Summer is here and the first glimpse of people who are suffering from hay fever is upon us.

Every year hay fever sufferers have to go through mixed emotions of delight at seeing a sunny day and the upset of knowing they are going to suffer from the effects of hay fever.
Hay fever can mean a streaming nose, a wheezy chest, runny eyes and constant bouts of sneezing.

I have listed three different avenues of treatments to help people who suffer from this allergy:

It is easier to stay indoors early in the morning as the pollen count which triggers the allergy is higher in the morning.

Wash your hair and change your clothes regularly to stop pollen coming into the house when you have been out for the day.

Wear sunglasses which wrap themselves around the side of your eyes.

Herbal Remedies:

Herbal Remedies such as eyebright can help with the symptoms with of hay fever.

Goldenseal the herb is an anti inflammatory and astringent.

Nettles also have antihistamines properties and can be taken in the form of a tea.

Natural Remedies:

Eat fruit such as blackcurrants and rosehips which have bioflavenoids and natural antihastimines which can reduce inflammation.

Change black tea to green tea as this tea is full of powerful antioxidants which support the immune system.

Diabetes can be a worry and it is on the increase. There are two types of diabetes, type one and two. Type one is where the body is unable to produce insulin and type two is where the body is still producing insulin but not enough.

Doctors can help by prescribed medication and advising you of the foods you should or should not be eating. However there is a variety of natural herbs which can be an effective way of managing diabetes.

Karela or Bitter Gourd is a vegetable which is well known to help diabetes. If you find this vegetable too bitter then try drinking a tablespoonful every day. This bitter vegetable reduces a person’s level of sugar and urine.

Vitamin C in the form of Amla the herbal remedy is a good supplement to think about using. This herb is effective when mixed with bitter Gourd juice. Take the mixture on a regular basis for two months to allow the pancreas to improve by secreting insulin.

Fenugreek Seeds mixed with milk and drunk on a daily basis is another herbal remedy for you to think about using if the bitter gourd mixture is not for you. Use two teaspoonfuls of the seeds mixed with milk.

Caution: Keep your doctor informed of any Herbal Remedies you are taking.

There are different types of arthritis that can affect both the young and the old.

Arthritis is a disease which affects bones and joints:

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of this disease. The synovial membrane is attacked by immune cells. The effect is the joints lose their lubrication.

Tip: Selenium is a powerful anti-oxidant for this disease.

Osteoarthritis is another arthritis condition. Layers of protective cartilage which lines the mobile joints starts to crack and flake away. The bone ends then start to rub together which causes pain.

Tip: A herbal remedy such as Glucosamine Sulphate helps to repair cartilage.

Gout is thought to be connected to rich men. Uric acid crystals are deposited in a joint and it is usually detected in a person’s big toe.

Septic Arthritis is when bacteria or fungus affects the joints.

Tip: MSM has an anti-inflammatory action to reduce joint pain.

Reactive Arthritis follows infection such as salmonella. This can happen when antibodies are fighting an infection which is attacking the joints.

Omega-3 fish oils reduce inflammation.

Caution: Keep your doctor informed of any natural Herbal Remedies you are taking if you have been prescribed medication.

Bergamot is an essential oil which is good for treating depression due to it having an aroma which is considered subtle and uplifting.

The oil is a light green colour and is pressed from oranges which are bitter in taste and this gives the oil its unusual scent.

The Bergamot tree itself is part of the Rutacae family and can grow up to fifteen feet in height. Most of the trees were originally found in Asia. However they are now popular in parts of Italy.

Note: Bergamot essential oil is one of the magic ingredients which enhance the taste of Earl Grey tea.
This herbal remedy has properties which can help with fatigue, anxiety attacks, palpitations and depression in general.

Bergamot has a natural tendency to protect against a person who has trouble sleeping to a regular pattern. This is due to it having sedative properties.

Other ailments Bergamot can assist with are:

Indigestion and a lack of sleep.
Bulimia and anorexia.
Colic and flatulence.

Caution: always blend essential oils with a base carrier oil of almond or olive oil and never place essential oils directly on the skin.

Herbal Remedies are becoming more popular due to some prescribed medication being expensive with certain side effects.

There is no mystery in making herbal remedies, and it can fun for children to help under adult supervision. Over a period of time a families Home Remedies cupboard can become full of many natural cost effective treatments.

Minor ailments such as cuts, burns, insect bites and bruises are easily solved in the home.

Herbal plants and the essential oils have a big part to play in bringing back natural healing treatments for young and old people.

Herbal remedies by infusion:

The easiest way to treat an ailment such as a low immune system or colds and sore throats is by making an infusion of tea.

Simply choose a suitable herb and place in a mug or a cup. Add boiling hot water. Leave to steep for five minutes and strain before sipping slowly.

Tip: Make a large amount and keep some for another day. Do not leave more than forty eight hours as the liquid will not be fresh enough to continue to be used as a medication.

Caution: Always make sure you do some research and use the correct herb in your recipe.

Listed below are three of the Herbal Remedies and uses from an official herbal directory which can be incorporated into a persons Home Remedies cupboard.

Marigold or Calendula officinalis:

The marigold or pot marigold is a low growing plant that has bright and cheerful golden orange petals.

This herbal plant has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties and is an ingredient in many creams or ointments.

It is beneficial for stings, burns, eczema, sunburn and bites.
Tip: Can be used as an infusion for tired skin.

Safflower or Carthamus tinctorius:

This hardy plant has flowers which are red and yellow and the leaves are long.

You can make an infusion of tea from the dried flowers. This will help to reduce a fever by making a person perspire. However it is also has laxative properties.

This herbal plant will sooth inflamed skin irritations.

Caution: Do not use if you think you may be pregnant.

Holy Thistle or Cnisus benedictus:

This annual herbal plant has red hairy stems with spiny leaves and yellow flowers. The leaves and the tops are used for their antibiotic qualities.

When infused and taken in the form of a tea this herbal plant is known to help fever and unsettled stomachs.

An abcess is an inflamed swelling which contains pus; they can be on the inside or outside of a person’s skin.

I have listed below a recipe which involves the use of the herb plant Marshmallow (which has no connection to marshmallow the sweet).

Ingredients for a Marshmallow poultice:

Two handfuls of leaves off the herb known as marshmallow.

Or half a teaspoonful of marshmallow root (powdered).

Half a cupful of boiling hot water.

Almond oil or olive oil.

Method:

Pour the boiling hot water over the leaves in a bowl and if you are using powdered root mix to a paste.

Apply a little oil to the skin in the affected area. (it is very important that the poultice is not able to stick to your skin).

Place the marshmallow leaves or the paste on the abscess.

Cover with strips of cotton or gauze, lint or muslin.

Hold in position with tape or a safety pin.

Leave for few hours, this may need replacing every now and then.

Note: the poultice may feel damp and uncomfortable at first but the feeling will pass.

Warning: Consult your doctor at all times. Do a test patch to check for allergies. Herbal Remedies can not take the place of any prescribed medication.

Aromas and scents have the power to produce emotional reactions. A distinctive smell can make a person remember things from the past. Some times the memory may not be a pleasant one, but it does provoke the mind.

Different essential oils have different effects. For example, Lavender and Chamomile are well known to have a sedative effect whereas Rosemary and Geranium essential oils are good to uplift a person.

Aromatherapy became popular through the perfume industry. The perfume industry uses the essential oils from distillation and the scents and aromas can be used on their own or in combination with other oils.

A balanced scent from a blend of different oils is enjoyable and can have a great therapeutic effect.

Note:
Once diluted with a base carrier oil their shelf life can be short.

Body massage combined with experience and knowledge of physiology can be used to enhance healing for colds, painful joints and diseases.

Tip:
Aromatherapy Oils are a natural and volatile substance. These substances have healing properties with scents and aromas that are powerful. You should always research the essential oil which could work for you.

If you start to use Aromatherapy Oils as a healing treatment, beauty therapy or in the home it can be cost effective.

Choosing the correct essential oil will help in any of the above situations. Make sure the oils are labelled correctly and the liquid is in dark brown bottles. Check for cracks in the bottle.

It is important to research which aromatherapy oil will benefit a healing treatment whether it is a calming effect required or an essential oil for massage.

An aromatherapist will use essential oils as a massage for calming mind and body. However this knowledge is attainable for a person to use in their home.

Tips:

Place a couple of drops of your chosen essential oil in bath water to aid restful sleep.

Lavender or Chamomile essential oil is popular.

To clear a sinus problem or a headache place a couple of drops of oil on to a handkerchief to send out the aromas.

Eucalyptus essential oil.

Spraying a mix of aromatherapy oil with distilled water can freshen up a room can change the mood of a room.

Rose and distilled water has a light scent. Sandalwood has an earthier aroma.

Caution: Do not use aromatherapy oils directly on skin tissue. Check for allergies by doing a patch test.

Coughs are a sign that there is a problem starting with mucus or a foreign bacteria and it is your body’s way of attracting your attention to this fact.

When you have a problem with a cough you can find your breathing is a little congested. Some of other causes can be smoking, weather, dust allergy and asthma.

Tip: There are two types of cough. One is a dry cough and the other a productive one. A dry cough produces mucus and the productive cough has no mucus.

Recipes

Cut a lemon and sprinkle black pepper and salt over half. Suck the half of the lemon to reduce the cough.

Take a teaspoonful of honey and add brown pepper to consume on a daily basis.

Squeeze an onion and add to a little honey. Consume daily until the cough is reduced.

Herbal Remedy

Ginger the herbal plant is an herbal remedy which can be used to help with coughs.

Use a mix of ginger with a little black pepper.

Add three tablespoonfuls of water with the same amount of honey and vinegar.

Mixed together the liquid will need consuming three times a day until the cough disappears.