can cause scarring very easily. If your child has chicken pox, rub honey on the affected areas, leave it on the skin for awhile and then clean off. Often, one application will relieve itching. Calamine Lotion should also work.
Poor Circulation, Vitamin E, can greatly improve circulation problems.
Colds, are still not curable, but cold prevention is definitely achievable. Vitamin C is the number one cold prevention go to. Taken regularly, your chances of colds lessen.
Garlic, is another great tool both to prevent and ease cold symptoms. Include garlic with everyday meals. If you don't like garlic, take it in capsule form.
Sore Throats, can be eased with Horehound Tea or candies, and is excellent to relieve congestion. Honey is equally effective.
Colic, in babies often lead to sleepless nights and Gripe Water is the modern go to, but traditional cures that are just as effective have been used for years before there was any such thing as gripe water. Catnip and or Peppermint leaves are steeped in boiled water and left to cool. Add to baby's bottle and this will clear up baby's gassy tummy. This is completely safe for babies. The same drink can be made from 1 steeped Bay Leaf.
Coughing, can be eased with a few lemon juice drops and a tablespoon of honey.
Cuts and Wounds, that are minor can be treated effectively with all sorts of remedies. For a stubborn cut on your finger that won't stop bleeding, in a pinch, stick your finger into a cup of flour and leave it there for 5 minutes. This should allow clotting to happen more easily and when you are finished, rinse gently with cool water. Apply Aloe Vera to cuts. Applying a slice of Tomato to a cut can effectively relieve pain and promote healing.
Leg Cramps, and charlie horses are no fun at 3 am in the morning, and having to jump out of bed to try and walk them off and ease the tightened cramped muscles can be more than just a pain in your leg. Calcium/Magnesium tablets taken twice weekly almost completely eliminate these cramps. I myself suffered for years from this until I started taking these supplements.
Gall and Kidney Stones, are not something to be taken lightly and should always involve seeing a doctor. However, for years, people have found relief by drinking a few tablespoons of Cider Vinegar, with an ounce of Virgin Olive Oil, followed by a glass of Grapefruit Juice.
Gout, the painful foot ailment can often be relieved by eating fresh cherries.
Hay Fever, symptoms can be almost eradicated by eating lots of raw unrefined honey as Hay Fever season approaches. Fenugreek Tea is also effective.
Hiccups, nasty and annoying. Cures abound and many are downright silly and less than effective. The best cures I've ever heard that work for me are to stay still for a minute and make your breathing become as shallow as you can, hardly breathing at all, while remaining still. Secondly, a teaspoon of sugar put at the back of your tongue and left to dissolve, then swallow gently often cures hiccups.
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Jeffrey R Hilton
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