Here we are welcoming another month. Seems like just yesterday that snow was flying and the pellet stove was constantly running to keep the house warm. Then again… it still hasn’t been too warm this spring. Our temps here in Arizona’s White Mountains are still dipping down to freezing on occasion. So while I’m anxious to get my garden started, I’m afraid this year will be like the last in that our growing season is incredibly short.
However, in most (some?) areas around the country, spring is really in full bloom and everyone is spending a lot more time outdoors. I thought this would be a great time to share some natural remedy recipes. These ideas will help you plan what to grow in your herb garden and be handy to have around when the kids suffer from minor scrapes and burns and such.
Aloe Vera: Break off a piece of a leaf and use the gel to soothe minor burns, sunburns, and wounds. Drink a teaspoon of food grade aloe vera (kept in the refrigerator) to relieve hot flashes.
Black tea: Does anyone in your family participate in sports? If their feet are sweaty and smelly, have them soak their tootsies in full-strength black tea to eliminate odor. How it works: the tannic acid neutralizes odors.
Ginger: Before you pack the kids into the car for the long drive starting your summer vacation, have them chew on a bit of candied ginger and keep this treat handy throughout the trip. Ginger very effectively relieves the nausea from motion sickness. By the way, ginger ale these days usually doesn’t have any real ginger in it so that’s not a good substitute for the real thing.
For a sore throat, make a juice with a ¼ inch slice of fresh ginger and three rings of pineapple. Drink this anti-inflammatory cocktail for relief of a sore throat.
Meat Tenderizer: To treat a bee sting or bug bite, mix powdered meat tenderizer (unseasoned) with enough water to form a paste. Spread the paste over the affected area. How it works: the meat tenderizer quickly breaks down protein-based venom.
Vinegar: Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water and drink to alleviate leg cramps (this provides potassium, a lack of which is often the cause of leg cramps).
For bruises, make compress from a washcloth dipped in equal parts cool water and apple cider vinegar plus a few drops of lavender oil. Apply the compress to relieve heat and swelling.
This isn’t a comprehensive list of all natural remedies I’ve got in my recipe book, but it’s a good start – and should put you in good stead when someone in your family experiences a minor summer injury.
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