25 Nov Nature’s Medicine Cabinet
NATURAL REMEDIES FROM PLANTS
The medicinal benefits of plants have been recognized by older civilizations and other cultures for centuries. In the year 400BC, Hippocrates “the father of modern medicine” regularly prescribed Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with honey for a host of ailments! Turmeric, an Ayurvedic herb, has been long known in India as “holy powder.” Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known to man. And Garlic has been used medicinally for centuries.
In the West, however, we’re just beginning to understand and appreciate these gifts from Nature, and scientific research is now proving some of their benefits. For instance, Garlic is second only to Turmeric in the amount of proven health benefits. The National Cancer Institute recognizes Garlic as one of several vegetables with potential anticancer properties and it has been scientifically linked to reducing or helping prevent four of the major causes of death worldwide; heart disease, stroke, cancer and infections! Everyone should eat Garlic!
Following are examples of some common ailments and conditions along with a sampling of just some of the plants that offer healing benefits for each. Today, we all have access to an enormous amount of information that we can use to make conscious and responsible decisions about our own health and well-being. We encourage you to do the research — learn more about the wonderful gifts that are available to us from Nature’s Medicine Cabinet.
Antioxidants/Anti-aging
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Its antioxidant properties help slow the aging process. Add 1 to 2 TBSP to a cup of warm water with some lemon each morning.
- Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to a filter with your ground coffee. Add to steamed milk with honey and cocoa powder for a delicious latte. Enjoy a cup of TARA Ayurveda Vata or Pitta Organic Tea, both of which contain cinnamon.
- Turmeric – Its potent antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals while also stimulating the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. For a delicious Turmeric tea, heat 2 cup each coconut milk and water. Add 1 TBSP ghee, 1 TBSP honey and
1 tsp. Turmeric. Add Turmeric to food preparations such as scrambled eggs, soups, casseroles, etc. Commercial Turmeric teas and supplements are also available
Blood Sugar
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 2 TBSP in water before bed lowers blood sugar levels by morning!
- Garlic – consumed daily will help regulate blood sugar levels. Garlic’s medicinal value is best unlocked when eaten raw as cooking destroys the beneficial compound known as allicin. Chop 1-2 cloves of peeled raw garlic, let rest for 10 minutes, then add to salad dressings, cooked recipes, vegetables, grains and fish and meat dishes.
- Cinnamon – consumed regularly can help lower blood sugar levels
Blood Pressure
- Apple Cider Vinegar – the potassium in ACV balances the body’s sodium levels, which helps lower blood pressure
- Garlic consumed daily will help regulate blood pressure levels
Candida
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Helps eliminate candida overgrowth. ACV is fermented with a beneficial type of yeast which serves as a prebiotic, helping good bacteria to grow.
Cholesterol
- Apple Cider Vinegar increases good HDL Cholesterol.
- Garlic – consuming garlic on a daily basis, either raw or cooked, lowers cholesterol levels.
Colds/Congestion
- Garlic – 2 cloves raw or cooked garlic a day will help relieve cold symptoms while also building your immunity.
- Ginger – Ginger tea sipped throughout the day can help relieve cold and flu symptoms. For tea, steep ¼-1/2 tsp. dried ginger or simmer a few slices of fresh ginger root in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes. Strain, sweeten if desired and drink 1-2 times a day.
Detox
- Apple Cider Vinegar detoxifies the liver and improves lymphatic system function and circulation.
Digestion
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Improves digestion by stimulating digestive juices; also controls growth of unwanted yeast and bacteria.
- Garlic – Its high antibiotic properties keeps the digestive system clean by flushing toxins.
- Lemon – Ayurveda believes lemon stimulates your “agni” which jump starts the digestive system.
Ear Infections
- Garlic – Ear infections are usually viruses, making antibiotics ineffective. Instead put 2 drops of warm garlic oil (available at health stores) in affected ear twice daily.
Heartburn
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 tsp. in water will provide near instant relief from heartburn!
Immune Boost
- Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb and rejuvenating tonic that boosts immune health. To prepare a tea, simmer 1 tsp. dried herb in 1 cup water or milk, strain. Drink 1-2 times a day.
- Garlic – consuming garlic on a regular basis will boost the immune system.
Infection/Cuts & Wounds
- Turmeric – For minor or superficial cuts, mix ½ tsp. turmeric with few drops of water to make a paste and dab on cut or scrape.
Inflammation
- Calendula – will relieve inflammation in mouth, throat and stomach (see Mouthwash below).
- Garlic is an anti-inflammatory.
- Ashwagandha is an anti-inflammatory.
Menstrual Cramps
- Ginger – improves blood flow and reduces inflammation in muscles including those causing cramps. (See Ginger tea in Colds/Congestion above).
Mouthwash/Breath
- Calendula – To prepare tea that can also be used as mouthwash/gargle, pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 tsp. petals, steep 10 minutes and strain.
- Lemon – Drink lemon in water in the morning and after meals to freshen breath.
Nausea
- Ginger – Drink 1 or 2 cups of Ginger Tea daily (see Colds/Congestion). Freeze the tea in ice cube tray, chip cubes and suck chips throughout the day to soothe the stomach. Especially helpful during pregnancy.
Osteoporosis
- Apple Cider Vinegar helps prevent osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium. Add to water and drink with meals to maximize calcium intake.
pH Levels
A proper balance between acid and alkaline levels is essential to good health. Even the smallest change in pH levels can have
profound effects on the body and its functioning. Most people are more acidic than alkaline.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Add 1-2 TBSP. to water and drink daily to help maintain balance.
- Lemon – Drink Juice from ½ lemon and 1 tsp. Baking Soda daily to help maintain balance.
Skin Conditions
- Calendula – As a topical cream, it relieves rashes and skin irritations and can also help heal wounds. It is nourishing for general skin health. Treat your face to the soothing and hydrating benefits of TARA Skin Therapy Calendula Moisture Crème and Face Serum with Calendula.
- Garlic – consumed regularly will promote healthy skin from the inside out.
- Jojoba Oil – Closely resembles sebum, human skin oil, and helps balance oil production. Also rehydrates, moisturizes and provides a protective barrier to protect skin from the elements. TARA Organic Skin Therapy Facial Oils and Organic Ayurvedic Facial Oils contain a base of organic Jojoba Oil.
Sore Throat/Cough
- Cinnamon – For throat soother or cough, soak cinnamon sticks in cold water for several hours. Remove sticks and sip.
- Garlic – For sore throat, press 6 cloves of garlic into glass of warm water and gargle 2x/day for 3 days.
- Thyme – provides antispasmodic and antimicrobial benefits. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 TBSP. fresh or 1 tsp dried leaves, steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink 1/3 cup 3 times a day for relief from coughs, colds and congestion.
Splinters
- Garlic – place a piece of cut garlic over splinter and cover with bandage – the splinter will soon be gone!
AROMATHERAPY ESSENTIAL OIL REMEDIES
Essential Oils assist the body’s natural ability to balance and maintain itself. They can be used in a variety of ways to strengthen, tone and harmonize the body and the emotions as well as to address a specific symptom or condition.
Most all Oils included below are included in TARA’s 21 Single Note Essential Oil collection.
Topical Remedy
- Add 50-60 drops of Essential Oil to 1 oz. of unscented base oil. The anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory benefits of Tea Tree will help heal cuts, burns, blemishes and warts.
Compress
- Add 4 drops of Essential Oil to ½ pint of icy water for cold compress; near boiling water for hot compress. Soak cloth in
water, wring out and place over area of treatment. - Cedarwood, Juniper or Vetiver will help ease arthritis pain.
- Eucalyptus and Rosemary soothe sore muscles and ease joint pain.
- Chamomile and Lavender are effective for burns, wounds and blisters.
Therapeutic Bath
- Draw bath first. Add 10-20 drops of oil and agitate to disperse. Choose an Essential Oil that’s stimulating such as Peppermint or a relaxing Jasmine. To ease menopausal symptoms and balance hormones try Clary Sage or Geranium. Or, from our WELLNESS SOLUTIONS collection, choose one of our 6 Bath & Diffuser Oils and/or one of our therapeutic Bath Salts formulated for specific wellness results.
Inhalation
- Simply add a few drops of chosen Essential Oil to palms and inhale. Add 6-8 drops to a bowl of almost boiling water. Drape towel over bowl and head and inhale for 5 minutes.
- Eucalyptus is well known for its respiratory benefits and will ease coughs and colds. Cinnamon Leaf and Cypress will ease chest congestion.
- Lavender or Peppermint will help ease headaches.
Environmental Fragrancing
- Place several drops of undiluted Essential Oil in a diffuser to fragrance your environment or put 2-3 drops on a light bulb. The balancing, uplifting and anti-anxiety benefits of Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Pink Grapefruit and Patchouli make
- them all excellent choices.
For a mood elevator combine 3 drops Cinnamon Leaf Oil, 3 drops Bergamot and 3 drops Ylang Ylang in a diffuser.
Deepak Chopra’s Room Spray – To 4 oz. distilled water in a PET hard plastic spray bottle add 10 drops each Cinnamon Leaf, Rosemary, Lemon and Eucalyptus Essential Oils.
Gargles and Mouthwashes
- Add 2 tsp. baking soda, 2 drops each Tea Tree and Peppermint Essential Oils to ½ cup of distilled water.
- Add 1 to 2 drops of Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil to water and gargle.
Sleep Aid
- Put 3-4 drops of Essential Oil on a pillow or on a tissue to put under your pillow. Before getting into bed apply drops to bottom of your feet, your wrists and temples. Add several drops to an aromatherapy diffuser in your bedroom. Light Essential Oil candles in your living area or bedroom shorty before bedtime.
- Ylang Ylang or Vetiver will help counter insomnia.
- The calming, comforting and anti-anxiety qualities of Lavender or Chamomile will help prepare the way to slumber.
- Jasmine’s sedating and antispasmodic benefits help one fall asleep and stay asleep all night.
Facial Oil
- Add 10 drops Essential Oil to 1 oz. unscented base oil.
- Lemongrass helps support aging skin.
- Cedarwood addresses oily skin.
- Lavender, Rose and Sandalwood are soothing and hydrating for dry, sensitive skin.
Bergamot and Ylang Ylang are good for acne and congested skin.
Hair Oil
- Add 20 drops of Essential Oil (Rosemary is recommended) and 5 drops of Jojoba Oil to 2 oz. Unscented Body & Massage Oil or a vegetable oil. Massage into hair. Leave on for 1 hour, then shampoo and rinse.
Natural Perfume
- Apply drops of Jasmine Absolute or Rose Absolute to pulse points and behind ears. Try TARA’s Precious Oil, an easy to apply roll-on bottle, combining Rose, Neroli and Carrot Seed Essential Oils in organic Jojoba Oil.
Oil Your Body
Oiling your body after bath or shower with Essential Oils can help remedy common, every day concerns.
Add the below Essential Oils to 2 oz. of Unscented Lotion or Unscented Body & Massage Oil.
- To Boost the Immune System – 10 drops Tea Tree, 4 drops Eucalyptus, 6 drops Lemongrass.
- To Detoxify the Body – 5 drops Juniper, 5 drops Lavender, 3 drops Eucalyptus, 2 drops Geranium.
- To Rejuvenate – 10 drops Rosemary, 8 drops Juniper, 6 drops Peppermint, 6 drops Lavender.
For Stress Relief – 10 drops Lavender, 5 drops Geranium, 10 drops Sandalwood.
Note: For first time use of an essential oil, test for sensitivity by placing a few drops of diluted oil to skin on your inner arm. If irritation occurs, bathe area with cold water and do not use.