I've been reading a lot of books on Folk Medicine...specifically the benefits of honey and apple cider vinegar.  The Doctor who wrote the book I'm currently reading, Dr. D.C. Jarvis, lived and practiced in Vermont in the late 50's.  I'm curious about how "folk medicine" has survived through the years and does anyone have any favorites that they use and "swear by" themselves...

Note:  I am not asking for or giving medical advice.  Just curious about home remedies and folk medicine in general...lol

Hugs to all!

Lorrie

Many of these "remedies" and "medicines" are now used as Rx drugs - such as digitalis, which was derived from hawthorn berry, an herb commonly taken for the heart.  There are many books written about the scientific validation of herbal medicine.  Honey is now the choice for coughs, instead of cough medicine, as well as for wounds (http://www.manukahoneyusa.com/BurnsWoundsUlcersSores.htm).  Olive oil is once again suggested for earaches.  I also think a cousin to these types of "cures" is nutrition, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food." as Hippocrates (the Father of Medicine) was know to say.

You might find these books interesting to read:

Traditional Foods Are Your Best Medicine Improving Health and Longevity with Native Nutrition - by Ronald F. Schmid, N.D

Nourishing Traditions - by Sally Fallon

~Gingerbread

If my stomach feels off, I chop up a clove of garlic and swallow it. ..don't need to know why it works, but it does. I suppose it kills any bad bugs brewing : )

Drinking or eating something tart to take away a headache. I tend to do cranberry or apple juice. Much better for you and your liver than aspirin or ibuprofen.

 dried cranberries or blueberries help kill e coli bacteria that causes bladder and intestinal infections. Babs

I read here about apple juice fixing headaches and tried it and it works. keep forgetting about it though!

A little OT here but read the Foxfire series--interesting true stories on self sufficient folks and all aspects of the life 

 Love the Foxfire Books. I have a few and really like the cookbook. My Fathers family grew up in western NC and Georgia where these where written  Some really good info on a lot of things. Babs

Lorrie,

Are you trying the cider vinegar and honey for anything in particular? A woman I know swears by  Dr, Bragg's cider vinegar for weight loss....she says  a tablespoon in a glass of water every morning helped her get back to a healthy weight. I treid it and it just made me dread mornings. : ) Meditation worked for me, but I suppose that's even weirder.

Actually, I'm looking for any ideas that will help bring my blood pressure down naturally.  There's the long term cost (physical and financial) that I'm concerned about.  My cholesterol and other numbers were perfect, but blood  pressure is high.  sooooooooo....question.  WHY?  Is it genetics or is my body chemistry out of wack and (if so) what would it take to get it back in line. 

Mineral deficiency?  Acid/ Alkaline imbalance? 

I'm researching and I have an appointment next month that I will be asking a lot of questions to my Doctor.  If there is a way to bring this down without adding man made  chemicals...I'd like to explore it!

Talk soon!

Lorrie