Healing with Medicinal Herbs

Category: Medicinal herbs

With medicinal herbs and simple staples found in any kitchen, you can ease and even resolve minor ailments. Here we present natural remedies you can administer yourself. If there is no improvement or you suspect a serious condition, be sure to consult a physician.

Canker sores

Aloe vera juice can bring welcome relief. Squeeze a little gel from an aloe vera leaf. Dry the sore with a cotton swab, then apply the gel. Repeat as often as desired. You may also pierce a vitamin E capsule and, several times a day, squeeze out a little oil and dab it on the sore.

Treating depression

St John’s wort is often used for depression, especially the winter blues. If taken three times a day, lavender flower tea can lift the mood, particularly when combined with rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) or skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Lemon balm tea also eases depression, stress and anxiety. Vervain tea (Verbena officinalis) can be effective as well.

Acne

After washing, rinse the skin with tea made from chamomile for cleansing, yarrow to support detoxification, lavender to calm the skin or thyme for its antimicrobial action. Dab a little lemon juice directly on blemishes.

How to relieve bronchitis

The most effective approach is steam inhalation. Pour boiling water into a bowl, lean over it and place a towel over your head and the bowl. For added benefit, put a few drops of eucalyptus or pine oil in the water. Drink tea made from mullein, thyme or plantain.

How to remove warts

Before bedtime, place a piece of banana peel on the wart with the inner side against the skin and leave it overnight. Repeat for several days as needed. You can do the same with lemon peel, as its oils also appear to help.

Headache

Lavender is helpful for stress headaches and pairs well with valerian (Valeriana officinalis). Valerian tea helps with tension headaches, especially when combined with skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora).

Sore throat

Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle, then spit it out. If it helps, repeat every hour. This classic remedy is reliable. Sucking on honey, which has antibacterial properties, can help, as can teas or hot lemon drinks sweetened with honey. You may also sip blackcurrant concentrate diluted in hot water.

Muscle cramps

They often indicate a lack of calcium, magnesium and potassium, which you can obtain through a balanced diet. For quick relief, apply a hot water bottle or a hot flannel to the affected muscle. Keep it on for 20 minutes, then remove it for at least 20 minutes before reapplying.

Flu

At the first sign of flu, take 20 to 30 drops of elderberry tincture three or four times a day for three days. Jams, juices and teas made from elderberries or elderflowers can also help.

How to ease snoring

Use a few extra pillows and sleep propped up instead of lying flat on your back, or raise the head of the bed. Humidifying the air or inhaling steam may also help.

Cough

Suck on cough lozenges or hard candies. They increase saliva production and prompt more frequent swallowing, which can suppress a cough. You can also mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with a tablespoon of honey and add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Another option is to finely chop six onions, mix them with four tablespoons of honey and place the mixture in a container set over a pot of simmering water. Cover and heat for two hours. Strain, then take one tablespoon every two to three hours. Drink hyssop, thyme or chamomile tea.

Treating cold sores

At the first tingling, apply ice to the cold sore to reduce swelling and ease pain. Taking aspirin may also shorten its duration. Lemon balm ointment can help, as can a blend of equal parts tea tree essential oil and olive oil.

Laryngitis

Avoid speaking for a week, including whispering. Drink lukewarm teas made from catnip and mullein. Mix a tablespoon of honey, lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper, then sip slowly.

How to ease menstrual discomfort

Regular exercise helps prevent menstrual cramps because it promotes the release of natural pain relievers. Heat helps as well. Try a hot bath or lie down and place a hot water bottle on your abdomen. Drink three cups a day of warm raspberry leaf tea. Teas made from chamomile, ginger or peppermint can also help.

Nausea

Prepare tea from freshly grated ginger root. It is suitable for morning sickness and motion sickness. A tea made by steeping ten cloves in a cup of hot water can curb nausea and vomiting while also supporting digestion.

Insomnia

Valerian tea is very effective. Since many people find its aroma unpleasant, try a tincture or opt for lavender tea.

Burns

Place the burned area under cool running water as quickly as possible and keep it there for at least 20 minutes. Only after two or three days should you apply a cream such as calendula or fresh aloe vera juice.

PMS

Reduce your intake of salt, alcohol and caffeine, and eat plenty of fiber. Take chaste tree supplements (Vitex agnus castus). It may take up to six months to feel the benefits.

Nosebleed

Sit upright with your head slightly tilted forward. First gently blow out any clots, then pinch the soft part of your nose and press it firmly toward your face. Hold for at least ten minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, continue for another ten minutes. This usually succeeds.

Indigestion

After meals, nibble a few pieces of candied ginger root or drink a soothing cup of ginger tea. To make the tea, mix a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root with a cup of hot water. Steep for ten minutes and strain. Peppermint tea also helps.

Treating a cold

At the first sign of a cold, start taking zinc and vitamin C lozenges or elderberry products. Eat plenty of garlic. Chicken soup can also help. You can ease nasal congestion by inhaling steam infused with thyme or eucalyptus.

Sinusitis

Steam inhalations used for bronchitis can also relieve blocked sinuses. Add a few drops of eucalyptus or mint essential oil to the water, or mix one third of a teaspoon of table salt and a pinch of baking soda in a cup of warm water. Fill a syringe with the solution and rinse the nostrils.

How to get rid of bad breath

To eliminate bad breath, try a strong tea made from crushed coriander seeds or peppermint. Let it cool to room temperature, then use it as a gargle or drink it as a regular tea. An anise tincture can also help.

Fever

If the temperature is below 38.5°C, do not lower it, since fever strengthens the body’s natural defenses. Infants and young children are an exception. To ease discomfort, take a lukewarm bath. Drink one or two cups of yarrow or elderflower tea to promote sweating.

Ear problems

Instill a few drops of olive oil or garlic oil from a capsule. If the eardrum is perforated, which can be recognized by discharge, do not put anything in the ear. Drink plenty of fluids, eat garlic and spicy foods, gargle with warm salted water and sleep with your head elevated.

Treating a viral infection

When you feel a virus coming on, try rinsing your mouth with Tabasco sauce diluted in water. Fans of hot sauces say this is the quickest way to open stuffy airways. If you cannot tolerate the heat, use echinacea instead.

Source: Medicinal Herbs from A to Z
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