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Herbs. There once was a time that when we thought of herbs we thought of cooking and of savory foods. Even though using herbs for more than nutrition has been around for centuries, it is now finally taking hold as a legitimate means of healing. Please note that no matter how trivial the ailment may be, herbal remedies are only meant as an aide to help ease the symptoms or discomfort, and one should never attempt self-medication and self-diagnosis without receiving their physician's approval. With that said, let's take a look at some common ailments and how they may benefit from herbal treatments.
For headaches you may want to try a blend of scented herbs. Put 4 tablespoons of each of the following into a cloth sachet bag: lavender (dried), betony, marjoram, rose petals and leafs. Add 1 tablespoon of cloves. Close up the sachet bag and whenever you have a headache, or feel one coming on, hold the bag to your nose and inhale deeply until you feel it subsiding. This mixture is also often sewn into small pillows and it has the same effect. It works good if you hope to just lay down and lose your headache that way. "Headache pillows" make great gifts also.
For colds and coughs, we all know that, for years, honey has been recommended. Below are a few herbal remedies that you add honey to.
-To make a natural cough syrup, boil a whole lemon for ten minutes. Cut it open, squeeze out the juice and then add two tablespoons of glycerine and two tablespoons of honey.
-If a sore throat accompanies this cold take two tablespoons of dried rosemary Pour one pint of boiling water over it and let it sit for ten minutes. Strain liquid and then add honey and lemon to it.
If you find yourself suffering from nervousness, chamomile tea can be very soothing. You would make this tea the same way you make the rosemary tea above, minus the honey and lemon. If you are fidgety from trying to quit smoking, chamomile can help there also. You can chew chamomile flowers when you feel the desire to smoke. Herbal cigarrettes can also be found in tobacco stores.
Herbs are great for tummy trouble, also. If you have any indigestion or an upset stomach, try making yourself a fresh cup of peppermint tea (again, using directions given for rosemary tea above).
If you're feeling as if you need to be "energized" there are several herbal remedies you can try. For a simple drink, mix two teaspoons of honey with two teaspoons of vinegar and put in 1 cup of cold water. To stay energized you can do this daily. To energize tired or sore muscles mix 1/2 cup of witch hazel with 1/8 cup of rubbing alcohol and massage into affected area.
To relieve fatigue you can add several drops of lavender oil to warm bath water, or just a few drops to a foot bath.
For an all-over, achy body bath, fill a small muslin bag with some dried comfrey and hang it so it is in the flow of the water as the bath is filling up, and once you're in the bath you can use it by rubbing it on your skin.
Another herb bath, designed especially for sunburns, is to take two tablespoons of comfrey root and put in one pint of water. Simmer it in a covered pan for ten minutes, strain, and add liquid to your bath water.
What is probably the best herbal remedy, and most definitely the easiest, has been saved for last. If you have been affected by insect bites, sunburn, or any other minor burn, break off a piece of an aloe plant. Squeeze the gel substance from the plant and rub it over the affected area. This plant works great for any minor irritation on the skin, even rashes. It is the one herb plant everyone should have in their home and can be found at any nursery or garden center.
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