10 Water-Based Home Remedies that Even
Doctors Use
Posted on February 26, 2014 by The Alternative Daily
When you hear the term
“home remedy,” do you conjure up images of your great grandmother with her
special mystery jar of black salve, or your mother chasing you around the
kitchen trying to get you to take her famous “anti cold” concoction that
smelled strangely like pungent spring grass?
While you may not have
ever known what your great grandmother or mother put in their home remedies,
somehow, miraculously, they seemed to work!
Of course, not all “home
remedies” hold the same value; some are just craziness. However, there is an
abundant supply of things found in nature that, when used responsibly, can do
therapeutic works of wonder.
Because we live in a culture that is quick
to demerit anything that does not have a price tag, home remedies are often
prematurely discredited and brushed aside for expensive, patented products. Our
reliance on pharmaceuticals is at an all time high, and this is coming at a
cost.
Consider
antibiotic use
According to the CDC,
more than 10 million courses of antibiotics are given each year for
non-infectious conditions. In addition, if you have been given a course of
antibiotics and do not finish it, you leave room for leftover bacteria in your
system to become resistant to future antibiotic use.
Prescription
drug use on the rise
A recent study found that 7 in 10
Americans are now on prescription drugs. Fifty percent of those on prescription
drugs are taking two drugs, while 20 percent are on five or more different
drugs.
With the constant
bombardment of commercials encouraging us all to check with our doctor to take
a new medication for every ailment under the sun, that figure is not all that
surprising.
Many doctors are quick
to pull out the prescription pad even if they don’t think that the patient
really needs it. One study found that more than half of physicians will
prescribe a specific brand or type of medication when asked for it.
While some medications
may help people live longer and improve lives, many hurt far more than they
help. There has been a long list of prescription drugs that were approved by
the FDA only to find out later that they were extremely dangerous, even deadly.
But…
some doctors do use home remedies
When it comes to home
remedies, many people are afraid to use even what seems to work because they
fear that their doctors would disapprove. However, many doctors embrace home
remedies and respect them as a valuable addition to conventional treaments.
We asked our in-house
expert, Dr. Joshua Levitt, what home remedies he embraces for his family. Dr.
Levitt is a naturopathic physician specializing in integrative medicine.
Dr. Levitt has great
respect for the therapeutic value of “water therapy,” which dates back to
ancient Egypt. The world’s oldest medical records make references to the
beneficial use of water in treating various conditions. Hippocrates, known as
the “father of modern medicine,” was the first to write on healing diseases using
water.
“When
pain seizes the side, either at the commencement or at a later stage, it will
not be improper to try to dissolve the pain by hot applications… A soft large
sponge, squeezed out of hot water and applied, forms a good application… A soft
fomentation like this soothes pains, even such as shoot to the clavicle. The
bath soothes the pain in the side, chest and back; concocts the sputa, promotes
expectoration, improves the respiration, and allays lassitude; for it soothes
the joints and the outer skin, and is diuretic, removes heaviness of the head,
and moistens the nose…. Such are the benefits to be derived from the bath.”
The following 10
water-based home remedies are recommended by our expert physician, who uses
them regularly for himself and his family:
Dr. Levitt notes that
his first defense against virtually all minor ailments starts with tea. For
sore throats he recommends a tea made with ginger, raw honey, lemon and
cayenne, and often adds Osha root, licorice and/or slippery elm.
Licorice root may just
be one of the most overlooked herbs when it comes to healing. This herb’s
mucus-producing properties result in a less sticky variety of mucus in the
bronchial passages, meaning it is easier to clear. Several cough syrups and
lozenges contain a percentage of the extract in their ingredients.
Osha root, also known as
bear root, is a native North American perennial herb that is a member of the
parsley family. Used for generations for a number of ailments, this root used
in tea can help loosen phlegm and numb a sore throat.
For nausea, Dr. Levitt
goes to ginger first. Ginger is packed with so many powerful compounds that it
should be considered a staple in any healthy diet. In fact, it offers so many
medicinal properties that some feel it should be a must in the medicine
cabinet, as well.
Compounds in ginger help to sustain
digestive enzymes, which neutralize acids, supporting the entire digestive
process. As a result, stomach discomforts such as nausea, gas, bloating,
diarrhea and constipation can be relieved.
A tea made from
peppermint, chamomile and fennel is just what the doctor ordered for
stomachaches, gas and bloating. For evening stress relief (which we all have
way too much of), a warm cup of passionflower,
chamomile, peppermint and catnip tea allows the cares of the day to melt away.
Baths
There is just something
about a warm bath that seems to make sick kids, and adults, feel better.
Probably one of the best known side effects of a warm bath is the way it
reduces overall tension in the body and mind. For an even more relaxing bath,
Dr. Levitt suggests adding a few drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender
has been proven to reduce the stress hormone cortisol.
Another great addition to
a warm bath is Epsom salt. When Epsom salt is dissolved
in warm water it is absorbed through the skin and can naturally replenish lost
magnesium. This magnesium helps the body produce serotonin, the mood elevating
chemical in the brain.
Possibly one of the best
first aid treatments for bruises, sprains and strains, ice can bring quick
relief and is a great way to reduce swelling and pain. Use ice for 15 minutes
each hour for the first 24 hours after an injury occurs.
If you have sustained an
injury to the bottom of your foot, try freezing a bottle of water and rolling
it on your foot. Dr. Levitt suggests freezing some water in a small paper cup
and peeling away the sides a bit at a time as the ice melts. A DIY gel pack can
be easily made by mixing 2 parts of water with one part of rubbing alcohol, and
freezing the mixture in a ziplock bag.
Gargles
Gargles, says Dr.
Levitt, are a valuable treatment for all kinds of mouth and throat conditions.
Gargling with salt water, diluted food-grade hydrogen peroxide, herbal
infusions or decoctions can help reduce the symptoms of sore throats,
tonsillitis, bad breath and irritation or inflammation of the tongue or gums.
A 2005 study done in Japan found that gargling
even with plain water during the cold season helped to prevent more upper
respiratory tract infections than gargling with a mild antiseptic mouthwash.
To gargle with salt
water, dissolve ½ teaspoon of sea salt in eight ounces of warm water. If you
can’t stand the taste of salty water, you can also gargle with water mixed with
a little lemon juice and honey. Gargle for twenty
seconds, spit out the gargle wash and rinse your mouth with fresh water. Repeat
as many times as needed for relief.
Steam
Nasal congestion, runny
or stuffy noses are a recipe for crankiness, and can severely interfere with
daily living. Dr. Levitt is a father and knows just how hard it is to keep his
kids happy when the sniffles hit his house. He finds that one of the best home
remedies for congested, runny or stuffy noses comes from an herb-infused steam
treatment.
Simply add thyme and/or
eucalyptus to water, cover it and bring it to a boil. Remove from the heat and
place in a shallow bowl. Place your face over the bowl and cover your head with
a towel. Breathe slowly and deeply; be careful not to get your face too close
to the water.
Eucalyptus oil is made
from the leaves and tops of the branches of the eucalyptus tree. The leaves
contain tannins, which are thought to reduce inflammation, plant-based
antioxidants, and volatile oils. Its medicinal values are many and include:
§ Analgesic –
Relieves pain
§ Antibacterial –
Kills bacteria
§ Anti-catarrhal –
Removes excess catarrhal (inflammation of the mucous membranes)
§ Anti-infectious – Fights infection
§ Anti-inflammatory – Reduces pain and inflammation
§ Antiviral –
Fights viral infections
§ Insecticidal –
Kills insects
§ Expectorant –
Relieves respiratory problems
Dr. Levitt also suggests
steam showers with the vent off and a cover over the top of the shower door.
Place a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl in the shower, and
enjoy the therapeutic armona.
For allergy and nasal or
sinus congestion, Dr. Levitt recommends a Neti Pot, also known as a nose bidet.
This ancient nasal irrigation tool is an inexpensive and effective way to
reduce nasal stuffiness.
Make saline by adding ¼
tsp finely ground salt and a pinch of baking soda to 1 cup warm water. There
are also several other nasal irrigation devices, including the simple saline
nasal spray.
Using
the pot
§ Tilt your head over the sink and place the spout in the upper
nostril.
§ Gently pour the water into your nostril.
§ The water will wash the nasal cavity and flow out the other
nostril.
§ Repeat with the other side.
Warning: Do not use tap water or any unsterilized form of liquid in
your Neti Pot. Be sure to clean your pot thoroughly after each use and allow it
to air dry.
Dr. Levitt admits that
even though they are kind of “old school,” hot water bottles can come in really
handy. Not only can this old fashioned method of keeping you warm help bring
comfort and promote stress reduction, it is also useful for muscle soreness,
cramps and back pain. Women who suffer from menstrual cramps will appreciate a
hot water bottle treatment.
Hot water bottles also
aid in digestion and can be your best friend if you come down with the flu.
Warm, moist heat is a natural therapy for arthritis, and is especially great
for stiff and sore hands. Young children who just don’t feel well will relax
and sleep well with a hot water bottle beside them. Now that hot water bottles
are experiencing a comeback of sorts, you can find them in all sorts of
whimsical colors and shapes.
Wet
socks
Although Dr. Levitt is
the first to admit it sounds crazy, wet socks are a great home remedy for both
colds and low grade fevers. The “wet sock treatment,” as it is commonly called,
is often prescribed by physicians at Bastyr Center for Natural Health, and
involves putting on ice-cold socks and actually sleeping in them. While it may
take you a little while to get over the chilliness of this suggestion, this low
cost, no side-effects home remedy actually seems to hold some real therapeutic
value.
Dr. Levitt tells us that
the wet sock treatment, also known as a “heating compress,” makes the body work
to heat up the cold, wet socks. When called to do this, the body immediately
increases blood circulation and decreases congestion in the upper respiratory
passages, head and throat.
The increase in
circulation also boosts the immune system, priming it for battle against
whatever is going on. Even though it seems like wearing wet socks to bed would
make you really uncomfortable, it actually tends to promote relaxation. This
treatment even seems to bring pain relief and facilitate healing during acute
infections.
Start the wet sock
treatment at the first sign of an illness, and repeat for three nights in a row
as a part of an overall healing regimen that includes hydration, great
nutrition and whole food supplements to boost the immune system.
How
to do it:
§ Soak a pair of thin socks in ice water and wring them out so
that they are not dripping.
§ Take a hot ten-minute bath, then place the cold socks on your
feet.
§ Cover the thin socks with thick, dry socks, preferably made
of wool.
§ Pull on some sweatpants or pajama bottoms and keep an extra
pair closeby.
§ In the night, you may wake in a cold sweat; if so, change
into some dry bottoms.
§ The socks will be dry in the morning.
Hot
compress
The use of hot
compresses for relief from a number of conditions including infections, boils,
styes and abscesses is nothing new – their use is noted throughout history. Hot
compresses relax muscles and tissues and are a useful application for joint and
nerve pain, as well as for muscle aches or injuries.
When applied to the
affected area, the heat causes an increase in blood circulation which
(depending on the injury) can reduce inflammation, relieve congestion and help
reduce pain.
Dr. Levitt suggests that
a compress using herbal teas may also prove beneficial, depending on the
condition being treated.
Make a tea with
essential oils or herbs and dip a clean, cotton cloth in the infusion. The
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Therapy suggests a mixture of
lavender, valerian and chamomile because of their relaxing, balancing and
soothing properties.
§ Fill a small bowl with very warm tap water.
§ Add 12 drops of organic essential oil.
§ Dip a clean and absorbent cloth in the infusion and wring it
out.
§ Place the cloth on the affected area for 10 minutes and
repeat as necessary for relief.
Contrast
hydrotherapy
To reduce pain and speed
healing, Dr. Levitt recommends alternating hot and cold therapy. Depending on
the nature and location of the pain, there are several ways to administer
contrast hydrotherapy.
You can immerse the
affected body part in bowls or buckets of water, apply hold and cold compresses
or take a hot/cold shower. For each method, do three minutes of hot therapy
followed by two minutes of cold therapy and repeat three times, ending on cold.
-The Alternative Daily
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