How to Use Wild Yam
Tea recipe for coughs, nausea, spasms, inflammation, hormone imbalance:
Place 8 oz. chopped fresh root (or 4 oz. of dried) in sauce pan, cover with water and bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer for 20 to 30 min. Strain and store in refrigerator. Take in ½ cup doses twice a day.
A tea of the root is used to alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause and PMS such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness by raising the progesterone levels in a woman’s body. It is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, gallbladder complaints by increasing bile production in the liver. It is also said to relieve spasmodic cramps, and in small doses is especially helpful in treating the nausea of pregnant women.
Wild yam is commonly used in connection with symptoms associated with inflammation, spasms, and osteoporosis. Wild Yam has also been used in American folk medicine to treat coughs and to induce sweating and vomiting. Some believe that Native Americans and early settlers used it for its antispasmodic effects (relieves muscle tightness), which is how it got the name Colic Root.
Warning:
Large doses of Wild Yam may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Although rare, allergic reactions to Wild Yam can occur, including rashes, asthma, and other symptoms.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Aloe Vera
What Aloe Can Do
Aloe gel has a dramatic ability to heal wounds, ulcers and burns. Applied Aloe becomes a protective coating on the affected areas, infusing burns with cooling moisture. It also speeds up the healing rate by increasing the availability of oxygen to the skin, and increasing the synthesis (creation of new skin) and strength of tissue. Many people drink Aloe juice to soothe digestive tract
irritations, such as colitis and peptic ulcers. As a food supplement, Aloe is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as kidney, liver and gall bladder functions.
Aloe contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent over-acidity, a common cause of indigestion. Acemannan, a newly discovered compound in Aloe, boosts T-lymphocyte cells that aid the immune system. Aloe can aid in keeping the skin supple, and has been used in the control of acne and eczema by rubbing the gel on the skin, and drinking the juice. Aloe taken internally is said to relieve arthritis and joint pain.
WARNINGS:
If you use Aloe, you should cut away the skin and drain off the inner layer of yellow juice, leaving only the actual gel in the middle of the leaves. The yellow juice, especially prominent in older plants, has been known to irritate the skin upon contact.
Test for a reaction by rubbing a small amount on the inside of your forearm before using on large areas of skin. I use younger, smaller plants that have no juice, and so have never encountered this problem. Very large amounts of ingested Aloe Vera juice will induce vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Aloe gel has a dramatic ability to heal wounds, ulcers and burns. Applied Aloe becomes a protective coating on the affected areas, infusing burns with cooling moisture. It also speeds up the healing rate by increasing the availability of oxygen to the skin, and increasing the synthesis (creation of new skin) and strength of tissue. Many people drink Aloe juice to soothe digestive tract
irritations, such as colitis and peptic ulcers. As a food supplement, Aloe is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as kidney, liver and gall bladder functions.
Aloe contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent over-acidity, a common cause of indigestion. Acemannan, a newly discovered compound in Aloe, boosts T-lymphocyte cells that aid the immune system. Aloe can aid in keeping the skin supple, and has been used in the control of acne and eczema by rubbing the gel on the skin, and drinking the juice. Aloe taken internally is said to relieve arthritis and joint pain.
WARNINGS:
If you use Aloe, you should cut away the skin and drain off the inner layer of yellow juice, leaving only the actual gel in the middle of the leaves. The yellow juice, especially prominent in older plants, has been known to irritate the skin upon contact.
Test for a reaction by rubbing a small amount on the inside of your forearm before using on large areas of skin. I use younger, smaller plants that have no juice, and so have never encountered this problem. Very large amounts of ingested Aloe Vera juice will induce vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Ginger
How to Use Ginger Root
Tea for chills, colds, nausea, circulatory stimulant, tummy-ache.
Ginger tea is also great for healing the female organs after birth and/or surgery.
Ginger tea is so effective against ailments of the reproductive and digestive systems because it stimulates circulation and supports a good blood supply to these organs.
1 - 2 slices of ginger root to a cup of water and simmer for 10 minutes.
A pinch of cinnamon or a squeezed lemon can be added. Add honey for sweetener.
Massage Oil for aches and pains, and circulatory stimulation:
Add 5 - 10 drops ginger oil to 25 ml of olive or almond oil.
This also combines well with juniper or eucalyptus oil.
Ginger Syrup for coughs, colds, tummy-aches, apply topically to infected wounds:
Honey offers its own range of health benefits to ginger, especially if the ginger can be low-heat-infused into the honey.
Besides enhancing the flavor, preservation, and variety of applications for ginger, honey possesses its own range of antibacterial, anticancer, anti-fungal, wound-healing, and anti-ulcer properties.
Warnings
Some people are allergic to ginger. Generally, this is reported as discomfort resulting in flatulence, or it may take the form of an extreme tightening in the throat necessitating uncontrollable burping to relieve the pressure.
Tea for chills, colds, nausea, circulatory stimulant, tummy-ache.
Ginger tea is also great for healing the female organs after birth and/or surgery.
Ginger tea is so effective against ailments of the reproductive and digestive systems because it stimulates circulation and supports a good blood supply to these organs.
1 - 2 slices of ginger root to a cup of water and simmer for 10 minutes.
A pinch of cinnamon or a squeezed lemon can be added. Add honey for sweetener.
Massage Oil for aches and pains, and circulatory stimulation:
Add 5 - 10 drops ginger oil to 25 ml of olive or almond oil.
This also combines well with juniper or eucalyptus oil.
Ginger Syrup for coughs, colds, tummy-aches, apply topically to infected wounds:
Honey offers its own range of health benefits to ginger, especially if the ginger can be low-heat-infused into the honey.
Besides enhancing the flavor, preservation, and variety of applications for ginger, honey possesses its own range of antibacterial, anticancer, anti-fungal, wound-healing, and anti-ulcer properties.
Warnings
Some people are allergic to ginger. Generally, this is reported as discomfort resulting in flatulence, or it may take the form of an extreme tightening in the throat necessitating uncontrollable burping to relieve the pressure.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Garlic
Garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It is the most powerful herb for the treatment of antibiotic resistant disease. No other herb comes close to the multiple system actions of garlic, its antibiotic activity, and its immune-potentiating power. Unlike traditional medications, and many herbs, garlic is directly effective against viruses. It has been successfully used to treat all of the following common conditions:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Active bacterial infections
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Sinus infection
- Infections of eye, nose, and ears
- Athlete’s foot and surface skin infections
- Prevention of blood infections such as gangrene Amebic dysentery
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Peppermint
Mint has a high menthol content, which makes the herb a good choice for clearing plugged nasal passages, and soothing inflamed lung, throat, and nasal tissue. Peppermint and Spearmint are popular flavors in chewing gum, toothpaste, chocolates, breath sprays, and more. Peppermint can also be found in some shampoos, and when used, it will give a tingly, cooling sensation on the scalp.
Mint aids in calming an upset stomach by inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria and can help smooth and relax muscles when inhaled or applied to the skin. Other health benefits are attributed to the high manganese, vitamin C and vitamin A content; as well as trace amounts of various other nutrients such as fiber, iron, calcium, folate, potassium, tryptophan, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, riboflavin, and copper! Who would ever guess this little green plant could hold so much value!
Need an herb to make you burp? Mint tea relaxes the gastro-oesophageal sphincter, thus promoting belching, and reducing acid reflux, and indigestion.
Mint aids in calming an upset stomach by inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria and can help smooth and relax muscles when inhaled or applied to the skin. Other health benefits are attributed to the high manganese, vitamin C and vitamin A content; as well as trace amounts of various other nutrients such as fiber, iron, calcium, folate, potassium, tryptophan, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, riboflavin, and copper! Who would ever guess this little green plant could hold so much value!
Need an herb to make you burp? Mint tea relaxes the gastro-oesophageal sphincter, thus promoting belching, and reducing acid reflux, and indigestion.
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