Dria El
June 30th, 2001, 09:51 PM
In the early 1800's, a doctor named Samuel Hahnemann invented a new approach to health and medicine called 'homeopathy'. His system relies on using minute doses of what made you sick to heal you -- usually in the form of plants and minerals. America is just rediscovering homeopathy, but it has continued to be popular in Europe -- the British Royal family relies heavily on it, forty percent of British doctors refer patients to homeopaths, and forty percent of French doctors have studied homeopathy and are able to prescribe it. One of Hahnemann's exceptional first aid discoveries was the use of the alpine flower, arnica, to assuage pain and trauma. Directions: In homeopathic first aid, practitioners place tiny Arnica pills under the tongue following any trauma or injury. They feel that this immediately quiets pain. Arnica lotions and ointments are sold as topical treatments for sprains, spasm, pain, and bruises and can be purchased in health food stores, some drug stores, and by mail. They must NOT be used if the skin is abraded or broken. A low dosage such as 6 or 9 (c or x) is useful for first aid.
Centuries ago, cold water was the primary remedy for injuries. Then, in the mid-nineteenth century, an Austrian peasant rediscovered some of the basics of cold water therapy and became a famous local healer. Today, cold water, along with ice, is once again the accepted treament for sprains, pulls, spasms, and bruises. Directions: Apply ice immediately after an injury. Use ice for no more than twenty minutes out of each hour during the first twenty-four hours. After the first day, you can use heat to further reduce stiffness and muscle soreness. Effective heat treatments are appliction of a hot water bottle, hot showers, or steeping the body in a warm bath. To increase healing, add Epsom, course, or sea salt to the bath water. When using showers, accelerate the healing process by alternating from hot to cold water. This stimulates circulation. Always end the session with cool or cold water.
Long ago in antiquity, the Chinese discovered many acupressure points that could be used to combat pain caused by practicing the martial arts of judo and jujitsu. For sudden, darting or shooting pains, apply deep pressure on the Kroun-Loun point. This point is located directly over the top of the ankle bone on the outside of the foot. For dull, aching pain, press the Ro-Kou point. This point is at the triangel where the bones of the index finger and the thumb meet. Note this is also called the Ho Ku point. Do not use this point if you are pregnant.
As far back as the Crusades, the oil-steeped flowers of St. John's Wort (Hypericum) were acclaimed for their painkilling and healing abilities. Directions: To make St. John's Wort oil, briefly soak a handful of the flowers in two cups of olive oil, then gently heat. Strain out the flowers. Let cool slightly, then apply oil topically. The oil is available from health food stores and mail order.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus offinallis), a beloved herb all over the world, is a major ingredient in Hungary Water. Queen Elizabeth of Hungary developed this lotion in the thirteenth century to restore feeling to her paralyzed limbs. The de Medici court in Florence, Italy used still another rosemary lotion for joint and bone pain. Directions: To make the lotion, buy an inexpensive bottle of vodka, gin, or brandy. Pour off one-third of the liquid, set it aside, and fill the bottle with rosemary flowers and -- if available -- rosemary twigs. Steep the bottle in the sun for three days (or keep the bottle near some stove heat). Shake several times a day. Strain and use. Rosemary lotion has a slight sting. Apply gently with a cotton pad. When the skin stops absorbing the liquid, stop patting. Bandage the area with soft flannel. After patting on the liniment, you might also drink rosemary flower tea which is available in health food stores.
Old British herbals describe ways to use aromatic lavender to reduce pain. Directions: Enclose fresh or dried lavender flowers in a cloth. Tie with a rubber band. Dip the cloth in very hot water, gently squeeze out, and apply to the area of pain. This heavenly-smelling compress speedily alleviates most recent pains.
For acute facial neuralgia, French village healers often recommended this easy water remedy. Directions: Apply hot compresses to the area of pain. Or, if you happen to be in the shower, aim hot shower streams to any areas of facial tension.
For facial pain, use this Asian cheek trigger point. Directions: With clean fingers, put the index fingers inside the mouth. Pull and press outward on the cheek, extending it upward toward the ears.
Ancient Healing Secrets by Dian Dincin Buchman, Ph. D.
Centuries ago, cold water was the primary remedy for injuries. Then, in the mid-nineteenth century, an Austrian peasant rediscovered some of the basics of cold water therapy and became a famous local healer. Today, cold water, along with ice, is once again the accepted treament for sprains, pulls, spasms, and bruises. Directions: Apply ice immediately after an injury. Use ice for no more than twenty minutes out of each hour during the first twenty-four hours. After the first day, you can use heat to further reduce stiffness and muscle soreness. Effective heat treatments are appliction of a hot water bottle, hot showers, or steeping the body in a warm bath. To increase healing, add Epsom, course, or sea salt to the bath water. When using showers, accelerate the healing process by alternating from hot to cold water. This stimulates circulation. Always end the session with cool or cold water.
Long ago in antiquity, the Chinese discovered many acupressure points that could be used to combat pain caused by practicing the martial arts of judo and jujitsu. For sudden, darting or shooting pains, apply deep pressure on the Kroun-Loun point. This point is located directly over the top of the ankle bone on the outside of the foot. For dull, aching pain, press the Ro-Kou point. This point is at the triangel where the bones of the index finger and the thumb meet. Note this is also called the Ho Ku point. Do not use this point if you are pregnant.
As far back as the Crusades, the oil-steeped flowers of St. John's Wort (Hypericum) were acclaimed for their painkilling and healing abilities. Directions: To make St. John's Wort oil, briefly soak a handful of the flowers in two cups of olive oil, then gently heat. Strain out the flowers. Let cool slightly, then apply oil topically. The oil is available from health food stores and mail order.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus offinallis), a beloved herb all over the world, is a major ingredient in Hungary Water. Queen Elizabeth of Hungary developed this lotion in the thirteenth century to restore feeling to her paralyzed limbs. The de Medici court in Florence, Italy used still another rosemary lotion for joint and bone pain. Directions: To make the lotion, buy an inexpensive bottle of vodka, gin, or brandy. Pour off one-third of the liquid, set it aside, and fill the bottle with rosemary flowers and -- if available -- rosemary twigs. Steep the bottle in the sun for three days (or keep the bottle near some stove heat). Shake several times a day. Strain and use. Rosemary lotion has a slight sting. Apply gently with a cotton pad. When the skin stops absorbing the liquid, stop patting. Bandage the area with soft flannel. After patting on the liniment, you might also drink rosemary flower tea which is available in health food stores.
Old British herbals describe ways to use aromatic lavender to reduce pain. Directions: Enclose fresh or dried lavender flowers in a cloth. Tie with a rubber band. Dip the cloth in very hot water, gently squeeze out, and apply to the area of pain. This heavenly-smelling compress speedily alleviates most recent pains.
For acute facial neuralgia, French village healers often recommended this easy water remedy. Directions: Apply hot compresses to the area of pain. Or, if you happen to be in the shower, aim hot shower streams to any areas of facial tension.
For facial pain, use this Asian cheek trigger point. Directions: With clean fingers, put the index fingers inside the mouth. Pull and press outward on the cheek, extending it upward toward the ears.
Ancient Healing Secrets by Dian Dincin Buchman, Ph. D.