There were various natural substances that were thought to be aids to digestion. These include ginger, cinnamon, peppermint, pepper, mustard, apple, and barley. Other aids to digestion were garlic, onion, and parsley, and cardamom, chamomile, dandelion, burdock, nettle, sage, thyme, rosemary, yarrow and lavender.
Lemon balm, hawthorn, eucalyptus and myrrh have also been used to aid and stimulate the digestion.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Digestive Problems
For digestive problems, lemon, although it is generally regarded as an acid, was thought to be helpful in some digestive problems. The juice of raw potato was also used, as were ginger and cider vinegar.
An old folk remedy involved the use of white mustard. Another was based on oats.
Peppermint has been used in connection with digestive disorders for long time. Olive oil, chamomile, marigold, balm and meadowsweet were also thought to be effective.
An old folk remedy involved the use of white mustard. Another was based on oats.
Peppermint has been used in connection with digestive disorders for long time. Olive oil, chamomile, marigold, balm and meadowsweet were also thought to be effective.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Dill
We now know dill mainly as a culinary herb, but it was also used in medicine. In early times it was regarded as an aphrodisiac and was an ingredient in love potions.
Dill was used as a cure for flatulence, colic and indigestion. It was also found to be effective as stimulant of the appetite and to promote the milk flow in nursing mothers.
People used to chew dill seeds to sweeten the breath and cure halitosis.
Diphtheria
An old remedy suggested that if you thought that you were at risk from diphtheria you should gargle the throat immediately with lemon juice. Lavender was given to try to alleviate the diseases as it has antiseptic and anti bacterial properties. Yellow dock was also used.
Diuretics
Diuretics are substances that promote the flow of urine and cure fluid retention. Many natural substances were thought to have diuretic properties. These include watercress, lemon, wheat, carrots, onions, turnip and cucumber. Dandelion, parsley, plantain, burdock, nettle, garlic and yellow dock were also considered to be natural diuretics.
Practitioners of folk medicine had no shortage of plants that were held to have diuretic properties. As well as those above, they could choose from rosemary, rose, marigold, and yarrow. Lavender, juniper, thyme, hawthorn, borage, elder and meadowsweet were also regarded as natural’s diuretics, some being stronger in their effect than others.
Other natural diuretics include agrimony, arnica, asparagus, bearberry, bilberry, bittersweet, blackcurrant, boneset, buckthorn, burdock, burr, marigold, catmint, chervil, golden rod, groundsel, heartseas, hyssop, kidneywort, lily of the valley, madder, wild lettuce, marjoram, white poppy, sorrel, speedwell, ragwort, holy thistle, vervain and yarrow.
Practitioners of folk medicine had no shortage of plants that were held to have diuretic properties. As well as those above, they could choose from rosemary, rose, marigold, and yarrow. Lavender, juniper, thyme, hawthorn, borage, elder and meadowsweet were also regarded as natural’s diuretics, some being stronger in their effect than others.
Other natural diuretics include agrimony, arnica, asparagus, bearberry, bilberry, bittersweet, blackcurrant, boneset, buckthorn, burdock, burr, marigold, catmint, chervil, golden rod, groundsel, heartseas, hyssop, kidneywort, lily of the valley, madder, wild lettuce, marjoram, white poppy, sorrel, speedwell, ragwort, holy thistle, vervain and yarrow.
Dizziness
Thyme was a traditional remedy for dizziness or vertigo. Hawthorn was another traditional cure, and balm and fenugreek were also thought to relieve the condition.
People suffering from frequent dizzy spells were advised to drink sage tea sweetened with honey. Alternatively, a drink could be taken made from cowslips boiled in water, with honey added to taste.
People suffering from frequent dizzy spells were advised to drink sage tea sweetened with honey. Alternatively, a drink could be taken made from cowslips boiled in water, with honey added to taste.
Dock, Yellow
Yellow dock is also known as curled dock.
In traditional medicine it had several roles. It was used as a mild laxative and as a cure for ulcers and bowel infections. Gout, cystitis and jaundice were also treated by it, and it was used as a diuretic.
Yellow dock was used to treat arthritis and rheumatism. A chronic skin disease was also thought to be cured by it.
It was used to regulate the menstrual cycle and as a tonic for people suffering from debility or recovering from illness. Docks seeds were a traditional cure for dysentery, diarrhea and hemorrhages.
Dog Rose
The fruit of the dog rose is a rich source of Vitamin C and was used to treat the common cold and influenza. It was also used as a laxative, as a tonic and as a tonic and as a treatment for disorders of the gall bladder.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Dropsy
Parsley was an old cure for dropsy, as was the root of the dock, both of these to be taken in the form of infusions. A mixture consisting of small quantities of foxglove and broom was recommended to be taken in the form of a tea.
Another suggested cure involved bruising artichoke leaves in a mortar, straining the resultant liquid and adding it to Madeira wine. This was to be taken in the morning and evening.
Wine was involved in another cure, but this time it was white wine. The tops of green broom were dried in an oven and burnt to ashes on a clean hearth. The ashes were mixed with the wine and mixture left to stand all night to allow it to settle. The clearest part of it was drunk in the morning, late afternoon and at night before retiring.
Any herbs with diuretic properties were also used in the treatment of dropsy, which was a disorder involving fluid retention. A tea made from the root of the elder was meant to be effective.
There were several old remedies that were to be applied externally. One of these involved crushing black snails with bay salt and applying the mixture to the soles of the feet. A more pleasant one involved the bruising of peppermint leaves and wormwood leaves and boiling them in cream until they formed an oil. This was then strained and smeared on any areas swollen with dropsy.
Another suggested cure involved bruising artichoke leaves in a mortar, straining the resultant liquid and adding it to Madeira wine. This was to be taken in the morning and evening.
Wine was involved in another cure, but this time it was white wine. The tops of green broom were dried in an oven and burnt to ashes on a clean hearth. The ashes were mixed with the wine and mixture left to stand all night to allow it to settle. The clearest part of it was drunk in the morning, late afternoon and at night before retiring.
Any herbs with diuretic properties were also used in the treatment of dropsy, which was a disorder involving fluid retention. A tea made from the root of the elder was meant to be effective.
There were several old remedies that were to be applied externally. One of these involved crushing black snails with bay salt and applying the mixture to the soles of the feet. A more pleasant one involved the bruising of peppermint leaves and wormwood leaves and boiling them in cream until they formed an oil. This was then strained and smeared on any areas swollen with dropsy.
Dysentery
An old country for dysentery was to make a drink from cinnamon powder stirred into milk. Another old cure was vinegar diluted with water, and yet another was pepper. Docks seed were another traditional remedy.
A drink made from milk, nutmeg, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon and oak bark was thought to bring relief to sufferers from dysentery.
Raw grated apple was thought to help in cases of dysentery, as was honey. Thyme, meadowsweet, witch hazel and the leaves and the leaves of eucalyptus, too, were meant to be able to relieve the condition.
A cure to be applied externally used garlic. The garlic was pressed and heated until it was quite hot. A piece of cloth was folded and dipped in the garlic and then placed on the navel until it grew cold. The treatment could be repeated two or three times.
A drink made from milk, nutmeg, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon and oak bark was thought to bring relief to sufferers from dysentery.
Raw grated apple was thought to help in cases of dysentery, as was honey. Thyme, meadowsweet, witch hazel and the leaves and the leaves of eucalyptus, too, were meant to be able to relieve the condition.
A cure to be applied externally used garlic. The garlic was pressed and heated until it was quite hot. A piece of cloth was folded and dipped in the garlic and then placed on the navel until it grew cold. The treatment could be repeated two or three times.
Earache
An old cure for earache involved putting a pinch of black pepper in a very small piece of cotton wadding or cotton wool. The wadding was then dipped in corn oil or some form of sweet oil and inserted into the ear. A flannel bandage was tied over the head to keep the ear warm.
Another cure suggested bathing the ears with a decoction of chamomile. Yet another, supposedly a very quick cure, involved the boiling of an onion until it was soft. The soft onion pulp was then rubbed on the inside of the ear.
Earache is a common and painful disease, and so it is no wonder that there were several folk cures. A mixture of green elder and leek juice was used in another cure. A branch of green elder was placed over a low fire. An egg-cup of sap was collected from the elders as it exuded from the wood and this was added to an egg-cup of leek juice. This was thoroughly mixed and applied to the affected ear three times a day.
In other folk cure, a mustard leaf was put just behind the ear, and in another baked apple was applied to the ear. Warmed honey or almond oil could be dripped into the ear to bring relief. Garlic oil or lavender oil in warmed olive oil was also used in this way, as was peppermint oil.
An infusion of plantain taken internally was thought to be curative in cases of earache.
Heat treatment was generally recommended. Originally, hot cloths were placed on the side of the head with the affected ear. Lather hot-water bottles were used.
Another cure suggested bathing the ears with a decoction of chamomile. Yet another, supposedly a very quick cure, involved the boiling of an onion until it was soft. The soft onion pulp was then rubbed on the inside of the ear.
Earache is a common and painful disease, and so it is no wonder that there were several folk cures. A mixture of green elder and leek juice was used in another cure. A branch of green elder was placed over a low fire. An egg-cup of sap was collected from the elders as it exuded from the wood and this was added to an egg-cup of leek juice. This was thoroughly mixed and applied to the affected ear three times a day.
In other folk cure, a mustard leaf was put just behind the ear, and in another baked apple was applied to the ear. Warmed honey or almond oil could be dripped into the ear to bring relief. Garlic oil or lavender oil in warmed olive oil was also used in this way, as was peppermint oil.
An infusion of plantain taken internally was thought to be curative in cases of earache.
Heat treatment was generally recommended. Originally, hot cloths were placed on the side of the head with the affected ear. Lather hot-water bottles were used.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Eczema
Eczema is a condition of the skin in which the skin becomes red and itchy and starts to flake and weep.
A tea made from marigold flowers was an old cure for eczema. Another internal cure was a drink made from hot water, lemon juice, honey, cayenne pepper, while yet another was decoction of dock.
A cure applied externally involved boiling a handful of watercress in water, straining the mixture, allowing it to cool and then bathing the areas affected with eczema two or three times a day. Watercress was also taken internally to try and affect a cure.
A broth made from carrot was applied to affected areas to relieve itching from eczema. Olive oil was used to soothe skin affected by the condition, as was glycerin. Bathing with a little vinegar and water was also thought to soothe skin irritation.
Cucumber juice was also advocated as a soother of inflamed skin, and burdock poultices were sometimes applied to help heal the skin. Marigold used externally was also thought to help the healing process and externally to reduce inflammation.
A poultice was made from the leaves and flowers of borage to relieve eczema, while the root and bark of elder was made into an ointment to cure it.
A tea made from marigold flowers was an old cure for eczema. Another internal cure was a drink made from hot water, lemon juice, honey, cayenne pepper, while yet another was decoction of dock.
A cure applied externally involved boiling a handful of watercress in water, straining the mixture, allowing it to cool and then bathing the areas affected with eczema two or three times a day. Watercress was also taken internally to try and affect a cure.
A broth made from carrot was applied to affected areas to relieve itching from eczema. Olive oil was used to soothe skin affected by the condition, as was glycerin. Bathing with a little vinegar and water was also thought to soothe skin irritation.
Cucumber juice was also advocated as a soother of inflamed skin, and burdock poultices were sometimes applied to help heal the skin. Marigold used externally was also thought to help the healing process and externally to reduce inflammation.
A poultice was made from the leaves and flowers of borage to relieve eczema, while the root and bark of elder was made into an ointment to cure it.
Egg
Eggs have long been regarded as being exceptionally nutritious. Nowadays we tend to eat fewer of them because they are high in cholesterol. In folk remedies, however, they were much valued as an easily digested food for invalids and convalescents to build up their strength.
Raw eggs or very lightly boiled eggs were used as a tonic. Stomach disorders were also treated with eggs in this way, eggs being thought to be helpful in cases of indigestion, constipation and diarrhea.
Various light foods based on eggs, such as eggs custard, were given to invalids. Drinks based on eggs were also given to invalids to give them more strength. These included eggnog, one recipe for which involved beating a egg yolk with milk and then adding some brandy and a beaten egg white. A small amount of lime water was thought to make this more digestible.
Egg white, beaten up in milk, was taken as an antidote to some corrosive poisons.
Eggs were also used externally to soothe the skin. The white of eggs was applied in layers, time being given for each layer to dry, cracked nipples in nursing mothers, to babies' bottoms affected by nappy rash and to the skin of people affected by sunburn.
One cure for burns involved eggs. The whites of eggs were beaten until stiff and spread over the burn.
Another use for eggs was to prevent hair from falling out. In this remedy eggs were beaten, mixed with water and rubbed into the scalp. This was left on overnight and washed out the next morning.
Eggs were also used to shampoo the hair to improve its general condition.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Elder
Common names for elder include black elder, bore tree and bour tree. The bark, leaves, flowers and berries were all used in herbal medicine, making it a very versatile remedy that has been in use for many hundreds of years.
An old superstition had it that if you gathered elder branches on May day, piece of the branches could be used to cure the bite of a rabid dog. Another superstition claimed that if you carried a twig of elder in your pocket it would protect you against rheumatism.
The bark of the elder was used as a strong purgative and, if taken in large doses, was an emetic. A tincture from the bark was used to relieve the symptoms of asthma and croup, and the bark has also been used in epilepsy.
The leaves were used as a purgative and a diuretic. They were helpful in conditions requiring an expectorant or one in which perspiration was required to be induced.
Elder leaves were used externally to cure sprains, bruises, chilblains, open wounds and piles. They were used to relieve headaches by placing them on the temples.
The root of the elder was curative in some respects. A tea was made from it as a cure for dropsy. It was also used in an ointment for eczema and psoriasis and in a decoction used as a mouthwash.
The flowers of the elder are mildly astringent and were used in eye lotions and skin lotions. The dried flowers were used to make a tea that had a laxative effect and was also used to induce perspiration. Taken before going to sleep, a hot elderflower infusion was considered to be cure a for colds, laryngitis, tonsillitis, sinus trouble and influenza, having decongestant and expectorant properties.
It was supposed to have a relaxant effect and was thought to be a cure for the spasms caused by asthma.
Taken before breakfast, it was meant to purify the blood.
A hot infusion of elderflowers was also given in cases of eruptive diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, supposedly to bring out the rash and aid recovery.
Elderflowers were thought to be diuretic and were used to relieve fluid retention. They were used in the treatment of gout and arthritis.
The flowers of the elder were used in poultices, ointments or lotions to reduce inflammation, to heal wounds and to bring relief to burns and scalds. The same treatment was used to relive chapped hands and chilblains.
The berries, as well as being used to make wine, were used to treat coughs and colds. They also had laxative properties. Taken internally, elderberries were used as a remedy for neuralgia and sciatica. Medieval herbalist used them to bring on menstruation.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Elecampane
The flowering plant elecampane has the common name of elfwort.
Its main use in folk medicine was as an expectorant in the treatment of bronchial coughs. Elecampane was also used in the relief of fluid retention and as antiseptic.
It was thought to induce menstruation. Invalids were thought to find it useful as it was used as a tonic and a stimulant of the appetite.
Elm
The dried inner bark of the elm, also called field elm or broad-leaved elm, had a various uses in folk medicine.
It was used as a diuretic and a tonic. Scurvy and other skin diseases were thought to be improved by a decoction of it.
Used in a poultice, it was thought to reduce the pain caused by gout or rheumatism.
Emetic
An emetic is something that includes vomiting.
One common emetic indigestible food had been eaten consisted of a teaspoonful of English mustard in a glass of warm water. Salt and water was also used. An older emetic was a mixture of salt and vinegar.
Some herbs and plants are natural emetics. These include adder’s tongue, elder black mustard, thistle and vervain.
Ipecacuanha wine was administered as an emetic also, especially to children.
One common emetic indigestible food had been eaten consisted of a teaspoonful of English mustard in a glass of warm water. Salt and water was also used. An older emetic was a mixture of salt and vinegar.
Some herbs and plants are natural emetics. These include adder’s tongue, elder black mustard, thistle and vervain.
Ipecacuanha wine was administered as an emetic also, especially to children.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition in which sufferers are subject to sudden fits.
The early herbalist regarded lavender as being a remedy for epilepsy. Arab herbalist used balm in the treatment of the disease. Later, foxglove was thought to bring relief.
There was a curious treatment for epilepsy. This involved the patient creeping, head foremost, down three pairs of stairs three times a day for three days in a row.
Epilepsy was once thought to be caused by witchcraft. A cure reflecting this fact involved filling a quart bottle with pins and placing the bottle in front of the fire until the pins were red hot. The idea behind this practice was that the heart of the supposed witch behind the epilepsy would be pricked by the hot pins. She would then be in such agony that she would stop inflicting epilepsy on her victim.
Because of its supposed connection with witchcraft, charms were once carried to ward off epilepsy. A very popular charm was a ring made from a piece of silver collected from the offering made in church by the congregation.
The early herbalist regarded lavender as being a remedy for epilepsy. Arab herbalist used balm in the treatment of the disease. Later, foxglove was thought to bring relief.
There was a curious treatment for epilepsy. This involved the patient creeping, head foremost, down three pairs of stairs three times a day for three days in a row.
Epilepsy was once thought to be caused by witchcraft. A cure reflecting this fact involved filling a quart bottle with pins and placing the bottle in front of the fire until the pins were red hot. The idea behind this practice was that the heart of the supposed witch behind the epilepsy would be pricked by the hot pins. She would then be in such agony that she would stop inflicting epilepsy on her victim.
Because of its supposed connection with witchcraft, charms were once carried to ward off epilepsy. A very popular charm was a ring made from a piece of silver collected from the offering made in church by the congregation.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts, also known as magnesium sulfate, are colorless, odorless crystals that taste very bitter.
Taken with a little water by mouth, they are used as quick-acting purgative in cases of chronic constipation.
They are also used as a remedy for indigestion, biliousness and fluid retention.
Bathing in water with Epsom salts added was regarded as being beneficial in cases of gout and arthritis.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Eucalyptus
The eucalyptus tree is also known as the fever tree.
Because of its antiseptic, disinfectant properties, it was planted in areas of swamp to purify those areas that were breeding grounds for fevers and other disease.
An inhalation of a few drops of eucalyptus oil was used for the relief of cold symptoms. It was also used as an expectorant in asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia and as a decongestant in catarrh and sinusitis.
A decoction of the leaves was used for the relief of dysentery, typhoid, diarrhea, and vomiting. Disorders of the urinary tract, such as cystitis, were also treated with a decoction of eucalyptus leaves.
Eucalyptus taken internally was also thought to stimulate the circulation, induce sweating, reduce fever and speed up eruptive diseases, such as chickenpox, by bringing out the eruptions on to the skin.
Externally eucalyptus oil was used in compresses to be applied to wounds, burns, ulcers, boils and abscesses as an antiseptic and either to stop bleeding or to speed up healing.
Some drops of eucalyptus oil in almond oil was used to rub the chest in chest infections, bronchitis and asthma. Ringworm and athlete’s foot were treated with dilute eucalyptus, and this was also used as an application to the skin as an insect repellent.
Expectorants
An expectorant is something that helps to remove the secretions from the bronchi, lungs and trachea. When people have taken an expectorant, they usually cough up phlegm.
Herbs that were thought to be natural expectorants include boneset, bugloss, comfrey, elder fennel, fenugreek, garlic, honeysuckle, hyssop, Jacob’s ladder, larch, white poppy, St. John’s wort, sundew and violet.
Herbs that were thought to be natural expectorants include boneset, bugloss, comfrey, elder fennel, fenugreek, garlic, honeysuckle, hyssop, Jacob’s ladder, larch, white poppy, St. John’s wort, sundew and violet.
Eye Bright
Eyebright is a plant also known as meadow eyebright and euphrasia.
It is usually used in the form of an infusion in water or milk, but it can be used in a lotion or ointment or in the form of expressed juice.
As its name suggest, eyebright was most commonly used for weak eyesight or other disorders of the eye. It was also used in the treatment of catarrh, sinusitis and inflammation.
Early herbalist also used it to restore a poor memory and in cases of dizziness.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Eye Problems
An old cure for sore eyes was the applicant of a poultice made of raw grated apple to the eyes. Cucumber juice applied to the eyes was a common cure for sore eyes and one that is still frequently used in home beauty treatments, as is witch hazel, which was also common old cure for bathing sore eyes.
An infusion of plantain was applied to sore eyelids, and this was also used as an eyewash for sore eyes. A decoction of comfrey root or an infusion of the comfrey leaves was used as an eyewash for inflamed eyes. Rose water was also used to soothe sore eyes, as was an eyewash made from dock and one made from yarrow.
Itching eyes were thought to be cured by applying a liquid distilled from meadowsweet, according to an old remedy. An oil also soothed irritated eyes, especially when the irritation was caused by the presence of a foreign body.
Styes in the eye were thought to be relieved by the application of a teaspoon of poultice made from tea, according to another old remedy. It was also suggested that they be bathed frequently with warm milk and water or with warm poppy water. Yet another old cure advocated the taking of a dose of Epsom salts with a squeeze of lemon in it as purgative to cure styes. Since styes were thought to be a sign of poor general health, quinine and iron tonics were advised.
Swollen eyelids were thought to be alleviated by the application of grated potato mixed in a little olive oil.
Discoloration around the eye was said to be helped by scraping the fresh root of Solomon’s seal, moistening it with vinegar and applying the mixture to the area round the eye.
Herbs not already mentioned but thought to be effective in disorders of the eye included angelica, betony, borage, catnip, cowslip, feverfew, lilac, lovage, poppy, sage, viper’s bugloss and white horehound.
An infusion of plantain was applied to sore eyelids, and this was also used as an eyewash for sore eyes. A decoction of comfrey root or an infusion of the comfrey leaves was used as an eyewash for inflamed eyes. Rose water was also used to soothe sore eyes, as was an eyewash made from dock and one made from yarrow.
Itching eyes were thought to be cured by applying a liquid distilled from meadowsweet, according to an old remedy. An oil also soothed irritated eyes, especially when the irritation was caused by the presence of a foreign body.
Styes in the eye were thought to be relieved by the application of a teaspoon of poultice made from tea, according to another old remedy. It was also suggested that they be bathed frequently with warm milk and water or with warm poppy water. Yet another old cure advocated the taking of a dose of Epsom salts with a squeeze of lemon in it as purgative to cure styes. Since styes were thought to be a sign of poor general health, quinine and iron tonics were advised.
Swollen eyelids were thought to be alleviated by the application of grated potato mixed in a little olive oil.
Discoloration around the eye was said to be helped by scraping the fresh root of Solomon’s seal, moistening it with vinegar and applying the mixture to the area round the eye.
Herbs not already mentioned but thought to be effective in disorders of the eye included angelica, betony, borage, catnip, cowslip, feverfew, lilac, lovage, poppy, sage, viper’s bugloss and white horehound.
Eyesight
Carrots were said to improved the eyesight, as was eyebright. Rosemary was also used to cure weak eyesight by early herbalist, as was lavender.
A suggested treatment for weak eyes involved the spraying of a jet of weak salt water on the eyelid. An other recommended bathing the eyes with cold tea or cold water to which a little Epsom salts has been added.
It was suggested that men with poor eyesight should abstain from sexual intercourse to improved their eyesight. An old suggested cure for blindness was to make a poultice from the leaves of celery. If the blindness affected only one eye, say the right one, the poultice was to be placed on the other wrist, in the suggested case the left wrist. In cases where both eyes were affected poultices were to be placed on both wrist.
A suggested treatment for weak eyes involved the spraying of a jet of weak salt water on the eyelid. An other recommended bathing the eyes with cold tea or cold water to which a little Epsom salts has been added.
It was suggested that men with poor eyesight should abstain from sexual intercourse to improved their eyesight. An old suggested cure for blindness was to make a poultice from the leaves of celery. If the blindness affected only one eye, say the right one, the poultice was to be placed on the other wrist, in the suggested case the left wrist. In cases where both eyes were affected poultices were to be placed on both wrist.
Eyestrain
In cases of eyestrain in which the eyes were puffy the sufferer was advised to apply a raw potato to the eye to reduce the swelling.
Tired eyes could be helped by an infusion of elderflowers in water. When cool, this was used to bathe the eyes. Alternatively, an infusion of raspberry leaves, marshmallow leaves and groundsel leaves could be used as an eyewash.
A rather messy cure consisted of butter or vegetable fat blended with honey and the white of an egg. The affected eye was to be smeared with this mixture. A cure for eyestrain whose ingredients might to be difficult to find involved the use of the breast milk of two different nursing mothers. This was to be applied to the eyes.
Tired eyes could be helped by an infusion of elderflowers in water. When cool, this was used to bathe the eyes. Alternatively, an infusion of raspberry leaves, marshmallow leaves and groundsel leaves could be used as an eyewash.
A rather messy cure consisted of butter or vegetable fat blended with honey and the white of an egg. The affected eye was to be smeared with this mixture. A cure for eyestrain whose ingredients might to be difficult to find involved the use of the breast milk of two different nursing mothers. This was to be applied to the eyes.
Fainting
Rosemary and lavender were used as a cure for fainting, and peppermint was used as an inhalant during fainting fits.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Fennel
Fennel is also known as sweet fennel and wild fennel. It is now chiefly known as a vegetable and culinary herb but the seeds, leaves and roots were also used in herbal medicine.
In ancient Greece, fennel was thought to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers. In old folklore, fennel was thought to increase the libido and cure impotence and frigidy. For this reason it was used in love potions.
Later, fennel was used as a cure for flatulence, colic and indigestion. It had a various other uses, including being a cure for obesity.
It was used as a diuretic and was thought to be helpful in the cure of jaundice and disorders of the gall bladder. However, children suffering from bed-wetting were also thought to be helped by the herb.
Toothache and earache were meant to be cured by fennel, and it was used as an expectorant in bronchitis.
Fennel had to be used with caution as an overdose could affect the nervous system and fresh fennel leaves could be an irritant.
Fenugreek
Early herbalist thought that the bruised leaves of fenugreek placed on the head cured dizziness. In the seventeenth century, women who had just given birth were advised to sit with their legs open over the fumes coming from a decoction of fenugreek to help to expel the placenta.
Later it was used as an expectorant in bronchitis. It was also used as a tonic and in a gargle for sore throats. Externally it was applied to treat wounds, sores and boils.
Fertility
Watercress was thought to be an aid to fertility. Ginger was thought to be a cure for impotence, and oats were meant to be a cure for sterility, as was rose.
The ancient Romans used sage as a cure for infertility.
The ancient Romans used sage as a cure for infertility.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Fever
There are a lot of home remedies for fever. Substances that reduce fever are known as febrifuges. In herbal medicine, these include aconite, avens, balm, blackcurrant, bogbean and boneset.
Also used in feverish illnesses were angelica, betony, borage, catnip and cowslip. Feverfew, lilac and meadowsweet were also recommended treatments, as were poppy, sage, white horehound and yarrow.
Cinnamon, watercress, honey, vinegar, pepper, lemon and apple were used to help cure feverish illnesses.
Cloves, parsley, plantain and chamomile also played a part, as did burdock, nettle, rosemary, rose, marigold, yarrow, lavender, balm, hawthorn, meadowsweet, peppermint & eucalyptus.
Just visit the links given for these herbs to learn how you can use them to treat and make home remedies for fever.
Also used in feverish illnesses were angelica, betony, borage, catnip and cowslip. Feverfew, lilac and meadowsweet were also recommended treatments, as were poppy, sage, white horehound and yarrow.
Cinnamon, watercress, honey, vinegar, pepper, lemon and apple were used to help cure feverish illnesses.
Cloves, parsley, plantain and chamomile also played a part, as did burdock, nettle, rosemary, rose, marigold, yarrow, lavender, balm, hawthorn, meadowsweet, peppermint & eucalyptus.
Just visit the links given for these herbs to learn how you can use them to treat and make home remedies for fever.
Feverfew
Old herbalists used feverfew to help expel the placenta after childbirth and in cases of stillbirth. Feverfew was used as a laxative and as a sedative. It was also used to encourage the menstrual flow.
Coughs and wheezing were treated with it, as were colic, flatulence and indigestion. Feverfew was also used in the treatment of headaches and in nervous complaints. It was recommended as a tonic and as a riser of the spirits.
Earache and insect and vermin bites were thought to be eased by the application of feverfew.
Figwort
Figwort is also known as heal-all.
Early herbalist used it to cure the skin disease scrofula. Later, it was used as a diuretic and as mild laxative. It was also used as stimulant in heart disease.
Externally figwort was used in the treatment of skin diseases and to help reduce the swelling of bruises.
It was usually administered in the form of an infusion of the dried root stock or of the flowers.
Flatulence
Home remedies and herbal medicines used for flatulence include peppermint, cinnamon and ginger. As were cloves and barley. Carrots, onions, parsley, nettle, dock, chamomile and cardamon were also thought to be effective cures.
Thyme, lavender, myrrh, olive oil and eucalyptus were also known as remedies for flatulence. Angelica, caraway, catnip, celery, coriander, dill, fennel, feverfew, horseradish, tansy and woodruff were used also.
Thyme, lavender, myrrh, olive oil and eucalyptus were also known as remedies for flatulence. Angelica, caraway, catnip, celery, coriander, dill, fennel, feverfew, horseradish, tansy and woodruff were used also.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Flax
Another name for flax is linseed. The seeds and oil expressed from the seeds were used in herbal medicine.
It was used in the treatment of bronchitis and disorders of the lungs, being also an ingredient of some cough mixtures. Constipation was also relieved by it.
A poultice of the seeds, sometimes in conjunction with mustard, was used externally in the treatment of boils, abscesses, ulcers and areas of inflammation. When mixed with lime water, linseed oil was used on burns and scalds.
Foxglove
The leaves of the foxglove were used in heart disease, increasing the activity of the heart muscles.
The foxglove was used as a diuretic in dropsy, and it was also used in kidney disease. It was also used in the treatment of epilepsy, in inflammatory diseases and in delirium trembles. Internal hemorrhaging was also treated by it.
Care had to be taken with foxglove because it could have poisonous effects.
Freckles
Freckles were thought to be removed by the application of the crushed leaves or juice of watercress.
A paste that was meant to remove freckles was made from sour milk and horseradish. This was applied with a brush.
Another method that was supposed to remove freckles involved making a mixture of fresh cream, milk, lemon juice, brandy, sugar and eau de cologne, boiling the mixture, skimming it and applying it to the freckled area.
Yet another method consisted of combining muriate of ammonia with lavender water and distilled water. A rather complicated method involved dipping a bunch of grapes in a basin of water. These were then sprinkled with a mixture of powdered alum and salt, the grapes wrapped in paper and baked. The juice was squeezed out and applied to the face. This preparation was also thought to be able to remove a tan.
A mixture of lemon and glycerin was meant to make freckles less obvious.
A paste that was meant to remove freckles was made from sour milk and horseradish. This was applied with a brush.
Another method that was supposed to remove freckles involved making a mixture of fresh cream, milk, lemon juice, brandy, sugar and eau de cologne, boiling the mixture, skimming it and applying it to the freckled area.
Yet another method consisted of combining muriate of ammonia with lavender water and distilled water. A rather complicated method involved dipping a bunch of grapes in a basin of water. These were then sprinkled with a mixture of powdered alum and salt, the grapes wrapped in paper and baked. The juice was squeezed out and applied to the face. This preparation was also thought to be able to remove a tan.
A mixture of lemon and glycerin was meant to make freckles less obvious.
Fumitory
Fumitory is a plant that early herbalist thought could improve the eyesight, and in the Middle Ages young women used it to wash themselves to make skin blemishes disappear.
Later it was used as a laxative and as a diuretic. It was also used to treat conjunctivitis and serious skin diseases.
Fumitory was extremely toxic, and it was recommended for use only by someone skilled in herbal medicine.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Gall Bladder Problems
Several plants were thought to have a beneficial effect on the gall bladder. These included betony, marigold, peony, pimpernel and vervain. Dandelion and yarrow were also thought to be helpful, as were apples and olive oil.
Barberry, chicory, dandelion root, knotgrass and peppermint were thought to be effective treatments for gall stones. Potatoes and lemons were also considered to be curative.
Barberry, chicory, dandelion root, knotgrass and peppermint were thought to be effective treatments for gall stones. Potatoes and lemons were also considered to be curative.
Garlic
Garlic is a very old remedy, it being known from early times for its power to cure infections. It was the bulb of the plant that was used. Nowadays we know it mostly as a culinary ingredient, although many people take garlic pills as a health supplement.
It was used in a very many ways. Disorders of the respiratory system, such as colds, influenza and bronchitis, lung infection and sore throats were treated with it. A decongestant and a expectorant, it helped relieve asthma, chest infections and coughs.
It was found to be useful in disorders of the gut and in getting rid of worms. Garlic was also used as an aid to digestion and as a general cleanser of the digestive system.
Garlic had a beneficial effect on the liver and was useful in disorders relating to the blood. Blood pressure was reduced by it, as were blood sugar levels. Excessive blood clotting was also relieved by it.
Used externally when crushed, macerated in oil or made into an ointment, it was found effective in he relief of cuts, stings and bites and ringworm. Inflamed joints and rheumatism also benefited from it, as did sprains. It was rubbed on the chest to ease chest infections and was used in the cure of earache.
Ginger
Ginger root was used in Chinese medicine for about two thousand years. It was brought to England about 1600.
It was thought to have many powers, including the ability to cure frigidity in women and to act as an aphrodisiac generally.
High blood pressure was thought to be relieved by it and, although it was later taken internally to effect a cure, ginger was originally reduced to a paste with water and applied to the forehead to bring down blood pressure.
Ginger was used to stimulate the heart and circulation. It was used in respiratory disorders, such as colds or flu, as an expectorant, and to bring down fever.
It was particularly noted for its use in the treatment of disorders of the digestive system, being used to prevent or cure nausea, relieve flatulence and diarrhea, and aid digestion.
Menstrual problems were also treated with it. It was used to promote the menstrual flow in cases of delayed periods.
Ginger was thought to be an aid to fertility. Impotence was also treated with it.
It was found to be useful in disorders of the blood, being used to prevent excessive blood clotting and to reduce blood pressure.
The aging process was thought to be slowed down by the taking of ginger.
Externally ginger was used in liniments to ease the pain of lumbago, and painful joints generally, and neuralgia. Chewing a piece of fresh ginger was thought to relieve toothache.
Gipsywort
The dried flowers of gipsywort were used in an influsion to prevent blood clotting, to reduce the pulse rate and as a sedative in cases of heart disease and high blood pressure.
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