The Apothecary

Disclaimer

I have disclaimers on my website, herbal blog and every where I sell. But here's my general disclaimer and it applies to everything in life ...


Do the research yourself. Don't take any one persons word for anything, no matter how knowledgeable they seem. Doctors with years of experience make mistakes that cost lives. It's your body, (your home, your car, garden, etc etc etc) take responsibility for it.



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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High Blood Pressure, also known as Hypertension, affects millions of people all over the world. However, I believe that Americans may be at the top of the list. In my opinion, the two main factors in high blood pressure are, stress and diet.

Steps for lowering blood pressure naturally are as simple as ...
Quit smokingYoga (or some other form of exorcise)Meditation (or some form of relaxation)
Eat less salts
Limit alcohol use

There are several herbs which are often recommended for lowering high blood pressure but the only one I recommend is garlic. Simple, plain, versatile garlic. Garlic has been used for ages for everything from acne to intestinal parasites and, when taken daily, has been shown to reduce high blood pressure.

Medicinal doses of garlic vary depending on ailment but to lower blood pressure the equivalent of one tablespoon garlic powder (**never garlic salt) per day for 2 to 3 months, should significantly lower blood pressure.

Medicinal doses of garlic should not be used while pregnant altho eating garlic in foods should be safe. Also, large amounts of garlic can irritate the stomach and should be taken with care.

Foods that help lower blood pressure naturally are, most greens, potatoes, pumpkins, bananas, beans and broccoli. Eating red meat can cause or trigger high blood pressure so a vegetarian diet or eating lighter meats like poultry would be best.

Adding soy to your diet has been shown to lower blood pressure and has many other benefits including being believed to kill some bacteria in meats.

In the end, simple living and a more peaceful life is the best medicine for many ailments. A simple kindness to some other living thing has the powerful ability to strengthen overall health and promote feelings of well-being and worth. A peaceful walk each day can greatly improve health of mind, body and spirit.

Please be sure and consult your Care Provider :)

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Feverfew


Feverfew is a wonderful plant. It looks a lot like Chamomile and the two are often confused. it's easy to grow and grows well in most areas, up to zone 5, I believe. You can grow it in the ground or in a pot. it likes full sun but can burn if it's to hot and does best in partial shade in hotter areas.

Feverfew has a couple of extremely beneficial actions. It works much the same way as aspirin as a mild fever reducer and can help relieve inflammation. Because of these actions it makes a good gentle fever tonic and works very well for many people who suffer from Migraines and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Some people swear by eating a fresh leaf or two a day to keep migraines away but many people find that the harsh oils cause ulcers in the mouth. However, It can be easily dried and used in teas and compresses.

To dry, just cut off stems with leaves, rinse well in cool water and hang them to dry. when dry and brittle just crumble off the brittle leaves and that's your herb. Stems, leaves and flowers can be used.
You can add about a teaspoon of dry feverfew to a tea ball for a cup of tea. It mixes well with most other herbs and can be sweetened.

To make a compress, simply fill an open weave cloth (such as cheesecloth or gauze) with the dry herb, dampen with very cold water and apply to the painful areas of head or painful joints. You can also dampen then freeze for a cold compress or if you find heat more beneficial, dampen with warm water.

Please, always check with you Care Provider before using any medicinal. Feverfew should never be taken if pregnant or by anyone taking any sort of blood thinning medications.

Taking responsibility for your own health is a powerful step toward whole, natural health but please do so with common sense and remember to check everything with a health professional.

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Flu and What we do

To avoid illness ...

*Wash hands often, especially after returning home from town.
*Take extra Vitamin C (immune booster) vitamin E (antioxidants) vitamins B complex (stress management)
*Eat well and regularly. Eat plenty of raw foods, fruits, nuts, vegetables .... Less meats especially red meat.
*If you can use a Neti then do so when returning from public areas.
*Get enough fiber, it helps regulate and balance the system as well as moving toxins out.
*Keep hydrated, a dehydrated body is always more susceptible to illness and a weakened immune system.
*Sleep well. Everyone's body is different and there is no exact number, know your own body and get the sleep you need.


If we become ill and will not be seeing a doctor ...

*Continue vitamin intake and increase C
*Plenty of fluids.
*No dairy, which increases mucus.
*Eat often, sometimes many very small meals are better. A cup of soup and a few crackers ...
*Lots of sleep. The body can heal much faster with plenty of rest.
*Treat your symptoms with simples and single herbs when possible. like feverfew for fever and head aches, peppermint or ginger for stomach upset and nausea, honey for sore throats and sleep for body aches and pain.
*Continue treating yourself as if you're sick for 48 after you feel completely well. First, the illness can often still be spread to other folk. And Second, the immune system will have been weakened no matter what you took while ill and being exposed to any other illness in the first few days after recovering is dangerous.
*If you don't start feeling better within 48 hours then it should be treated with stronger medicinals such as Resurrection Tea which you can make yourself and have on hand.

I'm not suggesting that anyone not see a doctor at anytime. If you think you should then do it. This is just what we do.

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MRSA staph infection


I am not a doctor in any way. Even with natural medicines it's always best
to consult your caregiver :)

MRSA is a dangerous antibiotic resistant staph infection. It's contracted
and transmitted in several ways and can be carried by persons with no
symptoms or signs.

It's very difficult to recommend anything without knowing a lot more about
the individual. Things like age, general health, allergies, illnesses,
other medications are all very important and should be considered.

However, If I were treating myself, here's what I would do...

Echinacea taken internally, which can be gotten in capsules at most health
food stores, easily grown, harvested and dried or used fresh. Echinacea
purpurea (purple coneflower) grows wild in much of the US. never wildcraft on
roadsides (very toxic) and never kill what you wildcraft.

All parts are medicinal. It's a good, natural antibiotic that generally
works well when things are resistant to mainstream medicines. I would use a
heavy dose, at least the maximum advised on the container 4 times a day or a
strong tea/infusion of a teaspoon dried herb to 8 ounces of water (steep
covered 5 minutes or more) 4 to 6 times a day or what you care provider
advises for a full 10 days. Echinacea can be sweetened with honey but never
cane sugar. Echinacea should not be taken for more then 10 days in a row and
after 10 days it's best to wait 2 weeks before starting again so as not to
build up a resistance.

Your care provider will know best :)

Honey, can be used on open wounds and taken internally. I would suggest 2
tablespoons 3 times a day and if using on wounds, added two to three times
a day. Bacteria cannot live in honey.

Cleanliness is of the utmost importance, so clean regularly as prescribed
by the care providers.

Pau D'Arco taken internally, can also be gotten in capsules or order in
bulk. It strengthens the immune system and also kills some bacteria. 1 to 2
capsules a day or as directed, or 1 strong cup of tea per day made from 1
teaspoon dried herb. This can be mixed with the echinacea and sweetened with
honey.

You can also often find valuable help and information by talking to
pharmacists. Call your local pharmacy and see what they can advise. Never take
anyone's word as the absolute truth, We can only say what we believe to be
truth, each body is different and may act differently to different medicines,
natural or otherwise. Know your own body and take all else as well meaning
advice.

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