Herbal Medicine Chest: Natural Prescriptions

Just like you would consult a doctor for advice. When using natural medication talk to a herbalist about safe use of natural medications, herbs, essential oils, supplements, and their uses.

Follow directions, don't mix and match your prescription medications with herbal medicine, as you could have side effects from both an existing prescription medicines, and your natural remedies.

Natural remedies work, but they don't work on every one. Don't hesitate to call a doctor if you are having persistent symptoms. Just the same don't use on children without consultation.

Essential Oils are meant to dilute before use. Watch the plants you are using for allergic reactions.

Aloe Vera If you have an aloe vera plant, rub gently on skin to soothe burns, scratches and other skin irritants. Aloe is available commercially as well in a cream or lotion, it is used for stretch marks, cuts and eczema.

Arnica Used to treat aching muscles, bruises and sprains. Arnica comes in tablet, cream or massage oils.

Calendula Known as marigold. Made into topical creams and is used for acne, diaper rash, athletes foot, bug bites and bee stings.

Chamomile Chomomile tea is good for: insomnia, indigestion, calming nerves and nausea. Other uses are: chamomile oil on diaper rash, chamomile cream can relive bug bites and stings, sore nipples from breast feeding, and eczema.

Clove Used for a toothache, dab a small amount of clove on to the effected area for relief. Also can add clove to a diffuser for a nice aroma.

Echinacea Purple Coneflower, stimulates your immune system. echinacea is used as a supplement or a tincture for colds, flu, coughs and fever.

Garlic Used in cooking, garlic is also available in capsules; treats colds, flu, digestive infections, and lowers blood pressure.

Hypericum Well known St. John's Wort it is a flower. This herbal remedy treats depression, hypericum oil is used for minor cuts and burns due to its strong antibiotic qualities. Hypericum cream can be rubbed on sore muscles.

Lavender Pretty purple flower,used for irritability and headaches. Also used for bug bites and stings. Rub a little lavender on your temples to reduce a headache. a few drops in your bath water at night can help you sleep. Use undiluted for bug bites.

Tea Tree Oil Essential oils tea tree oil, is used to treat many ailments including: stings, burns, athlete's foot, ringworm, warts, and acne.

Peppermint Oil treats indigestion relief. Peppermint soothes the stomach.

Valerian Hardy flower that has been made into a perfume. Use valerian as a sedative to treat anxiety.

Willow Bark Active ingredient in aspirin, treats and soothes arthritis pain. In its natural form willow bark or white willow is taken for many ailments including: arthritis pain, sore muscles and joints, headaches and fever, headaches, relieves night sweats, and hot flashes.

Witch Hazel Distilled witch hazel astringent treats bug bites, bee stings, acne, rashes, eczema, bruises, varicose veins and swelling.
There is many more consult your natural health food store or Herbalist.

On January 18, 2008, the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (representing botanic gardens in 120 countries) stated that "400 medicinal plants are at risk of extinction, from over-collection and deforestation, threatening the discovery of future cures for disease." These included Yew trees (the bark is used for cancer drugs, paclitaxel); Hoodia (from Namibia, source of weight loss drugs); half of Magnolias (used as Chinese medicine for 5,000 years to fight cancer, dementia and heart disease); and Autumn crocus (for gout). The group also found that 5 billion people benefit from traditional plant-based medicine for health care.

Thanks to Wikipedia