Healing Home Remedies

Hello asked:

I’m afraid I’m losing too much blood and I don’t want to become anemic. First of all, I have extremely heavy periods,, so that’s always been a concern for me. I’m also involved in self-injury (please, don’t criticize me about this), so I’m losing a good amount of blood each day (especially when I’m on my period).

jos_64 asked:

She gets pain in the joints in the feet and the joints above knees up to hips, using anti-inflamatories and physical application of tropical oils, and relief is scanty; tis situation finding her difficult to stand longer hours in work situation

Mary Bodel, MH replies:

Capsaicin cream may be a better alternative if her skin is not too sensitive.  A mixture of herbs steeped in olive oil may also help.  Willow bark, comfrey and gotu kola are good herbs to use.  You could also make a decoction of them.

Be careful with tropical oils.  Even if they are only applied to the skin, there’s a chance that it could increase cholesterol levels.

Healing-Home-Remedies.com

VGarr48 asked:

I LOVE Oolong tea, but i would like to start trying some herbal teas…mainly to get the healing affects of the different herbs for different things, like stress relief, or headache relief. What would you suggest for a good herbal tea to start off with?

Mary Bodel, MH replies:

There are many mild teas available at most supermarkets and I like several of them.  I also buy bulk herbs and make my own blends, depending on what I want and what I’m trying to accomplish with the tea.

Celestial Seasonings makes many herbal teas that are easy to use.  Most have very few side effects or herb/drug interactions.  The latter is an important consideration when choosing an herbal tea.  SleepyTime is good as a relaxer and may help with occasional bouts of insomnia.  I also like Cinnamon Spice.  Diabetics should use care with any tea containing cinnamon as it may lower blood sugar levels.

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v3ry_funny asked:

I AM 56 YRS. OLD AND I AM A SMOKER . THIS PROBABLY DOESNT HELP. BUT WHAT CAUSES ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AND IS THERE ANY HOPE BESIDES VIAGRA TYPE DRUGS. I HAVE HEARD THAT HERBAL REMEDIES WORK BUT NEED TO KNOW WHICH ONES AND DO THEY DO WHAT THEY CLAIM. THAT IS TO MAKE ERECTIONS HARDER AND LAST LONGER AND RETURN TO NORMAL SEXUAL FUNCTION.I AM AT WITS END AND DO NOT WANT TO RELY SOLELY ON VIAGRA.IN OTHER WORDS I WOULD LIKE TO GET AN ERECTION SPONTANEOUSLY WITH MY GIRLFRIEND RATHER THAT WAITING AN HOUR AND A HALF FOR THE VIAGRA OR CIALIS TO WORK.ALSO I FIND THIS VERY DEPRESSING AND SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION ANYWAY SO THIS DOESNT HELP.PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN I NEED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM .

Mary Bodel, MH replies:

If smoking is your only problem, it is possible some herbs could help.  However, at 56, it is at least conceivable that there are other problems.  Whether treated or not, high blood pressure and diabetes will cause ED, and the treatments for them won’t solve the ED problem.  If you haven’t had a physical, I would strongly recommend you start there.

One problem facing those who take blood pressure medications is that it affects blood pressure everywhere…and lowering it lowers it everywhere.  As an erection is dependent on increased blood flow to that region, the lower blood pressure becomes a problem.  Additionally, many herbs that could improve ED raise blood pressure.  It becomes a Catch-22.

For this reason, I suggest clearing any of the herbs I’m about to suggest with your doctor and/or pharmacist.  If they don’t know a lot about them, educate yourself.  Use reliable websites such as pubmed, webmd, drugs.com and rxlist.  There are others, but these are the ones I use the most.  You can also ask an herbalist, but not all of us are trained in herb/drug interactions.  I know several, so you can also message me.

The first set of herbs most recommended are horny goat weed, maca and yohimbe.  Of these, I tend to avoid recommending yohimbe as the side effects can be dangerous.  Muuira puama and catauba are also becoming more popular.  Damiana is usually recommended for women, but it can be useful for men.

I would suggest you avoid caffeine, rosemary and licorice.  While they raise blood pressure, they do so in a way that could be dangerous.  This is particularly true if you already have problems with high blood pressure.
herbal remedies

plumb asked:

I am looking to eventually to grow and use my own herbs. I am also looking for good reliable information on herbal remedies, safe daily doses adn potential side effects.

Mary Bodel, MH replies:

There are several good books about herbs and many sites with reliable informtion.  Unfortunately, the predominant amount of information is based more on selling you the herb than on making sure it’s the right one.  Those few sites that do offer full information don’t always do so on all of the herbs you might choose to use.  If you want to know how I know this, it’s because thus far I’ve written five books on the topic and most of my time is spent trying to be able to prove what I say.

There are several sites that have information, though none of them have everything you might want.  Make sure any site you use can be verified by at least one other site without a duplication of wording  or other content.  Also, make sure that the writer is at the very least a Master Herbalist.
herbal remedies

dj_n1dalan asked:

My roomates and I recently moved into an apt, we are all 22 and we really smell 72. The apartment smells like mothballs and the smell is getting stronger even though there are no mothballs in our apt. HOW DO WE GET RID OF THE SMELL? I’m mostly looking for an old home remedy as my allergies are sensitive and Glade products cause a severe reaction.

MrsBear asked:

I have gone to a couple of chiropractors who both are into body building and both prescribed me natural supplements to take the place of my prescription medicines, such as Zoloft Vytorin for cholesterol. In place of the Zoloft they said St. John’s Wart and instead of the Vytorin it was some kind of fruit pectin something. They said that the pharmaceutical companies take the natural herbs and strip them down to make the prescription medicines. Is this true???

Mary Bodel, MH replies:

Last question first; sometimes yes, sometimes no.  Many prescription medications are synthetics, though a few can only be made with their plant counterparts. 

If your doctors feel that switching to St. John’s Wort over the prescription, then they believe that the herb will be strong enough to help you.  Ask them how to safely go off the medication and how much St. John’s Wort they recommend.  You may also want to ask them about using kava kava for occasional panic attacks.

It is important that you do not take prescription antidepressents with either kava kava or St. John’s Wort unless your doctor approves.  You’ll also want to avoid any medication or supplements that cause drowsiness.  Don’t drive or operate heavy machinary until you know how the supplements will affect you.

Healing-Home-Remedies.com

TJ asked:

I suffer from daily migraines. I have seen 4 neurologist and none have treated the causes of my migraines. I have taken just about every prescription and am now willing to venture into herbal remedies.

Mary Bodel, MH replies:

You might try seeing a doctor who deals with allergies.  Neurological problems may not be the source.  For instance, my mother (who is also a registered nurse) gets migraines when exposed to plants she’s allergic to.

Feverfew is the “go to” herb for herbalists when a client is dealing with a migraine.  It contains some salicin, so if you are allergic to aspirin it is a bad idea.  Willow bark may be added to the mix.  It has a lot of salicin, so the same aspirin warning exists.  While waiting for the teas to work, lavender water on a cool cloth may help soothe the pain away.

Herbal Home Remedies

Mary Bodel, MH replies:

While it is not a product I would use, at least one study done on it showed no adverse effects.  It did better than a placebo for mild, short term stress in premenopausal women,.  You can look at the study here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2359758/Herbal Home Remedies

seb t asked:

I try to control my diet and do moderate exercise every alternate days for about 20 minutes. It is difficult to manage my diabetes, friends say having diabetes supplement is another way. Any suggestions.

Mary Bodel, MH replies:

Before starting any supplements, you should consult your doctor.  Many supplements can affect your medications and could be life threatening.  There have been some studies done on several herbs that indicate possible benefits.  Three major clinical trials have been done on cinnamon bark, and it does seem to lower blood sugar levels.  It is important to discuss this with your doctor and to closely monitor your blood sugar if it is approved.

diabetes