Posts Tagged ‘natural medicine’
The Medicine Hunter goes on a foraging tour through Central Park with Steve “Wildman” Brill in search of sassafras root. It’s said to help detoxify the liver, and it’s the main ingredient in a popular soft drink.
When you think about medicinal herbs, teas, capsules, and tinctures may be the first thing that comes to mind; all nicely formulated and conveniently packaged to ingest for various ailments. If this is the case, it may surprise you to learn that many herbs can be used topically as well.
Not only is this a great way to treat the surface of your skin for conditions like rashes, diaper rash, burns, scrapes, wounds, injuries, and bug bites, but it is also a fantastic alternative way to enjoy the internal benefits of herbal medicine.
Herbs can be made into vapor balms and applied to your chest to help with congestion when you have a cold or cough. They can also be applied to different areas of your skin to penetrate slowly and deeply into your body and organs, similar to a “patch”. This type of delivery is convenient when herbs have a bitter taste or if swallowing them might be difficult, as in the case of children, the elderly, or pets. Herbs may be applied to the underarms for quick action, or to the back of your hands for slower action.
Next time something ails you, give one of these popular topical herbal remedies a try:
Aloe Vera
Whether it’s straight from your garden or the gel from the store, aloe vera is the best relief for many skin problems. Aloe vera promotes the removal of dead skin and stimulates the normal growth of living cells. It softens, moisturizes and balances the pH of your skin. When used for burns like radiation burns, thermal burns, or sunburns, it is known to reduce the chance of infection and scarring, helps to stop the pain and speeds up the healing process.
Arnica
Arnica oil or gel reduces bruising and swelling from injuries. Many plastic surgeons are now prescribing arnica gel to apply after surgery to prevent bruising and to promote healing. Arnica also works well for muscle pain including arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain and whiplash. Caution: Do not use on broken skin!
Lavender
Lavender essential oil applied on stings or bites from mosquitoes, spiders, scorpions, poisonous fish, and all other known and unknown poisonous critters works very well because it neutralizes poisons while taking the itch and/or pain away. It is calming too. As soon as you notice you have been stung or bitten, apply lavender essential oil directly to the site of the sting. You can re-apply every minute or so, or you can simply place a few drops on a clean cotton ball and leave it on the affected area. For bee and wasp stings, make sure to remove the stinger first before applying lavender essential oil.
Clay
Although clay is not an herb, it is a good earth medicine. Made into clay packs and used topically, clay is very beneficial for sprains, strains, and swellings caused by injury. Clay packs may also be used for water retention in the feet and legs. If you can’t get a splinter out with tweezers try a clay poultice. Mix clay with enough water to make a thick paste. Spread onto the affected area and leave it on for several hours or overnight.
Clove Essential Oil
Dentists recommend clove oil for a toothache, as it numbs the pain for a while. Rub clove essential oil on your gums as needed until the dentist can see you. Since it has a numbing effect, clove oil can also be applied to other painful areas (except for open wounds), but must be diluted with vegetable oil or cream.
Onion Pack
Here is an old, time-tested remedy for sore throats, coughs, respiratory congestion, or even an earache: Cut an onion into small pieces. Place into a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Fry for about 1 – 2 minutes, just enough to heat up the onion. Place onto a towel or paper towel and make a pouch, so that the onions cannot slip out. Apply to the affected area, securing with a towel or bandage, and leave it on for several hours or overnight. The onions will turn black as they work to absorb toxins. CAUTION: Before applying the onion pack to the affected area, make sure it is not too hot, or it will burn your skin. This is especially true for children, as they are more sensitive.
One of the world’s oldest beverages, tea is the second most commonly consumed liquid on earth besides water. Maybe one of the reasons is the myriad of health benefits associated with drinking tea. If you are not drinking tea yet, you’re missing out on a convenient, potent and delicious health beverage; here are some healthy tea facts that might surprise you:
1.) Tea has less caffeine than coffee. A cup of tea contains approximately 30 mg of caffeine, versus 135 mg in a cup of coffee.
2.) Tea adds to your necessary daily fluid intake, unlike coffee and other beverages which may have a diuretic effect.
3.) Tea has no calories, unless you add milk or a sweetener.
4.) Tea increases your metabolic rate.
5.) Tea contains potent antioxidant properties.
6.) Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
7.) Tea builds strong bones.
8.) Tea contains fluoride and tannins for healthy teeth and gums.
9.) Tea boosts your immune system.
10.) Tea possesses cancer-fighting properties.
Black, Green, White, Oolong and Red Teas
It’s hard to believe, but Black, Green, White and Oolong teas (the four true teas) come from the same plant, known as Camellia sinensis, grown in many parts of the World. The major differences between them are the amount of processing each goes through. Black teas are processed the most and White teas the least. This results in the Black teas having a stronger and bolder taste, while the Green and White teas are much lighter tasting. In addition, Green, Black and Oolong teas come from the upper leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, while White tea is derived only from the tips of the leaves.
Red teas usually refer to Honeybush or Rooibos teas made from a blend of different plants. Research has shown that Red teas are the healthiest of all the available teas. They have more antioxidant properties than Green teas.
Honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia) is a shrub native to South Africa. This deliciously sweet tea is smooth tasting, lacking the typical bite found in most Green and Black teas, because it contains virtually no tannins and is caffeine free.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is another plant from South Africa. Rooibos only grows commercially in one small corner of the world – South Africa’s Cederberg district. The soil conditions, rainfall and sunshine of the district can’t be duplicated anywhere else on earth. In order to protect the future of the industry, environmental controls in the area are stringent. Growers take great care to ensure that the fragile Cederberg ecosystem isn’t tempered with or altered. People from this part of the World drink Rooibos tea purely for enjoyment, but also to help relieve insomnia, irritability, headaches, nervous tension, hypertension, skin problems, and stomach cramping and colic in infants. This tea contains no oxalic acid, making it a good beverage for people prone to kidney stones.
Herbal Teas
When you drink a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea you are actually not consuming tea. You are drinking a “tisane” or an “infusion”. Tisane is French for ‘herbal infusion’ and is simply an infusion of dried herbs or fruits. Tisanes and herbal infusions are not true teas since the Camellia plant is not used. However, they are generally referred to as teas since the preparation, enjoyment, and health benefits are similar. Many herbal teas are consumed for medicinal reasons and are naturally caffeine free.
What’s In A Tea Bag?
Almost all teas in tea-bags are blends and usually of a lower quality than loose teas. Tea blending may occur in one tea-planting area (e.g. Assam) or the blends may be a combination of teas from diverse tea plantations. The aim of blending is to give the consumer a stable taste over the years and a cheaper price. For only the best quality and taste, we recommend using loose tea, whether brewing a cup of herbal tea or true Camellia sinensis.
How To Brew A Perfect Cup Of Tea
For one cup of hot tea: Measure 1 teaspoon of dried tea of your choice and place into a container. Bring 1 cup of water to a rolling boil and pour over the tea and steep to desired strength. Strain and enjoy.
For a cup of iced tea: Follow the above instructions and chill with ice.
