CHAPTER FOUR •
Remedy Tips
I have reserved this chapter to discuss the tips I’ve learned about various illnesses. Topics are discussed by category.
COUGHS AND COLDS
Colds, coughs, and sore throats are the most common complaint in my household. Respiratory pathogens multiply rapidly because thousands of germs are released into the air with just one sneeze. The sneezer blows his or her nose, then may pick up a pencil, which will be picked up by someone else, and the virus is transmitted. That is why it is better for everyone if an ill person stays home and keeps his or her germs contained. Obviously, this does not always happen. People have to work or go to school, or simply refuse to let a “little cold” slow them down. If you do find yourself in the pathway of virulent germs, there are preventives that can ward off the illness.
I increase my vitamin C intake by 1,000 to 2,000 mg and take garlic tablets. I also take vitamin A. Ask your health practitioner for dosage. As soon as I feel a slight tickle in my throat, I gargle with warm water, salt, and echinacea root tincture. Many over-the-counter preparations stymie the body’s natural way of eliminating toxins. Maesimund Panos, M.D., co-author of Homeopathic Medicine at Home, explains that “nose drops dry up nasal secretions—Nature’s way of excreting germ-laden mucus. Cough syrups suppress the cough—another physiological way of eliminating poisons and clearing air passages.”
Certain foods stimulate mucus production and should be avoided. Julian Scott, in her book, Natural Medicine for Children, advises avoiding “cow’s milk, cream, butter, cheese, roasted peanuts, too many oranges (more than one a week for children or equivalent juice), bananas, excessive sugar, rich foods, and fatty foods. Foods that tend to reduce mucus greatly are garlic, onions, watercress, horseradish, mustard, and Japanese umeboshi, salt-pickled plums.”
SLEEPING PROBLEMS
In Chinese medicine, insomnia is often considered to be the result of an imbalance of yin and yang, and the doctor prescribes formulas that balance this. Acupuncture treatments and meditation can also help insomnia.
Also, try to finish dinner two to three hours before bedtime. Our bodies need time to digest, and if we eat a meal rich in protein right before we go to bed, our bodies stay up late while our minds are exhausted and want sleep. Although some people swear by the folk remedy of milk and cookies before bed to prevent insomnia, we have a rule in our house that the kitchen closes at eight o’clock, an hour before lights out.
STOMACH DISORDERS
The main point to remember with stomach disorders is to eat and chew food slowly and thoroughly. Sara Charno, acupuncturist, explains that “the role of the mouth and stomach is to make what we eat into 98.6 degree soup so that the small intestine can absorb the nutrients in our food.”
In Homeopathic Medicine at Home, co-author Jane Heimlich explains, “If we don’t chew our food thoroughly, the stomach having no teeth cannot break the food into small enough pieces. Some of this undigested food will ferment causing unpleasant-smelling intestinal gas and discomfort.”
In our family we really have to think about this as we are so used to racing through a meal. I’ve noticed a big improvement when I take time to chew my food. I actually feel its texture and notice its taste. The first time I did this, I was amazed. Carrots tasted extremely sweet, and I felt their rough, crunchy texture. Try to eat without reading the paper or watching television. What you read and hear affects your digestion. If the problem exists in spite of consciously chewing slowly, digestive supplements are available.
Food allergies, Candida albicans, and/or parasites cause stomach as well as other problems and are discussed in chapter six.
RASHES
Our daughter developed a rash that covered the groin area and did not respond to the usual remedies. Our homeopathic M.D., Willard Dean, explained to me that “generally natural medicine practitioners interpret rashes as irritation of the skin as the liver eliminates toxins and poisons. The skin is the largest organ of the body involved in the elimination process. When the kidneys and bowel systems are stressed, the toxins are eliminated through the skin. The toxins block the pores of the skin or irritate the follicles of the skin, causing rashes.”
Many times a fungus-like rash will appear after a course of antibiotics. Fungal rashes are commonly called ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot. Vaginal yeast infections or thrush of the mouth, also funguses, may occur. Milk thistle taken three times a day helps the liver process the toxins through the body.
Poison ivy is another rash many of us have encountered. For those of us who are not sure what the plant looks like, I’ve included an illustration to help identify the species.
MENSTRUAL DISORDERS
For all of us who suffer from premenstrual tension, also known as PMS, I have good news. Symptoms of bloating, anxiety, mood swings, cravings, cramps, and depression can be eliminated through proper diet. Fluctuating hormones do not have to control our lives. Nan Fuchs, states in her book, The Nutrition Detective, that “poor or unbalanced diets are often the cause of PMS, and good nutrition is a major part of the solution.” In a study she conducted with Dr. Guy Abraham, they found that “dietary and supplement changes resulted in a significant increase in both liver function and hormone production...PMS symptoms were greatly decreased or completely alleviated.”
Those foods we crave right around the time our periods are due are the ones that have got to go. Sugar, salt, caffeine, alcohol, dairy (yes, ice cream and frozen yogurt) and unfortunately, chocolate. The salt and sugar cravings are a call for more magnesium. Dr. Fuchs recommends increased amounts of magnesium in the diet, as “it aids our body in absorbing calcium and vitamin B6, both anti-stress factors.” Foods high in magnesium are whole grains, legumes, and dark green vegetables.
As a side note, I always assumed that dairy products were good sources of calcium. However, according to Sara Charno, “calcium in dairy is not the most easily assimilated form. Add to that the irritation of the gastrointestinal tract from the lactose and cassein and you have produced more harm than good.” Dairy products can increase the symtoms of bloating and cramping associated with PMS.
Another cause of menstrual cramping is a lack of essential cold-pressed vegetable oils such as safflower oil. No oil or the wrong kind of oils—animal fat, margarine, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil—initiate cramps by supplying our bodies with chemicals that inhibit the natural uterine relaxant. Increase your intake of cold-pressed vegetable oils to relieve cramps.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
I experienced postpartum depression myself, and one of the best healing tools I found was the realization that I was not alone. This disorder is very common. Even severe postpartum depression is not as rare as we may think. Once I got past the shame and shared my feelings with other women, I heard stories that usually began with, “I’ve never told anyone this, I felt so ashamed...” These stories came from young women as well as women in their sixties. Women must realize they are not crazy or bad and that there is help. When traditional American Medical Association methods—antidepressants and hormone therapy—did not work, I found my own path and healed myself with understanding health practitioners in various alternative fields—acupuncture, nutrition, counseling, and support groups. I want to stress that there
