Home help for common conditions
There are many readily available plants that you can use to
improve the health of you and your family. There are many common ailments that
people have self-treated for generations. Many “old wife’s tales” now have
modern prove and many more are still in regular use as they have been shown to
work, despite not being clinically trialled.
Cold and coughs is probably the most commonly self-treated condition.
Herbs that you will find useful include: thyme, garlic, cayenne pepper.
My favourite cold treatment is a ¼ teaspoonful of cayenne pepper in a quarter of a glass of juice. Drink this down and follow with a little more juice to rinse out the glass. Do this as soon as you feel the cold starting and do it each morning till you either do or do not come down with it.
Garlic is well known for its antibacterial and antiviral effects. It also thins mucus and eases coughing. As you will have noticed it is excreted through the lungs, which is why we can smell it on other people's breath. Once eaten it will be come out through the lungs, thinning the mucus and keeping the infection at bay. You can add garlic to your diet when you have colds in the family. Try crushing garlic and adding to the mashed potatoes. It can be added to almost any meat or vegetable dish.
Once a cold has taken hold Thyme is my favourite friend. Use thyme to make a cup of tea; one teaspoonful of dried thyme (from the supermarket) or a tablespoonful if you are using fresh from the garden; in a cup of boiling water. This is due to the heavier weight of fresh herbs compared with dried and not a reflection of quality. Generally straight from your garden is better so long as you are certain of what you are picking. There are many species of thyme and not all are therapeutic. Thymus vulgaris is the Latin name of the therapeutic variety.
Herbal Teas:
When making herbal teas always cover the pot (or cup) while it is brewing as many, like thyme, contain essential oils that will evaporate in the hot water. Herbal teas are generally one teaspoonful of dry or one tablespoon of fresh herb to one cup of boiling water. Pour on boiling water and let brew for 5-10minutes. Usually the dose is three to four cups daily.
The following herbs can be made as above into herbal teas or infusions for the following purposes:
- Thyme: improves immunity, helps fight infections
- Rosemary: increases concentration and alertness
- Mint: good for digestion and also for headaches
- Sage: excessive perspiration and sweating, night sweats of menopause
Safety concern:
When making your own herbal remedies: always be certain you have the correct plant. Many plants look similar but can be quite different. Some plants are poisonous.
Cold and coughs is probably the most commonly self-treated condition.
Herbs that you will find useful include: thyme, garlic, cayenne pepper.
My favourite cold treatment is a ¼ teaspoonful of cayenne pepper in a quarter of a glass of juice. Drink this down and follow with a little more juice to rinse out the glass. Do this as soon as you feel the cold starting and do it each morning till you either do or do not come down with it.
Garlic is well known for its antibacterial and antiviral effects. It also thins mucus and eases coughing. As you will have noticed it is excreted through the lungs, which is why we can smell it on other people's breath. Once eaten it will be come out through the lungs, thinning the mucus and keeping the infection at bay. You can add garlic to your diet when you have colds in the family. Try crushing garlic and adding to the mashed potatoes. It can be added to almost any meat or vegetable dish.
Once a cold has taken hold Thyme is my favourite friend. Use thyme to make a cup of tea; one teaspoonful of dried thyme (from the supermarket) or a tablespoonful if you are using fresh from the garden; in a cup of boiling water. This is due to the heavier weight of fresh herbs compared with dried and not a reflection of quality. Generally straight from your garden is better so long as you are certain of what you are picking. There are many species of thyme and not all are therapeutic. Thymus vulgaris is the Latin name of the therapeutic variety.
Herbal Teas:
When making herbal teas always cover the pot (or cup) while it is brewing as many, like thyme, contain essential oils that will evaporate in the hot water. Herbal teas are generally one teaspoonful of dry or one tablespoon of fresh herb to one cup of boiling water. Pour on boiling water and let brew for 5-10minutes. Usually the dose is three to four cups daily.
The following herbs can be made as above into herbal teas or infusions for the following purposes:
- Thyme: improves immunity, helps fight infections
- Rosemary: increases concentration and alertness
- Mint: good for digestion and also for headaches
- Sage: excessive perspiration and sweating, night sweats of menopause
Safety concern:
When making your own herbal remedies: always be certain you have the correct plant. Many plants look similar but can be quite different. Some plants are poisonous.
