Folk Remedies That Heal

Folk remedies have likely been around as long as man. According to Dr. Lian Chong at Herb Palace many herbal medicines, and approximately one quarter of pharmaceutical drugs, began as folk remedies. Common remedies such as aspirin, camphor, codeine and ipecac are all derived from a plant base.

People use folk medicine and may not even realize it. Chicken soup, aloe vera, garlic and pollen are just a few remedies that have stood the test of time.

Aloe Vera

• Aloe vera is used to treat many first aid issues.

  Aloe Vera is a common folk remedy many people reach for to treat burns. Aloe can treat scalds and sunburns, as well as cuts, scratches, insect bites, and peptic ulcers. Aloe is also well known and respected as a general first aid plant. It soothes, heals, stimulates new cell growth and fights infection. Take the juice from the leaves of this plant and smooth on the area in need of treatment. In addition, aloe can be used internally. Liquid aloe drinks are available commercially for drinking, which can help heal and relieve the pain of peptic ulcers. Most health food stores (and some grocery stores) carry aloe vera gel and aloe vera juice products.

Chicken Soup

• Grandma was right to suggest chicken soup for colds and flu.

  Chest Journal, vol. 118 (2000) reported on a medical study that tested the efficacy of traditional chicken soup to treat colds and upper respiratory ailments. The study verified what grandmother already knew: chicken soup works. The study even provided a recipe appropriately called "Grandma's Soup."

  Available for free, the full study contains the recipe, resource list and additional Chest Journal articles on chicken soup: http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/118/4/1150.full.

Garlic

• Garlic can protect you against cancer and protect your heart.

  Garlic has natural antibiotic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It has proven efficacy in treating bronchial problems and ear infections. Numerous health studies claim that garlic lowers blood pressure, reduces blood platelets clumping, lowers serum triglycerides and cholesterol, and reduces plaque formation in arteries. Garlic can also reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

  According to the November, 2006 Journal of Clinical Nutrition, clinical studies prove that garlic can reduce the risks of certain cancers. Adding garlic to your menu a few times a week can benefit your health.

  Eating raw garlic, taking garlic oil capsules, or eating foods containing garlic are all effective ways to use garlic to improve health.

Pollen

• Pollen harvested from the bee hive can treat asthma and allergies.

  Pollen harvest from the bee hive is effective in treating allergies and asthma, slowing down the signs and effects of aging, and lowering blood pressure. Pollen contains all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrition necessary to be a complete food, and can help boost energy and boost immune response. Ancient Chinese, Roman, Anglo Saxon and Egyptian documents mention the benefits of bee pollen. Today, most bee pollen can easily be purchased from commercial health food sources.