Jul 4, 2008 4:48 pm US/Eastern
Herbal Remedies Can Be Found In Kitchen Cabinet
(KDKA)
With the economy in turmoil, more and more people are now growing their own food at home.
But some are taking it another step forward and finding natural treatments you can make at home.
Experts say if you like the idea of herbal remedies, take a look inside your kitchen cabinet.
For summer colds and allergies, start with whole cloves and black peppercorn to make yogi tea. Cinnamon sticks could also be added. Continue with crushed cardamon seed and fresh ginger, boil the mixture for 30 minutes to 3 hours and add black tea last.
"Kitchen medicine is basically using whatever you have in your kitchen to help your family heal from self-limiting diseases," naturopathic physician Nancy Welliver said. "We've been doing it for centuries at least, if not for millennia."
Experts say ginger is good for digestive problems. To make ginger syrup, peel and slice the ginger and add sugar.
"You layer ginger, sugar, ginger, sugar, and kids really love this because you're actually doing something with sugar," Williver said.
After 12 to 18 hours, strain out the ginger and the syrup is ready to be given by the teaspoonful. Experts say this helps soothe stomach upset in children and nausea in pregnant women.
Also, experts add that homemade ginger ale can be made by adding mineral water in a one-to-one ratio.
Dr. Williver said you might not have to spend a lot of money on medicine when there are remedies right at home.
"We're spending money on things we could actually treat very easily and cheaply at home," Williver said.
And last but not least from the kitchen, there's even a home treatment for diarrhea. Experts say grind up dried bilberry or blueberry in a coffee grinder, add half a cup of honey and mix. It may do the trick, without ever running to the drug store.
Experts also suggest using packaged herbs within two years of purchase. A good test for freshness is to taste a small piece. If you can still taste the herb it has potency.
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