The Medicine Thread

[constituent]

I just thought to start this, but don't have time to contribute to it just yet...

anyway, the idea is to create an easy/accesible list of common (and some not so common) ailments and their homeopathic remedies.

feel free to post pictures (it'd be preferable), as well as keys on how readers can go out and identify them.

Some categories:

Allergies

Asthma

Headache

Nasal Infections

Upper Respiratory Infections

Stomach Bugs

Pain (inc. arthiritis)

Depression

Anxiety

[LittleLightShining]

Allergies

Asthma

Headache

Nasal Infections
Upper Respiratory Infections

Stomach Bugs

Pain (inc. arthiritis)

Depression

AnxietyFeverfew is a powerful headache medicine.

I have had excellent results taking the fresh leaves and flowers and steeping them in apple cider vinegar for 3 weeks or more. Pack the jar with the herb and cover with vinegar. Keep in a dark place and shake daily. Strain and bottle in a sterile jar. A teaspoon seems to be more than adequate for dosage taken every 4-6 hours. Normally it takes just one dose to knock it right out.

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/feverfew.jpg

When I have any sort of sinus issue I make a tea of 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few splashes of hot sauce (I like Cholula) and very hot water. This relieves the symptoms marvelously.

A tea made from dried blackberry leaves (http://www.phytochemicals.info/plants/blackberry.php) is a good medicine for stomach ailments that produce diarrhea.

Steeping St. Johnswort leaves and flowers just as they begin to bloom in olive or safflower oil creates a great bruise and burn remedy. Take the leaves and pack them into a jar, making sure to completely cover the leaves with the oil. Leave the jar in a sunny spot and shake daily. The oil will turn bright red. After about 2 to 3 weeks strain the oil and rebottle in a sterile container. Use topically as soon as a burn, bruise or other skin irritation occurs.

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/961/40011981.JPG

[dannno]

Allergies

Asthma

Headache (sinus)

Arthritus


A combination of Nettle and Quercetin (as in stingy nettle)

This stuff works great. I use something like myeh: http://www.herbspro.com/shop/productdetail.asp?ptid=45766&utm_source=Googlebase&utm_medium=HPFeed

I don't have arthritis, but it would work for that, too. It is a mild anti-inflammatory, and it really helps the burning sensation from allergies subside, and then they just sort of disappear.

[rancher89]

Indians used to chew on willow bark to relieve pain, this is the source of aspirin. The bark can be steeped in water, like for tea, and sipped.

[amy31416]

Great thread Constituent!

Here's a couple easy ones:

Ginger: Not only is it absolutely delicious on chicken, fish and in salad dressings (always use the fresh root for these applications), it allegedly reduces pain from arthritis (not tested first-hand), it, of course, is great for nausea and diarrhea, and it may also lower cholesterol/thin the blood. I have a big piece of it in the refrigerator right now, it's going in the stir-fry for tonight's dinner, it's one of those spices that you just can't really go wrong with.

Milk Thistle--repairs and improves the function of the liver. Important for people who are on a lot of medications that can damage the liver (most of them). Virtually no side-effects, used extensively in Europe. It may also lower cholesterol and reduce the growth of certain types of cancer cells.

[acptulsa]

Fever is a homeopathic remedy. It is a tool to fight infection. Stand up to it and tough it out unless and until it threatens to go above 102F, then use aspirin to lower it. You'll be less comfortable short term, but get well more quickly.

Allergies, colds, anything that stuffs up your sinuses--can you handle spicy hot food? It isn't just aromatic--those steamy hot vapors are nature's best decongestant. Keep a hankie or tissue handy! The burn also sort of cauterizes a scratchy throat.

Sore throat--never make a milkshake out of sherbet because sherbet and milk don't react well together. You can substitute carbonated water (soda water) or even a lemon-lime soft drink for the milk and make a sherbet shake (actually called not a milk shake but a sherbet [or root beer] freeze). Chloraseptic does not offer better temporary relief than a lime sherbet freeze.

[FunkBuddha]

Psilocybin containing mushrooms grow in the South Eastern US and the Northwestern US and can be used to treat depression according to a recent study by Johns Hopkins University.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2008/07_01_08.html

And then of course, there are non-hallucinogenic mushrooms that also provide health benefits.


If we think about mushrooms at all, we may consider them a tasty addition to a salad or casserole. In fact, an estimated 38,000 species of mushrooms, most provide a wealth of protein, fiber, B vitamins, and vitamin C, as well as calcium and other minerals. And at least three species have demonstrated phenomenal healing potential: maitake, shiitake, and reishi. These medicinal mushrooms have been shown to boost heart health; lower the risk of cancer,; promote immune function; ward off viruses, bacteria, and fungi; reduce inflammation; combat allergies; help balance blood sugar levels; and support the body's detoxification mechanisms.

Why are medicinal mushrooms becoming increasingly popular in North America? Harriet Beinfield, acupuncturist and co-author of Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine, explains: " the movement began with healthy food in the late '60s; now it's health medicine. People are interested in medicinal mushrooms because they've been used effectively for thousands of years".

Maitake, shiitake, and reishi mushrooms have many overlapping properties: all boost immune function, all support cardiovascular health, and all show promise in lowering the risk of - or treating - cancer. However, maitake is specifically recommended for the stomach and intestines, as well as blood sugar levels; shiitake treats nutritional deficiencies and liver ailments; and reishi promotes respiratory health and spirituality.

[constituent]

Psilocybin containing mushrooms grow in the South Eastern US and the Northwestern US and can be used to treat depression according to a recent study by Johns Hopkins University.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2008/07_01_08.html

And then of course, there are non-hallucinogenic mushrooms that also provide health benefits.

also great for the development of language and music skills.

srsly, it causes massive connections to be formed around any part of your brain that deals with the perception of sounds. the increased rate of connections continues for something like several days after the initial effects wear-off.

i only know cuz i studied language in college and wrote a report on it. This post should not be construed as representing any sort of admission of guilt on the part of myself, or the individual quoted above.


Great Responses, keep 'em coming. i'm working on background details (like how to identify and where to find) for all the plants/herbs listed in this thread that will ultimately be worked into the OP.

If shtf, it'll pay be to be your local medicine man. if s(doesn't)htf, it'll pay off big just from the experience of going out and procuring your own medicine from nature.

[yongrel]

Homeopathy, huh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWE1tH93G9U

...yeah.

[Mckarnin]

Ok, #1..I am one of those people that believes that food is what you put in your body every day and if that is not working for your health you will have a hard time fixing the problem with a few pills/tinctures of any kind.

When you say homeopathic do you literally mean homeopathic or are you looking for natural treatments?

As far as homeopathy goes these are my 4 favorites:

Arnica Montana (Arnica Mont)--If you bump your body or strain something and think you'll be sore or bruised take some.

Kali Bichromium (Kali Bich)---Sinus congestion/sinus headache

Influenzinum (you have to buy the new version every year)--Homeopathic that kicks your immune system into high gear if you are fighting the flu.

Rescue Remedy Tincture---Great for short or long-term anxiety, fear, shock, trauma...I always have mine in my purse.

Traumeel Ointment---Homeopathic ointment that makes sore and injured muscles feel a billion times better. You only use it on accute spots. You aren't supposed to slather it all over.







I just thought to start this, but don't have time to contribute to it just yet...

anyway, the idea is to create an easy/accesible list of common (and some not so common) ailments and their homeopathic remedies.

feel free to post pictures (it'd be preferable), as well as keys on how readers can go out and identify them.

Some categories:

Allergies

Asthma

Headache

Nasal Infections

Upper Respiratory Infections

Stomach Bugs

Pain (inc. arthiritis)

Depression

Anxiety

[constituent]

Homeopathy, huh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWE1tH93G9U

...yeah.

hey, he mentions me in that video.

[constituent]

When you say homeopathic do you literally mean homeopathic or are you looking for natural treatments?



Just using an accessible term for what the medicine men did for centuries rather than the current racket or bleeding-out bad humors or anything like that. I'll clarify in the OP.

[Mckarnin]

Just using an accessible term for what the medicine men did for centuries rather than the current racket or bleeding-out bad humors or anything like that. I'll clarify in the OP.

Oh, in that case I'll have to add more tidbits in coming days.

[yongrel]

hey, he mentions me in that video.

Oh?

[dannno]

A combination of Nettle and Quercetin (as in stingy nettle)

This stuff works great. I use something like myeh: http://www.herbspro.com/shop/productdetail.asp?ptid=45766&utm_source=Googlebase&utm_medium=HPFeed

I don't have arthritis, but it would work for that, too. It is a mild anti-inflammatory, and it really helps the burning sensation from allergies subside, and then they just sort of disappear.

Any of you anti-homeopathy folks take sudafed or claratin, etc, for your allergies?

Come on, I know one of you must.. Yongrel, you got the sniffles??

Look, I've tried all of them. I hate allergy medicines, they take your energy and can even make you feel like you are on drugs (this, coming from an avid daily cannabis user).

Anyways, I finally stopped using them a while back and then I had some allergies and was looking around for something else and found this stuff.

I challenge you to try Nettle/Quercetin for your allergies. Not only does it completely rid me of allergies, but I don't feel like I've taken ANYTHING. I feel completely normal. It's way better and much cheaper than anything from the pharmacy. I wake up with allergies, take this stuff, and an hour or so later they are gone... for the rest of the day, sometimes i have to take another pill just before bed.

I am convinced that if allergy sufferers around the country tried it, they would immediately end their pharmacy regimen and switch. No reason to put those crazy meth related chemicals into your body on a daily basis.

[MsDoodahs]

When I find it, I'll add some of the stuff from Reba Ann Carp's "Encyclopedia of Healing" which is a book filled with Edgar Cayce's remedies for various ailments.

Lots of the stuff he recommended were natural remedies...

[acptulsa]

There is a cure for the common cold, though it only speeds up the healing so much. Jewish mothers have been right for centuries about chicken soup. The key is to boil the bones. Turkey soup works just as well and even duck soup or cornish game hen can produce some benefits. I always boil the Thanksgiving and Christmas carcas for soup as that is prime cold and flu season.

And it can be very painless indeed:


I just made the best soup ever and I'm eating it now. It's chicken broth that I made a bit ago and had in the freezer, finely chopped ginger, sauteed in a bit of the chicken fat, soy sauce, a bit of red wine vinegar (out of rice vinegar,) a little shredded carrot and spinach, fresh ground black pepper, a small handful of corn, a bit of chopped parsley and shredded green onions. Served over soba noodles with a splash of sesame seed oil to finish.

Yum.

[amy31416]

There is a cure for the common cold, though it only speeds up the healing so much. Jewish mothers have been right for centuries about chicken soup. The key is to boil the bones. Turkey soup works just as well and even duck soup or cornish game hen can produce some benefits. I always boil the Thanksgiving and Christmas carcas for soup as that is prime cold and flu season.

And it can be very painless indeed:

Every time I buy a whole chicken, it essentially goes a somewhat similar route: 1. cut off raw breast meat and use in stir-fry or chicken picatta--something like that. 2. Make something like arroz con pollo with the legs, thighs or marinate and roast/grill. 3. all bones go into a pot with celery, carrot onion, parsley, salt and it becomes broth.

Then, the broth can be used for so many things: chicken noodle soups, the liquid base for a stir-fry, chicken and biscuits, etc. etc. I always have homemade broth in the freezer--it's very versatile and so much better than canned.

[tangent4ronpaul]

This subforum, Complementary and Herbal Medicine is a good resource:

http://medtech.syrene.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14


I am cross posting a article I wrote back in 2001 from there:

Botanicals as Pharmacuticals
> Treat herbs as if they are a medication you're about to mix with your regular meds because, in essence, they are.

That should be emphasized. Frm: Principles of Pharmacology; A Tropical Approach, by D.T. Okpako, p.15-6: "Up to 25% of all prescriptions in Europe and America, it is said, contain plant products or were originally derived from them. Referencing: Jeroszewski, J.W. (1984). Natural products and drug development. Pharmacy International, 5. 27-8

There was another cite, but I'm not finding it right now that basically said that of the 100 most prescribed drugs, 75-90+% are plant extracts or the synthetic mimicking of them.

The study of pharmacology originated as materia medica, which is a branch of botany. A good text to study is Medical Botany by Lewis and Lewis.

Still, it is dangerous to rely on herbals/botanicals as a replacement for pharmaceuticals without some additional caviots(sp?):

1) As noted above, some may conflict in unexpected ways with other drugs or botanicals. Knowing the underlying actions in the body will help prevent this - but it's a lot to learn.

2) Our government (USA) in it's typical "nanny state" mentality has taken actions to limit what vitamins and supplements will be available to us. This means you may not be able to purchase common medicinal herbals in the future.

3) Herbals degrade over time and will become less effective. You might have stockpiling problems here.

4) With the gvmt intruding on what you are "allowed" to purchase, this leads to growing them yourself or foraging for them. On the foraging end, there is a learning curve to plant identification and sometimes 2 different plants with vastly different effects can look alike. In either case, the active ingredient will never be alone. In some cases the drug effect you are looking for will be the dominant one, other times it won't be. This will often vary by what part of the plant is harvested. Sometimes it's the roots - particularly the tips, other times it leaves or the bark, etc. The soil conditions it's grown in can have a dramatic effect as will when it's harvested as to it's potency. That's a lot to learn. To make matters worse, depending on your location, you will have to use the variant of the plant that is compatible to your locality. There is great variation. Also, some plants you might like to use or take for granted as being available from a health food store, just won't grow in your climate or at your elevation.

5) Most herbal medications are taken in a diluted form, but if concentrated could have adverse effects. Sometimes you want to concentrate them. This is usually done with a solvent. Water and alcohol being the most common, but more specialized and harder to get ones will be needed if you want to separate the active ingredient from it's neighbors.

In short, you will do best to rely on the most local information as you can get and need to learn about what's available in your area. Botanical Gardens often host classes or at least know locals with this knowledge and they would be good to get in contact with. They will also know about and probably have good texts with local information. You will do best by starting small, a few plants at a time, and really learning all you can about them.

-t

Another good text is: Understanding Pharmacology; a physiological approach, by Leilani Grajeda-Higley, as it breaks the subject down to nervous system, endocrine system and immune system, as opposed to the traditional approach that uses over 25 categories that include anatomic, disease, therapeutic, drug action, and hormonal headings and sub-headings... the latter approach gives students in medical fields headaches, while this approach makes it pretty simple and deals with how drugs effect the body.

Lastly, go here:

http://medtech.syrene.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14

and look at all the posts in that sub-form. There is a ton of useful info in there. The chapter on this in Survival and Austere Medicine that Goat Lady wrote is also excellent! This is a free download:

http://www.aussurvivalist.com/downloads/AM%20Final%202.pdf

-n

[acptulsa]

We should definitely merge threads more often than we do. Or look for old threads to bump before starting new ones.Some of them could become extremely useful that way.

[opal]

Can we include old wives tales that we've used and worked?
ok.. not gonna wait for an answer

bay leaf tea worked miracles for colic on my kid (30 years ago) I just boiled the crap out of a couple leaves.. let it cool and gave it to her in a bottle.. poof.. fart... slept like.. well a baby

*ducks the incoming rotten tomatoes*

[opal]

oH.. my bad.. I just noticed this was a dinosaur thread.. not gonna stop me though


snip

Rescue Remedy Tincture---Great for short or long-term anxiety, fear, shock, trauma...I always have mine in my purse.



that there.. great stuff - works on critters too - I have the spray also.... and it is in my purse too.

Aloe vera is great for lots of things, not just burns. It is soothing for all sorts of skin irritations and can be taken internally.