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Healing in Your Kitchen
© Copyright 2001 - Norma Daulton

The Creator has given us every herb and plant for healing.

Rosemary...helps keep blood vessels dilated and helps relieve a headache. Measure l teaspoon of rosemary per cup of hot water, cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain and sip a cup 2 or 3 times a day.

A rosemary bath is a wonderful way to soothe tired or sore muscles. Fill the bathtub with very warm water; add eight drops of rosemary essential oil and soak for twenty minutes. Add hot water from time to time to keep the water very warm. Massage the muscles while you soak. Rosemary oil was a common ingredient in old-time liniments because of its ability to penetrate the muscles and stimulate circulation. Rosemary essential oil is not only good for common every day muscle soreness, but is believed to ease the discomfort of Fibromyalgia.

Turmeric puts out the fire of heartburn. Bitter herbs such as turmeric help stimulate the flow of digestive juices, preventing acid buildup. Some have success using turmeric as a spice to stop the burn; others find they get better results by taking turmeric capsules (1 to 3 caps) before a meal. l/2 to 1-gram capsules may be purchased at any health food store.

Peppermint essential oil brings fast relief from insect bites and stings. A drop of peppermint essential oil rubbed into the center of a bite or sting will bring quick relief. Peppermint cools the bite so that you don 't feel like scratching and thereby increase the blood flow to the area, which helps to carry off the venom. Wash hands after applying and don't use near the eyes, as essential oils can irritate.

Cloves and Sesame Seeds may be the answer to an aching tooth. As a computer technician worked on my equipment she frequently stopped to rub her jaw. When I asked what the problem was she told me she had had a toothache for several days and nothing she taken had worked. I had her rub a drop of essential oil of cloves directly on the aching tooth and gave her a few drops to take with her to use later. The next time I saw her she said it had worked within minutes. If you don't keep essential oils on hand just take a whole clove from your spice cabinet and wiggle it down next to the tooth, pointed end down.

Sesame Seeds. It is believed that sesame seeds contain several pain-relieving compounds. Boil one-part sesame seeds with three parts water until liquid is reduced by half. Cool and apply it directly to the aching tooth.

Onions help cuts, burns, and other injuries heal quicker when applied topically. Eating raw onions aids in resistance to colds and viruses. Some have said that onions work as an insect repellant. I have not honestly tired this remedy.

Butter prevents blistering and helps burns to heal. It must be real butter from a cow and not oleomargarine.

Bananas absorb excess stomach acid and relieve pain from ulcers and highly seasoned food.

Cayenne Pepper helps reduce the pain of arthritis and swelling that accompanies it, when used regularly.
Cayenne pepper is similar in taste to black pepper but is much hotter so you may want to use it sparingly. On extremely cold days during the winter when I have to be outside I add a tiny sprinkle of cayenne in my shoes.
It keeps my feet very warm but remember! A little dab will do.

COMMON HOUSEHOLD SPICES
Common household spices may help stave off food spoilage. Under controlled laboratory conditions, garlic, onion, allspice, oregano wiped out or inhibited 100 percent of bacteria such as salmonella and E coli.
Thyme, cinnamon, tarragon, cumin and other common spices affected 80 percent of bacteria; chili peppers, up to 75 percent. (Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.
Professor of biology, Paul Sherman, PhD).

Parsley is known for its ability to treat minor bumps, burns and bruises because of its cooling and healing effect. A great new remedy, parsley ice cubes, can double the healing power, because the ice can minimize swelling. Just blend several handfuls of parsley leaves with a little water in the blender until it forms a pesto-like slush. Fill ice cube trays half full and freeze. Wrap the frozen cube in a cloth and apply to burns, bumps, or bruises. (National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, herbalist Sharleen Andrews-Miller.)

Clean-Fresh Mouth. Long before toothpaste my Grandma Dorcas used a variety of home remedies to whiten teeth and freshen breath. Here are a few of her tips.

Cinnamon tooth powder. Blend a teaspoon of ground cinnamon with two teaspoons of baking soda.

Fresh Strawberries. Strawberries have cleansing and bleaching properties that can assist with removal of tea and coffee stains, especially if you are a denture wearer. Crush the strawberries gently and rub the pulp onto your teeth. Rinse with water.

Breath Fresheners. Instead of over the counter mouthwashes that are filled with chemicals, sugars, and coloring, try diluting one or two drops of peppermint oil in a glass. Your mouth will smell and feel clean.
Here again is where that window garden can come in handy if you don't have a garden spot outside. Grow your own peppermint.

You can crush a leaf of peppermint and mix with water or you can chew the leaf. Peppermint leaves make a nice change instead of lemon in a glass of iced tea.

Other herbs that make great breath fresheners are cloves, eucalyptus, allspice, and lavender flowers.

Healing Herbal Mouthwash. To speed healing of sore or swollen gum tissues, rub the gums with tea tree oil. We generally carry tea tree oil and ointment when we travel to us as an antiseptic and healing aid.

To make a mouthwash, brew a strong tea from herbs like Sage or Thyme. Use 2 tablespoons of herbs per cup of water. Goldenseal is another effective antiseptic mouthwash. Use a tincture rather than a tea, as this natural herb can stain your teeth. Mix 1 drop of goldenseal tincture in l/2 cup of water and rinse your mouth twice daily.

Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera, a spiny, cactus-like plant, has many uses: as a salve for burns, skin irritations, cuts, sunburns, etc. Every home should have a 'burn plant', but if you don't have one, you can purchase pure Aloe Vera gel. It is wonderful as a skin moisturizer, especially following a warm bath.

Some health conscience people drink the juice of the Aloe Vera plant to strengthen the digestive system.

I use Aloe Vera when shaving my legs and under the arms. Men may also find it superior to shaving creams and after-shave lotions that contain perfumes, chemicals, and other additives.

I also use Aloe Vera gel in place of over the counter hair setting lotions. Apply to hair while it is still damp, and then use your curling iron as you usually do.

PROTECT HERBS, VITAMINS AND SPICES
Most people store their herbs, spices and vitamins in the bathroom or kitchen. Heat and humidity can damage herbs and other natural remedies. I store my cache of supplements and remedies in a dark place. in the bottom of my china closet. It has meant double stacking my china, but is well worth the effort and is most cost effective. Some vitamins and herbs need refrigeration, so read all labels. Store fresh herbs in a dry place away from the kitchen stove where steam and heat from cooking may affect the freshness of your herbs.

My Treasure Chest is full of little slips of paper where I have jotted down a household remedy, recipe, or some health tip. Some of my "Treasures" came from my Grandma Dorcas, some from ladies who are interested in promoting the biblical way of good health, while others are my own tried and proven remedies. If I happen to use one of your tips and do not give you credit for it, just remember that the heavenly Father freely gave us the gift of Life, and I know he will reward you for your part in making Healthy Truths a place for sharing His Wisdom.

Norma Daulton
Christian Women's Support Group
healthy-truths-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
HEALTHY TRUTHS WEBSITE: http://www.sarahstent.com/healthytruths