Health conditions starting with T and herbal remedies used to treat them

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Teeth Tinnitus Tendonitis/Bursitis Tonics Thirst Quencher Travel Sickness Throat/Mouth Tryptophan Thyroid Tumors

DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.

TEETH
TEETHING PAIN
(adults)

Drink Chamomile tea.
Use olive or sweet almond oil and gently heat in top of double boiler along with bruised whole cloves. Use this homemade clove oil to rub on gums. Never use essential oil of cloves unless highly diluted.
Rub on valerian tincture.
Rub on and take blue vervain and valerian tincture.

GUM PROBLEMS
(gingivitis, pyorrhea)

Mix equal parts of tinctures of myrrh, echinacea, rhatany (or oak bark). Apply to gums 3 times daily using a fine brush.
Combine equal parts of tinctures of echinacea, cleavers and prickly ash. Take 1 tsp 3 times daily.

TOOTHACHE

Apply a tincture of St. Johnswort for nerve pain.
The fresh root of plantain chewed or the dried powdered root can be placed in a hollow tooth.
Homemade oil of cloves can be placed on a small bit of sterile cotton ball which is then inserted into the cavity.

TENDONITIS/BURSITIS

Combine equal parts of tinctures of lobelia and cramp bark. Rub into painful muscles as needed.
Combine in either tincture or dried herb form: 2 parts willow bark, 2 parts cramp bark, 2 parts celery seed, 1 part prickly ash. Of tincture take 1 tsp 3 times daily. Of dried herb infuse 2 tsp to 1 cup boiling hot water and steep 10 min; drink 3 times daily.

THIRST QUENCHER
Combine 1½ quarts fennel seed tea, 1 large 46-oz can of unsweetened pineapple, 1 quart of apple cider or orange juice. Chill and serve very cold.

THROAT/MOUTH
GARGLE/MOUTHWASH

Combine 10 parts sage leaves, 6 parts spotted cranebill root, 6 parts red oak bark, 2 parts goldthread root, 2 parts rhatany root, 2 parts cassia bark and 2 parts cloves. Boil 4 tsp of the mixture in 1 pint of water for 5 minutes, then let stand for 10 minutes more and strain. Add 1 tbsp of table salt. If there is inflammation or swelling use every 2 to 3 hours. Dilute with more water if too strong or astringent.
Make a sage tea using 1½ tsp of sage to 2 cups water. Combine with 2 tsp honey, 2 tbsp salt, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp cayenne pepper. Used to avert a cold.
Ginger gargle: For sore throat, post nasal drip and swollen tonsils. Combine 1 tsp ginger, ½ cup hot water, ½ squeezed lemon and 1 tsp honey. Pour the boiling water over the powdered ginger, then add the lemon and honey. Either rinse out the back of the trhoat or gargle. Helps to relieve sore throat pain. Alternate the ginger gargle with cold pinapple juice. Between drinks, spit out mucous.
Astringent gargles: A decoction of agrimony; or, a decoction of yellow root (Xanthorrhiza apiilfolia); or, a strong decoction of barberry root.
Soothing gargles: Dried seeds of quince, slightly boiled; or, slippery elm boiled in water and sweetened with honey; or, a tea of catnip sweetened with sugar.
Combine a small glass of port wine, a tbsp of chile vinegar, 6 sage leaves and a dessert-spoonful of honey. Simmer for 5 minutes, then sip.

INFECTIONS
For children boil 1 oz of plantain seed in 1½ pints of water and sweeten with honey to make a syrup.
INFLAMED THROAT
Combine 1 tbsp goldenseal root powder, ½ tbsp powdered myrrh, ½ tbsp powdered comfrey root, 1 pinch of cayenne pepper. When thoroughly mixed add to 1 pint of distilled water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes. Let steep, covered, for 10 minutes more and then remove cover, strain and allow to cool. Gargle. If you wish to keep the mixture, add ½ oz of vodka to the cooled mix and store in refrigerator. Will last several days or more.

LARYNGITIS

Combine tinctures of 2 parts echinacea, 2 parts osha and 1 part goldenseal. Take ¼ tsp every hour.
Combine equal parts of red sage and chamomile. Prepare a strong infusion and gargle often till symptoms subside.
Combine equal parts of mallow flowers, althea root, licorice root, mullein, and coltsfoot. Steep 1 tsp in ½ cup boiling hot water and sweeten with honey. Drink hot. OR...soak 1 tsp in ½ cup of cold water for 6 hours, then bring to a boil and steep 5 minutes; take hot.
Combine 6 parts burnet saxifrage root, 6 parts licorice, 2 parts fennel seed, 2 parts elecampane root, 2 parts althea root and 2 parts sage. Boil 1 tsp in 3 cups water for 2 to 3 minutes; let stand for 10 minutes and strain. Take 1 cup morning, noon and night.
Combine ½ oz echinacea tincture, ½ oz garlic syrup, ¼ oz lemon balm tincture, ¼ oz catnip tincture, ¼ oz cinnamon tincture in a 2 oz amber bottle and give ½ tsp every 2 hours.

MOUTH SORES/FEVER BLISTERS

Apply tincture of myrrh or lemon balm directly.
Apply ointment of lemon balm.
Apply acidophilus or yogurt with viable cultures.
Take vitamin B complex.
Open a vitamin E capsule and apply contents directly.
Crush zinc gluconate tablets and apply direcct.

SORE THROAT
If you suspect strep, staph, or thrush, see a doctor!

If accompanied by cough, pour a pint of biling hot water on a handful of sage leaves; when moderately cool and a little vinegar and honey. Take 1 tsp at a time and as a gargle.
Hot lemonade to which some honey has been added soothes a sore throat and is good for laryngitis and coughs.
40 drops of usnea tincture in a glass of water to be taken internally and as a gargle.
White sage tea mixed with lemon juice and honey.
If vocal chords are affected add 1 tsp of slippery elm to ¼ cup of cold water and mix till smooth. Add ¾ cup of water and bring to boil. Simmer gently for 15 minutes and drink ½ cup 3 times a day.
Slippery elm lozenges: ½ cup distilled water, 1 cup slippery elm powder, 1 oz usnea tincture, a few drops essential oil of peppermint, spearmint or wintergreen for flavor (opt). Pour the water into a glass bowl and add enough slippery elm powder to form a paste of bread dough consistency that can be worked without sticking. Add usnea tincture and oil (if using). Sprinkle slippery elm powder on a work surface and roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut lozenges into small pieces (dime sized) with rounded edges (to avoid sharp injuries to throat and mouth). Dust with more slippery elm and place on a plate. When plate is filled, place in refrigerator for 3 hours and allow to harden. They can also be left out uncovered but place a paper towel over them. When totally hardened, store in a glass jar.
Combine 1 oz mullein leaf, ½ oz lobelia, 1 tsp cayenne, 1 pint apple cider vinegar, 1 pint water in a pot, cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes; turn off heat and add cayenne. Dip a cloth into the mixture and wrap the neck. Cover the wrap with plastic, then use a dry towel to keep in the heat. Dip the cloth again in the warm liquid when cool. Use 1 to 2 times daily for 10 to 15 minutes for each application.
Grate 2 large carrots and spread onto a thin cloth. Fold the cloth so that the carrot is enclosed. Wrap around the throat and secure with a safety pin. Cover with an additional towel. Can be used either hot or cold depending on which relieves the pain best. For a cold poultice combine crushed ice with the carrot. For a hot poultice place the cloth and the carrot into hot water and squeeze out before applying to neck.
Combine 2 parts rose hips, 1 part dandelion, 1 part mullein, ½ part lemon peel, ¼ part stevia. Powder in a coffee mill and use ½ tbsp per 1 cup of boiling hot water. Infuse 5 minutes. Sweeten with honey and lemon.

TONSILS
(ulcerated)
SEE A DOCTOR!
Make a gargle using 2 tsp tincture of bistort root, 2 tsp tincture of bloodroot and 2 tbsp of warm water.
Use to either gargle or spray the throat.

THYROID
Any alternative approach should be under the guidance of a medical professional.
HYPERTHYROID
NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!

Using either tinctures or dried herb form, combine 4 parts bugleweed, 2 parts motherwort, 2 parts skullcap and 1 part hawthorn. Of the tincture take 1 tsp 3 times daily. Of the dried herbs infuse 1 to 2 tsp to a cup of boiling hot water and steep 10 minutes; drink 3 times daily. If associated with insomnia combine equal parts of tinctures of valerian and passion flower and take 1 to 3 tsp 30 min before retiring.

TINNITUS
Although the condition can be quite seriously annoying to the victim, there is no cure...only methods of quieting the problem.

"White noise", such as static from a radio, can help to override the internal noises.
The herb ginkgo, which improves circulation to the head, has been helpful in some cases (although, Ginkgo may raise blood pressure in some individuals).
Equal parts of either the herbs or the tinctures of black cohosh, goldenseal and ginkgo; take 1 tsp of the combined tinctures 3 times a day. Of the dried herbs, infuse 2 tsp to 1 cup of boiling hot water, steeped 10 minutes; take 1 cup 3 times daily. Long term use is required, but black cohosh must be discontinued for several weeks after a period of 12 weeks of usage. (NOTE: Some people have reported an increase in blood pressure while using ginkgo.)

TONICS
TONIC TEA #1
A good all around tonic anytime. Combine 1 cup red clover blossoms, 1/3 cup violet leaves, 1/3 cup dandelion leaves, 1/8 cup nettle, 1/8 cup selfheal, 1/8 cup chickweed, ¼ cup plantain, 1/8 cup alfalfa (do not use with autoimmune disorders), 1/8 cup barley, 1½ tbsp mint, 1 tbsp stevia. For a blood cleanser add ¼ cup burdock. For respiratory problems add 1 tbsp cut elecampane which has been powdered, plus 1 tbsp of horehound. For arthritis add 1 tbsp ginger and 1 tbsp rose hips. Use 2 tsp per cup of boiling hot water and steep 5 minutes.

TONIC TEA #2

1 gallon chilled pineapple juice
1 pint chilled papaya juice
1 cup chamomile
several tsp of honey
1 gallon of boiling water
ice cubes

Boil the water and allow the chamomile flowers to steep in the water for 10 minutes then strain them out. Cool the infusion, then combine with pineapple, papaya and honey.

BITTERS TONIC Combine 4 parts gentian root, 4 parts blessed thistle, 2 parts dried orange or lemon peel, 1 part ginger root, 1 part cardamom seeds. Powder all in a coffee mill. Place the powder in a jar and add enough vodka to cover it to twice its depth, then cover tightly. Steep for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain through a coffee filter and transfer to dark colored bottles. Cap tightly and store. Best taken long term. Take no more than 1 tsp 15 to 30 minutes before each meal.

ACUTE AILMENTS
Has been used for mumps, sore throats, indigestion, urethritis, abscessed teeth and infections.
Combine 2 parts echinacea, 1 part yellow dock, 1 part goldenseal, 1 part ginseng, ½ part ginger. Powder the herbs and make a tincture using 4 oz of the herbs to 1 pint of 100 proof vodka. Take ½ to 1 tsp doses. See tinctures. Take ½ to 1 tsp doses 3 to 4 times daily.

BLOOD BUILDER WINE Combine 5 tsp rosemary, 2 tsp hawthorn berries, 1 tsp hawthorn leaves and blossoms, 3 raisins, ¼ tsp ginger, ¼ tsp St. Benedict thistle, ¼ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp st.Johnswort, ¼ tsp yarrow, ¼ tsp comfrey root, ¼ tsp melilot, ¼ tsp powdered oats, ¼ tsp horsetail. When ingredients are mixed in a large widemouthed bottle, add about 2 quarts of good white wine. Allow to steep for 10 days, capped, shaking well each day. Strain the liquid and store in a tightly sealed glass bottle. Take one small glass morning and evening.

BLOOD BUILDER JUICE Combine 2 parts spinach, 1 part parsley. Place 3 handfuls into an electric juicer and then add an equal amount of orange juice. Drink 1 cup 2 to 3 times a day.

BLOOD PURIFER Combine 1 cup peppermint (or bee balm or spearmint) and 1 cup dried alfalfa leaves. Use 1 to 2 tsp per cup of boiling hot water steeped for 5 to 10 minutes.

BODY BALANCER

4 tart apples
2 lemons
5 cups water
4 tbsp honey
4 tbsp apple brandy or cider

Wash and quarter apples and lemons. Place in glass or stainless steel or enamel pot and add water. Bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Warm a large teapot and strain liquid into the teapot. Place 1 tsp of honey and 1 tsp cider or brandy in each of 4 cups and add the apple-lemon tea.

CHILDREN'S TONIC #1

½ oz lemon balm
½ oz catnip
½ oz crushed fennel seeds
½ oz chamomile
½ oz alfalfa
½ oz red raspberry leaves
½ oz ground rosehips
1 pint vegetable glycerin
1½ oz distilled water

Combine the dried herbs and powder them in a coffee mill. Combine the glycerin and water and add to the powdered herbs, stirring well. Cap the container and shake well. Allow to sit out of direct light for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and store in an amber glass bottle. Dose is ½ to 1 tsp as needed for colds, crankiness, etc.

CHILDREN'S TONIC #2 Combine 1 tbsp each of red raspberry leaves, alfalfa leaves, lemon balm, chamomile, anise seed and rose hips (make sure all seeds are removed). Powder herbs in a coffee mill and stir into either honey or glycerin until it is paste-like. Store in a glass jar. Dose is 1 tsp.

HEALTH TEA Combine 3 oz red clover blossoms, 2 oz anise seed, 2 oz damiana leaves, 8 oz strawberry leaves, 1 oz woodruff. Use 1 tsp per cup of boiling hot water, steep a few minutes and drink; sweeten if desired.

TONIC ELIXIR

1 dropper of ginseng extract
1 dropper of Fo-Ti extract
½ dropper of Gotu Kola
½ dropper of Ginkgo
1 oz astragalus root
1 oz echinacea
1 oz hawthorn berries
1 oz wild oat seed
1 oz schizandra berries
1 stick cinnamon
3 oz driped apricots or peaches
¼ cup honey
enough brandy (or vodka, whiskey, etc) to fill a 1 quart jar

Combine the herbs and the brandy in the jar and allow to sit for 4 to 6 weeks out of direct light. Herbs can be strained out or left. Take 1 tsp daily.

TONIC WINES Especially suited to roots (such as gingseng). Use 1¼ lb of root to 2 quarts of wine. Use a good quality red wine. Chop or break the herb coarsely and combine with the wine, making sure to cover the herb completely to avoid any mold. Cover and leave for 2 weeks. Take in 1/3 cup doses.

WINTER TONIC Useful for coldness and cramps. Combine 2 parts cramp bark, 2 parts angelica root, 2 parts squawvine, 2 parts raspberry leaves, 1 part chamomile, 1 part ginger root, 1 part lobelia. Take 6 oz of this combination and add to 1 quart of good quality dry wine. Heat gently in a covered container (use a double boiler), but be sure not to bring to a boil; remove from heat. Let stand for a day, then strain and bottle for use. Take 1 tbsp 3 times daily 20 minutes before meals.

TRAVEL SICKNESS
Ginger capsules are available from health food stores and taking one before travel is helpful.
A cup of basil, or ginger, tea before setting out is also said to be helpful in preventing nausea.
Anti-nausea wrist bands are available from health outlets and use the principle of accupressure.

TRYPTOPHAN
Available in sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, evening primrose seeds.

TUMORS Anecdotal stories report some success using a combination of amino acid chelated shark cartilege and grape seed extract. The addition of gingko at the same time may help to speed up and enhance the properties of the other two.

©1998 by Ernestina Parziale, CH