WINTER CURES

 

Two very important aspects to keep in mind when treating illnesses, are:

 

Any illness needs to be treated as soon as possible. Know yourself and your family, identify an illness and start treatment immediately. Even better, keep the body healthy and in good shape, in order to prevent illness.

 

Herbal medicine is the most natural way to treat illnesses. It does not cause imbalances in the body, does not have side-effects (sometimes there are contraindications). All the active ingredients within a plant works together in a holistic way to improve health & to enhance systems within the body.

 

A Few Interesting Herbs in more detail (In alphabetic order)

 

ECHINACEA

 

Echinacea is one of those herbs which proves wrong the thought of herbs taking longer to have an effect. Echinacea has an immediate effect. If the tincture, for instance, is taken as soon as the person feels ill, it can stop or shorten the period of illness.

 

Echinacea is my first choice in treating common ailments. It is one of the best immune-modulators available. Echinacea increases and strengthens the non-specific activity of the immune system. This implies that it increases the body's resistance to bacteria, viruses, fungal infections and any abnormal cell activity within the body.

 

Echinacea is effective in combination with other herbs, against respiratory infections, colds, flu, sinusitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, middle ear infection, and even pneumonia.

 

Echinacea can be used as a preventative medicine as well, but I prefer starting use as soon as an illness hits, making it very effective. Echinacea is not recommended for long term use, not because of side-effects, but because long term use makes its powerful influence on the immune system ineffective.

 

GARLIC & ONION

 

Both garlic and onion are natural antibiotics. They are immune-stimulant, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial. They are excellent expectorants and helpful in treating coughs and infections of the throat.

 

LEMON

 

Lemon is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and high in Vitamin C. It is a very important preventative cure. It is also an important herb used to maintain general health.

 

PARSLEY

 

Parsley is one of the most common herbs and also a very valuable plant in herbal medicine. Parsley is a multi-vitamin within a leaf. A half a cup of Parsley contains:

* More Vitamin C than two large oranges

* More beta carotene than two large carrots

* 20 times more iron than one serving of liver

* 10 times more Calcium than one cup of milk

(Herbal Teas for Healthy Living, Margaret Roberts)

 

THYME

 

Thyme is another amazing herb and for so many people this is a very common herb used for culinary purposes.

 

In combination with other herbs, Thyme is very effective against all respiratory ailments. Thyme can be used to treat and prevent asthma, especially in children. It has a therapeutic and anti-spasmodic effect on the lungs. This implies that during coughing, it also helps to lessen the spasms. Thyme is used to treat sore throat.

 

Winning Combinations

 

TEAS

 

Common Cold 1

 

One packet of Instant Honeyed Ginger Tea or quarter cup of Fresh Ginger

Rind & Juice of one Lemon

Pinch of Cayenne Pepper

Honey to taste (if preferred)

 

Common Cold 2

 

Juice of one Lemon

2.5ml Cinnamon

 

Cold/Flu/Sinusitis/Bronchitis/Pneumonia/Ear Infection

 

Mullein, Sweet Violet, Ginger & Thyme (Karen se Kruie Sinus & Griepteemengsel)

 

TINCTURES OR TEAS

 

Colds/Flu/Chest Ailments/Respiratory Ailments

 

Echinacea, Thyme & Elder Flower; Echinacea, Thyme, Sage &Liquorice/Elecampane/ Myrrh depending on cause & symptoms

 

Sore throat/Mouth infections/Tonsillitis

 

Echinacea, Sage or Thyme, Rosemary & Myrrh

 

CAPSULES/TABLETS

 

Aloe Ferox Winter Fighter

Do not forget to start with a good dose of Vitamin C as soon as illness strikes!

 

 

EXTERNAL REMEDIES

 

Tea Tree Oil, Karen se Kruie Sinus Gel, Treet-it Breathe Drop Spray and Vicks

Aloe Ferox Si-nose Drops & Winter Eeze

 

OTHER

 

Fever blisters

 

Internal remedies: Echinacea, St John's Wort & Lemon Balm

External: Karen se Kruie Bulbinella-Aloe Gel-Cream, Karen se Kruie infused Comfrey Oil, Tea Tree Oil

 

Chapped Lips

 

Karen se Kruie Lavender Lip Balm

 

Chapped Skin and Cracked Heels

 

Karen se Kruie Comfrey Healing Cream