Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Home remedies for herpes

Oral herpes is an infection of the lips, mouth, or gums due to the herpes simplex virus. It causes small, painful blisters commonly called cold sores or fever blisters. Oral herpes is also called herpes labialis.

home remedies for herpes
Home remedies for herpes

Many people who get the virus that causes herpes never see or feel anything. The virus spreads through direct contact. Some people do not have symptoms. Others get sores near the area where the virus has entered the body. They turn into blisters, become itchy and painful-Most people get HSV-1 (herpes simplex type 1) as an infant or child. This virus can be spread by skin-to-skin contact with an adult who carries the virus. An adult does not have to have sores to spread the virus. Once a person becomes infected with a herpes virus, the virus never leaves the body. After the first outbreak, the virus moves from the skin cells to nerve cells. The virus stays in the nerve cells forever. Some things that can trigger (wake up) the virus are: stress, illness, fever, sun exposure, menstrual periods, surgery...

There are things you can do at home to help manage herpes sores:
  • Apply medicine that you can buy without a prescription, such as benzocaine and L-lysine, to the blisters.
  • Put ice on the blisters.
  • Avoid things that could trigger another outbreak, such as stress and getting a sunburn.
  • Topical aciclovir or penciclovir, in the form of a cream applied to the affected areas, shortens attacks of recurrent herpes simplex provided it is started early enough.Antibiotics have no effect on oral herpes because herpes is not caused by bacteria but by a virus.

Here are some natural remedies for treating herpes:

Garlic and honey: Allicin, a compound present in garlic is very effective against bacteria, virus, fungus, and other microbes that responsible for numerous infections and conditions. It also acts as good anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory agent and decreases the signs of herpes. You can eat one teaspoon of fresh minced or food- processed raw garlic mixed with raw honey every day as a preventative treatment. Or you can take 3 cloves of garlic, chop it and add 100 gr of honey. Mix it all together and apply to the affected areas.


Hydrogen peroxide - Often rinse affected areas with 3% hydrogen peroxide

Propolis - Propolis ointment should be applied five times a day for cold sores and four times a day for genital herpes outbreaks. Also it is recommended to take one full dropper of the 20% water or alcoholic based tincture.

Pumpkin seed oil - You can buy it at local drugstores and apply to the affected areas three times a day.

Colloidal silver - You can buy it at chemist's shop.  And apply to the affected areas for a week.

Salt and baking soda - Baking soda is known to absorb the moisture from the boils and leave them dry. It also prevents the virus from spreading by creating a bitter environment for them. Take 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of baking soda, add water mix it all together and apply to the affected area three times a day.

Buckwheat - Take 1 tablespoon of buckwheat flour mix it with 2 cups of boiled water. Cook it all together and leave it out until it cools. Apply to the affected areas twice a day.

Aloe Vera - Take Aloe vera leaves, chop it and put it on affected areas. You can fix it with elastic bondage so it stays for the night.

Peppermint - Take one tablespoon of peppermint,  pour into 1 cup of boiled water and then steam covered for 15 minutes.  After that leave it covered for 10 minutes, next strain the mixture and apply to the affected areas. Also it is recommended to drink peppermint tea. 

Important: How to boost your immune system– Drink ehinacea tea, or licorice root tea, eat a lot of garlic, take ginseng capsules, eat ginger, Japanese mushrooms, maitake, reishi, shiitake. Take 200mg of vitamin C per day, take Zink or B complex. For taking this kind of supplies consult with a doctor or pharmacist. In case, your health condition gets worse it is recommended to visit your doctor.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Nettles: Herbal Remedies

Nettles usually appear at the same place year after year and if you would ever encounter these plants with your legs bare, you would not forget the time. Contrary to popular opinion, the common nettle is greater than a pesky, stinging weed.Nettle leaves are prized for their high concentration of calcium, chlorophyl, iron, zinc, chromium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, and K. Many people believe that nettles are a diuretic, helping to clean and improve bladder and kidney. Studies have shown that nettles have antihistamine properties that may help reduce allergic symptoms. Nettles may also help decrease certain skin inflammations such as eczema. Nettle is also said to have a stimulating effect on the scalp, and is often found as a rinse for the hair. It may help to regenerate hair growth and reduce dandruff.

Nettle facial steam:

Nettle has a natural astringent property that helps to reduce the swelling associated with active acne, razor nicks, and other small skin wounds. It is also used to shrink and tighten pores.

Method:
5 tablespoons of dried nettle leaves pour into 1 L of boiled water. Steam your face for 10 minutes to thoroughly purify the pores and purge any excess water.

Normalizing mask with nettle:

This mask is also used to tighten pores or to prevent blackheads and acnes.

Method:
Pour whole nettles into water and leave it for 1 day, after that put them into a blender, because you will need fresh nettle juice. Take another glass and mix 2 spoons of oat meals with 1/3 glass of milk and mix it good. Add Nettle infusion and mix once again. Apply the mask onto your face for about 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water.

Nettle tea:

Method:
Take 1 tablespoon of dried nettle leaves pour into ¼ of boiled water, leave it for 10 minutes, strain the nettle mixture and drink it. You can drink this tea once a day for 4-8 weeks. It is recommended to drink adequate fluids while consuming it, in order to avoid dehydration.

Hair tonic:

Method:
Pour 70% alcohol over 1kg of young nettles. Cover and leave it stand for 8 days. After 8 days, strain out the herbs. You can use it 1-3 times per week. Take the time after washing your hair to massage it into your scalp and after that wash it off with warm water.

Nettle shampoo:

Method:
Take 1 tablespoon of chopped nettle leaves pour into 100 ml of boiled water. Leave it for 5 minutes, strain off the liquid and store it in a cold place. After 1 hour add 2 white eggs and 1 tablespoon of mild liquid soap. Mix it all together.

Nettle for hair loss:

Method:
Pour 1 L of water over 250 gr of chopped nettle roots, add ½ of white wine vinegar.Put everything to cook over a medium heat for 30 minutes. Let the mixture cool and store in glass bottles.
To use: massage the mixture into your scalp once a week after washing your hair. Rinse off with warm water.

Nettle hair rinse:

For shinier and healthier hair and scalp.

Method:
Take young or dried nettle leaves pour into ½ L of boiled water, cover and let it cool for 3 hours. After that strain your nettle mixture,  add ¼ of apple cider vinegar and store in a glass jar.
To use: Use as rinse or gently rub into the scalp before washing your hair.

Method 2:
Take 20 gr of chopped young or dried nettle leaves (you can add mint leaves) Pour 300 ml of water over the plant material and cook everything over a moderate heat for 10 minutes. Leave it for 10 minutes, strain your nettle mixture and add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with 5 drops of peppermint essential. Store it in glass bottles. To use:  massage it into your scalp after washing your hair.

Nettle body wash:

Method:
Pour the water over the plant material and cook over a moderate heat for 10 minutes. Leave it for 15 minutes, strain your nettle mixture and add to your bath. This kind of body wash is good for all kinds of skin problems.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Nettle Syrup is Ideal Remedy for Blood Cleansing

nettle syrup, blood cleansingNettle has many benefits due to the plants very high level of minerals, especially, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, sulfur...


Nettle was used since long ago as remedy for rheumatism and arthritis, asthma, skin problems, inflammations, kidney and bladder stones. It's also used to treat anemia. It's roots were used as the main substance to prevent hair fall, while the extract is used for blood cleansing

Here are two recipes - one quite simple, and the other in combination with lemon and honey.

NETTLE SYRUP

Ingredients:
  1. fresh young nettle leaves (~1000 gr)
  2. filtered water (2,5 L)
  3. 500 gr of sugar to each 500 ml of water
Method:
  • Wash the nettle leaves, squeeze the nettle from all the liquid. Simmer gently with the water for 1 hour, replacing any water that has boiled away. 
  • After 1 hour strain and dissolve 500 gr of sugar to each 500 ml of liquid.
  • Wash the glass bottles you'll use to store the syrup, and put it in them. (Also you can use currant leaves, in proportion 1:1)
NETTLE, HONEY AND LEMON

Ingredients:
  1. fresh young nettle leaves (-400gr)
  2. juice of 6 large lemon
  3. 800 gr of sugar (white and brown)
  4. 5 tablespoons of honey
  5. filtered water (1 L)
There is one trick: If you don't like this idea with a lot of sugar.You can replace it with honey. For example 300 gr of sugar replace with 1000 gr of honey but don't cook it and don't add it to the cooled syrup. This juice has shorter expiration date.

Method:
  • Wash and chop the nettle leaves. 
  • Pour water into a saucepan and place the sugar (half brown, half white). Put everything to cook stirring occasionally (when boiled let it simmer for 5 minutes). 
  • If there is foam on the surface remove it with a spoon.
  • Then, put the nettle in ceramic bowl and pour the sugar syrup. 
  • Replace the dish and press it with glass or jar. Leave it for 10 minutes. 
  • After that add the lemon juice and honey. 
  • When you get the syrup strain it through strainer if necessary and the job is done. 
  • Put the syrup in sterilized bottles, cap and leave in the cold and dark place. 
  • Mix the syrup with water to make the juice according to taste (amount is 1/4 syrup, 3/4 of water), and enjoy it in the months to come.
  • This syrup will last for at least 6 months.