Mama's Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living (20 page)

According to the American Council for Headache Education in Mount Royal, New Jersey, emotional stress can trigger or worsen some types of headaches including tension headaches and migraines. To avoid stress-related 132 ^ Mama’s Home Remedies

headaches, work on eliminating as much stress as you can. How? Doctors suggest exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, allowing time for relaxation and hobbies, getting massages, and practicing meditation.

Headache sometimes accompanies diseases of internal organs, poisoning, infections, and nervous and mental disorders. It can also be provoked by poor blood circulation in the brain (migraine), by increase in blood pressure (hypertension), or by a surplus or blood stagnation in the vessels or an accumulation of products in the blood, which can upset the metabolism. It is important to learn to recognize the causes of frequent headaches.

“Tension-type headaches are the most common, affecting upwards of 75 percent of all headache sufferers. TensionRemember: type headaches are typically a steady ache rather

than a throbbing one and affect both sides of

The following advice

the head. Some people get tension-type (and

is garnered both from

migraine) headaches in response to stressful

the scientific field and

events or a hectic day.”23

people’s medicine, or folk

medicine. The treatments

FACTS

may be useful in the

Migraine headaches are less common

treatment of headaches

than tension-type headaches. Nevertheless,

of various origins and

migraines afflict 25 to 30 million people

character. Any headache

every year in the United States alone. As

treatment must have not

many as 6 percent of all men and up to 18

only a pain-relieving

percent of all women experience a migraine

effect, but it should also

attack at some time. This equals about 12 perhelp to eliminate the cent of the population as a whole. Roughly three

out of four migraine sufferers are female. Usually

cause of the pain.

migraine attacks are occasional, or sometimes as

If you decide to use these

often as once or twice a week, but not daily.24 By

remedies, do so after

age 15, 15 percent of all teens have experienced

consulting your doctor

a migraine attack. Fifty-eight percent of migraine

or other qualified healthattacks require some bed rest for a total of 112 milcare practitioner. Let your lion migraine-related bedridden days per year for

doctor/specialist guide

the U.S. population. Migraine costs to employers

you in the systematic use

from missed days and impaired work function are

of these remedies.

estimated at $13 bil ion annual y.25 By age 15, 15

Clever Remedies to Outsmart Headaches @ 133

percent of all teens have experienced a migraine attack. Fifty-eight percent of migraine attacks require some bed rest for a total of 112 million migrainerelated bedridden days per year for the U.S. population. Migraine costs to employers from missed days and impaired work function are estimated at $13

billion annually.26

Migraine sufferers say they did not see a doctor about their headache because of misdiagnosis and a belief that their physicians weren’t helping them.27

Migraine

One of the most common headaches, a migraine, is characterized by sudden pain, often accompanied by blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of energy. Headaches might intensify and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as well as sensitivity to sound and light. A migraine can last from several hours to several days. Some scientists believe migraines are the result of poor blood circulation in the brain. Often they are caused by a short-term spasm of the vessels, which increases pressure and pain. “Migraines are felt on one side of the head by about 60 percent of migraine sufferers, and the pain is typically throbbing in nature.”28

People who suffer frequent migraines should seek a doctor’s advice because severe headaches can be a symptom of serious disease.
Chamomile, the motherly herb

Look at the night sky full of stars. It looks like a miraculous island of lights. An ancient legend tells us

that one night tiny stars dropped from the sky and fell

to the earth as chamomile flowers.

Chamomile, because of its rich medicinal properties, is used extensively in many natural remedies throughout this book. The Latin name for chamomile

is
Matricaria Chamomilla
. The name is derived from the Latin word
mater
, which means mother. A kind herbal healer for the people, chamomile is like a good

nurturing mother and is a favorite, valued folk remedy

in Europe, especially in Russia.

134 ^ Mama’s Home Remedies

I n the mid-nineteenth century chamomile

was displayed in a famous St. Petersburg

botanical garden as a rare flower—30 years later

it grew everywhere in Russia. Chamomile made her

way from America to Russia quite easily. As American farmers harvested their fields of grain, small chamomile seeds were collected as well and inadvertently placed into burlap sacks with the grain into the holding compartments of ships. They were

“bilkers”—passengers without tickets.

Upon arrival in Russia, the grain was moved by rail. Some

sacks were travel worn and ruptured, spilling their contents onto the floors and through cracks where the seeds were sown along the railway. A short time later embankments along the route flourished with the soft, aromatic herb. This is how chamomile seeds passed through several Russian borders undetected and became a permanent flower of my homeland, a staple in our pharmacies, kitchens, and hearts, thousands of miles from America, their native land.

Try the fol owing remedies to ease headache!

r 4. Drink fresh carrot juice.

r 5. Administer an enema mixture of herbal laxative such as chamomile, valerian root, horehound, horsetail, or dandelion for relief of occasional constipation and bowel cleansing.

r 6. Apply a hot water or vinegar compress to the forehead. Clever Remedies to Outsmart Headaches @ 135

r 7. Drink hot Indian tea mixed with Ceylon and lemon.

r 8. Drink hot green tea with jasmine.

r 9. With both hands, massage your head from your forehead to the base of your skul .

r 10. Boil two tablespoons cherries in two cups water for five to seven minutes. Add a pinch of sugar and drink as a hot tea.

r 11. Inhale vapors of a mixture of one tablespoon of camphor and one tablespoon of spirits of ammonia. Or try soothing aromatherapy by inhaling vapors of two to three drops of essential oil of peppermint or lavender added to one cup of water, which has been brought to boiling and removed from heat source.

r 12. Drink one glass of spring water on an empty stomach every morning for two to three weeks.

r 13. In a smal pot combine two teaspoons of peppermint leaves with one cup of boiled water. Steep for three to five minutes, stirring occasional y. Filter and add ½ cup of boiled water. Drink one to three times daily 15 minutes before eating. This tea wil keep in the refrigerator for two days.

r 14. Ease migraines with contrast baths: alternate about six hot and cold water dips for hands and feet.

r 15. Rest your head on a pil ow fil ed with a medicinal herb such as lavender. Try sleeping on it for at least two hours for a luxuriously soothing and simple treatment.

r 16. Drink ½ cup fresh cranberry juice.

136 ^ Mama’s Home Remedies

r 17. Drink one ounce of fresh potato juice.

r 18. Make linden tea and drink it hot. It is a good sedative and pain reliever.

r 19. Before bed take one tablespoon of sugar or honey and wash it down with one glass of spring water. Do this for several days. This helps a stress headache.

r 20. Drink primrose tea.

r 21. Place one teaspoon of primrose (roots,

Note:

leaves, and stems) in a mug. Add boiling water and let steep for 30 min
Primrose should not be
utes. Drink two to four ounces twice

daily.

confused with Evening

primrose
(
Oenothera

biennis
). This tea acts as

Chronic headaches

a sedative and has a light

Chronic headaches of nervous origin

soporific effect. However,

may occur in the head, temples, or forehead.

taken in excess, this tea

Some people experience scalp pain, which

can cause excitability.

may indicate oversensitivity. People who sufDo not exceed

fer from chronic headaches may need rest

recommended dosage.

and/or the following:

r 22. Vitamin C, vitamin B complex.

r 23. To eliminate or ease nervous headache, try Egg Milk. In a small bowl beat one fresh egg and slowly add 3/4 cup scalded milk. Beat together and drink at once. Fol ow this simple method every day for 10 days.

Clever Remedies to Outsmart Headaches @ 137

r 24. With the fingertips apply light pressure to the temples for 10-15

seconds. Release the pressure. Blood wil flow into your head to ease the headache

r 25. Soak feet to the ankles in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. r 26. Cut a raw potato into thin slices, wrap in two layers of gauze or cheesecloth, and use as a compress on the forehead for 10-15

minutes.

r 27. When you come home after many hours of working on a computer, you may suffer from what I cal brainwork fatigue. To revitalize yourself, try this: Take a warm bath with chamomile. Add five bags of chamomile tea to two cups of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, add to bath, and relax in the tub for at least 30 minutes.

r 28. Ease a sudden headache without special symptoms by adding three drops of glycerin to hot, not boiling, water. Place your elbows in the water until your headache decreases (usual y about 20-30 minutes). Add water when necessary to maintain a high temperature.

Headache related to anemia

Because of poor blood circulation, people who suffer from anemia often complain of headaches. You will recognize if anemia is the cause of your pain by several symptoms: forehead becomes cold, pupils dilate, and pulse rate drops. Try this:

r 29. Tie a cotton kerchief around your head and sit up, elevating your feet. It is important that your feet are the same level as your head. Drink a smal cup of strong black coffee or cold raspberry, 138 ^ Mama’s Home Remedies

strawberry, or chamomile tea. Make sure that you maintain a regular schedule for meals to ensure that you do not become constipated. If constipation occurs, you may find it necessary to cleanse your system with an enema. Afterwards relax with a cold chamomile compress to the forehead.

Headache related to flatulence

r 30. Administer an enema of boiled and cooled water (warm or room temperature) or chamomile tea. Then melt in your mouth a cube of refined sugar to which has been added five to seven drops of lavender oil.
Make sure to use unadulterated essential oil of lav-
endar that does not contain chemicals or perfumes.
Fol owing this, you wil begin to feel better.

r 31. Honey tea—
Careful, some people are allergic to honey, particu-
larly the tropical blends of honey.
For those who can eat honey, the fol owing recipe taken two to three times daily can offer some relief from gas. Add one tablespoon of honey and a slice of lemon to a mug of boiling water. Enjoy!

r 32. No fooling! Soak your socks in water. While stil wet, put them on and cover them with a pair of dry socks and a warm blanket. Try this for a few days. It is best to do this before bedtime and keep the wet and dry socks on your feet while you sleep.

r 33. Hot, strong black tea with lemon works wel when combined with a pinch of peppermint. Black tea helps dilate the blood vessels to ease headaches. I have used this simple healing remedy many times and find that it offers relief. However, I advise you to limit your intake of black tea because it is a stimulant like coffee and may disrupt sleep.

r 34. In combination with the tea therapy described in #33, you can try this five-minute exercise. Shake your head (gently) two to Clever Remedies to Outsmart Headaches @ 139

three times up and two to three times down. Shake your head two to three times to the right shoulder, then two to three times to the left shoulder. Relax the muscles in your neck, and then turn your head slowly from one side to the other. After you do this exercise several times, your headache may cease. If not, try again in a few minutes.

r 35. Brew strong Chinese green tea (plain, lemon, lime, orange, or tangerine) with a pinch of mint. Drink one mug.

r 36. Peel one fresh lemon and place wet side of the peel down on the temples.

r 37. Chew a few leaves of feverfew.

r 38. My grandma used a compress of chamomile and strong black tea. Put one teaspoon each of chamomile and black tea in a glass pitcher. Add one cup of boiling water. Let steep for five to seven minutes. Then soak cheesecloth in this liquid, wring it out, and wrap around your head.

r 39. Smear the forehead, temples, and bridge of nose with the juice of a fresh black radish.

The magic of garlic and onions

Did you know that garlic and onion were used as amulets on the battlefield? In Europe during the Middle Ages soldiers and knights put garlic or onion on their helmets and in their armor. They used iron shields to protect themselves and wore garlic and onions around their necks to defend themselves against the enemy swords and arrows. Garlic and onion were found in sarcophagi with mummies of Egyptian pharaohs six thousand years ago. In the sixteenth century garlic was used to protect against the Black Death (plague), as an antidote for poisons, and as treatment for tuberculosis and arteriosclerosis.