Life and Lifestyles

Ten natural remedies to have around the house

By PAM BAILEY


Over the past 30 or so years, I've gotten sucked into every health fad known to mankind. Some work and some don’t, but here are some basic remedies that work so well for me that I always have them on hand. Please note that these remedies are not a substitute for seeing your healthcare provider or for common sense. 1. BAKING SODA Baking soda is number one on my list of natural remedies. My Grandmother suggested baking soda for every ailment so frequently that we all wanted to run in the other direction. And guess what? She was right on the money. Baking soda neutralizes acids in a world of acidic foods. Drinking water with a tablespoon of baking soda helps to relieve that acidic feeling in the stomach. It is common knowledge among researchers that high acidity in the body can lead to illnesses and higher stress levels. Also, baking soda neutralizes organisms that feed off acids, so, it's highly effective when used on skin rashes and infections. And it's perfectly safe for children. It enhances the breath, and, in a pinch, can be used as toothpaste, although keep in mind that it's abrasive for the teeth and not recommended for long-term use. Baking soda alleviates odor if left in the refrigerator or on the car carpet if you spill coffee. (Ask me how I know.) It is a natural cleanser for countertops, sinks, toilets, and walls, and it doesn't hurt the environment. These are only a few of baking soda's capabilities. Baking soda is not a substitute for the doctor, nor is it a sure bet to heal your woes. It is something to have around as a first step toward self-help healing. Common sense is always your very first line of reason and strategy. 2. ORGANIC CIDER VINEGAR Organic cider vinegar is another common food item I always have around. Again, chemically speaking, it is a base, or alkaline, which means it neutralizes acids. I take a tablespoon of it on a regular basis. I know people who have greatly reduced, if not eliminated, acid reflux using organic cider vinegar. It's worth a try. 3. COMFREY TEA In my early 20s, we cured a dog's mange by bathing it in comfrey tea. Since then, I've used comfrey on all kinds of rashes and skin issues for myself and my pets with good success. Of course, if the rashes don't improve, I always seek the help of physicians or veterinarians. 4. LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL Lavender essential oil is another great remedy to have around. An essential oil is a pure oil extracted by the distillation process. It takes thousands of flowers to create an essential oil, so it is highly potent as compared to lavender flowers. Lavender oil has a soothing restful affect on people. It can be put on wrist at night to help create restful sleep. As well, it is great on burns. It can be used on all ages and has no contraindications. 5. TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL Tea tree essential oil is a clean smelling antiseptic that I try to keep in the house, although guests tend to walk away with it on a regular basis. It tastes a little strong but works really well as a first line of defense for sore gums or mouth related issues. Tea tree is great for topical skin issues, such as rashes, dandruff, or athlete’s foot. People with athlete’s foot have had success soaking their feet in warm water with diluted tea tree oil. Around the house, it deodorizes the laundry and the dishwasher. Some people have success diluting tea tree with almond oil for treating bed sores. Tea tree should be patch tested before using to avoid allergic and skin reactions. It is easily diluted in water or olive or almond oil. Please take note that this essential oil is contraindicated for young children. 6. SAGE ESSENTIAL OIL I keep sage essential oil around to fight off colds and flu. Sage is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and very strong. It can be used only in a diluted form. I put it in a plastic spray bottle and spray the air after I've been around sneezing and hacking people. I have been known to bring a little spray bottle on planes with me. I guess that was a long time ago. I used it in my classroom when I taught school, as it's highly effective with germs. It smells clean and antiseptic. 7. OLIVE OIL It seems that every time you turn around, someone is proclaiming the positive effects of olive oil. I always have good thick cold pressed olive oil in my home. Olive oil lowers cholesterol and is a great cooking substitute for butter. It is great for the skin when used topically should you run out of your favorite skin lotion. As well, it is a fabulous oil for massage, if you can tolerate the smell. 8. VITAMIN E Vitamin E is great for cuts, scrapes, recovering burns, skin rashes, and hemorrhoids. I use it topically, not internally, and I use it all the time. The best vitamin E is mixed tocopherols, and it's easy to get at various supermarkets anywhere on the islands. 9. NETTLE LEAF I always have a half pound of nettle leaf around. It is a gentle and powerful blood and liver cleanser that has no contraindications. I use it as an infusion. An infusion is made by boiling water, adding about a cup of nettle leaf, then letting it boil for 15 minutes. Allow it to cool completely, then refrigerate it. It is an amazing “feel good” tonic. It looks super green and tastes green. I like it, but then I'm used to some weird tasting stuff. After you drink it for a couple of days, you feel revitalized. It's great for building up the blood after antibiotics, exposure to smoke, or exposure to anything that may be unhealthy. 10. GREEN SUPERFOOD One last remedy I add to my daily life is a green drink, otherwise known as a superfood. These drinks combine chlorophyll, barley green, natural enzymes, and various other greens and are available under many brand names. This drink gives me a boost for my day that caffeine just doesn't give me. I encourage you all to check with your physician before using these natural remedies. Please look up any of these remedies online or in your medical books for more information. North Carolina Public Radio has a fabulous program that airs on Saturday mornings at 7 a.m. called “The People's Pharmacy.” This show frequently features products and home remedies that you may want to try and has information on the remedies that I use. Companies I recommend for essential oils are Young Living Essential Oils and Frontier Herbs. I also use a company for ordering herbs and essential oils called The Mustard Seed. The telephone number is 603-431-7333. I've been one of their customers for more than 30 years. Another fabulous Web site I frequently recommend is ABC Homeopathy. Please let me know about your own remedies. I'd love to learn more about what home remedies work for all of us who live here on our islands or who love to visit here.
(Pam Bailey kitesurfs, windsurfs, writes books, teaches yoga, creates jewelry, and for work does massage therapy, hypnotherapy, and cranio-sacral energy work. You can email her at pamlicobailey@earthlink.net)