Medicine from the Kitchen
Safe and Simple Remedies from the Kitchen for First Aid and Minor Ailments
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ATHLETES FOOT AND OTHER FUNGAL INFECTIONS: Fungal infections: most fungal infections grow in a circle and often itch. On the head there is often loss of hair. Fingernails and toenails become rough and thick. Often washing the infected part with soap and water two times a day is all that is needed. Keep the affected part dry, change socks and underwear often. Expose feet to sunlight daily. 1. Make a tea with garlic cloves: mash 3-6 cloves, pour 1 cup hot water over it and steep (let soak) 15-20 minutes. Pour into a warm foot bath, soak 15-20 minutes, do this nightly. 2. Licorice: (use real licorice not the candy gooey stuff), add the powder to the garlic footbath if desired. 3. Powdered marjoram: add to cornstarch and use as powder in socks, change socks 2-3 times a day and at bedtime. 4. Crush 3-6 garlic cloves, place in a jar, cover with olive oil, place in the sun or a warm place and steep for a week; apply to fungal areas three times a day. 5. Honey and garlic poultice to area 2-3 times a day. 6. Aloe Vera is soothing, apply after foot soak, air dry. 7. Vinegar to areas, do with sock changes. 8. This is what worked best for me when I had a ring worm infection on my hand. The infection was gone in just a few days: apply juice of lemon on the area 3-4 times a day. I also added a turmeric paste and covered the area with a band-aid. BACK ACHE, MUSCLE ACHES, AND SPRAINS Back ache and muscle aches: 1. Have on hand, cayenne, red chili, and sunflower or olive oil, apply to sore area. It may hurt for a minute, but then gives relieve for 6-8 hours. Be sure and wash hands after applying. 2. Cloves (or clove oil): this will help relieve pain in the area. Make a strong tea with the clove buds, dip wash cloth into warm liquid and apply. 3. Parsley is a mild anti-spasmodic, make tea from the dried plant or juice the fresh plant, drink 3 times a day. 4. Apply ice, or cold water compress for 15 minutes, then apply heat, alternate until pain and spasm relieved. 5. The Dineh (Navajo people) would heat a juniper branch, wrap it in deerskin or wool cloth, and place on sore area. 6. Celery seed teas calm and help relax, 1-2 cups a day. 7. Peppermint and thyme tea compresses, 2-3 times a day. 8. Try a relaxing hot bath with peppermint, thyme, or ginger, when my back was injured some years ago, I took a soak 2-3 times a day. 9. A compress of apple cider vinegar with salt added will help sore muscles, 2-3 times a day and add salt. Ankle Sprain: These are the most common injuries in America today. Without proper treatment you could face lifelong, chronic foot and ankle problems. A sprain occurs when you twist, turn, or roll your foot beyond its normal range. The ligaments are over stretched and may tear. Symptoms: bruising, tenderness, swelling, difficulty walking. SEEK MEDICAL HELP if there is severe pain, numbness in foot or ankle, or the foot cannot move or bear weight, is pale or bluish color, feels cool to touch, if you hear a crunching sound on movement, there may be a fracture, any deformity of the joint may indicate a fracture. If a sprain doesn’t improve in 72 hours of home treatment, SeeK A Medical Practitioner. CAUTION: If you have osteoporosis, diabetes, nerve damage, or are taking blood thinners (baby aspirin is a strong blood thinner, don’t be fooled by its name), seek professional help immediately. Depending on the severity of the strain you will be at rest for 1-3 weeks. Your health-care practitioner will determine the best schedule for you. REMEMBER, the choice is up to you: adhering to the rest period recommended or cope with chronic pain, decrease in activity, and increase in money spent to control symptoms. It is always better to prevent injury. See the index for exercises recommended by the American Academy of orthopedics. Simple Sprains: You don’t have to buy this R.I.C.E., just remember to use it: 1. REST: take weight off the ankle. 2. ICE: do this immediately to keep swelling down. Wrap ice in towel or washcloth, if no ice, use cold water compress. Apply to area, leave on for 15 minutes, and do this 4 times a day. If you are diabetic or have nerve or blood vessel damage, use a cold-water compress and remove after 10 minutes. 3. COMPRESSION: use an elastic wrap on ankle to support it and relieve swelling, but do not wrap too tightly and do not go to bed with it on. 3. ELEVATE: raise the foot to a level above your heart. 4. Anti-inflammatory: turmeric, basil, black pepper, cumin, and ginger—can be added to food, and eaten throughout the day. Ginger tea and green tea taste great and are stronger when used together. One can also take turmeric in capsules. A compress of apple cider vinegar and salt will help sore muscles; do this 2-3 times a day, before or after an icing. (For pain relief, see PAIN) What is the most important therapy??? REST! BLEEDING: This may be the most distressing thing to observe but the simplest to control. First, where is the bleeding? Is the bleeding from an artery or a vein? An artery rapidly spurts bright red blood and requires immediate medical attention. REMEMBER: almost all external bleeding can be stopped with pressure, even an amputation or partial amputation. 1. Hold direct pressure by hand over a dressing. This prevents loss of blood while allowing normal blood circulation. 2. Hold the pressure for 15 to 20 minutes; if you think you have held long enough, hold for 5 minutes longer. 3. Do not peek under dressing, this disturbs blood clots and prolongs the blood flow. 4. If blood soaks through the pad, do not remove the pad, simply add additional thick layers of cloth or dressings. 5. Unless there is evidence of a fracture, the hand, neck, arm or leg can be elevated above the heart. This uses Earth’s force of gravity to help reduce the loss of blood. 6. The pressure point method is used if direct pressure does not stop the bleeding. This technique stops circulation to the limbs and is held no longer than necessary to stop the bleeding. Continue the direct pressure and elevation. Reapply the use of the pressure point if bleeding recurs. Areas of the body where arteries pass close to the skin and over bones are called pressure points. Pressure applied at these points can inhibit or stop the flow of blood. The following illustration shows the pressure points. Be familiar with them before you have to use them. 7. The pressure dressing should not be so tight as to stop circulation. Observe frequently for blue fingertips and toes. If the victim is conscious, ask frequently if they have numbness or tingling in toes or fingers. 8. Observe frequently for signs of continuous bleeding—blood soaking through and dripping. Tourniquets are extremely dangerous and should only be applied when there is a life threatening hemorrhage, and should be applied only by a person experienced in the technique. REMEMBER, once it is applied you MUST seek care by a physician immediately. BOILS AND CARBUNCLES: Constant re-infection is a clue to reassess your lifestyle and diet. Something is affecting your immune system. Sores that do not heal and frequent infections can be signs of diabetes. 1. Wash area with vinegar and water. 2. White bread poultice; sprinkle a dash of cayenne or chili on bread, apply to boil 4-5 times a day; this usually opens and drains the boil. 3. After boil drains, wash with soap and water, apply antiseptic oils of: oregano, thyme, rosemary, or lavender to area with cotton ball and wear a dressing until drainage completely stops. Keep clean, change dressing in the morning and before bed. 4. Do not forget to WASH YOUR HANDS.
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About the Book
Jessie Emerson has been a practicing registered nurse since 1965. In the 1970’s she began studying herbal medicine, and in 1989 graduated as a certified clinical herbalist from Michael Moore’s Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. She is founder and owner of OSO Herbals and offers consultations, native medicinal plant tours. and work shops. Medicine From the Kitchen is Jessie’s personal collection of safe and simple remedies based on what can be found in the kitchen. It provides basic first aide and natural solutions for some of the most common injuries and minor ailments. The instructions are clear and concise. There are pages of lists and information to guide you.She lists both basic kitchen items and the essentials of a first aid kit. The list of spices includes medicinal uses. In the recipe section you can learn to make Rehydration, a fluid and electrolyte replacement, an isotonic eye wash or Bouquet Garni. One can tell she is a nurse by how many times she writes,”Wash your hands.” Jessie says,” I believe that we must know what to do in emergency situations, what to do where there is no doctor ( in that cabin deep in the Rocky Mountains) or until medical help is available. This little booklet can save lives and prevent suffering. Knowledge prevents panic and promotes calm during a crises. Learn how to make a compress before the need arises. It is my belief that being prepared, awake and aware is your best insurance. “ “This book is real practical with basic solutions anyone can use--you don’t have to have medical knowledge or degrees. The remedies are very simple using common ingredients that are easy to find. She brings back the “Old School Home Remedies” that parents and grandparents used to teach us. Don’t panic, read this book.” -David Sandoval, RN, New Mexico EMT intermediate and fire fighter “Reading and using Ms. Emerson’s book is a delight. The practicality and usefulness of this collection of remedies is wonderful. I loved the way the book is organized, the ease with which you can find the products needed and the simplicity in making the remedies themselves. Every family should have a copy at home, and for vacations. Great Work Jessie.” -Chris Darnielle RN, CRNA, ANP, BBA
About the Author
Jessie Emerson has been a practicing registered nurse since 1965. In the 1970’s she began to study holistic medicine. She was graduated in 1989 from Michael Moore’s Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. She is founder and owner of Oso Herbals and Oso Productions. She says, “It is my belief that we must know what to do where there is no doctor or what to do until medical help is available. “ Jessie lives near Santa FE, New Mexico. She offers consultations, native medicinal plant tours and work shops.