Any of you who are regular readers (do I Have any of those...well, in my little world I have lots *grin) probably also visit my other blog The Life & Times... where I have mentioned the physical issues I am having in one of my posts. I was recently put on (another) new medicine called Lyrica. Since they keep switching me up, I am hesitatnt to use herbal remedies as I am unaware what kind of reaction mixing them might cause. But for those of you who don't take a handful of pills every morning, the following information may come in handy.
Disclaimer:
This herbal information is intended as an introduction to how medicinal herb plants are used as pain killers. It is intended for educational purposes only. I am not a medical professional and I cannot prescribe what herbs are right for you. I cannot answer medical questions, so please do not ask me (or any other complete stranger for that matter) to prescribe herbal remedies, cures, treatments or to guess what is wrong with you.
If you use herbs, do so responsibly. Consult your doctor about your health conditions and use of herbal remedies. Herbs may be harmful if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, combined with prescription drugs or alcohol, or used by persons who don't know what they are doing. Just because an herbal remedy is natural, does not mean it is safe! There are herbs that are poisonous such as Poison Hemlock, Jimson weed, and many more.
Herbal Pain Killers....
Pain killer-
Soak 1/2 tsp. of dried willow bark in 2 c.. cold water overnight. Bring
to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain, cool, and bottle.
Dosage is 1/4 c., to be sipped slowly as needed for pain.
It can be added to juices or teas if you wish.
Migrain Headaches -
This is a natural painkiller and is good for migraine headaches.
Chop 1 tbsp. of Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima) and add to 1 pt of water.
Boil gently for 15 minutes. Strain.
Take up to 3 tbsp. per day.
Has a slight laxative effect so you may want to weaken it further.
Good Sedative -
1 tbsp. each of:
Hops,
Chamomile,
crushed fennel seed.
Add 1 tbsp. of the mixture to 1 cup boiling water.
Steep 10 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey.
Drink 1/2 hour before bed.
Nervous Tension -
Vivid blue flowers are typical of many of the best nerve herbs and skullcap
is one of them.
Chop 1/2 c. of the leaves and flowers and add to 2c.s boiling water.
Steep 15 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey.
Drink several cups a day.
Can be used to treat epilepsy, convulsions, and any involuntary trembling of the limbs.
Skullcap is also used during drug or alcohol withdrawal to lessen symptoms of withdrawal.
Skullcap blend -
This is very good for nervous headaches.
1 c. each of dried skullcap,
sage,
To use, pour 1 c. boiling water over 1 tsp. of herb
mixture. Cover and let steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten.
Drink warm as needed.
Skullcap is especially effective in dispelling headaches. It relaxes
the whole system and is non-addictive.
Soothing bath for Tension Headaches -
1 Oz. each of:
Add to1 pt of boiling water. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and add to bath water.
Very good for aching muscles.
Mild Sedative -
Pour 1 pt of boiling water over 1 tsp. of dried catnip. Cover and
steep until cool. Flavor if desired. Strain and sweeten.
For children, give 1 tbsp.;
adults get 2 tbsp..
For trouble getting to sleep -
Pour 1 pt of boiling water over 1 Oz. of feverfew flowers. Cover and
steep until cool. Strain and sweeten with honey.
Drink cool.
Sleep Mixture -
1 tbsp. each of :
dried hop
powdered valerian root.
Put in size #00 capsules.
Take 2 capsules every couple of hours (not to exceed 6 capsules), shortly before
you retire for the night.
This should not be taken longer then 2 days.
If the problem persists after two days, please consult your physician, to find
out the reason for your inability to sleep.
This is to be used only as a temporary measure.
To induce sleep -
2 tbsp. dried peppermint
This really soothes the nerves and allows you to relax enough to go to sleep.
Valerian Tea -
Caution -- Take this only once a day (at bedtime to induce sleep)
1 pt boiling water over
1 tsp. powdered valerian root.
Cover and steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Add a pinch of mace as flavoring if desired.
Drink warm.
Valerian is not a very pleasant smelling (it smells like dirty feet - really!) herb, but it is very effective. The valerian may be added to other, better tasting herbs and will be just as effective. Simply add the herb of your choice to the water along with the
valerian.
To induce sleep -
2 tbsp. chamomile,
2 tbsp. skullcap,
1 tsp. goldenseal,
2 tsp. elder flower,
1/2 tsp. peppermint powder
1 tbsp. pennyroyal.
Add mixture to 2 c.s of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half.
Bottle and label.
Dosage is 1-2 tbsp. to one cup of hot water. Sweeten to taste.
Take at bedtime to induce sleep.
Painful Menstruation -
During your menstrual cycle, drink sever glasses of red raspberry juice
daily to prevent cramps and pain.
Menstrual Cramps -
1 Oz. each of:
Add 1 tsp. of cinnamon.
Place in a quart of warm wine. Steep several days. Strain.
Take 1 tbsp. doses several times a day for cramps.
Cramping During Menstruation -
Pour 1 c. of boiling water over 1 tbsp. of dried raspberry leaves.
Cover and allow to steep 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink warm several
times during the day.
Sprains -
Apply a poultice made from comfrey to relieve sprains and swellings. The
Indians called this herb knitbone and use it extensively.
Sprain and Aching Muscles Treatment -
1/2 c. water,
1/2 c. of linseed oil
4 tbsp. witch hazel.
Mix together and use as a massage.
Menthol Cream -
6 Oz.s of witch hazel
4 tbsp. lanolin
6 tbsp. of menthol
Mix together in a double boiler until creamy.
Remove from fire and cool in the refrigerator. Use as a massage.
Pain -
Add several drops of lavender oil to your bath to relieve neuralgia (spasms
of pain).
Arthritis Treatment -
1 c. each of:
white yarrow
Black cohosh root.
Grind up thoroughly and fill some #00 capsules with the herbal mixture.
The first week take 1 capsule daily;
The second week take 2 capsules daily;
and during the third week take 3 capsules daily.
Pain Reliever Salve -
1 oz. of chickweed (reduces inflammation and aids in healing),
1 oz. of wormwood (a great pain reliever)
1 oz. of yarrow (an anti-bacterial agent that also helps relieve pain).
Mix together.
Add the mixture of herbs to 2 pts of olive oil and simmer 3
hours. Strain.
Add:
3 oz. of beeswax
1 tsp. of tincture of benzoin.
Test for consistency before pouring into wide mouth containers.
The yarrow plant contains achillein and achilleic acid. These substances
reduce the clotting time of blood, so they help stop any bleeding. Yarrow
also has pain-killing and anit-inflammatory properties that are similar to
aspirin.
Sedative Tincture -
1-1/2 oz. of chamomile
1-1/2 tsp. of powdered peppermint
Place into 1/2 quart of vodka. Allow to steep for 2 weeks, shaking daily.
Strain and bottle.
Use as a sedative for adults.
Dosage is 1/2 dropper under the tongue, as needed.
Liniment for Sore Muscles -
Mix together 1/4 c. each of olive oil and spirits of camphor. Use to
massage sore muscles.
Rheumatic Pain Ointment -
Place 1/2 c. of rosemary leaves and 1/2 tsp. oil of cloves in 1 c.
vegetable oil. Simmer gently for 20 minutes. Strain well and bottle.
This is not a comprehensive list by any means. I plane to post Oil & Incense directions in the near future. As they somewhat relate to this, I will try to do it before next Wednesday :)
Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment