Some of my favorite remedies.

So why should you fill your medicine cabinet with my favorite remedies instead of drugs? Well, let's look at some of my favorites:

•  Garlic

"Medicinal properties of garlic have been widely known and used since ancient times till the present. Garlic enhances immune functions and has antibacterial, antifungal and antivirus activities. Modern science has shown that garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic, albeit broad-spectrum rather than targeted. The bacteria in the body do not appear to evolve resistance to the garlic as they do to many modern pharmaceutical antibiotics. This means that its positive health benefits can continue over time rather than helping to breed antibiotic resistant "superbugs".

 "Some people have suggested that organically grown garlic tends towards a higher sulphur level and hence greater benefit to health. Whether or not that is in fact the case, in my experience it certainly has the best taste. "
 Eve Juurik at http://www.TheSpringOfLife.net  gives this list of 
 Internal uses:  Garlic has been rightfully attributed with miraculous healing and health-giving powers.  It has been scientifically proven that garlic lowers the levels of cholesterol; strengthens the immune system; prevents arteriosclerosis; helps disintegrate bladder stone, kidney stone, and gallstone; purifies the blood; cuts the risk of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy; may help to boost the birth-weight of babies destined to be too small (when taken by pregnant mothers); and has strong antibiotic and antifungal properties.  Garlic is very useful in the relief of bronchial coughs, asthma, head colds, as a laxative, to prevent intestinal gas, and to improve mental outlook. It may help heal cancer and prevent it. 
External use:  Crushed garlic can be put on pimples, smallpox, and even on wounds to prevent infection and hasten healing.

Side-Effects

Even garlic isn't a perfect. Apart from garlic breath (which you can avoid in capsules, but I hear that takes away some of their effectiveness) there are other possible side effects, especially if used to excess. Use common sense and don't overdo it.

Raw garlic is very strong, so eating too much could produce problems, for example irritation of or even damage to the digestive tract.
There are a few people who are allergic to garlic. Symptoms of garlic allergy include skin rash, temperature and headaches. Also, garlic could potentially disrupt anti-coagulants, so it's best avoided before surgery.

• Lemons  

   "The medicinal value of the lemon is as follows: It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis [the presence of pathogenic bacteria] or putrefaction [decomposition of tissue]. It is also anti-scorbutic, a term meaning a remedy which will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities. "When life gives you a lemon... as the traditional saying goes, you're supposed to make lemonade. But perhaps, as modern research is proving... you should squeeze that lemon and mix it with six ounces of water.                                                                                                                       Lemon, when mixed with hot water, can cure nausea, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea,   worm infestations of the lower intestines, bloating, and belching. It also stimulates the liver to produce the correct amount of bile, which helps with digesting food. 

In acute cases, It can be used to break fevers (by encouraging the body to perspire), help treat malaria, menstrual cramps, UTI's ,Tonsillitis, sore throats, dizziness, headaches and high blood pressure. It is a nerve sedative. It also is good for the heart as it relieves palpitations. It even is said to help with hiccups!

Lemon juice can also help your health when used externally. When gently applied to the nostrils with a cotton ball, it can stop nosebleeds, (though it stings a little). Lemons also stop gum bleeding, reduce gum problems related to scurvy (a disease resulting from a vitamin C deficiency), clears acne and eczema, removes blackheads, lightens freckles, prevents sunburns, acts as an antiseptic when used on wounds, and minimizes wrinkles.

In addition to all these remedies, the scent of lemon has been found to calm anxieties, reduce nausea, clear the mind, center focus, help induce sleep and improve memory storage and recall.    

               Here are 13 amazing healing powers of lemons:

1. Bowel-Cleansing:  The bitter taste of lemon gives these fruit the ability to increase peristalsis–a pumping-motion in the bowels–which helps to eliminate waste from the bowels and improve regularity.  Add the juice of one lemon to warm water and drink first thing in the morning.
2. Cancer:  Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds, including limonene—a naturally-occurring oil that slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals.  Lemons also contain a substance called flavonol glycosides which stop cell division in cancer cells.
3. Colds and Flu:  Lemons are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids that work in conjunction for a serious punch against infection.
4. Liver:  Fresh lemon juice added to a large glass of water in the morning is a great liver detoxifier.
5. Nutrition:  Lemons contain vitamin C, citric acid, flavonoids, B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fiber.
6. Balances Body Chemistry:  While lemons are acidic they interact with the body’s metabolism to have an alkalizing effect on the bodily fluids helping to restore balance to the body’s pH.
7. Allergies and Asthma:  Lemons contain the phytonutrient hesperetin which has been shown in studies to alleviate allergic symptoms.
8. Brain and Nervous System Disorders:  Containing the potent phytonutrient tangeretin in the peel, lemons have been proven to be effective for brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
9. Eye Disorders:  Rutin, found in lemons, has been shown in research to improve the symptoms of eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy.
10. Anti-Viral:  In addition to being effective against cold and flu viruses, terpene limonoids found in lemons have proven anti-viral effects on other types of viruses.
11. Diabetes: In addition to improving eye problems linked with diabetes, lemons contain hesperetin which lowers blood sugar levels (when they are high).
12. Gall and Kidney Stones:  The citric acid found in lemon juice helps to dissolve gallstones, calcium deposits, and kidney stones.
13. Anti-Aging:  The vitamin C found in lemons helps to neutralize free radicals linked to aging and most types of disease.
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15. Not to mention the bleaching, cleaning, descaling, degreasing, polishing, refreshing, deodorizing, repelling and shining properties of lemons. . .
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17. Note of caution though, I've read that lemon wedges in restaurants are some of the germiest things around, due to them being commercially grown and the lack of washing them as well as the handlers often cross contaminating them with other food prep. They were tested to be comparable with public toilet seats! So in that case, their health benefits just might be a wash.

•  Epsom salts

Epsom Salts have been used for hundreds of years, and originate from Epsom in the south east of England. Epsom salts are comprised of magnesium and sulphates which can have some amazing benefits if you use them correctly. It is commonly administered via the intravenous route for the management of severe asthma attacks.  Magnesium sulfate can be used to treat eclampsia in pregnant women.  Magnesium sulfate can also delay labor in the case of premature labor, to delay preterm birth. (I've been able to try this with an irritable uterus and it also makes contractions more effective in real labor by relaxing the rest of the body.) Intravenous  Epsom salts may be able to prevent Cerebral palsy in preterm babies.
When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, is a natural emollient, exfoliator, and much more.

Relaxing and sedative bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of Epsom salt. Read more about the Amazing Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths

Foot soak: Soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry. 

Soak sprains and bruises: Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 1/2 - 2 cups Epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak. Less for children in small baths.

Splinter remover: Soak in epsom salt, it will draw out the splinter.

Face cleaner: To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.

Homemade skin mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. For normal to dry skin, mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. This simple honey face mask works wonders as well.

Skin exfoliator: Massage handfuls of epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face.

Remove excess oil from hair: Epsom salt soaks up excess oil from hair. Add 9 tablespoons of epsom salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair when it is dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse. For dryness, here’s how to Repair Your Hair with Olive Oil.

Remove hairspray: Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup epsom salt. Combine, cover and let set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and epsom salt. Warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Read more:http://www.care2.com/greenliving/use-epsom-salts-13-wonderful-ways.html#ixzz1yMfO84vH

• Baking soda

Uses: Alkalizes PH , detoxing, cleaning, deodorizer, key ingredient for homemade body products and healing remedy:
When ingested it relieves:

* upset stomach 
* heartburn
* acid indigestion

*UTI's 

When used as a paste it relieves:

* itching from insect bites

* pain and heals burns

* canker sores

* rashes

When used on the body, it is a great shampoo when a Tablespoon or two is mixed with a cup of warm shower water and rubbed in until it suds. (Use 1Tablespoon of Vinegar to a cup of water for a conditioner.) It is a main ingredient in lots of good homemade deodorant recipes as well. . .though the more you detox, the less you sweat and smell, and consequently need any deodorant.

Directions for internal dosing:

Add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon to 1/2 glass of water, milk or juice every 2 hours or so.
Dissolve completely
Take it only until your acute problem resolves, or your ph is neutralized.

Do not take more than the following amounts in 24 hours:

Seven 1/2 teaspoons
Three 1/2 teaspoons if you are over 60 years

Do not use the maximum dosage for more than 2 weeks. 

Warning: long term use of more baking SODA CAN DEPLETE THE BODY OF ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS, ESPECIALLY B VITAMINS, FOLIC ACID AND CHROMIUM!

Use 1-2 cups in bath water to soften water (by eliminating the chlorine and changing the ph,) detox, clean the skin, help the body absorb other minerals added to the water, as well as stop itching or heal rashes. There are some really good things that can knock out bugs by simply adding them to your bathwater. I will try to do a post on them all together in the future, but in the mean time, I will stop this here for now.

There are many more, but I have to stop this post somewhere! More to come later.