The Secrets of the Snowdrop

Did you know that spring’s herald – the snowdrop, is an excellent remedy to treat diseases, some even serious?! A flower as small as it, is as controversial .Because, though it seems slender and thin, colored in pure white, the snowdrop is not commonly seen in many countries as it is in Romania. For example, while in Romania it is a symbol of hope and redemption from sin (as it appears under the thick layer of snow after heavy winter), in the U.K. it is believed that if you bring home a snowdrop, you may attract misfortune. Studied by specialists, it was discovered that snowdrops can be helpful in treating diseases.

An infusion of dry snowdrops (leaves, stems and flowers) is an excellent remedy to combat cramps and relaxes the muscles. In ancient times, at the countryside, people put snowdrops in pools to relieve rheumatic pains. Externally, snowdrop flower infusions are great to treat the pain of varicose veins.

Galantamine is extracted from snowdrops. Among other substances, galantamine is present in the composition of drugs used in treating Alzheimer's disease, and other forms of dementia.

Snowdrop decoction is used as a remedy for certain vaginal diseases. If you want to get rid of vaginal candidiasis, prepare a decoction of snowdrops (simmer for 15 minutes 30 grams of dried flowers and leaves in 1.5 liters of water) and use it for local washes.

Compresses with snowdrop infusion (flowers and leaves) do wonders for the skin, especially when the signs of aging (stains) appear. Applied at night on a clean face (single, or combined with lemon juice or infusion of parsley), the snowdrop infusion soothes, reduces blemishes and freckles.

Do not use the bulb!

If you want to enjoy the therapeutic effects of snowdrop, use it only dry, otherwise the plant can be toxic! For the same reason, the bulb is never used.

Are you anemic? Does your neck hurt? Try remedies with onions!

Did you know that onion juice is helpful to relieve pain? Consumed raw, as infusion or tincture, the onion is one of the food-medicines.

Tincture remedy for angina pectoris

Do you feel a sharp chest pain? Do you have difficulties breathing? The onion tincture is a good remedy for angina pectoris. The tincture is prepared from two small onions, sliced and soaked for 10 days in 100 ml of 70° alcohol. After 10 days filter the mixture and take two teaspoons of tincture (in a little water) before lunch and dinner.

Another treatment for angina pectoris is the mixture of onion, garlic, lemon juice and honey. Take a larger red onion, peal it and cut it, then do the same with a clove of garlic. Add the juice from a lemon and seven to eight tablespoons of honey. Let the mixture soak for three days in one liter of boiled water. Take a teaspoon of this mixture three times a day to reduce the symptoms.

Tip: Onion tincture is also indicated for fatigue, rheumatism and atherosclerosis.

Onion wine keeps you away from colds

More than ever, during the winter we should take care of the immune system. For cough, sore throats and colds you can try onion wine. In a one liter jar put 250-300 grams of minced onion over 100 grams of honey, and add white wine to fill the jar. Cover the jar and leave the mixture for two weeks, then squeeze the wine and take 50 ml three times daily before meals. Onion wine is a good remedy against fatigue and anemia. To get rid of fatigue, take three tablespoons onion wine per day, before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tip: Onion wine can be helpful for cardiovascular diseases, as it is a heart tonic.

Decoction stimulates blood circulation

Are your hands and feet are always cold, whatever the season? A good treatment of peripheral circulatory failure is the decoction of onions. You can cook four to six onions, boiling them in a liter of water for 10-15 minutes, and then add 50 grams of honey. To stimulate blood circulation, you can drink one or two cups per day. For the same problem, onion juice is also indicated; you can get it by squeezing or crushing a few onions. You can also add honey. The mixture must be kept in the refrigerator for several hours. You can take 50 grams of juice daily for a month, and then take a week break.

Tip: Onion juice is a good remedy in cases of constipation or bloating.

What else can you treat with onions?

- Poultices with onions baked in the oven are applied in case of abscess, boil, frostbite and tonsillitis;

- Poultices with raw onion can be a good remedy for treating rheumatic pain, migraines and menstrual pain;

- Onion juice is a good treatment for thrush, freckles or warts.

Onions lowers the "bad" cholesterol

The onion has many therapeutic effects because of its vitamins composition (C, B1, B2, B6, E, PP, and folic acid), minerals (phosphorus, iodine, selenium, zinc), amino acids, sulfur compounds, essential oils, phytohormones, pectin, cellulose, enzymes and organic acids. Onions have a stimulating effect working as a bowel-cleanser, it purifies the blood (in allergies, gout), it is antiseptic at digestive and respiratory level, lowers blood sugar and the “bad" cholesterol, and stimulates appetite. Remedies made from onions help prevent colon, gastric and skin cancer. Onions are a good remedy to relieve fluid retention and help in hormonal disorders. Finally, onions are a nervous system tonic.

Five diseases treated with sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Having refreshing properties, being rich in vitamin content, and with beneficial action on blood vessels, the sea buckthorn can replace some drugs and can successfully defeat disease.

Heals skin diseases

Sea buckthorn oil is very effective in treating skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, burns, and itching. It protects against UV radiation, and its content of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, K nourishes and revitalizes the skin. The oil is applied externally to the affected area two to three times a day, but can also be taken internally, one teaspoon three times a day.

Fights stress

Sea buckthorn oil has beneficial effects against stress. It is rich in phosphorus and calcium, as well as B and C vitamins (it has the highest content of vitamin C after rosehip). For those overloaded physically or intellectually, it is recommended 20 drops of sea buckthorn oil three times daily, or 4-5 tablespoons of fresh (or frozen) fruit mixed with honey.

Removes anemia

Because of its richness in vitamins and minerals, the sea buckthorn is considered a natural multivitamin. People in recovery or suffering from anemia, children over seven years, women who want to strengthen their body can take a one month diet with fresh fruit or juice. Squeeze the fruit, and the juice is immediately mixed with honey. Allow it to soak in the fridge for 24 hours, and then take one cup in the morning on an empty stomach.

Treats Hepatitis

The same juice is beneficial also in case of acute or chronic liver disease because sea buckthorn underbrush is a good liver incentive. Take 5-6 tablespoons of juice per day, concentrate, or diluted with water if you do not like its sour taste.

Strengthens the heart

Sea buckthorn lowers cholesterol, preventing the hardening of the arteries. It also contains a large amount of antioxidants, protecting the heart and blood vessels. To these two properties is added its anticoagulant effect. Therefore, the sea buckthorn is recommended also for cardiovascular diseases (including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and Raynaud's syndrome). Drink three to four tablespoons of sea buckthorn syrup daily. The syrup is obtained through cold pressing, diluted with water or other liquids.

Hangover Remedy!

After-party hangovers and indigestion: drink sauerkraut brine!

It helps with nausea and headaches. Good luck and happy new year!

Use Lemon for Your Daily Care

Although it is not among the most delicious fruits, the lemon brings many benefits to the body. In addition to being rich in vitamin C, which helps to fight colds and strengthen the immune system, the lemon has other uses too.

It whitens the nails

If you have yellow nails and you have failed to get rid of this problem in any way, use lemon juice. Squeeze a lemon in a bowl, remove the nail polish from your nails, and place your fingers in the lemon juice for two to three minutes. Some women believe that this treatment not only whitens the nails, but also strengthen them, especially if you add to the juice a teaspoon of olive oil.

Emergency deodorant

If you forgot to use a deodorant or you do not have any at hand, the following trick is one that really works. Cut a lemon in half to use as a deodorant. Citric acid in lemon kills the bacteria that cause perspiration.

It softens freckles

Although nobody knows exactly how the lemon works when it comes to freckles and blemishes on the face that occur with age, well, it actually has visible effects! Squeeze a lemon in a bowl and place a cotton ball in the juice. Apply on your face as if you would remove make-up at least once a day. Visible effects of this treatment will be seen over time, so be persistent!

It lightens the hair

You can get your hair lighter in color by using a bit of lemon juice. When you apply lemon on your hair,, make sure it is sunny outside, because it is necessary to expose yourself to sunlight for at least an hour. If you want to get a less intense effect, mix half a cup of lemon juice with half a cup of water. Hair color will open according to its texture.

A natural exfoliating method

Applied on the face, lemon juice removes excess sebum, invigorates and smoothens the skin. Lemon juice in combination with salt supports the skin's natural exfoliation, leaving the skin smoother and brighter.

Dental problems: Remedies for you can find in your pantry!

Maybe you did not know, but the kitchen hides unexpected cures, which relieve toothaches and help to have fresh breath. This is how you get rid of toothache:

One of the most unbearable pains, the toothache usually occurs in the middle of the night, when it is more difficult to get to the dentist. You can find help in the pantry and the spice cabinet.

Garlic

Rub the gums around the painful with grounded garlic. If the pain is intense, you can keep the garlic on the gum for about an hour.

Coltsfoot/poppy seeds

If the symptoms appeared after an extraction, wash a few leaves of coltsfoot, apply them to the inflamed area and the ache will quickly disappear. You can also prepare an infusion of one teaspoon poppy seeds in a cup of boiling water. Rinse the mouth with it and the ache will gradually disappear.

Parsley/vanilla essence

Crushed fresh parsley leaves placed on the gum also sooths the pain, and so does vanilla essence. Soak a gauze in this essence and apply it on the aching tooth.

Cloves

Cloves help get rid of toothache caused by cavities. Rinse your mouth well with mouthwash (or with salt water), and chew a few cloves for a few minutes. You can also use them as a compress, as follows: crush a few cloves and put them on a gauze, then apply on the aching tooth. Keep the compress on your tooth until the pain disappears.

A fresh breath all day

Fresh mint is recommended for daily tooth brushing and oral hygiene. If you chew some leaf two to three times a day you will have a fresh breath.

For the same result, drink unsweetened mint tea after each meal, or chew some sunflower seeds and drink a glass of water. Pineapple juice removes mouth odors, while apples consumed daily help clean the teeth and remove bacteria that cause bad breath.

Season salads and other dishes with parsley. It keeps the breath fresh and banishes onion or garlic odors. If mouth odors persist, you should check your health because it can be a symptom of diseases such as diabetes, tonsillitis, sinusitis, gastrointestinal or mouth disorders.

Help for gum disease

Prepare a decoction of three tablespoons of chamomile flowers in a cup of water. Keep this hot tea in the mouth for a few minutes. Repeat the treatment four to five times a day. Equally effective is the infusion made of two tablespoons of water in one cup of water, used to gargle several times a day.

Infusion made of flowers and strains tops of melilot, collected during the flowering season has antiseptic, antibacterial, astringent, healing and anesthetic effect. It calms and has gingival anti-inflammatory effect. If your gums bleed after this treatment, go to the dentist.

Mouth and dental diseases (stomatitis, gingivitis) caused particularly by abnormal microbial flora, can be treated using the following remedies: bilberry, angelica, arnica, basil, sea buckthorn, mulberry, horseradish, licorice, hollyhock, nut, plantain, propolis, willow, sage, celery and garlic.

Did you eat too much? Chamomile will save you!

Whether you use them as infusions, tinctures or powders, natural treatments are effective and help you have an easy digestion. It is therefore advisable to prepare beforehand some remedies for heartburn, bloating, constipation and indigestion.

Buckthorn for constipation

In case of constipation, the most widely used remedy is decoction of buckthorn. It is prepared by boiling one tablespoon of chopped buckthorn bark, for 15 minutes, in 250 ml of water. Drink the tea at night, before going to bed. You can also take buckthorn powder, one teaspoon, placed directly under the tongue for 10-15 minutes, and then swallowed with some water.

Combination for indigestion

Some plants that facilitate digestion are caraway, anise, coriander and fennel. Mix 20g of each, take a spoonful of this mixture and boil it 10 minutes in 200 ml of water in a covered pot. Drink one cup of tea after each meal.

Chamomile works against bloating

A hearty meal has often resulted in bloating. To resolve this problem, prepare a tea of two tablespoons of chamomile and two of fennel, as well as four tablespoons of mallow root, licorice and mint. Take two tablespoons of this mixture and scald them with two glasses of water. After five minutes, strain the liquid and sweeten the tea. Drink one quarter cup of tea during the day.

Potato works against heartburn

Spicy foods, fats, fruits, sweets, alcohol and fizzy drinks promote heartburn. In this case, drink a glass of plain water, because it dilutes the gastric acid and reduces burning. The same results can be obtained by drinking the fresh juice from a grated potato.

Basil removes nausea

Basil can help you get rid of unpleasant nausea. If necessary, drink an infusion of basil, prepared with one teaspoon of herb to a cup of water. You should drink one to two cups of tea per day. Lavender infusion is also efficient, prepared from 30g of plant per liter of water. You can drink two cups a day.