See your doctor for a yearly exam. Let's stamp out this disease.

Dry Elbow Home Remedies

Sugar Scrub:

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup olive oil

• Mix ingredients in a bowl. Massage the scrub into elbows, knees, ankles & any other dry spots. Wash off after 30 minutes.

Crisco (or any other lard)

• Before bed rub Crisco into the dry elbow patches then slide on a pair of clean cut socks (to use as elbow protectors). Do this every night until dry patches disappear.

Lemon Salt Scrub

• Squeeze the juice out of two quarter wedges of a lemon, add salt then scrub into your elbows gently, trying to sluff away the dead skin. Then take the lemon wedges and lean your elbows on them (one elbow on each). Rest like this for 10 minutes. Do this daily until the dark patches disappear.

Lemon Soft Scrub

• Mix fresh lemon juice and baking soda to make a thick paste, apply to dry elbows. Gently rub in to exfoliate the skin and leave to sit for about 15 minutes. Wash off and apply a moisturizer or Vaseline.

Rehydrating Soak

• Exfoliate elbows with a favorite scrub or loofah, then soak elbows in warm water for 10 minutes. Apply Vaseline. If you apply Vaseline to the dry areas right after a hot bath or shower, this will have the same effect.

Basic Maintenance Treatment: Exfoliate or scrub elbows daily then apply honey, Vaseline or a rich moisturizer to elbows. If using honey, leave on for 30 minutes before washing off.

Tip: Use a clean sock, cut off to have two open ends, and slide on over your elbows when applying moisturizing treatments to try to protect the moisturizer from rubbing off (especially good for overnight treatments). You could also wrap your elbows in plastic wrap.

If your elbow patches are thick and quite dark, this will take several regular treatments to clear up.

Make Your Own Microwave Heating Pad

Love good for the heart, so is chocolate

NASHVILLE (UPI) -- Healthy, loving relationships do the heart good, but so do chocolate and wine, a U.S. cardiologist says.

Dr. Julie Damp of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute says most people who are married or who are in close, healthy relationships tend to be less likely to smoke, are more physically active and are more likely to have a well-developed social structure -- and as a result have lower levels of stress and anxiety.

"There is a theory -- unproven -- that people who are in loving relationships may experience neuro-hormonal changes that have positive effects on the body, including the cardiovascular system," Damp says in a statement.

However, giving a box of dark chocolates and a bottle of red wine to your loved one -- or yourself -- won't hurt either, Damp says. Studies show both are good for the heart.

Dark chocolate -- the darker the better -- contains flavonoids, antioxidants, which have positive effects on many different body systems including the cardiovascular system.

Flavonoids are also present in red wine and moderate alcohol consumption -- not more than one drink a day for women and one to two for men -- is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks.

Avoiding the Flu Tips from Shonda Parker

HIGHLIGHTS OF PHONE SEMINAR with Shonda Parker
TOPIC: Avoiding the Flu Naturally seminar conducted November 18, 2004.

Here are some of the highlights of her best tips for Avoiding the Flu Naturally.

1. First of all, drink AT LEAST two quarts of filtered water a day. Shonda states that moist mucous membranes are less likely to allow those little flu bugs to get a foothold. May I suggest that you consider investing in a drinking water purifier as low cost "health insurance"? The Multipure system costs seven cents a gallon. Compare to bottled water and save!

2. Shonda pointed out the importance of hand washing for AT LEAST 20 seconds to get your hands really clean and germ free. Since hand washing is always important in avoiding colds and flus, be sure to wash and rinse for at least 20 seconds to be effective, and teach your children to do the same.

3. Did you know that many herbalists are now recommending a maintenance dose of Elderberry to gently stimulate the immune system from catching those nasty bugs instead of echinacea? Yummy Yarrow with Elderberry by Tri-light Herbs is her combination of choice to reduce the risk of getting the flu. Taken twice a day for avoiding the flu, Shonda suggests increasing the dosage to four times daily if you have been exposed to viruses.

4. If you find yourself coming down with the flu symptoms, such as overwhelming fatigue, than she recommends increasing the dosage of an Echinacea combination product to 6 times a day. A product such as Echinacea and Thyme is a good choice. She pointed out, however, that taking the herbal remedy every two hours is VERY important, as the immune stimulating effect of echinacea lasts for only 2 hours. Did you know that?

5. If you try all of the above strategies and still find yourself or children coming down with a full case of the flu, Shonda suggests eating very lightly, or fasting from solid foods (not liquids) and using a combination of Ginger, Capsicum, Echinacea, and Golden Seal. The suggested dose is 1 gm or 4 "O" capsules or 2 "OO" capsules every four hours. These herbs can be encapsulated very economically at home, or Flew Away is a comparable product.

6. Any spicy foods like jalapeno's, salsa, or homemade Chicken Soup with a little cayenne are great natural remedies for combating colds and flus according to Shonda. My recipe for Chicken Soup for Colds and flus contains ginger , garlic, and capsicum or cayenne.

7. One seminar guest was inquiring about enlarged tonsils. Shonda explained that moms can be trained to promote drainage in the lymph tissue (tonsils are lymph) with a technique used by osteopathic physicians through a video called The Block System for Treating Ear and Respiratory Infections. This easy-to-follow video includes step-by step instructions for treating both infants and children. You don't have to have an OD help you, learn to do it yourself. (Ed note: This DVD investment of $24.95 will cost less than half of an unnecessary doctor visit.)

8. Did you know that ginger is the herb of choice whenever there is any stomach involvement, for its anti-spasmotic properties. Tummy Plus is the herbal combination we use when are tummies aren't quite right.

9. For more information about how to use Trilight Herbal Remedies you can consult The Mother's Guide for Using Trilight Herbal Remedies by Shonda Parker at our website.

10. For more information about Natural Health Care for children and family health read Shonda Parker's book MOMMY DIAGNOSTICS.

Stock Up and Save Cold and Flu Fighting Tinctracts:

We are offering the most popular and consistently recommended Herbal Remedies in Combinations at a discounted price.  The 8 oz bottles of Herbal Remedies give you four times as much product for about double the price and this is your best value especially if you have many children.

Cold and Flu Combo #1 -  1 - 8 oz bottle each of Yummy Yarrow with Elderberry, ViraMune and Lungs Plus

Cold and Flu Combo #2 - 1 8oz bottle each of Echinacea & Thyme, Viramune and Lungs Plus

For transcripts of all past phone seminars, please click here.

Link:
http://articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=449

Hot Ginger-Echinacea Lemonade

Adapted from Growing 101 Herbs That Heal by Tammi Hartung (Storey Publishing, 2000).

There is something unmistakably cozy about wrapping your hands around a warm mug on a cold day. Even cozier when that mug is steaming with spicy ginger, vibrant lemon and soothing honey! This drink is excellent as an expectorant tea or a sore throat soother. Even if you aren't under the weather, this warming beverage will make you feel restored and vibrant!

2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon dried echinacea flowers or roots
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh gingerroot
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lemon
1 teaspoon honey

In a bowl or teapot, pour the boiling water over the Echinacea and gingerroot. Cover and seep for 10-15 minutes. Add the lemon juice and honey and stir.

Serves 2.

For the past several years, Americans have been bombarded with reports on the nation's obesity epidemic. And yes, by and large, we are a fairly chubby group. But when are we going to realize that our health problem is not about weight? Weight is the least important predictor of longevity. In fact, new information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reiterates the point that packing a few extra pounds may actually mean (SET ITAL) added (END ITAL) years to your life.

We have known for decades that there is a U-shaped curve correlating weight and longevity. In the early 1970s, Dr. Reuben Andres, director of the National Institute on Aging's clinical branch, showed that people who are 10 percent to 15 percent overweight tend to have lower mortality rates. People who are significantly underweight (10 percent to 15 percent below their ideal body weights) and those who are morbidly obese have shorter life expectancies. It is possible that those who are on the extremes of the spectrum -- either more than or less than their ideal weights -- are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, lack of exercise and poor nutrition.

In 2005, even more evidence was released showing that a few extra pounds in the middle are not that bad. In a report published by Dr. Katherine Flegal from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, weight and longevity are inversely correlated. In other words, the heavier you are, up to a point, the longer you're likely to live. No one really knows why, but for the population at large, being pleasantly plump confers a survival advantage.

Last month, Flegal and her colleagues from the CDC published a research paper in The Journal of the American Medical Association in which they reiterated their earlier observation that overweight individuals had longer life expectancies than those who were either very obese or significantly underweight. In this second study, they attempted to confirm their earlier findings and to expand them in order to examine the causes of death in the three groups.

Researchers found that being overweight -- not obese -- was associated only with excess mortality from diabetes and kidney disease. More surprisingly, however, being overweight was not associated with increased deaths from heart disease or cancer. There was an apparent protective effect for overweight and obese individuals against many other illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, various neurological diseases, many infections, chronic lung disease and injuries. The obese group had an increased risk of dying from cancers that have been proved to be obesity-related, including colon, breast, prostate and kidney cancers.

Again, the bottom line is that weight is not a major predictor of risk of death. I believe the "obesity epidemic" has been somewhat overstated, but only insofar as it places too much emphasis on pounds and waistlines. It is possible to be healthy and overweight, fit and fat. Your lifestyle is much more important than your pants size.

I also can say that what you eat is much more important than how much you weigh. For example, a recent study conducted at the University of Maryland showed that subjects on the low-carbohydrate, high-fat Atkins diet for four weeks had a significant elevation of their bad (LDL) cholesterol, marked constrictions of their arteries, a harbinger of high blood pressure and evidence of increased inflammation in the blood -- all of which indicate a higher risk of heart disease. Irrespective of your weight, consuming a high-fat, high-sodium diet predisposes to heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure and cancer.

As a nation, we must develop a better relationship with food. Stop seeing food as the enemy, and forgive yourself for those "extra" pounds padding your belly. Dieting should be limited to those with good medical reasons. If you have diabetes, osteoarthritis of your back or knees, high blood pressure or difficulty breathing during sleep, prudent weight loss can be very beneficial to your overall health.

If you are 10-15 pounds overweight, don't diet. Eat healthful foods, exercise, stay happy and love the way you look. Remember, you are already "in shape" -- your own, personal, natural shape. Treat your body well, and it will return the favor.

========

Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the book "Breaking the Rules of Aging." To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. More information is available at www.drdavidhealth.com.

Honey Citrus Soother
This is a really good throat soother .


3 tea bags green or black
1 cinnamon stick
3 c boiling water
1/4 c local hive honey
1 c grapefruit juice

Place tea bags and cinnamon stick in a 1-quart tea pot. Add boiling
water; steep 3 to 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and tea bags;
discard. Stir in grapefruit juice and honey.

Herbal Remedy Methods

Herbal Infusions

Infusions are simply made by pouring boiling water over herb leaves or flowers and leaving them to infuse for 15/20 minutes to release the active ingredients. Once the infusion is ready it can be strained ready to use.
For an infusion you generally use 1x teaspoon of dried herbs or 2 x teaspoons fresh herb to 250ml/1 cup water.

Herbal Teas

Teas are made in exactly the same way as an infusion except they are steeped for less time.More details on how to make the perfect cup of herbal tea can be found on our herbal tea recipes page below.

Herbal Decoctions

Decoctions are generally made from the tougher parts of herbs such as the bark, roots and seeds which need to be simmered gently to extract their properties.
To make a decoction use 2 x tablespoons dried herb or 4 x tablespoons fresh herb with 500ml/2 cups water,bring to the boil then simmer for 30 minutes, strain and use.

Herbal Tinctures

Tinctures can be made from alcohol and dried,powdered herbs or oil and dried/fresh herbs depending on the application required.
To make an alcohol tincture put 100g/31/2oz dried herbs or 300g/11oz fresh herbs into a sealable jar.Add 1 cup/250ml/8floz vodka,brandy or rum and infuse(macerate) for 4/5 weeks shaking occasionally.Strain out the herbs and store in a cool,dark place.
The alcohol will act as a preservative and it should keep for about 18 months.To use the tincture, use a dropper and drop 10 drops straight onto your tongue or if you prefer mix them in some water and drink.

To make an oil based tincture, use the same methods and measures as above using a vegetable oil of your choice instead of alcohol but only allow it to infuse for up to two weeks maximum-if you want to make a stronger infusion then replace the herbs again every two weeks then strain and store in a cool dark place.
Your oil based tincture can be used for family first aid,as a luxurious after bath oil or in your home made herbal cream recipes.

Herbal Compress

To use a compress, you will first need to make an infusion or decoction as required.To use a compress,Soak a piece of natural, unbleached material in the warm liquid and lay it onto the affected area. Repeat this treatment until the skin looks flushed.
Compresses are particularly good for treating sprains and circulation disorders and drawing out infection and can be used hot or cold depending of the type of injury.

Herbal Poultices

A poultice is the same principle as a compress except that instead of using an just an infusion the herbs are not strained out but used in the treatment to draw out infection.
To make a poultice mix 2 x tablespoons dried herb or 12 x tablespoons finely chopped fresh herb with 16 x tablespoons of bran(or oatmeal). Mix the herbs and bran together with hot water to make a paste place it directly onto the affected area and cover with a clean natural cloth. Once the poultice has cooled, repeat the process again for up to 30 mins.

I learned to understand the value of herbal poultices early on in life being the proud owner of an accident prone horse! I can vouch that they really do the job well.

Herbal Salves/Ointments

A salve is basically another word for an ointment the main ingredients for which include beeswax and vegetable oil.To alter the consistency of salves/ointments you add more beeswax to make the cream firmer i.e. lip salves or increase the vegetable oil to thin the consistency making it easier to smooth on like a cream.

So there you have it, all the vital information needed to make your own herbal healing recipes at home and to make life easy for you I have provided some recipes below to get you started.

Making Herb Infused Oil

I am a clinical herbalist (as well as soap and toiletry maker).  I wanted to share a recipe for making superior, therapeutic quality herb infused oil.  You can use this oil as is or in what ever recipe.  This method works especially well with resiny herbs such as calendula or St. johnwort.   Some active constituents in herbs are not very easily extracted in oil but come out just fine in alcohol.  This way you get both!

 I was taught this recipe by the first herbalist I apprenticed with years ago and have also seen basically the same in James Green's Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook.  Here goes:

1 part herb by weight (for example 1 0z)

1 part grain alcohol (everclear) by volume( 1 fl oz in this case)

Mix the two together in a glass jar and let sit covered for 24 hour, shaking every once in a while

The next day mix the wet herbs with 5-6 parts of oil, about 5-6 fl oz in this case (for medicinal salves we usually use extra virgin olive, but what ever you want to use is fine)

Pour this into a blender and blend the whole thing on high speed until the sides of the blender feel warm.

Strain the oil through cheesecloth, pressing to get most of the oil out.  Pour the oil in a pot and over very low heat, warm it until all the alcohol is evaporated. ( you can check by holding a match close to the surface of the oil.  If it catches fire there is still alcohol there...careful!)

Now you can bottle the oil or used it right away.

Tanya

Titania's Forest Natural Skincare

http://www.soapnuts.com/hb.html

General Healing Balm

1 part lavender flowers

1 part peppermint leaves

Steep in 3 ounces of sunflower oil for 45 minutes.Strain. Melt 2

ounces cocoa butter or coconut oil in microwave or double boiler. Add

2 ounces of beeswax and melt together. Add strained sunflower oil and

mix thoroughly. When mixture cools, add 2 tsp. essential oil of your

choice. (I use peppermint and lavender) Pour into small soap molds or

small plastic container. Peppermint is cooling while the lavender is

topically healing

Easy Salve

 Here is another easy salve recipe. Lemon Balm contains Eugenol which eases pain and calendula is great for all types of skin conditions, very soothing.

 I don't always weigh my ingredients, so these are approximate.

2 cups olive oil or sunflower oil (olive lasts longer)

3/4 cup lemon balm and calendula. Just throw handfulls in the measuring

container until you get 3/4. Try to use equal amounts of each.

Mix together and place in top of double boiler. Simmer over low heat for2 hours. Remember to replace the water in bottom pot if it gets low.

Strain out herbs. In seperate pan or bowl if using microwave, melt 2

tsp. beeswax and 1 tsp. cocoa butter or lanolin. Add to the infused oil

and stir until cool. If you wanted to make this antibacterial, you would add a few drops of tea tree or thyme oil when it cools. Put into jars and label!!!!! Add the date.....

This bath is soothing and relaxing when your muscles are tired and sore. It’s also a good treatment for people with arthritis.

 1 teaspoon dried juniper (Juniperus communis) berries

2 tablespoons fresh or dried peppermint (Mentha ×piperita)

2 tablespoons fresh or dried spearmint (Mentha spicata)

2 tablespoons fresh or dried lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

 Place all ingredients in a muslin drawstring bag or disposable bath tea bag. Add the bag to your bathtub and fill the tub with hot water. Relax and soak for 20 minutes

 http://www.herbsforhealth.com/index.php?page=recipe&do=view&id=239

Ginger Massage Oil

Makes 4 ounces

The perfect massage oil for soothing sore muscles and energizing an exhausted body; ginger, thyme, lavender and eucalyptus work together to increase blood flow. You can find essential oils at many natural food stores.

 ½ cup light oil, such as canola, almond or sunflower

¼ teaspoon vitamin E oil

1 teaspoon dry, powdered ginger

1 teaspoon dry thyme leaves

1 to 2 drops lavender essential oil

1 to 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

 Mix together all ingredients. Pour mixture into a clean bottle with a tight-fitting lid and shake gently. Let mixture sit for a few days. To use, shake the bottle again, then pour a quarter-size amount into your clean hand. Massage onto your body, paying extra attention to sore areas.

 Recipe courtesy of Janice Cox

http://www.herbcompanion.com/recipes/10_11_07-ginger-massage-oil