Summer is on its way and if you are off to sunny climates then the recipe below may be handy if you are prone to severe sunburn.

This recipe is a soothing after sun oil:

• Combine five drops of Rose essential oil and Chamomile oil
• Add three tablespoonfuls of Grape seed oil, Virgin oil and one of Wheat germ oil
• Mix all the liquids together and massage gently into the burn

A soothing moisturising ointment for burns:

• You need seven ounce of petroleum jelly and eight or nine marigold flower heads
• Chop the heads up
• Place the jelly into a bowl and place the bowl over a pan of boiling hot water
• Add the chopped flowers and stir gently
• Leave to heat through over the simmering water for one hour

Method:

• Strain the mixture through muslin which has been secured to the rim of a jug with a rubber band
• Pour the liquid into a glass jar and leave it to cool and set. Place in a fridge

Caution: make sue the liquid does not dry itself out.

Herbal plants which have flowers sprouting all over them can be used to make flower essences which can be taken internally. It is possible to make your own flower essences and use them with the help of a small dropper bottle.

Taking essences:

In the morning or at night is the best time to take the herbal essences when your body’s system is clearer. Do not be tempted to take a double dose if you forget one day as it will not help as a catch up.

Pour some spring water nearly up to the top of a bottle. Add one teaspoonful of brandy. Use cider vinegar if you do not want to use alcohol.

Add two drops of each of the essences you have chosen to the liquid mixture. To mix the liquid you have to bang the bottom of the bottle gently.

Take three or four drops of the essence usually three times a day on a regular basis. Stop for a week and make a new bottle with different essences.

This mix may be taken in water if preferred and sip it through the day.

Caution: Do not use more than four essences in one mix.

Most of the problems with chesty conditions are helped by a change of diet, more exercise and in some cases a complete overall of how you look at your lifestyle.

The respiratory tract the covers eyes, nose, sinuses, throat and airways of a person’s body.

A simple change of diet by avoiding mucus forming foods such as dairy products and cereals can help. You could also cut out milk.

Try a fruit juice or eating fruit for your breakfast to start your day.

Tips:

Sinusitis is when the air spaces around the skull and eyes are blocked. The mucous membrane linings become infected with having a cold or cough. Try inhalation of essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Tee tree oil or Lavender.

Coughs can be a constant nuisance due to the airways being blocked and an automatic action is to cough. Try coughing gently with no strain but do not try to keep a tickly cough suppressed as it can do more harm than good.

Colds are the most difficult to treat as the cold needs to run its own course. To help to reduce this viral infection you need plenty of fruit, Vitamin C supplement and drink lots of fluids.

Herbal Remedies can help. Make a hot infusion of Elderflower, Yarrow and Peppermint and sip before bedtime to raise your temperature and sweat out the cold.

Warning: if the symptoms persist then see your doctor for further advice.

Earache is a problem which causes discomfort and pain at any time day or night. Earache may start due to infection, often after having a cold, or sinusitis.

It is important you do not ignore the pain in the hope it may go away, as it could become serious. Catarrh is also associated with a painful ear problem and this will need healing treatment as well.

Children who complain of earache should be taken to see their doctor immediately, as it may be the inner ear which holds the infection.

Do not place anything in the ear until a doctor has seen the cause of the pain and given you instruction or medication.

Herbal Remedies are available which can act as an anti-inflammatory.

Chamomile the herb can be made into an infusion or compress. Place a little on a cotton bud and dab gently on the outside of the ear.

Crush a little garlic and warm it up with a little olive oil and gently put a couple of drops in the ear. Garlic is an antibiotic.

Warning: do not place anything in the inner ear as it may cause a perforated ear drum.

Angelica (Angelica archangelica) the herb has a reputation for healing bruises on the inside and outside of the body.

This herbal product is found mainly in Europe and can treat colds, coughs and indigestion. If you suffer from a chest complaint then try this herbal remedy to ease the congestion.

The people of China use Herbal Remedies to help with female fertility problems.

The herbal plant itself looks like a tall and wide fern, with a trail of white flowers all over it. It was mostly found in Russia or Iceland in years gone by, now it is grown in Germany, Hungary and Belgium.

Angelica essential oil has properties which heal conditions such as psoriasis, irritated skin problems, coughs, colds, migraine, stress, indigestion, gout and anaemia.

Angelica is also used as an ingredient in lozenges, soap and as a flavouring agent in some drinks.

Tip: place some angelica leaves in a bowl of distilled water, leave to steep and then use as a healing rinse-water for a skin problem.

Warning: Do not use it if you are pregnant and be careful if using angelica root oil, as it is phototoxic.
Do some research on the herb if you are unsure of its potential.

Aromatherapy Oils can affect our limbic system, our emotions and if used correctly, as a healing treatment. They can bring a reduction in stress and anxiety to a person’s mind and body.

Using Aromatherapy as a healing treatment by inhalation is a simple and effect way of achieving results and can take place in the home environment on a regular basis.

One of the easiest methods for inhalation is by adding a couple of drops of essential oil to the corner of a handkerchief and sniffing the scent and aroma. If you are suffering from a sore nose you can leave a treated tissue nearby on your desk, which will send out an aroma.

Essential oils which will bring a great deal of relief are Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Clary and Sage.

Recipe for smelling salts:

Add a couple of drop of essential oil of your choice to some sea salt. Pour the mix into a dark brown bottle and make sure the stopper is on tightly. This mixture can be used by inhalation as and when required.

Tip: Do not make the salt too wet.

Other mixes of oils to use are: two drops of bergamot oil, three drops of rosemary, two drop of lemon and a couple of drops of Lavender essential oil.

A person who suffers from distaste of tongue has a problem identifying different tastes and which belongs to what foods, as they all taste the same.

When foods taste the same then it can become a chronic disease as it causes a person to lose interest in food in general. When a person loses interest in food it causes an enormous problem with their health and can weaken the body.

A general idea to look for symptom-wise is a tongue that has a white coating over the main area. A metallic or bitter taste will remain in your mouth, whatever food you eat and you will experience a loss of appetite.

There are Herbal Remedies which can be used alongside prescribed medications:

Methods

Take some lemon juice and mix it with ginger paste and consume a small amount at one time.

Rinsing the mouth frequently with lemon and water will help a person to have a general taste and bring back an appetite.

Try gargling with ginger juice with added black pepper in it three or four times daily to help the taste buds start working again.

The popular herb cinnamon can be ground into a powder and mixed with some honey. Rub the mix onto the tongue and apply for at least four days on a regular basis.

Chinese and Indian Practitioners have sowed Ginko Biloba seeds for thousands of years and have studied the healing effect this herbal plant can bring to asthmas sufferers.

The Chinese call the seeds bai gou; they are said to reduce the thick phlegm which causes congestion, leaving the kidneys to do their job.

Other Herbal Remedies which are popular are Liquorice root and Ivy. Home Remedies which have been clinically tested are onions and bee pollen.

There has been many studies done in China regarding herbs called Saiboku and it showed a positive response after treatment was given to patients over a period of four weeks.

Many asthmatic people use herbal remedies and prescribed medication as a way of combining both modern and old healing techniques.

It is up to each person to decide if they want to use herbal remedies. However it is advisable to keep your doctor informed at all times of all medication. Children must not use herbal remedies unless approved by their doctor.

Warning: Asthma can become a chronic condition and herbal remedies are not a replacement for any prescribed medication.

Bladder infections can cause a great deal of distress to both adults and children.

There are prescribed medications available from your doctor and over the counter products are also available.

Herbal Remedies are a natural product found in woods and hedgerows.

Listed below are some of the herbs which can be of benefit; you can add them to your Home Remedies cupboard:

• Bearberry is a mild diuretic and antiseptic herb
• Butchers broom reduces urine retention
• Buchu can bring relief to the burning sensation caused by infection
• Cornsilk the herb soothes irritation and acts as a diuretic
• Cranberry can be bought in the form of a drink or herb and is useful in protection against bacteria
• Hydrangea stimulates and cleans out the kidneys
• Marshmallow increases the acid in the urine which prevents bacteria

Note: essential oils have powerful antiseptic properties and can be used early on if you are suffering from cystitis. Add ten drops of Chamomile or Sandalwood essential oil to your bathwater just before you get in.

Caution: Reduce the drops of oil to five for children aged twelve to seventeen and even less if your child is under twelve years old. Younger children should see a doctor straight away.

Soya candles can be bought in the marketplace and some have Aromatherapy Oils in them as part of their ingredients. To achieve the best results they can be used for meditation, in beauty spas and the home envoronment.

The new soya candles made from the soya bean are more versatile, with no parrafin metal, cotton wicks or toxins. They are cleaner than the old candles, due to no soot being left behind after burning.

Essential oils such as Rose and Jasmine, or Lemon citrus oil, all contribute to delightful scents or aromas which can brighten up any room.

A gorgeous ‘chocolate’ fragrance is considered to be one of the most expensive essential oils in the world.

Practitioners and therapists use candles in their practices to bring calmness to a stressful mind and physical body.

Tip: add a couple of drops of aromatherapy oil to your bath water and light up soya candles in the bathroom and enjoy a relaxing home treatment.

Warning: Do not use essential oils directly on your skin and do not leave candles unattended.