NATURAL PLANT /SPICE REMEDIES

[Selfsufficient Chick]

As preppers, while we will be stocking medicines, it is also best to know how to treat medical ailments and wounds with natural remedies like our great grandmother's and some of grandmother's used to do as these medicines will not last forever.

Having come from a caribbean heritage, my great, great grandmother, grandmother and to a lesser extent my mother strongly believed and used natural remedies that were grown in their own gardens, some of which I grow today in my garden and in the house and use.

Having also stumbled this website http://incenseboutique.com/ that deals with incense gives some very good detail on natural plant remedies on of course the meanings of certain types of incense for those interested. I have however copied the main plant remedy excerpts and added additional plant items/uses that I know of in the list

ALOE VERA
The clear gel from an aloe vera plant has been used to treat burns, cuts and skin infections. Can be used reduce skin inflammation. When eaten raw can be used as a laxative also can be used to wash and soften air.

BERGAMOT
Bergamot essential oil has become increasingly popular in incense. It is made by pressing the rinds of the sour green fruit of the bergamot tree. The oil is a pale emerald color and encapsulates floral lemon-orange top notes with sweet balsamic undertones. Like its citrus cousins orange and lemon, Bergamot oil is a strong antiseptic. It can calm fevers and reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms. Topically, it can heal dehydrated, chapped, and irritated skin.

Bergamot fruit: main flavor in Earl Grey but also a popular essential oil

Bergamot oil stimulates hormone secretion and helps regulate metabolism rates. When ingested internally, it increases the secretion of digestive juices, insulin, and bile. As a digestive aid, it encourages the absorption of nutrients and the integration and decomposition of sugars. With regular use, it is thought to assist in balancing and reducing blood sugar levels.
The chronic skin condition psoriasis is alleviated by applying bergamot oil directly to the skin and then exposing the affected area to long-wave ultraviolet light. Bergamot oil is effective against a tumor caused by a fungal infection (mycosis fungoides). It repels insects and protects against lice and other invasive parasites.

BASIL
Due to the strength of its oil, Basil has also been used to combat rheumatic pain, delay nausea, and when boiled in water, aids in freeing obstructions to internal organs. Basil’s medicinal qualities enable it to provide a therapeutic effect on the respiration system when used in incense. Basil has supplemented teas and java, as well as medicinal remedies for ailments such as fever.

BAY LEAVES
However, the oil is used externally for sprains and bruises and can be used to relieve ear discomfort. When put in flour rice can aid in repelling weavels.

CARDAMOM
Cardamom is used in chews, tea and coffee in both the eastern and western hemispheres, as well as in perfumes common to France. Medicinally, it is used to alleviate head pains,

CEDARWOOD OIL
It is therapeutic and can ease coughs and respiratory problems.When applied to the skin, it can control excess production of sebum (the skin’s natural oil). It also controls dandruff and seborrhea, improving the hair condition by invigorating the scalp and hair follicles

CHAMOMILE
Chamomile is great for so much more than tea This essential oil can is effective on children and babies when they are colicky, teething or simply irritable. It regulates the menstrual cycle and when used topically can alleviate burns, diaper rash, and sunburn

CLOVES
cloves assist with decreasing dyspepsia and nausea. When boiled with spice and cinnamon stick (spice tea) will cause you to sweat out a fever

DANDELION
Dandelions can be a diuretic. They also contain potassium, Some apply it topically to treat eczema, while others take it internally for arthritis and even intestinal disorders. Its leaves are thought to regulate blood sugar levels.

GARLIC

Boiling a wholehead of garlic and drinking regularly will lower blood pressure (caution as it works very effectively) it will also help relieve gas. Burning garlic and onion skin serves as a insect repellent.


GERANIUM
Of the 700 kinds of geranium, only a few can be used to make essential oils.
By stimulating the adrenal cortex, Geranium oil can help balance hormones. The adrenal cortex regulates the hormones secreted by other glands. The oil bolsters immune function and can relieve dysmenorrhea. It is a natural diuretic and can prevent fluid retention. Geranium oil helps to relieve almost any skin condition. It aids the regeneration of skin cells and speeds the healing process for acne and blemishes. Cosmetically, it can also improve the appearance of broken capillaries and varicose veins.

JUNIPER
Out of over 50 variants of Juniper, only Juniperus communis bears the berries from which juniper oil is extracted. These bluish green berries turn jet black when mature and produce a colorless or yellowish-green oil with spicy and piney fragrance when unlocked through incense.
Juniper is primarily touted for its ability to promote urinary tract health. It is a diuretic, fights infection, and helps the body to eliminate wastes, especially after excess food intake and/or alcohol consumption. It speeds up healing and is particularly useful for slow healing wounds and dermatiti

LAVENDER
Lavender has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. it has also been used to treat anxiety, migraines, insomnia and depression.

LEMON
One pound of oil can be extracted from about 1,000 lemons.
Medicinally, lemon oil can abate the bleeding of wounds, nosebleeds, shaving cuts, and bleeding gums from tooth extractions or the disease gingivitis. Lemon oil also acts as an analgesic for the pain of cold sores, mouth ulcers, and herpes sores. From a cosmetic perspective, lemon oil can exfoliate dead skin cells and strengthen brittle nails.


MARJORAM PLANT
Marjoram is a bushy perennial that grows to a height of up to one foot. It yields striking clusters of white or pink flowers. The oil rendered from Marjoram has a warm, nutty, peppery, and spicy aroma which provides quite a unique angle to incense.
Holistic physicians have used Marjoram oil to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. It dilates blood vessels, reducing the strain on the heart and creating internal warmth. By improving circulation, it can soothe overworked muscles, sprains, and backaches- all of which make it wonderful for use in massage.

NEROLI (ORANGE BLOSSOM)
The oil is rendered from the white blossoms of the bitter orange or Seville orange tree. It takes one ton of hand-picked flowers to make a scant quart of oil
Neroli oil can relieve diarrhea and comfort women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome. By stimulating cell turnover, it can prevent scarring and stretch marks on the skin. With consistent use, it can reduce the appearance of broken capillaries and varicose veins

NETTLE
As highlighted in another thread and my personal experience, when common stinging nettle is boiled as a tea a can aid in either eliminating asthma from a young age or reducing the severity of asthma sympthoms -

ORANGE
Orange essential oil -The oil is rendered from the fruit of the Orange plant (Citrus sinensis) by cold-pressing.
Sweet and Bitter Orange essential oils impede microbial growth and can help comfort a sore throat when gargled. Mouth ulcers can be resolved when used the oil is employed as a mouth wash. Not surprisingly, it increases the body’s absorption of vitamin C. D-limonene is a potent and compelling nutrient found in Orange Essential Oil.

PATCHOULI
The leaves of Pogostemon patchouli or Pogostemon cabin are dried and fermented before being steam distilled to extract the oil.
Patchouli is thought to be especially beneficial to those who want to lose weight because it helps curb the appetite and control cravings.

PEPPERMINT
It is an excellent digestive and stimulates blood circulation. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful antiseptic. These qualities make it the perfect essential oil for the treatment of conditions like varicose veins, indigestion, rheumatism, and even toothache. Also useful in relieving gas pain/flatulance.


ROSEMARY
It is a volatile oil which helps headaches, as well as a topical stimulant to suppress muscle pain. The oil in its flowers is antibacterial and anti-fungal. Thought to also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

SUNFLOWER
Apart from its uses as as oil and the seeed can be dried and eaten a tea made from the leaves is an astringent, a diuretic, an expectorant and an agent to reduce fever

THYME
Thymus vulgaris (common thyme) can be recognized by its small gray-green, oval-shaped leaves and white, lilac, or pink flowers
It was used to treat diseases of the nervous
Moderns will find it useful as well because of its impressive array of medicinal properties. It helps combat infections and fortify the immune system by boosting white blood cell production. It is an ingredient in the commercial mouthwash Listerine and can be used as a gargle to fights gum, mouth and tooth disease. Thyme also stimulates menstrual flow and can elevate low blood pressure

[Quercus-robur]

Thanks for that. I have saved a copy of this. With regards to the oils, when you talk of ingesting it, how much are you talking and with what method? A few drops in a tea?

Thanks

Qr

[mallie99]

Thanks for this, most useful!

[KrisWard]

Thanks for the post, this is very helpful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[jean405]

Thanks for the post, I'll print it off and file it

[FEISTY]

Just watching Bear Grylls. In Belize, there's a tree called the Give & Take tree, the B.....d Tree, or its official name, Crysophila stauracantha. This tree can be huge (8m) in its native countries, but I reckon you could grow it as a much smaller plant here as it's frost hardy. A bit nasty - you have to watch its spines, but can be used as security planting . Its main benefit is, if you scrape the spines away with a knife, you can use the stuff just under the bark as a pain killer (edible) or straight onto wounds. Wonder if it's possible to get one in the UK to grow in a pot ?

[damaralenoire]

Thanks for this very handy, and now printed and added to my file. Aloe Vera i have been growing for years and am constantly giving away plants due to the easiness of growing them, At present i have 18 plants smothering my windowsills and now a couple outside in my new mini greenhouses. Thanks again for sharing

[FEISTY]

I have used homeopathy and essential oils with great results. Two of my most useful oils are lavender and tea tree oil. I wear disposable contact lenses and, no matter how fastidious I was, I would end up with two or three mild eye infections a year, have to use an antibiotic and then have to deal with the side effects of that. Now I mix one or two drops of lavender into a batch of any moisturiser that can be used around the eyes. I use a tiny amount and rub it into the skin and onto my eyelashes before I put make up on. Can't guarantee it will work for you, but I haven't had an eye infection for a long time now. I also find tea tree oil (one or two drops - powerful stuff - be careful) on my face in the shower keeps things under control (I mix it with a rice based exfoliator) - great if you have reactive skin. Rinse it off.

[izzy_mack]

Thanks, good timing, I'll look out for seeds to sow this year for things I think I can grow. Like others, i'll print this off and keep it.

[FEISTY]

I have used homeopathy and essential oils with great results. Two of my most useful oils are lavender and tea tree oil. I wear disposable contact lenses and, no matter how fastidious I was, I would end up with two or three mild eye infections a year, have to use an antibiotic and then have to deal with the side effects of that. Now I mix one or two drops of lavender into a batch of any moisturiser that can be used around the eyes. I use a tiny amount and rub it into the skin and onto my eyelashes before I put make up on. Can't guarantee it will work for you, but I haven't had an eye infection for a long time now. I also find tea tree oil (one or two drops - powerful stuff - be careful) on my face in the shower keeps things under control (I mix it with a rice based exfoliator) - great if you have reactive skin. Rinse it off.

Just bought 5 x 10ml bottles of 100% pure Tea Tree Oil from local pharmacy (can't name it as that would give my location away) for £1 each. 4 for my prep store and one to use. Will be buying more later as I haven't seen any that cheap - ever. It must be a promotion, but, the point is, if you use a lot of this stuff, it's worth looking out for bargains.