Natural Remedy Guide

There are many different types of remedies for many different complaints. But finding a cure from Mother Nature herself is surely the best and when you recover its just as nature intended and you benefit from a truly natural remedy.

‘Doctors differ and patients die’ is an old saying and while modern medicine is an important part of our lives today, there are still many minor ailments that can benefit from complimentary medicines such as natural cures. Many herbs are available and grown in vegetable plots all over the country so why not use the properties of known herbs to fight those minor aches and pains. Herbs are not just used for health reasons but can even be used for cleaning purposes.

Herbs are a natural plant: they look great, smell really nice and can do you the world of good. Modern medicine is founded on herb lore and herb properties and preparations are simple. Herbs such as St. Johns Wort have been known to have anti depressant qualities and have been used effectively by many people. St Johns Wort is a commonly used herb in the United States.

Medication- your doctor will be in the best position to suggest which natural remedy will assist you as part of a holistic healing process. But you can help yourself to a healthier lifestyle by adding herbs to your meals. As well as parsley, sage and thyme there are many others not so well known but with excellent beneficial properties.

Lavender is a famous herb for its beautiful fragrance. The dried flowers can be put into a pillow to aid people to get a good night’s sleep. The room is inviting peacefulness with its scented odor so sleepless nights become a thing of the past. Lavender is also know to relieve pain associated with burns and similar injuries while also helping to speed up the healing process.

Herbal teas and benefits:

· Chamomile, last thing at night to aid sleep.
· Rose hip, great for colds, has lots of vitamin C
· Hawthorn, great for lowering blood pressure
· Lemon balm is a mild anti-depressant
· Dill fights gripping pains.
· Peppermint drink after a meal to aid digestion.

Growing a natural remedy herb is easy. Take Oregano for example, it grows simply anywhere even in poor soil so you don’t have to have green fingers to grow it. Wild marjoram is another name for oregano. This plant can grow to 2 feet tall and is hardy with small pink or white flowers and it smells like thyme. Chives, another simple to grow herb, adds an onion-like flavor to foods.

If you decide to grow your herbs inside your home you need to select a west or south-facing window. It’s actually more difficult to grow herbs indoors than outside, as it is more natural for plants to be in direct contact with the elements
3 of the different Herb growth types
Herbs also can be classified thus

· Annuals
· Biennials
· Perennials.

Annuals bloom for just one season and don’t return. Biennials crop for two years. Perennials bloom each season.
Storage

Dry herbs completely, they should be stored whole in an airtight container. They should be ground down as needed. Leaves retain their oil and flavor if stored whole and crushed just before they are used. Herbs when completely dry can be kept for a long time and retain their aromatic oils until released by crushing.

The elderflowers in early spring when just blossoming should be collected and will make a refreshing summer drink. You can make it easily; even the most inexperienced cook can try it.

· 1 gallon of water
· 4lb sugar
· Juice of 6 lemons (clean off the wax)
· 2 tablespoon of cider
· 35 elderflower heads.

Bring the water to the boil and add the sugar until dissolved. When it is cold add the juice, elderflowers and cider. Cover and leave for 24 hours. Filter into strong glass bottles. Two weeks will allow sufficient time to ferment. Serve with carbonated water to taste.

Among the numerous berries growing wild in remote locations are Blackberry, Raspberry, Thimbleberry and Salmonberry all of which are edible and can provide a delicious summer salad. Try adding natural honey too to really enhance the taste buds. For those of us who like a tipple or two, Salmonberry is often used in winemaking. Care should be taken when picking wild berries, as some like baneberry and red nightshade are poisonous. One should have a pocket guide if you are serious about procuring wild foodstuffs.

Foodstuff, Natural Honey

Why would anyone want to use man-made sugar on the cereal when such a wonderful alternative is available? Honey is a naturally sweet, thick sugar solution made by honeybees from the nectar of flowers. Honey is fat free too and provides the body with all its daily vitamin needs. Honey is a natural remedy for colds and flu and a good supply should be kept to hand over the winter months to ward off illness.