Mama's Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living
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r 37. Mix three tablespoons each motherwort and valerian root and two tablespoons lemon balm. Add one tablespoon of the
mixture to 1½ cups boiling water. Steep for two hours. Filter and drink ½ cup three times daily before a meal. It is helpful for insomnia, neurosis, and erratic heartbeat as a calming and sedating substance.
r 38. Chop smal and mix one tablespoon each of lemon balm, motherwort, strobiles of hops, valerian root, wild marjoram, peppermint, young leafy twigs of mistletoe Caution:
( Viscum album). Put one tablespoon of
the mixture in a cup and add 1 cup boilNever use mistletoe ing water. Steep for 30 minutes. Filter
berries, which are toxic.
and drink ½ cup twice a day, in the
Avoid using mistletoe
morning and in the evening, 30 minutes
leaves during pregnancy.
before a meal.
r 39. Mix one tablespoon each of strobiles of hops, rosemary, peppermint, St. John’s Wort, lemon balm, and valerian root. To two tablespoons of this mixture add one cup boiling water. Steep 20
minutes, filter, and take smal sips during the day. Do not drive or operate machinery. This is very effective for insomnia. r 40. Mix one tablespoon each chamomile flowers and European buckthorn bark ( Rhamnus frangula). To one tablespoon of the mixture, add one cup boiling water. Steep 15 minutes and drink one to two tablespoons before bedtime.
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r 41. Add one tablespoon dil seeds to one cup boiling water. Steep for two hours. Filter and drink ½ cup three times a day 30 minutes before a meal for insomnia accompanied by stomach convulsions or colic. r 42. Put one tablespoon of crushed valerian root in a large glass jar. Add 2½ cups boiling water and steep for two hours. Then filter and drink ½ cup in the morning 30 minutes before a meal. Drink the evening dose with the addition of one teaspoon of honey before bedtime. This is particularly helpful in treating migraine, insomnia, neurosis, irregular heartbeat, and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. r 43. Mix two tablespoons fennel seeds, three tablespoons peppermint, four tablespoons valerian Caution:
root, one tablespoon chamomile
flowers, and one tablespoon lily of
Use a heart tonic
the val ey/May lily ( Conval aria
and diuretic lily of the
majalis) flowers or leaves. Steep one
teaspoon of the mixture in one cup
valley only under the
cooled boiled water for three hours.
guidance of a qualified
Boil again for three minutes, filter, and
practitioner.
cool. Drink several times a day in equal
portions. It is an excel ent natural medicine for insomnia and irregular heartbeat.
r 44. Mix together one tablespoon wild
Caution:
marjoram, one tablespoon peppermint, one teaspoon valerian root, Avoid using rue during
one teaspoon hops, and one teapregnancy. It is a good spoon rue herb (Ruta graveolens).
circulatory tonic and
To one tablespoon of the mixture,
antispasmodic, but it
add one cup spring water. Steep 40
promotes menstrual
minutes in a warm place. Then filter
flow and lowers
and drink one tablespoon three times a
blood pressure.
day 30 minutes before a meal.
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r 45. Mix three tablespoons each peppermint, valerian root, bogbean dried leaves (Menyanthes trifoliata). Put one tablespoon of the herbal mixture in a glass jar. Add one cup boiling water. Steep for one hour, filter, and drink one cup three times a day. This drink acts as a sedative and healing medicine for nervous disorders. Soak your way to relaxation
r 46. A valerian bath: Add eight ounces cut and chopped valerian root to about 24 ounces boiling water. Boil 10 minutes, filter, and pour into the tub. This medicinal bath wil soothe your nervous system, decrease excitement in the spinal cord, lower blood pressure, and decrease and regulate the pulse. r 47. A pine bath: You wil need pine needles, twigs, and cones.
^ Ful bath = three pounds to five cups water
^ Half-bath = two pounds to four cups water
^ Sit or foot bath = ½ pound to two cups water
In a glass or enamel pot combine pine needles, twigs, cones, and water. Boil 30 minutes, then cover with a lid and steep for two to three hours. Pour into a warm bath. Pine extract should have a rich brown color. This is a very effective remedy for nervous disorders, sleeplessness, and inflammation of the larynx, asthma, pneumonia, and cardiovascular problems.
r 48. Bathe with the flower from the island of stars. Do you remember the story of chamomile from the previous chapter? That wonderful herb comes to the rescue again! You wil need chamomile flowers—fresh or dried.
^ Ful bath = one pound to four cups water
^ Half-bath = eight ounces to three cups water
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^ Sit bath = five ounces to two cups water
^ Foot bath = 4½ ounces to one cup water
Boil the herb in a covered enamel pot with cold water for 10 minutes. Strain and add to bath. A bath of chamomile wil al eviate nervousness and emotional stress. The essential oil of chamomile is also used to treat skin inflammation, wounds, and abscesses. r 49. A lavender bath: For 10 minutes boil one pound lavender dried flowers in a covered pot with 2½ quarts water. Steep 30 minutes. Add to tub for a healing bath. You’l delight in the fragrance of this healing herb and may experience slight irritation of the skin. There is no cause for worry, however, because the herb is merely increasing activity in the blood vessels. Because of this, it is used to treat cardiac and nervous disorders.
The pharmaceutical industry has addressed the issue of insomnia by providing us with myriad chemical medicines which promise to ensure sleep. Consult your doctor before using them and don’t use them for more than two to three weeks in succession. Long-term use of these
over-the-counter sleep aids may disrupt your normal
sleep pattern and cause nightmares, memory loss,
or sexual dysfunction.
All soporific drugs (sedatives) don’t depress the
functions of the central nervous system. In small
doses they act as soporific medicine. In large doses
they become narcotics, literally sleep inducers.
When you try self-treatment, you can consider yourself to be your own best friend. Try using natural remedies—innocuous medicines—and have
a healthy sleep like a child.
At the beginning of this chapter is an ancient
Russian remedy containing hops. People’s wisdom is
even more extensive than we could ever assume. For
instance:
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r 50. Combine two teaspoons of hops flowers in a glass jar with eight ounces boiling water. Cover with a lid and steep four hours. Filter and drink one cup before bed.
r 51. Combine one teaspoon minced hops flowers with four ounces vodka or white grape juice in a covered jar. Steep it in a dark place for two weeks. Filter and take five drops in a tablespoon of boiled water, twice before eating and once before bed.
r 52. Dil tincture. Combine two ounces dil seeds and one pint Port wine in an enamel pot. Simmer 15-20 minutes. Steep one hour, filter, and drink ¼ cup before bed.
r 53. “Southern Night” balm. Mix one teaspoon lemon balm, dried or fresh leaves (Melissa officinalis), two teaspoons dried rose hips berries (Rosa canina), two teaspoons eucalyptus leaves, two twigs juniper (minced), three teaspoons sage, and three teaspoons thyme. Combine minced herbs in a thermos with one quart boiling water and steep for six hours. Filter. Pour balm into an atomizer. Mist bedroom with the balm. The effect of this natural medicine wil be enhanced if combined with an eveni
ng walk before bedtime and a relaxing self-massage.
Calming tea blends
r 54. Mix one tablespoon valerian root, two tablespoons mint leaves, one tablespoon hops flowers, and two tablespoons yarrow. Combine one tablespoon of this herbal mixture in a porcelain bowl with two cups boiling water. Cover and steep 30 minutes. Filter, add one tablespoon honey, and drink four ounces once in the morning and once before bed. This is especial y effective in the treatment of nervous excitement or irritability.
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The fol owing four recipes are prepared by steeping the specified amount of herb in one quart boiled water for 10 minutes in a covered pot. Filter and enjoy!
r 55. Try two tablespoons of one of the fol owing: peppermint leaves, fennel seeds, valerian root, chamomile flowers, or caraway seeds. Drink one to two cups in the morning and before bed.
r 56. Combine three tablespoons chamomile flowers, five tablespoons caraway seeds, and two tablespoons valerian root. Drink one to two cups in the morning and before bed.
r 57. Steep together the folowing: three tablespoons peppermint leaves, three tablespoons motherwort leaves, two tablespoons valerian root, and two tablespoons hops flowers. Drink four ounces three times daily.
r 58. Mix two tablespoons horsetail (dried aerial parts), three tablespoons knotgrass/bird’s buckwheat herb, and five tablespoons hawthorn flowering tops. Sip two ounces of the tea twice a day. Vitamin-rich teas
Method of preparation: Combine in a pot two tablespoons of the mixed herbs with two cups boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Filter. Drink one to two cups hot herbal tea daily.
r 59. 4½ tablespoons rose hips
four tablespoons nettle
1½ tablespoons cranberries
r 60. Three tablespoons rose hips
One tablespoon black currant
Three tablespoons nettle
Three tablespoons minced carrot
Sleeping Beauty @ 169
After you’ve successfully treated yourself with a healing remedy and you are feeling better, try these cheerful libations:
r 61. Sunny Berry Punch. Grate peel of one lemon. Whip with 12–14
ounces honey and one quart white wine. Boil 10 minutes. Add 3 ounces cognac or rum. Enjoy a glass of hot punch.
r 62. Milk Punch. Grate peel of one lemon and blend with one pound honey. Add one quart white Chardonnay wine and one pint fresh skim milk. Whip wel to thicken. Boil five to seven minutes with two ounces crushed almonds and a dash of vanil a. Filter and fil glass half ful . Top with whipped cream. Your punch is ready to cheer you up.
r 63. Cold Punch. Mix 24 ounces of honey with grated dried peel of one lemon. Add 1½ quarts white Chardonnay wine, juice of one lemon, one ounce cognac, a dash of vanil a, and one cup cold boiled water. Mix wel , filter, and pour into bottles. This punch wil keep several days in your refrigerator. From time to time, use it as a mood enhancer and sleep inducer.
The above concoctions are small “miracles” in our lives, made from the properties of blessed herbs and plants.
In the Russian folk tale, “The Tale of the Firebird, Tsarevich Ivan and the Gray Wolf,” a larger miracle takes place. Let me tel you how a mysterious firebird easily induced sound sleep into those she met (much better than any doctor could do—and she didn’t resort to prescribing fast-acting sleeping pil s).
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Once upon a time in a far-off land lived a Russian
tsar in a magnificent palace on the side of a
mountain. His palace garden was so beautiful, none
could find a better one anywhere in the world. It was home to thousands of aromatic flowers, gigantic trees, and lush plants. Among the most notable trees was an unusually tall apple tree, which bestowed upon the tsar a daily harvest of magnificent golden fruit. This tree was his favorite and ranked among his beloved treasures. As time passed, the tsar noticed that many of his apples began disappearing overnight. His servants told of a large and beautiful firebird that plucked the apples from the tree branches every evening as the royal court slumbered. The tsar called his three sons, Tsarevich Dimitri, Tsarevich Vasily, and Tsarevich Ivan, and told them that the firebird had been stealing his golden apples and made a bargain with them. “If one of you will capture the firebird alive, I’ll give you half of my kingdom while I live and the rest of it upon my death.”
His three sons listened to him with great respect and vowed that one of them would indeed capture the bird and place it alive at the feet of their father. The oldest son, Tsarevich Dimitri, went into the garden the first night to watch for the firebird. He sat under the wide wreath of golden apples that crowned the apple tree, and as the night drew on, he became drowsy and fell into a deep sleep. While he slept peacefully, the firebird flew into the garden, picked as many apples as she wished, and flew away. In the morning the tsar asked Dimitri if he had seen the firebird. Dimitri answered that she never came into the garden that night. The second night Tsarevich Vasily kept watch in the garden. He sat under the apple tree as his brother had, and after several hours of waiting in darkness and silence, he too fell asleep. The next morning Vasily told the tsar that the firebird had not visited the garden.
The third night, the youngest tsar’s son, Tsarevich Ivan, assumed his post in the garden to watch for the firebird. He sat under the apple tree as his older brothers had done the previous two nights. For the first several hours, nothing happened. All was quiet until suddenly the garden was illuminated by a brilliant golden light.
The firebird soared into the garden, her eyes sparkling like two faceted crystals, her wings streaming golden flames. She lit on a branch of the apple tree and began to tug at and pluck the juicy apples. Tsarevich S chapter
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Ivan stole up quietly and tried to catch her, but the firebird was strong and he wasn’t able to hold on to her, even as he clasped her magnificent tail in both of his hands. The firebird tore herself from his grasp, leaving behind only one incredibly beautiful feather in his hands.
In the morning Ivan met with his father and gave him the firebird’s feather. The tsar was pleased that finally one of his three sons had succeeded if not in catching the firebird, at least in getting one of her feathers. He brought this feather into his royal chamber and instantly the entire palace glowed as though lighted by thousands of radiant candles.
From that time on, the firebird never again returned to the garden, but the tsar had become obsessed by his desire to have her in his palace. To make a long story short, I can tell you briefly that the tsar’s three sons had many adventures in their quest for the firebird. Tsarevich Ivan met a gray wolf which served him as a mighty stead and he fell madly in love with a beautiful princess named Elena. He eventually captured the firebird, put her in a golden cage, and set off with Princess Elena to his father’s palace. But the way to his homeland was a long journey, and the two lovers with the firebird, stopped to rest near the forest and fell asleep. As they slept, Ivan’s jealous brothers killed him, stole the firebird and his magic horse with the golden mane, kidnapped his beautiful bride, and arrived at the tsar’s palace as great heroes. But this would not be a fairy tale if it didn’t have a happy ending.
So here’s what happened next. Tsarevich Ivan lay dead for 30
days until his friend, the gray wolf, found him and sprinkled his body with the water of life. Tsarevich Ivan stood up in a twinkle of an eye.
“I have slept for a long time,” he said.
“Yes,” answered the wolf, “you would have slept forever if I had not brought you back to life.”
Then he told him how his brothers had slain him. In a fairy tale, truth and justice always prevail, so Ivan’s brothers could not believe their eyes when they saw Tsarevich Ivan alive. They lost their peace of mind and became sick with insomnia. They never could fall asleep at night anymore.
Meanwhile Tsarevich Ivan was blessed with a
sound
and healthy sleep forevermore. He married the beautiful
Elena … and, of course, they lived happily ever after.
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If you can’t sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It’s the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep.
—Dale Carnegie (1855–1955), How to Win Friends and Influence People ƒ
Health is the first muse, and sleep is the condition to produce it.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882), American poet and essayist ƒ
A well-spent day brings happy sleep.
—Leonardo Da Vinci (1452–1519), Florentine artist and scientist ƒ
Sleep . . . peace of the soul, who puts test care to flight.
—Ovid (43 B.C.–A.D. 18), Latin poet
ƒ
There is a fullness of all things, even of sleep and of love.
—Homer (700 B.C.), Greek poet, author of The Iliad and The Odyssey Sleeping Beauty @ 173
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Chapter 9
When Your Head Is Swimming
Nature is not a competition. It doesn’t really matter, when you go out, if you don’t identify anything. What matters is the feeling heart.
—Richard Adams (b.1920), British writer
FACTS
How large is the problem of fatigue? According to a recent Department of Health and Human Services report entitled “Reasons for Visiting Physicians,”
a staggering 14 million Americans go to the doctor complaining of exhaustion. Add to that uncounted millions who seek medical advice for other reasons but also mention significant exhaustion. There are millions more who seek help but are nonetheless tired all the time. It becomes clear that fatigue is one of the major health problems in America. Many years ago in Alameda County, California, only 6 percent of the adult population qualified as energetic and healthy.30
“Generally speaking, the dictionary defines fatigue with equally incomplete substitutes such as tiredness, lassitude, exhaustion, ennui, burnout, and/or boredom. Some few larger lexicons go beyond this synonym chanting. When they do, fatigue and energy are somehow related. As energy goes down, fatigue goes up! According to the International Classification of Diseases, fatigue is now recognized as a sovereign syndrome with its own distinctive designation (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), its abbreviation (CFS), and its own number (780.7).”31