Best Herbal Remedies

**Admin** Fri May 10, 2013 5:39 pm

Aloe Vera for Burns

Keep a potted aloe on your kitchen sill; it requires no care beyond weekly watering. For minor burns, snip off a thick leaf and slit it open; scoop out the gel from the inner leaf and apply to the burn.

Black Cohosh for Menopause

Two black cohosh tablets twice a day.

Boswellia for Arthritis and Joint Injuries

Capsule or pill; typically 300 mg to 400 mg three times per day. Look for products with 60-percent boswellic acids, the active ingredient.

Chamomile for Digestive Problems

Drink tea three to four times a day, between meals. There are no limitations on duration of use. Allergic reactions are possible, especially if you’re sensitive to ragweed.

Chaste Tree Berry for Premenstrual Syndrome

The usual dose is 20 to 40 mg of the herb, or its equivalent.
If using a tincture, take 20 drops one or two times a day. Capsules or tea (one cup) may be used instead if it is more convenient.
Taking chasteberry shortly before bedtime may increase early morning melatonin secretion and improve sleep.
Chaste tree berry is slow acting. Two or three menstrual cycles, or a similar amount of time, may be needed to evaluate the effects.

Cranberry for Urinary-Tract Infection

Drink cranberry juice (50 milliliters a day), munch on the dried berries, or take two tablets three times a day.

Echinacea for Colds and Flu

Drink three to four cups of the tea daily. Tincture dosages vary, be certain to follow instructions on the label.
* Use with caution if you are allergic to ragweed. If you have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or a chronic infection such as HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, you should not use echinacea.

Evening Primrose Oil for Lowering Cholesterol OR for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The suggested dose for evening primrose oil starts at 1-gram gelcaps twice or three times a day. High cholesterol requires professional care, so consult your physician about GLA.

Feverfew for Migraine Prevention

Dosage is generally 50 to 150 mg per day of powdered leaves.

Flaxseed for Menopausal Discomfort OR for Osteoporosis

1.4 ounces per day, mixed into food or smoothie.

Garlic as an Antibiotic/Cancer Prevention OR for Cholesterol Control

Four raw cloves 3 times a day added to food.

Ginger for Motion Sickness OR Morning Sickness

Take a 1-gram capsule of powdered ginger root about an hour before you embark, and another every two hours or as needed (without exceeding 10 grams a day) or brew a tea using 2 teaspoons of freshly grated root per cup of boiling water.

Ginkgo for Mental Acuity OR Alzheimer’s Disease OR Libido Problems OR Altitude Sickness

Buy a standardized extract and take 120 to 240 mg a day.

Ginseng for Diabetes

Standard dosage is 100 or 200 mg a day. Diabetes requires professional treatment; consult your physician about ginseng.

Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction OR Low Sperm Count

Standard dosage is 4 grams a day.

Goldenseal for Digestive-Tract Infections

5-15 drops of the tincture, 3-5 times a day.

Hibiscus for Hypertension

Dose recommendations vary from about 1 teaspoon of dried “flowers” (technically, the calyxes surrounding the flowers) per cup of boiling water up to the 5 teaspoons used in one of the Mexican studies. Steep five to 10 minutes. If you have high blood pressure, you should own a home blood pressure monitor. Take readings before different doses and retest an hour later to see what works best for you

Horsetail for Skin Healing

Simple home remedy is to apply Horsetail extract paste onto the affected skin for at least 20 minutes 4-5 times a week. By drinking Horsetail tea, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity may delay the aging process by strengthening the connective tissues and may help relieve the inflamed and irritated skin. For acne, diluted and cold Horsetail tea can be used as a toner after washing the face every night. Simply dab a cotton swab into the diluted tea and apply it all over the face avoiding the eyes.

Lavender for Anxiety

Use a handful of lavender flowers, or buy lavender oil and add several drops to your bath. OR 3 tsp of lavender to one pot of tea.

Lemon Balm for Herpes

Drinking a cup of lemon balm tea several times daily. Allow the tea to steep in a covered teacup for 10 minutes to guarantee maximum effectiveness. You can also apply the tea directly to sores with a cotton ball. OR Take 2 or 3 ml of lemon balm tincture in water three times daily as soon as the herpes symptoms appear. Continue the dosage for a day or two after symptoms disappear to limit recurrence.

Licorice for Sore Throat

Drink licorice tea, 4 to 6 times a day for seven days. Add a teaspoon of chopped or powdered root to a beverage tea, and feel relief almost immediately.

Milk Thistle for Liver Health

There are standardized capsules that can be taken, the average daily dose is 12 to 15 grams which is the equilivant of 200 to 400 milligrams of silymarin. Capsules usually come in 150 mg or 200 mg dosages. There are no toxic effects reported and milk thistle is a safe additive to protect your liver and to help the regeneration of liver cells. If using a standardized 80% silymarin extract in pill form, a normal dose would be three to six capsules per day, taken with water before meals. OR If using a tincture of Milk Thistle seeds use 20 drops into a cup of hot tea or hot water and drink before meals, use up to four times a day. These doses help digestion and work slowly over a period of weeks and months to assist metabolic activity and stimulate the regenerative activity of the liver.
* Do not use if you are allergic to ragweed.

Peppermint for Indigestion OR Irritable Bowel Syndrome

To make peppermint tea, simply brew 1-2 tablespoons dried (or 3-4 tablespoons fresh) mint leaves per eight ounce cup of fresh boiling water. The stronger the tea, the more pronounced its beneficial effects on your digestion, so don't be afraid to make a dark brew! Sweeten with a little raw honey.

Red Pepper for Pain Relief

Capsaicin cream (0.025 - 0.075% capsaicin) may be applied directly to the affected area up to 4 times a day. Pain may slightly increase at first, but then may get better over the next few days. Capsaicin should be applied regularly several times a day. It usually takes 3 - 7 days before you notice substantial pain relief.
Don' t apply capsaicin cream to cracked skin or open wounds.

St. John’s Wort for Depression

For mild depression used 900 to 1,800 mg a day. Stomach upset is possible, and St. John’s wort interacts with many drugs, including possibly reducing the effectiveness of birth-control pills. Depression requires professional care; ask your physician about St. John’s wort.

Green Tea for Heart Health OR Cancer Prevention OR Bad Breath and Gum Disease

Drink four cups a day.

Tea Tree Oil for Athlete’s Foot OR Dandruff

Apply it with a Q-tip twice a day for Athlete's Foot.
Add a drop or two of tea tree oil each time you shampoo, for Dandruff.

Turmeric for Arthritis and Joint Injuries

One 300 mg capsule at each meal or at two of three meals per day.

Valerian for Insomnia

Make a tea by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. or 2 to 3 g of dried root and steep it for five to 10 minutes. OR If using a tincture, go for 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. of a mixture that is 1:5, or one part valerian root and five parts liquid, such as water or alcohol. OR You can also try taking 250 to 600 mg of dried valerian root in tablet or capsule form.

White Willow Bark for Back Pain

240 mg a day of willow bark. Like aspirin, willow bark can cause stomach distress, and it shouldn’t be given to children.