Elderflower remedies

Elderflowers have a refreshing and pleasant flavor, and are recognized as medicinal plant and magic herb. Elder can be used to treat conditions such as sinusitis, colds, fever, and prevent kidney and urinary tract infections. It has depurative and anti-inflammatory effects and helps combat degenerative processes. Fresh or dry elderflowers are used for therapeutic purposes as infusion, powder, tincture or oil. Elder has a blood cleanser and anti-inflammatory action, and therefore it is used to treat and prevent rheumatism and gout. Elder juice is a good general tonic with diuretic, antitoxic and depurative effects. A two week cure with one liter of elder juice a day has a remarkable effect in people with nervous exhaustion and fatigue.

Powder is obtained by fine grinding the dried flowers with electric coffee grinder. Store the obtained hermetically sealed in a glass jar, and place it somewhere dark and cold for a period of up to two weeks (because the volatile oils evaporate very quickly). Administer three times daily, one teaspoon on an empty stomach.

Tincture: place 15 tablespoons elderflower powder in a jar and add two glasses (400 ml) of 50° alcohol. Close the jar hermetically and allow to macerate for two weeks, after which the liquid is filtered and the resulting tincture is bottled is small, dark colored bottles. This remedy is administered four times a day, 50-100 drops, diluted in water.

Combined infusion: place three to four tablespoons of chopped elderflower to soak in half a liter of water for eight to ten hours, and then filter. The obtained preparation is set aside, and plant left after filtration is boiled in another half liter of water for five minutes, then allow to cool and filter. Finally, mix the two extracts to obtain about one liter of preparation, which is used internally (one to two cups a day) or externally in the form of compresses and wash.

Hot infusion is usually used only as an emergency remedy for its perspiration, febrifuge and antitussive effect, because during boiling the plant looses most of its therapeutic qualities. The hot infusion is prepared with a teaspoon of crushed dried herb and a cup (250 ml) of boiling water. Allow to infuse for ten to fifteen minutes, then filter and drink as hot as possible.

Elderflower oil: place 15 tablespoons of elderflower powder in a jar, and add half a liter of sunflower or olive oil. Close the jar tightly, let the flowers soak for two weeks, then filter the liquid. The resulted preparation is placed in a dark bottle and it is usually used as massage solution for people with dry skin.

Poultice with elderflower: chop a handful of flowers and leave for one to two hours to soak in warm water (40-50 C°).  Apply for an hour long directly on the affected area, covering it with gauze.

Prevention with Garlic

Cold and flu

The effects of garlic against flu are known for hundreds of years, and research studies have confirmed them. It was found that garlic contains more than 20 antiviral and antibacterial substances, so it is considered a true anti-flu medicine. Two cloves of garlic per day protect you from the cold, flu, respiratory problems, heart rate acceleration, or headaches. Also, if during a cold treatment you also eat garlic, the healing time is substantially reduced. In this case, garlic can be used in external poultices applied to the chest and back to remove hoarseness and cough.

Hypertension

A study done 12 years ago showed that people who ate garlic had significant reductions in blood pressure. A series of special treatments for hypertension have been released, with a high content of active substances similar to those of garlic.

Effeminacy

Testosterone in men can be enhanced with garlic. Garlic stimulates the testes and favors the increase of endocrine secretion of male hormones. These hormones help increase muscle mass in normal limits, increase sexual desire and develop traits such as courage or spirit of initiative.

Poor blood circulation

Blood circulation can be improved by regular consumption of garlic. This has been studied and demonstrated by German researchers in 1996. Those tested had peripheral artery disease. The experiment has proved that those who ate garlic had visibly improved their blood circulation.

Diabetes and gout

Garlic balances blood sugar levels, and prevents diabetic arterial disease and heart disease caused by diabetes. Meanwhile, garlic can treat gout, regulates metabolism, and because it is a natural diuretic, it helps to eliminate the excess urea in the blood.

Obesity

Garlic reduces fat storage in the body and hastens its elimination, and therefore it is recommended for people who want to lose weight. It can be easily "infiltrated" in diet recipes and slimming cures.

Otalgia

Garlic has analgesic effect and therefore can be used successfully in curing diseases of the teeth or ear. Wrap half a clove of garlic in gauze and insert one in each ear. It is important to take this natural treatment only after you have consulted a physician.

Cancer of the rectum and colon

A team of American doctors have made a scientific study on a group of people who consumed garlic and have consistently reached the following conclusion: if the food is introduced in the daily diet, the risk of colon cancer is reduced by 10% for meat consumers, and 50% for vegetarians.

Parsley Remedies

From a medicinal point of view, parsley behaves as an anti-cancerous herb, anti-rheumatic, stimulant of digestion, of kidneys, eliminating toxins and kidney stones. Moreover, parsley seeds stimulate fertility, help against dependency upon alcohol and brain tumors. Between 25-30 mg of parsley a day are enough to provide the daily dosage of vitamin C. It is important to mention that parsley contains more vitamin C than lemon, orange, or any other fruit. It has abundant quantities of other vitamins and minerals such as: pro-vitamin A, vitamin B, E, K, beta-carotene, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, sodium, potassium, sulfur and calcium. It acts like an antioxidant, eliminating toxins and maintaining the elasticity of the blood vessels, it is a general stimulant, diuretic, antiseptic, anti-infectious, and anti-rachitic. Apart from these, parsley is a great neutralizer of the negative effects of smoking and dependence upon alcohol. Among other effects, it straightens the body and immune system, has a beneficial effect over the liver, spleen, digestive and endocrine organs.

Parsley leaves are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Parsley is composed of protein (20%), flavonoids that maintain blood cell membranes and act as an antioxidant, essential oils, iron, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, inositol, sulfur, vitamin K, beta-carotene and in particular, vitamin C. Thus, parsley helps the spleen and the stomach, improving digestion and preventing bloating and indigestion. Fats and proteins are digested easier. Furthermore, the calcium in parsley helps bones and teeth, the magnesium fixes calcium, the iodine helps the thyroid gland, and the amino acids prevent the development of tumors. The parsley leaf is four times richer in vitamin C than an orange and contains more iron than spinach.

Parsley relieves eye irritation. Lavage with parsley is recommended for excessive tearing. Make a decoction of 10 g of shredded parsley root to 250 ml of water. Boil 15 minutes and wash the eyes or use as a compress, twice a day, for as long as necessary.

Parsley is an excellent remedy for insect bites, specifically for bee or wasp stings. Rub the place with fresh parsley leaves to avoid inflammation and reduce pain.

A few parsley leaves help you get rid of bad breath and make your breath smell good. Moreover, parsley acts as a disinfectant medium of the upper airway, and it is highly recommended for people with respiratory problems.

Hay fever, ameliorated with onion

Grate one large onion on the cheese grating surface of the shredder, take two tablespoons of the shredded onion and place it in a pot with little water, then boil bain-marie. Cover with a cone-shaped thicker paper with a small opening at its end. Place the nose next to this opening and inhale the vapors through each nostril, for a few minutes, or for as long as you can. Do this for three times a day. In a few days, the hay fever will disappear and it won’t come back for the rest of the year.

Blackcurrant treats allergies

The blackcurrant is very appreciated for the alimentary and therapeutic value of its fruits, which contain an important complex of vitamins. The list of therapeutic properties of the blackcurrant fruits was presented in the 18th century by the abbot Bailley de Montaran, from the monastery of Dijon. He underlined their wonderful tonic qualities, considering the currant as being an elixir of youth. Containing tannin, vitamin C, potassium salts, and essential oil, the black currant is a good diuretic, anti-sclerotic, pectoral, sudorific, stomachic, anti-diaretic, anti-colitic, anti-stringent, hypotensive, and anti-rheumatic. Its leaves have a great diuretic capacity; they have anti-rheumatic effects, favoring the elimination of uric acids.

The fruits, leaves and buds of the blackcurrant have multiple effects in treating and preventing various diseases. Because it contains vitamin C, the blackcurrant is used in treating cardiovascular diseases, preventing cardiac insufficiency and vascular accidents, increasing the resistance of sanguine capillaries, reduces arterial hypertension. Also, it intensifies weak peripheral circulation caused by menopause, cleans the blood of toxins, wastes and cholesterol.

Blackcurrant buds extract

The action of the blackcurrant buds extract is focused specifically on the adrenal glands, stimulating their cortex, causing the release of products with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic action. The blackcurrant was assigned with the “cortisone-like” action, because it behaves like a natural cortisone, but without its toxicity. Glycerin macerate of blackcurrant buds present the following mechanisms of action: activates and stimulates 11-oxy-steroids and increase the levels of corticosteroids important as endogenous activators of response in inflammatory processes. The main clinical indication of the blackcurrant buds extract is the prophylaxis and treatment of allergies and inflammatory states of different etiology (mechanical, chemical, immunological or infectious). For permanent sensitivity to allergens (house dust, medicines, food, etc.), it is recommended a regular treatment for two or three months, with two months break, for a long time. For seasonal allergies (pollen, grass, etc.), it is indicated for susceptible individuals to pursue a treatment with Ribes nigrum before the allergens that affect them emerge, and until their disappearance.

Treatments with Lavender

In cases of headaches, anxiety states, rheumatism or distension, the consumption of lavender flower tea or infusion of lavender flowers is recommended. Lavender tea is prepared with two teaspoons of flowers to a cup of boiled water. It is to be drunk hot and sweetened with honey. It is good against stress and headaches. Concentrated tea, obtained from 5-6 spoonfuls of herb macerated in a cup of boiling water, is used for treating superficial burns or light wounds.

For cases of insomnia it is best to add a few drops of lavender oil on the pillow. This is also useful for relieving stress, clearing nostrils - a case in which 5 drops of oil are added into a vessel filled with hot water and inhalations are taken. The plant’s oil is a good disinfectant of wounds and burns. In case of solar burns a few drops of lavender oil are added into mineral water, which is then used to moisten the affected area. Having antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender oil can be used for treating headaches through massaging the temples with a few drops of it. Lavender oil is obtained from 20g of dried lavender flowers mixed with 20ml of alcohol. The mixture is put into a small jar, and then 200ml of olive oil is added after which it is stirred well. It is boiled in a steam bath for two hours while being stirred. After the vessel is taken out of the steam bath, it is left covered for 2 days, and then filtered through a gauze. Leave it in a cool place, in the dark. Oils are applied once a week, in the evening, after cleaning the complexion, before going to sleep, for 20 minutes, then washed away with warm water.

Hawthorn tea helps you sleep better

Hawthorn flowers, leaves and fruits are used for medicinal purposes, as all have a vasodilatory effect. If stress, heat, or worries do not let you sleep, drink hawthorn tea. It is an excellent remedy for insomnia and balances blood pressure. Hawthorn fruits contain flavonoids, fatty and essential oils, tannins, sugars, and vitamins C and B. They have a calming, sedative effect and are therefore recommended in treating arterial hypertension, headaches, and heart disorders with a nervous substrate. Hawthorn calms the sensations of heaviness around the heart, and regulates the heart rate. Infusion of this plant heals migraines and disorders related to menopause, balances blood pressure, and cures pectoral angina and disturbances caused by the menstrual cycle.

Hawthorn helps in cases of anemia, states of weakness, old age, and serious illness, and it is an adjuvant in bronchial asthma. As a remedy against insomnia, one cup of hawthorn infusion is recommended before bedtime, or 10-15 drops of hawthorn tincture in the evening. Large doses may have a sedating effect. Use with care during pregnancy.