Natural Health

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.

In case anyone wants to locate Naturopathic doctors.

https://naturopathic.org/search/custom.asp?id=5613

American Association of
Naturopathic Physicians

This resource provides professional information and contact details for AANP members who have graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school recognized by the US Department of Education, passed a national competency exam, and hold a license in a jurisdiction. It is not an exhaustive list of all naturopathic doctors.

Search By Location
Use the “City & State” OR “ Zip code” filter to find naturopathic care near your home, work or where you are right now. If you find you are not getting a return of doctors from the search, try increasing the mile “Radius.”

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If you are looking for a doctor regarding specific conditions or treatment, you can filter by choosing “Practice Focus” and/or “Treatment Modalities.”

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If you are looking for doctors for virtual care/telemedicine ONLY, do not enter “City & State” or “Zip code”. Instead, ONLY choose “Offers Telemedicine”. You can further filter by choosing “Practice Focus” and/or “Treatment Modalities.”

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Pinging the list to home made tooth powder, and how to make simple herb tinctures.

This is my own invention, so the recipe is not carved in stone!

Tooth Powder
Green Clay powser 4 – 4 1/2 cups
Baking soda 1 cup
Salt 1/3 cup
Calcium carbonate 3 T
Trikatu 2 T
Peppermint powder 2 T
Neem 1 T.
Approximately 15-20 drops Peppermint EO

I whisk it well then put through fine stainless steel strainer to make sure it’s mixed very well. I sometimes use other powdered herbs like clove, fennel, cardamom, and then appropriate EOs. I always use the Trikatu and Neem since Ayurvedic tooth powder is supposed to have hot spicy and bitter tastes for tooth/gum health. They both are germ killers.

Calcium carbonate helps clean plus re-mineralizes teeth. If you can’t find peppermint powder no worry. You can also use rosemary powder or any of the other suggestions. Or, just leave those powdered herbs out if hard to find.

Trikatu - literally “Three hots” is a blend of ginger, black pepper and pippli (aka long pepper) powders. Neem powder is easier to come by, Amazon has everything.
I’ve made other flavors of tooth powder using clove and/or fennel; both the powders and a few drops of the essential oils. Moderation is key when using strong flavors (which are also useful, especially as they are bacteria killers) - you can always add more, but you can’t take it out! Neem is a super bacteria killer, tastes awful, but in the tooth powder it isn’t noticeable because of the other ingredients and peppermint oil.

I mix it all up in a stainless steel bowl, using a whisk, scattering drops of peppermint oil, then out through a fine strainer to make sure it is totally mixed. Since Trikatu is not easy to find, just use powdered ginger and fine black pepper.

I store in glass jars, I make a lot at once as I loathe toothpaste. I wet the toothbrush, then stick in the tooth powder, wet under the faucet, and brush as usual. Very refreshing and teeth feel very clean.

Green French clay:
https://www.herbco.com/p-436-green-clay.aspx

Neem powder:
https://www.herbco.com/p-615-neem-leaf-powder.aspx

Of course Amazon has everything, Trikatu:

https://www.amazon.com/HERBAL-BROTHERS-Trikatu-Churna-Powder/dp/B0F1KRCNYY/ref=sr_1_

Churna means powder. Trikatu has other uses; it can be added to any kind of tea (I drink about 3 cups of black tea a day and add several pinches of Trikatu) as it helps with digestion and metabolism. It can be used on food as well.

Tinctures - alcohol based herbal medicine. Some people use Vodka if they can’t be 180 proof, some states don’t allow. I buy “Clear Springs” 180 proof, and for tinctures 1/2 water and 1/2 180 proof. Vodka is 90 proof (iirc) so it can be used as is.

Whatever kind of herb you are using, best is fresh, not tried. Rip or cut up the herbs and stuff into a quart mason jar, or other glass jar that has a tight fitting lid. Pack the herbs but not as tight as humanly possible, you want some room. Fill with the vodka or or the 180 proof/water mix. Store in a dark place, shake every few days. There isn’t really a set time of how long to let it sit. I forgot about a quart of catnip for a year, and it was just fine.

I have made a LOT of catnip tincture - it’s all over the garden as it re-seeds easily, and it is extremely useful. For helping sleep, calming the nerves, stomach ache/colic (I’ve seen catnip tea work magic with a colicky baby), and also helpful with flu type symptoms.

Also made lemon balm tincture as it’s growing all over, it is also calming, and if anyone gets shingles, apply to the lesions for quick healing. Lemon balm is calming, and excellent for cold sores or herpes sores. Helps digestion. If anyone grows lemon balm, it’s also good to dry for a nice tea.

Last year I finally made Usnea tincture as it’s growing on a lot of trees around here, I’ve posted about its uses up the thread a ways.
I am NO expert, and have not made many other tinctures other than Lomatium, which is excellent for lungs and flu, and tastes HORRIBLE. It doesn’t grow around here, is a tough root, so I bought it to make tincture. I still have more than I can ever use up.

Prunella, aka Self-heal or Heal-all is another useful herb to tincture. It spread all over the garden so I have a lot of it. It is useful for flu or other types sickness; I think I posted about its many uses up the thread. When I had a “bad” tooth I applied prunella tincture with a tiny brush (and other measures) and was able to get rid of the infection or whatever it was and didn’t have to go to a dentist.
With flowering plants, best time to harvest for tinctures is as soon as they start flowering.

Dug this up about Prunella:

Prunella Vulgaris - Self Heal; Heal All
Instructions: Use 6-12 drops in juice or water, under the tongue or as desired. Dose can be increased in cases of infective illness. May be taken 3 times daily. Shake well. Store in cool dark place.

Useful for viral illnesses including flu and flu-like illness, along with other herbs. Considered to be anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, useful for fevers or other infective illness, can be applied to the skin for cold sores or herpes, wounds such as scratches or bites.

In The Herb Book, naturopathic doctor John Lust identifies self-heal as having the following properties:
• antispasmodic (relieves spasms)
• astringent (reduces secretions)
• bitter tonic (increases appetite and promotes digestion)
• diuretic (increases the flow of urine)
• styptic (stops bleeding)
• vermifuge (expels intestinal parasites)
• vulnerary (heals injuries)
Also, a study published in Virology Journal, in summarizing findings about Prunella vulgaris, stated that the herb has proven anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It has been shown to have pharmacological effects in vitro and in some animal models as an antioxidant, immune stimulant, viral replication inhibitor and an anti-inflammatory agent.
Self-Heal is a remarkable herb for inward wounds or ulcers in the body, and for bruises or falls and hurts. It is thought to be a potent antiviral agent and in laboratory tests it has shown great promise for possible use in herpes, HIV and AIDS. As an astringent, it has been effective in controlling both internal and external bleeding. It has an anti-bacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculi and other bacteria.

Used internally to stop hemorrhage, internal bleeding ulcers and excessive menstruation, and its gentle astringency also helps to control chronic and sudden diarrhea. Externally, it may be applied to relieve hemorrhoids and decrease the bleeding of wounds and cuts.

Self Heal is also considered to be an antibiotic and antiseptic and is used externally in gargles to relieve sore throat and ulcerated mouth, and to stopping infection from spreading, also speeding up the healing of wounds, cuts, bruises, burns, ulcers and sores, and is believed to reduce scarring.

It is reported to reduce lymphatic congestion and has been used to relieve swollen glands, mumps and mastitis. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it was used as a liver and gallbladder stimulant and was used to treat conjunctivitis, hypertension and headaches, fevers and other disorders and useful in the treatment of cancer with other herbs.

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