Natural Health

vanity ^ | March 19 2019 | little jeremiah

[little jeremiah]

Many FReepers have knowledge to share about improving and maintaining health and would like to share it and learn from others; and others may not know much yet but want to learn. Some of us don't have much money for good insurance or doctors, some want to try other methods besides prescription meds, and some have experience in treating and solving health problems.

More and more "regular" doctors have accepted treatment methods such as the benefits of acupuncture, massage for many conditions, better diet, use of herbs and so on. There are limits, and often side effects, to some standard medical efforts.

My field is Ayurvedic herbalism and related measures, and have a lot of information I can post when I have time. I have seen herbs and sometimes dietary changes help people (including myself) with issues such as rheumatoid arthritis, high BP, gallstones, kidneystones, repeated boils, UTIs, prostate problems, insomnia, allergies, urinary incontinence, and many more. I hope to learn a lot from others with their knowledge and experience.

There are many "old fashioned" home care methods that were in common use a few generations ago that actually work and are cheap, such as castor oil packs, fomentations using alternating hot and cold water, and the like, which are easy to do. I am sure there is a lot of knowledge here on Free Republic that can be shared.

I would like this thread to stay civil without distruption, so my request is that people who think natural health methods are bunkum, make your own thread.

[little jeremiah]

From the original post, please observe this:

I would like this thread to stay civil without distruption, so my request is that people who think natural health methods are bunkum, make your own thread.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Thanks, LJ!!!

[little jeremiah]

Pinging the list - freepmail to get on/off this ping list. I will be adding to this thread finally.

AHA!!! Finally wrote down my Cough Syrup recipe as best I could. This makes a LARGE amount as I do have some clients who like it plus I give it away. You can cut it way down and even skimp on some ingredients. It sounds complicated but if you make it once, it isn’t really hard. Just have all materials and utensils on hand. I have a giant hand whisk that works well.

Wild Cherry Bark Cough Syrup

This makes over about a gallon and a half of cough syrup To make a smaller amount, just reduce ingredients proportionately. The main ingredients are wild cherry bark, coltsfoot herb and ginger, and the other herb ingredients can vary, what you have on hand or can get easily. The alcohol percent is low and is added just to preserve it; this cough syrup can be safely taken by children and usually they like it. I have just a bit left in my fridge that is two years old and just as it was when I made it.

This cough syrup eases the cough reflex, helps loosen phlegm in the lungs and helps with expectoration. It also helps clear sinus and head congestion, and has antimicrobial properties as well.

Dose – one spoonful a few times a day as needed. Shake each time before use and store in a cool dark place, my cool dark pantry works well. If you cannot find ajwan and pippali just leave out. Pippali is very rejuvenating for the lungs. Always keep the lid on when bringing to a boil and simmering.

In a large pot put 6 quarts water and add:
1 pound wild cherry bark
1 cup each anise, fennel and ajwan (alt spelling ajwain) seeds
1/2 cup each whole black pepper and whole pippali

Soak overnight and in the morning bring to a boil, with the lid on, and simmer for 1/2 an hour.

Then add:
1 cup fresh ginger root chopped and peeled
1/2 # or at least 3-4 cups coltsfoot herb (cut/sifted)
1/2 c. cardamom seeds

Bring to a low boil, turn down and summer very slowly for 20 minutes. Cool to warm and strain. I use a cone shaper ricer with wooden tamper thing to press all the liquid out, this is sort of the hard part.

To this herb mixture add:

8 cups honey
1 c. food grade vegetable glycerine (I get mine at Starwest Botanicals)

Mix well, and when cool add:

1 cup grain alcohol (180 proof)
These essential oils:
1 t. Anise (unless you used anise seeds)
1 t. Eucalyptus
1/2 t. Thyme
1 t. Peppermint
1 t. Cardamom

Whisk very well and pour into jars with tight lids and store in a cool dark place. Essential oils don’t mix in that well so shake before use. After a while they seem to blend it better. I use mason canning jars.

[little jeremiah]

Pinging these names in case I had not added you to the list. Let me know if you got pinged twice and I’ll stop it. :-)

Cough Syrup recpie above.

[Rusty0604]

Thanks, that would make enough for an army! Would have to cut the recipe.

[little jeremiah]

Fortunately it stays good for a long time. It could be Christmas presents! (haha)

Since I buy herbs in bulk, I get wild cherry bark and coltsfoot by the pound. Coltsfoot is very light so a pound is HUGE. And I just remembered - years ago before I had “invented” this cough syrup, I had a bad cough which would NOT go away. So I made a big pot (two quarts maybe) of strong coltsfoot tea and drank a cup several times a day and in two days cough was gone. And it doesn’t taste bad either.

[Rusty0604]

Thanks.

[thinden]

Where do you source the cherry bark & coltsfoot

Sounds good

[goodnesswins]

Thank you...are all those ingredients easily available...online? Health food store?

[Faith]

Thanks for all the great information. Do you have suggestions for a person who is constantly needing to clear his throat?

[Freedom56v2]

Thank you for the recipe!

Did not know could use this regularly for sinus, congestion, etc....just thot it was very effective for bad cough!

I actually bought some a while ago—and I needed a Tablespoon full a few nights ago...Allergies :(

Worked like a charm, so I think I will make a batch.

Question: ow long does it last?

[little jeremiah]

This is a good place and I order most of my herbs here. Very high quality and excellent customer service.

https://www.starwest-botanicals.com/

[little jeremiah]

I forgot to add your name:

https://www.starwest-botanicals.com/

[Freedom56v2]

Thank you.

[little jeremiah]

In the fridge I have a small bit of 2 year old cough and it’s still perfectly good.

[little jeremiah]

I meant 2 year old cough syrup.

[Bob Ireland]

***Wild Cherry Bark Cough Syrup***

Wild cherry bark is a time tested remedy for coughs - with supportive ingredients, of course. In my youth there were many cough syrup formulas with the cherry bark base.

Then along came dextromethorphan, which works quite well for two or three days, then back to the start line. The other effective remedy is codeine, for those who have serious need or like opioids! (Watch out for constipation! :^} )

[Freedom56v2]

If I am not on ping, I would like to be...

[Freedom56v2]

LOL I did not think you had either a 2 year old or a cough in fridge ;)

[little jeremiah]

One time I had a bad cough that would NOT go away, until I could tell it was affecting my heart, and the upper middle of my chest was swelling up. I did not have this cough syrup then, and got an Rx for the codeine cough syrup. Worked like a charm, except for the affect on the innards...

Wild cherry bark, in case anyone is not familiar with it, does NOT taste sweet or like cherries; it is quite bitter like many barks. My cough syrup tastes pretty good though. Honey preserves it plus soothes the throat and even helps deliver the therapeutic effects. And helps with “patient compliance”.