Home Remedies and Folk Medicine

What are the most popular home remedies? Everyone knows that chicken soup is the best thing for relief from a cold or flu. And almost everyone has their own favorite whether you call it a home remedy or folk medicine. Do they work? Yes...sometimes...for some people. Many believe they work because of the placebo effect. That could be; but that is also true of many prescription drugs. In other words, what works best for you is what you believe works best. "It is done unto you as you believe." And if it does work, do you really care why it works? If the pain is gone, I'm happy.

Folk medicine and home remedies generally are derived from nature such as plants and minerals and not chemically manufactured like drugs. Diet and lifestyle changes are also included. They have been around since man first walked the earth. A necessity of survival was to find ways to alleviate pain, cure illness and heal breaks and wounds. Today there are literally millions of home remedies. We will review a few of the most popular.

Here are some of the most popular home remedies as they relate to conditions to be treated. These topics are also discussed in detail elsewhere on this website.

ARTHRITIS

Apple Cider Vinegar...This should be raw apple cider vinegar and not distilled. It is sort of orange colored and cloudy. Dosages are anywhere from a tablespoon a day to two tablespoons three time a day. It is diluted with 4 to 8 ounces of water. Some people add a little honey for taste or baking soda to reduce acid.

Gin Soaked Raisins...Golden raisins, not dark ones, are soaked in gin. Some people let the gin evaporate and some leave the mixture in a jar with a lid. Take from nine raisins to one teaspoonful daily. This remedy is usually highly touted by those who have tried it.

Fish Oil...Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. Several studies have shown that fish oil supplements may help reduce morning stiffness with rheumatoid arthritis.

Garlic...Garlic seems to be popular in a lot of folk medicine. It contains an anti-inflammatory property which accounts for its effectiveness in the treatment of arthritis. Garlic may be taken raw or cooked according to individual preference.

GOUT

Black Cherry Juice...Black cherry juice or whole fresh black cherries seem to be a common favorite in treating gout. Cherries help reduce uric acid levels.

Strawberries...Fresh strawberries help neutralize uric acid, as do nuts, seeds, and grains, although to a lesser extent. The berries contain high concentrations of vitamin C as well as fruit acids and minerals, like potassium, magnesium zinc, manganese, calcium and iron.

Apple Cider Vinegar...ACV is touted as a universal home remedy for numerous ailments. For gout it reduces acid crystals thus reducing pain. Two tablespoons with a little water and organic honey is the normal dosage.

Reduce Purine...Purine rich foods produce excess amounts of uric acid which is the cause of crystal formation that creates the pain of gout. Animal protein is the main source of purine, particularly red meat and shell fish. Gout sufferers should completely eliminate this source during an attack. There are plenty of other healthy sources of protein.

Lots of Water...Copious amount of water help flush acids from the system. A gallon a day is an absolute minimum for noticeable results.

OSTEOPOROSIS

Calcium...Since osteoporosis is a loss of bone density it stands to reason that the body needs lots of calcium. It is much better to get it naturally than from supplements. Milk and other dairy products have been touted as the best source of calcium but green leafy vegetables are probably healthier. Keep in mind that animal protein can leech calcium from the system during the digestive process.

Honey...A tablespoon or more of raw honey a day can help the absorption of calcium.

Barleygrass Juice contains eleven times more calcium than milk. This provides strengthening and protection of the bones from osteoporosis.

Fish Oil...Fish oil containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and GLA (gamma linolenic acid) is not only an effective safeguard against osteoporosis, it also improves the skin and brain function and helps avoid cardiovascular problems.

Sunshine...Vitamin D is extremely important in controlling or preventing osteoporosis. No supplements can compare with sunshine in the quantity and quality vitamin D absorbed by 20 minutes in the sun with minimum clothing. The benefits of direct sunlight far outweigh the irrational fear of too much sun. Incidents of osteoporosis are greater in climates where there is less sunshine.

DIABETES

Garlic...Garlic reduces levels of blood fat and blood sugar and increases the level of insulin in the blood.

Cinnamon...Cinnamon can help people with Type 2 diabetes control blood sugar levels, and may significantly lower LDL “bad” cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids in the blood).
Wheat Grass Juice...Wheat grass contains the highest percentage of absorbable vitamins, minerals and trace elements of any plant -- key nutrients for anyone fighting diabetes.

Beans...Beans are a powerhouse of superior nutrition. They reduce cholesterol and blood sugar naturally and have a high nutrient-per-calorie profile which helps prevent food cravings; a perfect food for diabetics.

Apple Cider Vinegar...Raw apple cider vinegar reduces sugar cravings and improves insulin sensitivity.

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Garlic...Garlic comes to the rescue again as one of the best home remedies for arteriosclerosis. Garlic and even onions have been clinically proved to reduce the "bad" LDL cholesterol and increase the "good" HDL cholesterol. Only raw or cooked garlic, not garlic oil, appears to have this effect. Press or chop the garlic so that its beneficial allicin is released. The key is breaking up the cells of the garlic.

Carrot Juice...Carrot contains a large amount of beta carotene. Beta carotene increases the elasticity of the blood vessels and reduces the levels of bad cholesterol. Carrot juice also alkalizes bloodstream and removes deposits from blood vessels.

Honey...Honey is considered effective in reducing cholesterol, relieving clogging of arteries and preventing hardening of the arteries. Honey also slows the oxidation of 'bad' IDL cholesterol.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Garlic...Garlic again is an effective means of lowering blood pressure. It reduces spasms of the small arteries. It also slows down the pulse rate and modifies the heart rhythm.

Celery...Exactly how celery works to lower blood pressure is not completely understood. Scientists have found celery to contain apigenin. Apigenin is a substance known to help lower high blood pressure. three or four stalks a day is the recommendation.

Carrot Juice...Carrot juice is high in beta-carotene, which studies show can reduce the risk of heart disease leading to high blood pressure. Carrot juice helps to maintain normal blood pressure by regulating heart and kidney functions.

Meditation...Meditating 15 or 20 minutes a day has proven time and again to lower blood pressure.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar...The potassium in apple cider vinegar can be beneficial to both the heart and blood pressure by helping to make the blood thinner, It oxidizes the blood, reducing the risk of high blood pressure, and neutralizes any toxic substance or harmful bacteria that enters the body by ingesting certain foods.

Any library or bookstore or the internet will provide thousands of home remedies and topics from folk medicine. We in the western world have come to rely almost solely on modern medicine based on physical science. Civilization survived without this until the last few hundred years. If you have some chronic illness or other physical malady why not try something outside the medicine box. Most home remedies are inexpensive and only in rare cases are overdoses a problem. I use several regularly. You can check them out on my Best Home Remedies page.

Best Home Remedies; My Personal Favorites

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SBI!