Despite progress we always have those among us who believe the "old fashioned" home remedies or products are better. It has to be said that in some instances they are correct. Sadly, with each passing generation, some of this old fashioned wisdom disappears.

Progress is so contemporary and so closely a part of our daily lives that we sometimes fail to recognize that we, ourselves, may fail to recognize the benefits of old fashioned home remedies. Things that we would have considered very modern because we witnessed their creation only a few years ago may already be "old fashioned" to high school students.  In the medical world, treatment that might have been popular for a disease in 1986 may be completely outmoded in 2006. Even medical discoveries of the 1990's may be old fashioned today.

However, over the years, and for generation after generation, a great number of old fashioned home remedies for many illnesses have managed to stay alive. They have been passed down from elders to youngsters in each country throughout the world. Many of them are strikingly similar although they may have originated on separate continents among completely alien peoples.

This area of medicine is commonly called "folk medicine." Few people will have failed to have come into contact with this term at one time or another. Usually folk medicines are the "old fashioned home remedies, the cure that "Grandma used"; the wisdom of the oldster who remembers when "My old friend Betty would have died if they hadn't used that old remedy! Yes sir, even the doctor had to admit it worked."

Periodically there seems to be a revival in folk medicine. We appear to be now experiencing such a time as more people are becoming concerned, not only about the high cost of medicine, but also the increasing discoveries of side effects.

Basically most folk medicine is closely associated with herbs, food, oils, minerals and components found in any household. Techniques and methodology of folk medicine are especially adaptable to home use.  One such home remedy is raw apple cider vinegar and honey in water served as tea will decrease acid reflux.  Is this true?  Well my husband tried it.  He made this raw apple cider vinegar and honey tea every night and he said it definitely decreased the symptoms.  I'm I saying stop taking your medication, of course not but it worked for my husband.

It is not difficult to understand how many of these "old fashioned" home remedies and treatments originated and why they were popular. Among pioneers and peoples where doctors were few and far between, or nonexistent, medical aids were the products of experience and necessity. People used what they had at hand. Sometimes what they "had at hand" are still used by our most modern medical experts.

For instance, over two centuries ago an English woman herb doctor used a concoction of over twenty herbs to treat symptoms of dropsical. Dr William Withering of Shropshire in England became interested in her success and, after considerable research, concluded that the foxglove in her treatment was the answer to her success. Medicine, derived from foxglove, is still considered an excellent treatment.

Nature has given us many old fashioned home remedies, with little or no side effects. I am sure, with more research in this area, she would be more than willing to give up more of her healing remedies.

Alternative treatment with Homeopathy is a system of medicinal treatment founded by Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician. He published a paper in 1796 in which he promulgated his principle that "likes are cured by likes". This principle is known as "Law of Similars".

This form of alternative treatment by Hahnemann claimed that quinine, a medicine widely used for successful treatment of malaria, produced symptoms of malaria in a healthy person. The patients of malaria were treated with a medicine which created the same symptoms as those created by the disease. The observations with quinine and other medicines led Hahnemann to his "Law of Similars".

Four years later Hahnemann advanced his doctrine of "potentization of dynamization" which stated that medicines in small doses effectively exerted their curative power.  The homeopathic system of alternative treatment is based on these two principles - Law of Similars and Potentization.

Potentization is a process by which medicine is diluted in precise steps and subjected to "succussion" (a vigorous shaking action). This process brings about an energetic change that gives medicines a deeper curative effect. Repeated dilution ensures that the homeopathy medicine has no toxic effect. This allows homeopathic use of many substances which would be unsafe under normal conditions.

Traditionally homeopathic treatment is done to cure the disorders, not just the symptoms. Any physical and emotional disorder produces certain symptoms in the body. In many cases different ailments produce similar symptoms. As a part of the treatment the medicines are prescribed to eliminate the causes of disease or discomfort. If two patients have similar problems, they may still require different homeopathy medicines depending upon their habits and many other factors.  Medicines of higher potency are generally given only after the cause of the disease is established.

Homeopathy medicine is relatively young - just over 200 years old. New medicines and treatments are constantly being evolved and documented. Such research studies are called "provings". As a result of these research studies, Homeopathy alternative treatment is used in a wide variety of health conditions.

Homeopathic medicines do not work strictly by chemical action. At higher potency the medicine is diluted so much that concentration of original medicine reduces to insignificant level. Yet the medicines not only work, they are more effective at higher potency. "Potentization" process brings energetic change in the medicine.

In turn the medicine stimulates the body's defense mechanism to fight the cause of disorder. This approach produces more stable cure as compared to treatment with drugs. Direct chemical action of the drugs often produces harmful side effects. Homeopathic medicines on the other hand have no or little side effects. They are safe and non-toxic.

Two centuries of existence has firmly established homeopathy. It is accepted form of treatment in many parts of the world. However, the theory of homeopathy is inconsistent with known laws of science; therefore the critics often dismiss it as pseudoscience and quackery.

Homeopathy medicine has thrived on the basis of its results. Its medicines have relatively slow but lasting effects. It is not trusted to meet emergency situations, but it is extremely useful in many other situations.

Irregularity can be downright uncomfortable but over the counter medications for the problem can make things worse. Finding natural remedies for constipation would be much better for you and your intestines. There are a few things you can do to get things back in order. These natural remedies for constipation won't make you run to the bathroom every ten minutes, either.

The first suggestion is: drink more water. When you are dehydrated you may become constipated. Water is a natural cure for constipation that is commonly overlooked. The next time you are irregular try drinking a lot of water. You may be feeling back to normal within hours.

Exercise is another constipation remedy that is commonly overlooked. When your body does not get enough exercise things stop working properly including your digestive system. Lots of exercise and plenty of water are great natural remedies for constipation that are available at no cost.

Other things that can help include prunes and potassium. Potassium helps to strengthen the walls of the colon. This helps the organ function properly. If you do not get enough potassium in your diet the colon walls become weak making things move slower. The drawback to using extra potassium in your diet to regulate yourself is that it may take quite awhile for the element to take effect.

Just about everyone knows that prunes are natural remedies for constipation that have been used for generations. Prunes give pretty fast relief to the condition but you may get a little gassy if you overdo it. These natural remedies for constipation contain potassium as well which will help your colon function properly in the long run.

One of the remedies for constipation that I have yet to try is cayenne pepper. This home remedy aids in digestion. The convenience of using cayenne pepper is that it can be added to nearly every meal within reason.

Not found of spicy foods? Then consider cayenne pepper in pill form. You can find this spicy home remedy in capsules differing in strengths so you can determine how much you take in per dose. Just take the supplement after each meal and feel its warming effects.

Many pregnant women seek different types of natural remedies for constipation. Doctors warn pregnant women and women who are nursing to avoid taking cayenne pepper supplements. Water, exercise, prunes and potassium are better natural remedies for pregnant women.

Tags: health, herbal, herbal treatment, alternative treatment, natural treatment

There are many alternative acid reflux remedies available, and it seems like there are more being released every day. Although there are plenty of prescription medicines to treat acid reflux, or heartburn as it is often called, more and more it seems that people are turning to acid reflux home remedies as an alternative to these kinds of treatments. I am not really sure why this is so, but acid reflux remedies made of herbs, minerals, and the like are becoming more and more popular as time passes.

Now majority of us uses tums for heartburn but it is basically chalk. Did you know that antacid causes you to lose your libido? So lets look at some alternative remedies and information that is available.  I have heard of activated charcoal being used successfully as an alternative acid reflux remedy. Another alternative treatment for acid reflux is 2 tsp of Braggs apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp of raw honey (not processed) in 8 oz glass of water is one of the best treatment available.  Drink it cold or make it as a hot tea. It is absolutely delicious. This remedy alone stopped my husband's heartburn. I forgot about chewable DGL (Licorice Root) 20 minutes before meals and before going to bed at night also stops acid reflux.  These remedies surely work but they are short term solutions.  That 's why I strongly recommend Cure Your Heartburn for long term solution. 

Now let's talk about a healthy diet.  Eating a lot of grains, fresh vegetables and a few fruits, and little fat or grease or meat, can do a lot to treat heartburn. Making sure that you do not overeat, and that you have several small meals over the course of the day rather than just having one great big one can also work wonders for your acid reflux. Also drinking plenty of water reduces stomach acid.  Especially drinking a glass of water before going to bed consistently over the course of time is the cheapest remedy I know of.  People would rather go on just as they always have, eating foods that simply are not that good for them, and then treating the symptoms with  acid reflux remedies, instead of the cause, which is simply unhealthy eating habits.

Of course, some people really do suffer from acid reflux disease for other reasons than just poor dietary habits. If you are one of these people, and are simply the victim of an overactive stomach, then there is nothing else for it than to treat your condition with the remedies that you find. Otherwise, you are at risk of all kinds of other health problems caused by the excessive stomach acid.

There are many alternative acid reflux remedies available, and it seems like there are more being released every day. Although there are plenty of prescription medicines to treat acid reflux, or heartburn as it is often called, more and more it seems that people are turning to acid reflux home remedies as an alternative to these kinds of treatments. I am not really sure why this is so, but acid reflux remedies made of herbs, minerals, and the like are more and more popular as time passes. This seems strange to me, as many of the traditional over the counter acid reflux remedies are made of pretty natural stuff anyway.

I have heard that tums is basically chalk, and I have even heard of activated charcoal being used successfully as an alternative acid reflux remedy. Another alternative treatment for acid reflux is 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp of raw honey in 8 oz glass of water is one of the best treatment available. So why all of this searching for alternatives when many of the common choices seem to work so well?  An even more important question is: why not use one of the best acid reflux remedies available? By that I mean, why not use a sane, healthy diet that creates less stomach acid. This seems to be the best of the acid reflux remedies which I have come across so far, and I can not be the only one out there who thinks so.

Eating a lot of grains, fresh vegetables and a few fruits, and little fat or grease or meat, can do a lot to treat heartburn. Making sure that you do not overeat, and that you have several small meals over the course of the day rather than just having one great big one can also work wonders for your acid reflux. Also drinking plenty of water reduces stomach acid.  Especially drinking a glass of water before going to bed consistently over the course of time is the cheapest remedy I know of.  People would rather go on just as they always have, eating foods that simply are not that good for them, and then treating the symptoms with  acid reflux remedies, instead of the cause, which is simply unhealthy eating habits. It is enough to make you sick about some people, if you ask me!

Of course, some people really do suffer from acid reflux disease for other reasons than just poor dietary habits. If you are one of these people, and are simply the victim of an overactive stomach, then there is nothing else for it than to treat your condition with the remedies that you find. Otherwise, you are at risk of all kinds of other health problems caused by the excessive stomach acid.

 

Tags: gas pain, stomach acid, bloating, indigestion, sour stomach, heart burn

I have worked with child services for many years. Through the years one of the problems that seems to occur time and time again is head lice. As the years go by we have learned many great lessons on how to best treat lice so that they do not reoccur. It seems that lice remedies come and go and we are learning that lice do become immune to the different treatments, especially if the treatments involve chemicals.

Recently we had a very critical situation occur with head lice in a foster home. The foster family has done care for our agency for many years. The family is licensed for 5 children. They have had a sibling group of three placed with them for nine months. These three children came from very neglectful conditions and were also abused by their mother and her boy friends. After the nine months in the loving structured home of the foster family the children were beginning to laugh and play and behave in healthier ways. The foster family was on call for emergency placements and they were needed to take in a brother and sister whose mother was arrested. There were no other family members available so the children needed to be placed in foster care. They had been found in filthy conditions in a home where drugs were being manufactured. The police brought the children to the foster home at 2:00 in the morning. The foster parents provided clean pajamas for the children and had them sleep in the living room area on the couches until they could rearrange space with the other children. It turned out that the children had extreme cases of head lice. The foster parents did not discover this until the next day when they were helping the children with bathes. By this time the other group of foster children had sat on the couches to watch television and to visit with the new arrivals. The lice quickly spread to everyone in the household. The foster mom called me in a panic because she knew that the shampoo used in most lice remedies would cause the three children to break out because they have severe allergies. She was also concerned about using the lice remedies for the bedding and couches. It was winter time and extremely cold outside. I told them to place the clothing, bedding, couches and pillows outdoors. I then took over the supplies for the latest lice remedies from the public health nurse. This included soaking the children's hair in olive oil and placing a plastic bag over the hair for several hours. The olive oil smothers the lice. This procedure as with all lice remedies had to be repeated at intervals to kill the eggs that the lice lay in the hair follicles.

After several bottles of olive oil and multiple applications the foster family was finally rid of the lice. They did like this treatment over other lice remedies that they have had to use in the past because they were not placing harsh chemicals on the children.

Tags: health, herbal treatment, alternative treatment, natural treatment, herbal

Would you choose chinese herbal remedies over traditional herbal product?  We all just hate getting sick? Regardless of how much we all dislike the colds, flu, and other annoying viruses that seem to come each and every winter, we always seem to get them. Even those of us who take precautions with a flu shot or some other form of deterrent, that darn sniffling and coughing always commence on schedule. Well, at least that's my experience anyway.

There must be a way around it all. You know, some hidden path that has not yet been discovered by the masses. A close friend of mine from Taiwan claims that Chinese herbal remedies are often better than American medicines. Who knows; maybe he's onto something. Are you willing to give Chinese herbal remedies a shot?

What do you currently know about Chinese herbal remedies?  Does the name Bi Yan Pian, Ping Chuan, or Gun Mao Ling ring a bell? Well these remedies are for cold and flu viruses.  Oh, no problem.  Although most American do not have a great depth and knowledge regarding Chinese herbal remedies, I have had an experience with Xiao Yao San for hormonal balance.  Which was very effective against my mood swings, bloating and menstrual cramps. 

Ever heard of Dit Da Jow?  Well, chances are, unless you're into Chinese martial arts, you probably haven't. Dit Da Jow is a liquid herbal remedy used to heal bruises and damaged tissue.  I used it rather frequently when I first began training in a Chinese martial art known as Wing Chun. The repetitive damage I received to my forearms during training rituals, called for some serious healing. A martial arts buddy of mine, who had been training for years, recommended Dit Da Jow.  Now, I'm not going to lie to you. In my humble opinion, this stuff stinks. However, it did remedy my bruising and promote healing.  Therefore, I do believe this stuff works. This along with other Chinese herbal remedies are often recommended in the martial arts circles.

Would you search for ancient Chinese herbal remedies to cure a headache? This is a funny question actually.  While watching a Tai Chi seminar a few years back, I spotted a student offering his teacher a massage to help remedy a headache his teacher complained of.  The old Chinese teacher grinned at him and said, "That sounds nice, but I think I'll just take some aspirin."  I could tell this shocked the student who had been fascinated by Chinese herbal remedies and massage therapy.  He thought they were better for some reason.  However, it's always best to use what truly works for you.

Tags: dit da jow, chinese herbs, martial arts, herbal remedy