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Cayenne |
This step-by-step guide to assembling a natural medicine chest for your home—using twenty-two herbs, essential oils, nutritional supplements, and homeopathic remedies—includes easy-to-follow instructions for treating thirty-eight common ailments.
By Laurel Vukovic
When I came down with a cold as a child, my mother served me bowls of chicken soup brimming with onions and garlic and cups of hot tea with honey and lemon, and she had me gargle endlessly with warm salt water. I breathed steam to loosen the congestion in my chest and inhaled salt water into my nose to unstuff it. Occasionally we resorted to aspirin or cough syrup, but for the most part, the simple home remedies served our family well. "Our bodies know how to heal themselves," my father was fond of saying. This idea fascinated me and started me on a lifelong journey of learning how to use nature's medicines to help the body heal itself.
For the last twenty-five years, I've relied solely on natural medicines for treating all kinds of illnesses, from simple colds and stomach upsets to cystitis and bronchial infections. And in the ten years I've been teaching classes and writing about home remedies, I've repeatedly seen people's excitement as they've discovered how well these gentle medicines work.
In the guide that follows you'll discover how to stock your own home medicine chest with the natural remedies for treating many common ailments, injuries, and health conditions. People are often overwhelmed by the hundreds of natural medicines available. And, indeed, there are many useful ones beyond those that I've included here, but I've narrowed the list down to what I consider the essentials: fourteen herbs, four essential oils, two nutritional supplements, and two homeopathic remedies. These will provide you with the basic natural medicines for treating just about any nonemergency affliction you're likely to encounter. All of the remedies should be available at any well-stocked natural foods store. You can expect to spend about $70 to completely stock your natural medicine chest.
There are a couple of important points to keep in mind about using natural medicines. First, natural remedies often relieve unpleasant symptoms, but the primary goal is to support the body's own healing process, which generally depends on letting symptoms occur. The classic example is a fever. The conventional approach for treating a fever is to lower your temperature with aspirin, which thwarts the immune system's goal of raising body temperature to kill the disease-causing organisms. The sweating that follows a fever helps to eliminate toxins and gradually lowers the temperature. A natural approach to treating a fever is to help raise the body temperature and promote sweating with hot teas and baths.
The second point is that natural remedies often take more effort than simply popping a pill. You must anticipate some extra effort both in using these medicines and in taking care of your health with proper diet and rest. But the benefits are worth it: As you participate in your own healthcare, you'll save money on drugs and doctor visits, and you'll grow to understand your body and its needs. For parents and children alike, home remedies, such as yarrow tea rinse for canker sores or echinacea tincture for colds and flus, are effective, gentle, and safe.
Buying and Stocking Tips Although most medicine cabinets are located in the bathroom, the heat and humidity are damaging to herbs and other natural medicines. Find a cool, dark, dry cabinet or closet for storage. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when buying herbs and essential oils: Herbs Buy two to four ounces each of the recommended dried herbs. Choose herbs that are brightly colored and fragrant; these will ensure more potent herbal medicines. Whenever possible, purchase organically grown herbs. Store each herb individually in a tightly lidded container (pint- or quart-size mason jars are ideal). When properly stored, herbs will retain their medicinal properties for approximately one year. Herbal tinctures are made with alcohol or glycerin, either of which extracts the herb's medicinal properties and helps to preserve the herbs. Tinctures retain their medicinal potency for approximately three to five years. Alcohol-based tinctures are usually more potent, but choose glycerin if you wish to avoid alcohol. Or, you can remove most of the alcohol by adding one-quarter cup of boiling water to a tincture dosage. The alcohol will evaporate by the time the liquid is cool enough to drink. Essential Oils Look for pure, undiluted essential oils. These fragrant oils are highly concentrated and are sold in bottles of one ounce or less. If stored in tightly capped, dark glass bottles, essential oils will retain their potency for approximately three years. Unless indicated, do not apply essential oils directly to the skin (some oils can burn) and never take an essential oil internally unless you are directed to do so by a trained professional. |
The Natural Medicine Chest: What to Buy
Herbs
Calendula (Calendula officinalis): The bright yellow-orange blossoms of this easy-to-grow garden flower have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties and are useful for any type of skin inflammation or infection. Buy the dried flowers.
Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana): The dried, aged bark of the cascara sagrada tree is an effective but gentle laxative. If occasional constipation is a problem, keep a bottle of cascara sagrada tincture around.
Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens): The familiar red-hot powder used in cooking has antibacterial and pain-relieving properties; it also helps to break up mucus congestion. I often add a pinch of cayenne powder to hot lemonade when I have a cold. It provides temporary—but immediate—relief from a stuffy nose. Buy powdered cayenne.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Chamomile was one of the first herbal beverage teas I ever tried, and its apple like taste and aroma keep it high on my list of favorites. Gentle enough for children, chamomile is nonetheless an effective nerve relaxant as well as antispasmodic, antiinflammatory, and antibacterial herb. It relieves indigestion, promotes relaxation, and eases menstrual cramps. When used as a steam inhalation, it calms irritated sinuses and helps to remove excess mucus. Buy the dried flower tops.
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea): Like many people before the advent of antibiotics, my great-grandmother always kept a bottle of echinacea tincture in her medicine cabinet. The purple daisy like flowers (as well as the leaves and roots) contain powerful immune-stimulating chemicals. Echinacea has antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral properties and can be used for any type of infection, either internal or external. Buy echinacea tincture or the freeze-dried herb in capsules.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): My mother always had me sip ginger ale to settle an upset stomach. I thought it was the carbonation that made me feel better, but I've since learned that ginger is an antispasmodic (it relaxes tense muscles and muscle spasms) and it reduces intestinal gas. Ginger also relieves motion sickness better than Dramamine, the conventional drug treatment. Buy ginger powdered or in capsules.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): I learned to appreciate the powerful antibiotic properties of goldenseal twenty years ago when a Native American herbalist gave me a package of the bitter golden powder to treat a lingering bronchial infection. I've since used goldenseal many times. I always buy organically grown goldenseal because goldenseal gathered in the wild has been over harvested and is endangered. Berberine, the herb's active ingredient, is an antibiotic and immune stimulant.
Goldenseal is also an astringent and can make you more comfortable by drying excessive mucus secretions. Buy organically grown goldenseal powder (or powdered in capsules) and tincture. Note: Avoid using goldenseal internally during pregnancy because it promotes uterine contractions.
Goldenseal |
Peppermint (Mentha piperita): The source of a popular herbal beverage tea, the cooling leaves of peppermint soothe digestive upsets, reduce fevers, and relieve sinus and chest congestion. Buy dried peppermint leaves.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): I learned to appreciate the medicinal attributes of thyme from my Yugoslavian husband while we were living in his country. Thyme has potent antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and astringent properties. It makes an excellent gargle for sore throats and is an effective remedy for relieving spasmodic (hacking, persistent) coughs. Buy dried thyme leaves.
Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): The leaves of this evergreen ground cover contain a substance called "arbutin," which is transformed in the urinary tract into hydroquinone, a powerful urinary antiseptic. Stock the tincture or dried leaves if you are prone to urinary tract infections. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): Valerian is the most potent of the herbal sedatives. It relieves anxiety, insomnia, and tension-related muscle cramping. Some people find it useful as a mild pain reliever. Valerian needs to be used in a high enough dosage to be effective—up to one teaspoon of tincture can be taken as an initial dosage, and you can repeat this dosage two times over the following six hours. The few people for whom valerian has a stimulating instead of a sedative effect should try skullcap instead. Buy valerian tincture (or skullcap as a dried herb or tincture).
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): The liquid extract is made from witch hazel leaves and bark and is found in every pharmacy. The astringent, antiseptic, and antinflammatory properties make it an ideal remedy for insect bites, hemorrhoids, and skin irritations. It is an ingredient, in fact, in several over-the-counter hemorrhoid and skin remedies. Buy witch hazel extract.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): A common wild plant and garden flower, yarrow has astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antimicrobial
Yarrow |
properties. It helps to heal mouth ulcers and wounds. A hot infusion promotes sweating and is a classic remedy for relieving fevers and flus. Yarrow is also helpful as a urinary antiseptic for cystitis. Buy dried yarrow flower tops.
Essential Oils
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus): The antibiotic and antiviral properties of eucalyptus are well recognized. Because it effectively relieves the symptoms of colds, flus, and sinus infections, it is included in many over-the-counter cold and flu remedies.
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis): One of the most widely used essential oils, lavender is a sedative and antidepressant and is helpful for treating anxiety, insomnia, and headaches caused by nervous tension. A few drops of lavender oil in a warm bath is a pleasant way to unwind from a stressful day. Lavender also has antiseptic and wound-healing properties.
Peppermint (Mentha pipenta): Cooling peppermint oil helps to soothe digestion (that's why after-dinner mints are served), relieve tension headaches, and clear stuffy noses. Its anti-inflammatory property stops the itching caused by insect bites.
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): An ancient Aboriginal remedy, tea tree oil has powerful antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties and is useful for any type of infection. A student in one of my classes had a stubborn case of athlete's foot that was finally resolved after daily soaks in warm footbaths with a couple of drops of tea tree oil added.
Supplements
Vitamin C: In amounts greater than the minimum daily requirement (60 mg), Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of colds, help strengthen bleeding gums, and speed wound healing. Strive to divide doses so that a daily dose is spread out over the day. If 1,000 mg are to be taken in one day, take four doses of 250 mg each.
Vitamin E: The skin-healing properties of vitamin E are well established. It is good for applying to burns or insect bites. Buy pure vitamin E oil or gelatin capsules.
Homeopathic Remedies
Arnica: This popular remedy for the treatment of sprains, strains, and bruises, made from the yellow daisylike arnica flower, has saved me from many a bruise. Homeopathic (extremely diluted) preparations of arnica sold in gel, lotion, or pill form are among the most widely sold natural medicines. I find the gel form easiest to use. Note: Do not apply arnica to broken skin and, except for arnica tablets, do not take arnica internally.
Oscillococcinum: People who have used this homeopathic remedy swear by it. Taken at the first signs of the flu_muscle aches and weakness, fever, tiredness_oscillococcinum acts quickly to halt a flu infection. It will not work for everyone, but enough people claim to have had success with this remedy to justify keeping a supply on hard.
Other Items to Keep On Hand
Cosmetic clay: With its ability to dry and to draw out toxins, clay is useful for healing skin rashes and insect bites.
Epsom salts: When added to bath, the magnesium contained in Epson salts is absorbed through the skin, promoting relaxation and relieving muscle aches.
Garlic: A powerful antibiotic and antiviral substance, raw garlic is an excellent remedy for colds, flus, and any bacterial or viral infection. To cut the intensity of raw garlic, I mince a couple of cloves and eat them on toast with olive oil.
Honey: Raw, unprocessed honey has antibacterial properties; honey also soothes a cough.
Lemon: The astringent and mucus-reducing properties of lemon are useful for cough and cold remedies.
Sea salt: Astringent and antiseptic, sea salt is excellent for mouth rinses and gargles.
Natural Remedies for Common Conditions
Acne
This common skin condition erupts when the pores are blocked by sebum, the natural oil produced by the skin. Bacteria and other wastes collect in the pores, and blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed pustules appear.
![]() | Make a strong infusion of calendula Use it as a facial wash two to three times daily |
![]() | Apply a drop of tea tree oil to the lesions twice a day. |
![]() | Apply alternating hot and cold compresses to the skin to open pores and help eliminate wastes. |
Anxiety
Anxiety is often a by-product of stressful life conditions, and these conditions need to be addressed in order for the nervousness and anxiety to be properly relieved. Use the following remedies to alleviate occasional nervous tension:
![]() | Drink chamomile tea three to four cups daily. Or; soak in a warm bath with either a quart of strong chamomile tea or two cups of Epsom salts, or both, added to the water. |
![]() | Take valerian tincture one teaspoon as an initial dose and when symptoms are severe one teaspoon every two hours thereafter to a maximum of six hours. If symptoms persist see your healthcare practitioner. |
![]() | Take a bath with lavender essential oil or place a drop of laven- der oil on a tissue and inhale as desired. |
Athlete's foot
This fungal infection is marked by an itchy, scaly rash between the toes.
![]() | Soak your feet in a footbath for fifteen minutes twice a day using one gallon of warm water mixed with one quart of strong calendula infusion. |
![]() | Apply tea tree oil directly with your finger to the affected area twice a day. |
![]() | Keep your feet clean and dry and dust them with equal parts of cosmetic clay and powdered goldenseal. |
Black eye
![]() | Immediately apply an ice pack to relieve swelling and pain. |
![]() | After twenty-four hours, apply hot compresses to promote reab- sorbing of blood. |
![]() | After twenty-four hours, apply arnica oil two times per day for five days. |
Bleeding gums
Bacteria that collect at the junction between the teeth and gums usually are the cause of bleeding gums. Use the following for both treatment and prevention:
![]() | Take 3000 mg of vitamin C daily to strengthen gum tissue. |
![]() | After brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with a mixture of one cup of warm water, one-half teaspoon of sea salt, and one dropperful of goldenseal tincture. |
Blisters
A blister is nature's Band-Aid. Avoid breaking a blister unless absolutely necessary, and then do so gently with a sterilized needle.
![]() | To dry a blister, dab gently with a cotton ball or pad soaked in witch hazel extract and cover blister with an adhesive bandage. Change the pad every six hours. |
![]() | After a blister has broken, wash it with equal parts of echinacea or goldenseal tincture and water twice daily until the skin has started to heal. |
![]() | After the skin begins to heat apply comfrey salve. |
Boils
A painful skin eruption that begins as an infection of a hair follicle, a boil should never be squeezed—you might force the bacteria into the bloodstream and spread the infection.
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) three times daily. |
![]() | Apply tea tree oil directly to the eruption. |
![]() | To help bring the boil to a head, apply hot compresses of strong calendula tea several times daily. |
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi—the airways that connect the windpipe to the lungs— causes a lingering cough and often follows a respiratory infection.
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea (or two capsules) and one-half dropperful of goldenseal (or one capsule) three times daily. |
![]() | Eat two cloves of raw garlic twice daily. |
![]() | Take 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily. |
![]() | Drink hot peppermint or thyme tea to help the lungs expel mucus. |
![]() | Rub the chest with a massage oil containing eucalyptus oil to help loosen mucus. |
![]() | Use an aroma therapy steam (inhalation) with eucalyptus oil, thyme, or chamomile flowers to loosen mucus and ease breathing. |
Bruises
![]() | Immediately apply ice packs to stop internal bleeding. |
![]() | Follow with an application of arnica homeopathic gel after the swelling has gone down. |
![]() | As an alternative to arnica, mix one-half teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper into one cup of olive oil and rub it onto the affected area several times a day. |
Burns
![]() | Immediately immerse the affected area in cold water until the burning sensation subsides. |
![]() | If you have an aloe vera plant, break off a leaf, slit it, and apply the gel to speed healing. |
![]() | Apply vitamin E oil or undiluted lavender oil to promote healing and prevent scarring. |
Canker sores
These painful mouth ulcers often appear when resistance is low, such as during illness or emotional stress.
![]() | Rinse the mouth with strong yarrow tea. |
![]() | Rinse the mouth thoroughly with salt water. Prepare by mixing one teaspoon of sea salt in one-half cup of warm water. |
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) three times daily. |
Colds
The unpleasant symptoms of a cold are created by the body's
effort to rid itself of the cold virus. Natural treatments support the body's efforts. The key to
success with natural remedies is to use
them at the first sign of a cold.
![]() | Eat raw garlic frequently during cold season, and eat two cloves of raw garlic twice daily at the onset of a cold. You may mince garlic cloves and add them to salads, a potato, or toast with olive oil. |
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules ) four times a day until the cold symptoms subside. |
![]() | Take between 3,000- 5,000 mg of vitamin C a day. |
![]() | Drink a hot tea made with yarrow and peppermint or ginger to promote sweating and help the body eliminate the cold virus. n Drink three cups daily until the cold symptoms subside. |
![]() | To relieve congestion, drink hot ginger tea. Add honey and lemon as desired. Or drink a spicy hot lemonade made with one cup of hot water, two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, two teaspoons of honey, and a pinch of cayenne powder. |
![]() | To dry up excessive mucus secretions and fight infection, take one-half dropperful of goldenseal tincture (or one capsule) three times daily. |
![]() | Relieve congestion with an essential oil inhalation using either peppermint or eucalyptus oils, or massage the chest with a massage oil made with either of these oils. |
Colic
Characterized by abdominal distension, flatulence, and irritability, colic typically occurs in infants between the ages of one to four months.
![]() | Give warm peppermint tea by the dropperful as often as needed. |
![]() | Gently rub the baby's abdomen with a massage oil containing one drop of peppermint oil. |
Conjunctivitis
This inflammation of the membrane that covers the eyeball causes redness and sensitivity to light, a "gritty" feeling when blinking, and a discharge from the eye.
![]() | Bathe the eye(s) with a strong tea of calendula, and apply warm compresses of calendula tea several times a day for fifteen minutes at a time. |
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) three times daily to support the immune system. |
Constipation
Eating a diet with plenty of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, drinking six to eight glasses of water per day, and exercising daily will resolve most cases of constipation. If extra fiber is needed, try a simple bulking agent such as psyllium seed husks, one teaspoon in one cup of water per day.
![]() | Squeeze half a lemon into one cup of warm water and drink it first thing in the morning to stimulate peristalsis (contraction of the intestine). |
![]() | Use cascara sagrada for occasional relief, one half to one dropperful of tincture in one-half cup of warm water before going to sleep. |
Coughs
Colds, flus, allergies, or irritation of the bronchial tubes are the primary causes of coughs. Coughs that bring up mucus should not be suppressed because the body is trying to expel mucus, bacteria, and waste from the lungs. Dry coughs, however, are generally nonproductive and only further irritate the bronchi.
![]() | Rub the chest with a massage oil containing eucalyptus oil, to loosen congestion. |
![]() | Drink hot thyme tea, three to four times a day, to help the lungs expel mucus. |
![]() | For a quick cough-relieving remedy, combine one-half teaspoon of honey with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Allow the mixture to dissolve slowly in your mouth, and repeat the remedy as often as needed. |
![]() | Make thyme cough syrup by adding one 1 pint of boiling water to three tablespoons of dried thyme leaves. Let the tea steep in a covered pot until cool. Strain out the thyme leaves and add one cup of honey. Stir the mixture well and refrigerate. Take one teaspoon every hour to relieve a cough. |
Cuts and wounds
![]() | Add one dropperful of echinacea or goldenseal tincture to one- half cup of warm water to use as an antiseptic wash. |
![]() | To stop bleeding, sprinkle goldenseal powder directly into the wound and apply pressure with a clean cloth. |
![]() | Apply honey, a natural antibiotic. Unprocessed honey (un- heated and unfiltered) has been found to be effective for killing a wide range of germs. |
![]() | Take echinacea to help the body resist infection—one dropperful (or two capsules) three times a day. |
![]() | Apply a salve made from comfrey to speed healing. Apply after the skin has begun to heal to avoid trapping bacteria in an open wound. |
![]() | Take 1,000 to 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily to aid in wound healing. |
Dandruff
The scalp naturally sheds small flakes of dead skin daily, but large amounts of dandruff may indicate a bacterial or fungal infection.
![]() | Rinse the scalp after shampooing with a strong tea made from thyme. |
![]() | Add one drop of tea tree oil to one cup of the thyme hair rinse for stronger antimicrobial action. |
Diarrhea
Acute diarrhea is the body's attempt to rid itself of toxins, irritants, or infection in the intestinal tract. Allow the body to do its cleansing work and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
![]() | Replenish lost fluids and soothe the digestive tract by drinking warm peppermint or chamomile tea. |
![]() | Take one-half to one dropperful of goldenseal (or one to two capsules) three times a day. Note: If diarrhea persists for more than one week (or more than forty-eight hours in children under three years old), see your healthcare practitioner. |
Ear infections
The most common cause of earaches is an upper respiratory infection that has spread to the ear canal.
![]() | For adults or children, take one dropperful of echinacea (or two capsules) and one-half dropperful of goldenseal tincture (or one capsule) every two hours until the infection subsides. |
![]() | For adults, take 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily. Children four years of age or older should be given 250 mg four times daily. Children under four years should be given daily dosages of vitamin C that are formulated for infants and toddlers. |
![]() | Relieve pain with warm-water compresses applied to the ear. |
![]() | Drop warm garlic oil into the ear to relieve inflammation and infection. To make garlic oil, squeeze one to two bulbs of fresh garlic through a garlic press into a small saucepan. Cover the garlic with sufficient olive oil so that the oil is one inch above the garlic. Warm the mixture in a covered saucepan gently over low heat for one hour. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth and store it refrigerated in a covered glass jar. Place a couple of drops of warm oil into the affected ear and plug the ear with a soft cotton ball. (It is easiest to warm the oil by scooping one tablespoon into a small glass jar, placing the jar in a pot of hot water, and heating until the oil is comfortably warm on the skin, but not hot) Note: Before putting oil into the ear, confirm with a doctor that the eardrum is not perforated (punctured) and that swimmer's ear (an inflammation of the external ear canal) is not present. |
![]() | If there is no improvement within forty-eight hours, or if sudden severe pain with drainage from the ear, fever, chills, or a hearing loss occurs, see your healthcare practitioner. |
Fever
A fever is a symptom of the body's fight against infection and, in general, should not be suppressed. Instead, support the body's efforts to eliminate the infection. Note: If a child has a fever of over 103 degrees (for adults, 105 degrees, and infants, 100 degrees) or if a fever (in a child or an adult) persists for more than three days, consult a healthcare practitioner.
![]() | A combination of equal parts of yarrow and peppermint tea will encourage sweating and help to naturally lower a fever. Drink at least one-half cup of hot tea every hour. |
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules)every couple of hours until the fever subsides. |
![]() | Take 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily. |
![]() | Promote sweating by taking a warm bath with a quart of strong yarrow tea added to the bathwater |
![]() | If you need to bring down a fever, sponge the forehead, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet with a washcloth that's been dipped in either a bowl of tepid water with two drops of lavender oil added, or in two cups of strong yarrow tea diluted with two cups of tepid water. |
Flus
Influenza, or the flu, is an upper respiratory viral infection with many of the same symptoms as a cold. Flu is a more serious illness, however, and is characterized by a fever, muscle aches, and a longer recovery time. The secret to making homeopathic remedies work for the flu appears to be in taking them at the first onset of symptoms_that achy feeling.
![]() | To relieve symptoms, follow the suggestions under Colds. |
![]() | If fever is present, follow the suggestions under Fever. |
![]() | Take a single dose of Oscillococcinum homeopathic flu remedy at the first sign of symptoms, another eight hours later, and another eight hours after that. |
![]() | Get plenty of rest and sleep, eat lightly, and drink lots of water. |
Headaches
Headaches are most often caused by muscular and/or emotional tension and fatigue.
![]() | For headaches caused by tension, take one-half to two teaspoons of valerian tincture as an initial dosage, followed by one-half to one teaspoon every two hours until the pain abates. |
![]() | For headaches caused by tension, drink chamomile tea as desired. |
![]() | For headaches brought on by either tension or fatigue, take a warm bath with lavender oil or massage the painful areas with a massage oil containing lavender or peppermint. |
![]() | For headaches brought on by either tension or fatigue, try a hot foot bath with water as hot as you can tolerate for ten minutes; at the same time place an ice cold cloth on the forehead, temples, or back of the neck (wherever the pain is concentrated). This con- stricts blood vessels in the head and reduces bloodflow, thereby reducing pain. |
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are anal varicose veins and are most often caused by constipation or straining during elimination.
![]() | To relieve discomfort and to shrink the swollen veins, apply cotton pads soaked with witch hazel several times daily, leaving them in place for ten minutes whenever possible. |
![]() | For a bulkier, softer stool, include in the diet plenty of fiber in the form of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and drink six to eight glasses of water a day. |
![]() | Take a fifteen-minute warm herbal sitz bath with a quart of strong yarrow tea added to the water. |
Herpes
The herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, lives in nerve endings. An outbreak is often precipitated by emotional tension or by physical stressors such as menstruation or too much sun.
![]() | To increase resistance to the virus during times of susceptibility, take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) three times daily; also take two cloves of raw garlic once or twice a day. |
![]() | At the first sign of an impending outbreak (generally a tingly or itchy feeling), rub an ice cube over the area until it begins to feel slightly numb. Repeat eight to ten times a day. This may abort an outbreak. |
![]() | Bathe the blisters with strong calendula tea, which acts as an antiviral agent and promotes healing. |
![]() | To help dry the blisters, apply goldenseal tincture or tea tree oil with a cot- ton swab. |
Indigestion Emotional upset or nervousness is often an underlying cause of indigestion. An attack can also be triggered by too many fatty or spicy foods or stimulants such as tea, coffee, or alcohol. Avoid taking antacids since some are high in sodium and others cause diarrhea or a rebound production of stomach acids. |
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Calendula |
![]() | Sip warm chamomile, ginger, or peppermint tea after meals to relieve pain and gas and soothe the digestive tract. |
![]() | Rub the abdomen with a massage oil containing peppermint oil. |
Insect bites and stings
Inflammation and pain from insect bites and stings can be lessened with the following remedies:
![]() | Apply ice immediately to the affected area to relieve pain and to stop the toxin from spreading. |
![]() | Apply echinacea tincture to the bite to stimulate local immune response. |
![]() | Apply a drop of peppermint oil to relieve the itching and to serve as an antiseptic. |
![]() | Mix cosmetic clay with enough water to make a paste and apply it to the bite to relieve in- flammation and draw poisons from the skin. |
![]() | Apply witch hazel ex- tract to the affected area with a cotton ball. |
![]() | Note: Get emergency professional help immediately if you experience multiple stings or symptoms of an allergic reaction, which may include difficulty in breathing, dizziness, nausea, hives, or extreme agitation. |
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Valerian |
Insomnia
Many cases of insomnia are caused by tension, anxiety, or stimulants such as caffeine. Eliminate all stimulants and try the following natural sleep inducers thirty minutes before going to bed:
![]() | Drink a cup of warm chamomile tea. |
![]() | For stronger sedative action, take up to one teaspoon of valerian tincture. |
![]() | Take a warm bath with lavender oil or a quart of strong chamo- mile tea added to the bathwater. |
![]() | Add two to three cups of Epsom salts to a warm bath. |
Menstrual cramps
Caused by contractions of the uterus, menstrual cramps may be accompanied by nausea, headaches, backaches, and intestinal upsets. The following remedies help to relax the uterus:
![]() | For mild cramps, drink ginger or chamomile tea as often as desired. |
![]() | For intense pain, take up to one teaspoon of valerian tincture, followed by another teaspoon every two hours until the pain is relieved, to a maximum of six hours. |
![]() | Place a hot water bottle on the abdomen. |
![]() | Rub the abdomen with a massage oil containing lavender oil. |
![]() | Try alternating hot and cold sitz baths. |
Nausea
Nausea can be caused by motion sickness, pregnancy, an adverse reaction to food, nervous tension, a virus, or migraine headache.
![]() | Ginger is extremely effective and in most cases will prevent vomiting. Take one to two capsules of dried ginger every fifteen minutes until symptoms abate, to a maximum of twenty-five capsules per day. Note: If pregnant, consult a healthcare practitioner before using large amounts of ginger. |
![]() | To prevent motion sickness, take six to eight capsules of powdered ginger about forty-five minutes before departing on your journey. |
![]() | To settle the stomach, take small sips of tea made from ginger or peppermint. |
Poison ivy
If you have been exposed to poison ivy, immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and cool water to remove the oily resin.
![]() | Mix one teaspoon of salt in one-half cup of water. Add one table- spoon of cosmetic clay and two drops of peppermint oil and mix into a spreadable paste. Apply the paste to the rash and allow it to dry on the skin. Apply more when it begins to flake off. |
Sinusitis
Colds, flus, allergies, and air pollution can cause sinus infections or chronic sinus inflammation. Symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, a sensation of pressure in the sinuses, and headaches.
![]() | Hot teas of ginger, chamomile, or peppermint will help to loosen mucus and clear stuffy sinuses. |
![]() | Take both one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) and one-half dropperful of goldenseal tincture (or one capsule) three times daily. |
![]() | Take 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily. |
![]() | Add one dropperful each of echinacea and goldenseal tinctures and one quarter teaspoon of salt to one-half cup of warm water, and use the solution as a nasal rinse. First, dissolve one quarter teaspoon of sea salt in one cup of lukewarm water and add the tinctures. Close the right nostril with the right index finger, in- hale the solution into the left nostril, and spit the water out through the mouth. Repeat on the opposite side. |
![]() | Make a chamomile, thyme, or eucalyptus oil inhalation to clear stuffy sinuses and help heal inflamed membranes. |
![]() | Massage areas around the sinuses with massage oil made with eucalyptus essential oil. |
Sore throat
A sore throat often accompanies a cold or flu. Natural remedies treat the infection and soothe the inflammation.
![]() | Make a gargle of one cup of warm water, one teaspoon of salt, and one dropperful of goldenseal tincture. Gargle every couple of hours. |
![]() | Use a solution of warm strong thyme tea as an antiseptic and astringent gargle. |
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) ev- ery couple of hours until the infection abates. |
![]() | Take 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily. |
![]() | Cayenne pepper will temporarily relieve the pain of a sore throat. Make a gargle of one-half cup of warm water, one tablespoon of lemon juice, one teaspoon of salt, and a few grains of cayenne pepper. |
Sties
A sty is a painful bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle.
![]() | Apply hot calendula compresses to bring the sty to a head. |
Strains and sprains
Strains occur when muscles are overstretched; sprains affect ligaments, and usually occur when a joint is suddenly wrenched. Symptoms for both include pain, swelling, bruising, and stiffening of the affected area. Rest the injured part as much as possible for several days, but after the initial sharp pain and swelling subside, begin gentle movements to prevent continuing stiffness.
![]() | Immediately elevate and apply an ice pack to the affected area to reduce swelling and inflammation. |
![]() | After twenty-four hours, apply hot compresses to increase circulation and speed healing, or soak in a hot bath with eucalyptus oil added. |
![]() | Add two cups of Epsom salts to the bath. |
![]() | Apply arnica to the affected area three times a day after the initial swelling has started to go down. Note: Do not apply arnica to broken skin. |
Urinary tract infections
Infections of the urinary tract cause cystitis in women and urethritis in men. It is important to catch these infections at the very first sign (often a burning sensation and an increased need to urinate) to prevent a more serious infection. Note: Consult your health practitioner if symptoms do not improve within twenty-four hours, or if the infection is accompanied by fever or severe pain, or if you have a history of kidney problems.
![]() | Flush the bladder by drinking large quantities of yarrow tea—at least one or two cups every hour. |
![]() | To increase circulation to the pelvic area and promote healing use alternating hot and cold sitz baths with a quart of strong yar- row tea added to the hot bath. |
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) and one-half dropperful of goldenseal tincture (or one capsule) every two hours. |
![]() | Take 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily. |
![]() | Drink three cups of uva ursi tea daily or one-half to one teaspoon of uva ursi tincture three times daily. |
Warts
The virus that causes warts enters through a crack in the skin. Although warts generally disappear on their own, you can hasten their demise with the following remedies:
Treat the wart with vitamin E and garlic in two steps, as follows:
i)Apply vitamin E oil to first protect the skin from being burned by the garlic. Cut open a vitamin E capsule and rub the oil onto the skin sur rounding the wart.
ii) Apply a clove of crushed raw garlic to the wart, cover it with an adhesive bandage, and remove the bandage after twenty-four hours. Apply vitamin E oil again to help healing. The wart will generally fall off within a week.
Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) three times daily and eat two cloves of raw garlic daily.
Garlic |
Yeast infections
Yeast infections are characterized by itching, irritation, and inflammation of the vagina accompanied by a white discharge. These common infections are caused by an overgrowth of the fungi that are normal inhabitants of the vagina. This condition often occurs when there is a general systemic weakness brought on by stress, improper diet (too much sugar or alcohol), or hormonal fluctuations that upset the normal acidic balance of the vagina.
![]() | Take one dropperful of echinacea tincture (or two capsules) three times a day. |
![]() | Eat two cloves of raw garlic twice daily. |
![]() | Take 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily. |
![]() | Try a gentle douche of strong calendula tea or four drops of tea tree oil in one quart of warm water. Repeat douche twice a day until the symptoms disappear, then continue it for two additional days. |
![]() | Alleviate itching with a hot fifteen-minute sitz bath to which you have added one quart of strong calendula or thyme tea. |
How to Prepare Remedies Compresses Dip a cotton washcloth in the infusion, wring out the liquid, and apply the cloth to the affected area, as directed. If a hot compress is required, put on rubber gloves, dip a cotton washcloth in hot water, wring out the liquid, and apply the cloth to the affected area, as directed. Essential oil baths Fill the bathtub with warm water, add five to eight drops of essential oil, and disperse the oil throughout the water with your hand. Soak for fifteen to twenty minutes. Essential oil inhalations Pour one and one-half quarts of boiling water into a heat-proof bowl; add three drops of essential oil. Make a towel tent over your head and the bowl. Gently inhale the steam for ten minutes. Use care not to burn the skin or nostrils when inhaling steam. Essential oil massages Add three to five drops of essential oil per one tablespoon of vegetable oil such as almond or olive oil. Herbal Infusions For baths, footbaths, sitz baths, and douches: Pour one quart of boiling water over four tablespoons of dried herb, cover it, and let it steep for twenty minutes. Strain the infusion and use it as directed. For compresses, facial washes, gargles, mouthwashes, and scalp rinses: Pour one cup of boiling water over one to two tablespoons of dried herb, cover it, and let it steep for twenty minutes. Strain the infusion and use it as directed. For teas: Pour one cup of boiling water over one heaping teaspoon of dried herb, cover it, and let it steep for fifteen minutes—or, if the condition or ailment calls for a "strong" preparation, let it steep until cool. Strain the tea and drink it as directed. (If fresh herbs are used, use twice the amount suggested.) Herbal inhalations Add four tablespoons of dried herb to two quarts of water. Simmer the water for five minutes over low heat in a covered pot. Turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for five minutes. Remove the lid and make a towel tent over your head and the pot. Inhale the steam for ten minutes. Ice packs Crush ice, place it in a plastic bag, then wrap it in a thin cotton dishtowel. (A package of frozen peas is a handy alternative.) Apply the pack in alternating cycles of fifteen minutes on and ten minutes off until the pain and swelling abate. Sitz baths A sitz bath immerses the hips and pelvic area in water up to the navel, leaving the upper body, arms, and legs out of the water. Prepare the bath in a large, plastic washtub or other container large enough to sit in, as an alternative, fill the bathtub half-full of water and sit with your knees drawn up in the tub. For an alternating sitz bath: Prepare two baths, one hot (about 105 degrees) and one cold (about 65 degrees). Soak in the hot bath for three minutes, then quickly move to the cold bath for thirty seconds. Repeat this sequence three times, twice daily. For a warm sitz bath: Make the water a comfortably warm temperature and soak in it for fifteen minutes several times a day. |
Caution
Herbal and other natural remedies are effective for treating most of the common health conditions that you would ordinarily self-treat. Certain health problems and injuries such as the following require the attention of a healthcare practitioner:
![]() | Puncture wounds and other severe wounds |
![]() | A high fever (105 degrees in adults or 103 degrees in children, and 100 degrees for infants under six months old) or any fever that persists for more than three days |
![]() | An injury to the head, neck or spinal cord |
![]() | Unconsciousness or recurrent dizziness |
![]() | Vomiting blood, vomiting that persists for more than two days, or vomiting and diarrhea in infants |
![]() | Bites from animals or humans |
![]() | Third-degree burns or extensive second-degree burns |
![]() | Fractured, broken, or dislocated bones |
Reprinted with permission from Natural Health, Sept.-Oct. 1995. For a trial issue of Natural Health, call (800) 526-8440.
Resources
The following companies carry dried herbs and tinctures, essential oils, and cosmetic clay.
Jean's Greens RR 1 Box 551 Rensselaerville, NY 12147 518-239-8327 |
Mountain Rose Herbs P. O. Box 2000 Redway, CA 95560 800-879-3337 |
Laurel Vukovic teaches and writes about natural healing from Ashland, Oregon.