Natural Remedies past down from My Fore Parents In Trinidad we are surrounded by a lot of forest, herbs for healing and various kinds of fruit and vegetation. Most of us here never believed too much in running to a doctor for every sprain or ache we got.
I've always believed in the Healing Wonders of Herbs. But certainly I thank God for doctors.
Let me share with you some of these remedies.
HIBISCUS TEA:
* Starting with the most popular, that dry or chesty nagging cough.
The hibiscus flower can be found almost anywhere. Place 1or 2 flowers in about 1 cup of boiling water and leave to rest for 15-20 minutes. Then add a tablespoon of honey to the one cup of drawn tea. Take 1 tablespoon of this three times daily. Redo this remedy as often as is necessary until cough subsides or is totally gone.
Another one of my favourite is Orange Peels. Now instead of throwing away the peels after sucking that orange you can hang it up to dry.
ORANGE PEEL TEA:
* Home remedy to control your blood sugar and high blood pressure levels. Decrease menstrual pains and aid in constipation
Boil approx. one 6 inch dried orange peel in two cups of water. Add honey to sweeten. One cup a week is sufficient. However if you have a sweet tooth and still want to maintain your sugar level then 2-3 cups a week may be good for you. But be careful, if you are not hypertensive this tea can lower your blood pressure below normal. However, dont have to be diabetic or hypertensive to drink Orange Peel Tea.
WORMS IN KIDS:
* Itchy nose or itchy butt
Garlic is a king for almost every ailment. But if your kids ever complained of having a constant itching nose or rear end, then it could be time for a worm out. But if this happens at a time you are unable to go to the pharmacy, then all you need is a small clove of garlic. This would keep your child's uninvited guests calm, till they are flushed out.
Let the child bend over exposing their rear-end or get in a foetal position. Then insert the garlic clove into their anus as far up as your finger could without hurting them. Be sure to coat the clove of garlic with olive oil so that it would slide smoothly in. Allow them to remain in that upsided-down position for a while and squeeze in the garlic into their anus until they can no longer feel it. Then they can stand erect.
Something like this some parents may be afraid to try. I was at first. But when I did, I realised my daughter was not hurt in anyway. Rather she got a rest from that nagging itching. Which meant the rememdy worked! However she did get a tummy ache, but after a bowel or two she was ok.
note: this is not a cure for worms. this remedy can be used by adults as well. but a bigger clove of garlic would be more ideal.
SAFFRON ROOT OR TUMERIC ROOT:
* For clean, clear, smooth, acne-free, young-looking skin.
Tumeric Root can be bought at your market, herb store or online. Peel the saffron root and grate one teaspoon as small as you could.Then rub onto your face and neck. Allow saffron juice to be absorbed into your skin. But careful not to let it go into your eyes or mouth. Do not clean of pieces of saffron from your face until your skin is dry. This can be done twice daily. But be sure to apply before bedtime for sure results. The grated saffron can also be mixed with whatever acne treatment you may be already using for maximum benefit.
However, if you know about saffron you will know that it stains. So you may want to apply it wearing a clear glove. And replace your good bed sheets and pillow cases with old ones before retiring.
VERVAIN TEA:
* For breast-feeding mothers with little or no breast milk.
Vervain Tea is good for many ailments and health problems. But in my country breast-feeding mothers drink it to increase the amount of breast milk they produce. After drawing your tea, you can strain and refridgerate or simply drink it as you would a glass of water. Instead of drinking water from your tap, just prepare a large amount and drink whenever you feel thirsty. The more you drink the more milk your baby will get. When you are satisfied with the amount of breast milk your producing, stop drinking yout tea.
On the same note, if your breast milk dries up and remains sort of lumpy in your breast. Then a dose of castor oil will flush this out and any other impurities you may have in your womb brought on by the pregnancy or labour experience. But be careful not to overdose. Castor oil can weaken your immune system.
A good way to boost your immune system is to drink pumpkin porridge or beetroot punch.
