Propolis

bee Propolis

Propolis is  a bee product that bees use to protect the bee hive from infections whether viral, fungal or bacterial. It is a powerful natural product indeed and is now used by humans for various respiratory problems such as flu, chest infection, bronchitis and sore throat. When taken together with many conventional antibiotics it will enchance their efficacy in fighting infections.

Propolis can also be used in combination with other herbs such as elderflower and echinacea to protect and heal the body from various infections. It can be taken in the form of a tincture, capsules, tablets or as a spray. As as spray you can make it from the propolis tincture and spray the back of the throat. Due to its taste you may experience some stinging when you spray the back of the throat. The spray will deal with sore throats whether caused by bacteria or by viruses.

Dosage for Propolis

Take at least two tablets of propolis three times a day. In case of propolis tincture 4 drops three times a day will do. Two or three puffs for the propolis spray to the back of the throat.

Sore Throat Home Remedies

Before I present sore throat home remedies let me point out that sore throats are usually caused by viral infections. The sore throat infection usually results  in pain when swallowing food and the tonsils can turn red. When the tonsils become very enlarged due to the infection the condition is known as tonsillitis. Sore throat could be a complication of a cold. In some cases the lymph nodes in the neck may get enlarged. There some herbs that you can take to act as sore throat home remedies and these are wild garlic, wood avens, limeflower,mallow, silverweed, yarrow, shepherd's purse,wild thyme and cleavers.

How to cure Sore Throat Through Home Remedies

The strongest sore throat home remedy would be taking wild garlic leaves and bulbs at least three times a day. It can be taken on toast or honey as honey is also another good remedy for sore throat and other respiratory infections. Most people have reported benefits by taking eight cloves of garlic everyday.

Another remedy is elderberry tincture or syrup every two hours for eight doses, and then four times until better.

Some herbs such as limeflower and elecampane are known for their antiseptic properties and would be a good remedy against sore throats. The dosage would be to take a teaspoon of limeflower or elecampane honey every two hours until the infection goes.

To tone chronically enlarged tonsils one needs to gargle with silverweed, shepherd's purse or oak bark tincture or infusion. Another remedy for swollen glands is cleavers juice or tincture taken three times a day.

Other home remedies for Sore throat

WebMD website gives other home remedies for sore throats such as:-

Gargle warm salt water to reduce swelling and reduce the discomfort The warm salt water is composed of 1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8fl oz (240 ml). The warm salt water should be taken once each hour.

Taking other hot or warm fluids also help ensure that there is no dehydration as the fluids will thin secretions and soothe the throat

Smokers are also advised to stop smoking so that the sore throat is not made worse. Non smokers also need to avoid passive tobacco smoke.

Tormentil Potentilla erecta

Tormentil potentilla erecta is native to temperate regions of Asia and Europe. The parts of the Tormentil herb used for their medicinal purposes are the aerial parts and the root. Tormentil contains fifteen to twenty percent tannins, catechins, elligitamins and phlobaphene.

Medicinal Uses of Tormentil potentilla erecta

• Tormentil makes a perfect gargle for throat infections
• It is also an effetive mouthwash for curing oneself from mouth ulcers and infected gum.
• It can also be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcerative colitis and dysentry and rectal bleeding.
• When applied topically to help relieve oneself from haemorrhoids

Marjoram Herb Health Benefits

Marjoram whose scientific name is origanum majorana, Lamiaceae is a Mediterranean area indigenous tree that the Greeks and the Romans used as a symbol of happinness. The Romans made crowns of it for couples at their wedding. Ancient Greeks planted it on graves because they believed it brought joy to the dead. Aside from its medicinal use marjoram is used for its aromatic leaves and culinary purposes. 

The flowering leaves and tops of Marjoram are steam distilled to produce an essential oil that is yellowish in color (darkening to brown as it ages). It has many chemical components, some of which are borneol, camphor and pinene.

Medicinal Uses of Marjoram

• It helps in the treatment of coughs and colds especially when you drink marjoram tea.
• Marjoram tea is also helpful for those having problems in sleeping. 
• Helps to relieve indigestion
• Marjoram can also be used as a gargle for sore throats.
• Inhaling marjoram infused steam helps to clear catarrh
• An ointment made with marjoram eases aching and stiff muscles
• Good for baths and herbal pillows

Cure Yourself with Charcoal : Heal Yourself Naturally

When it comes to healing or curing yourself activated charcoal has few equals. When it comes to popularity it almost below all the natural remedies.  One health reformer in the 1800s even suggested a name change for people missing out on the benefits of this amazing natural remedy.

From the book God's Healing Way,  Dr. McNeilus MD, the author gives the following based on her experiences as  some of the ways you can cure or heal or treat yourself from various ailments using charcoal.

1. Nausea and vomiting

Charcoal is very effective for nausea and vomiting. Give the full adult dose 1 to 2 large spoonfuls in ½ glass of water each time vomiting occurs. (For a child use ½ the adult dose.) If the charcoal is vomited, give another dose immediately. Always follow the dose of charcoal with a full glass of water.

2. Intestinal gas or bloating

Charcoal relieves intestinal gas or bloating. Take 1 to 2 large spoonfuls of charcoal in 1/2 glass of water as needed to control symptoms. 

 3. Eye and ear infections

Infections of the eyes and ears can be treated with a charcoal poultice. Put the poultice over the infected eye or ear, and leave it in place for at least 4 hours or overnight. Applying heat to the poultice increases its effectiveness.

4. Skin and joint infections

 Infections of the skin and the joints can be treated with a charcoal poultice. Leave the poultice on for several hours or overnight.

5. Bee stings and spider bites

Directions for treating

• Submerge the bitten area in cool charcoal water for 30 minutes to one hour. Prepare the cool charcoal bath with 1/2 cup of charcoal in 8 liters (2 gallons) of water.
• After soaking in cool charcoal water, apply a charcoal poultice. 　

For single bee stings and inflamed mosquito, ant, or chigger bites, apply a charcoal poultice directly over the affected area. For severe allergic reactions to a bee sting, change the poultice every 10 minutes for one hour. Then leave a charcoal poultice in place for 8 hours or until pain and swelling are gone. multiple bee stings and venomous spider, scorpion, or insect bites are as follows:

6. Snake bites

If pain and swelling occur within 10 minutes of a poisonous snakebite, venom has entered the body. 

• Immediately wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and water. Submerge the bitten area in cool charcoal water for 30 minutes to one hour (1/2 cup of charcoal to 8 liters or 2 gallons of water).
•  Apply a very large charcoal poultice covering almost the entire extremity that has been bitten. Center the poultice directly over the bite. Keep the poultice moist by covering it with plastic. Remove the old poultice and place a new poultice over the snakebite every 10 to 15 minutes until swelling and pain are gone.
• Take charcoal powder by mouth as well. Take about 2 large spoonfuls in 1/2 glass of water every 2 hours for 3 doses, then 1 small spoonful every 4 hours for the next 24 hours. Each charcoal dose should be followed by 2 glasses of water. Immediately wash the area of the bite or sting thoroughly with soap and water

7. Jaundice in the newborn

If the newborn baby is very yellow, give a small spoonful of charcoal stirred in enough water to pass through a nipple every 2 to 3 hours. Place the undressed baby in the sunlight before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. (avoid hot, midday sun to prevent burning the skin). Cover the baby's eyes to protect them from the sun's rays. Continue treating the infant until the jaundice decreases or disappears.

8. Liver and kidney disease

Charcoal can benefit people with diseases of the liver and kidneys including liver or kidney failure. Give charcoal by mouth to help prevent toxins from accumulating in the body. Apply a large charcoal poultice to the mid-back for kidney disorders and to the abdomen for liver disorders.

9. Toothaches and gum infections

For gum infections, mix charcoal powder with enough water to make a paste. Brush the charcoal paste between the infected gums and the teeth. Leave the charcoal on the gums all night. Rinse the teeth and gums in the morning. For toothaches, spread the charcoal paste on a piece of gauze; roll up the gauze and place it between the cheek or tongue and the infected tooth.

On how to prepare a charcoal poultice see 'How to Prepare a Charcoal Poultice'