These natural healing remedies were listed in the 2010 Spencer New Leader article titled “Garden helps and healers.” We are grateful for the amazing natural healing remedies highlighted in this article, and we hope you can enjoy the healing powers of nature too!
Marigold Balm
Marigolds, aka Calendula, with their bright yellow and orange hues, are not only lovely in the garden, they are useful, with their unique properties offering a variety of benefits. The Marigold not only repels mosquitoes and other pests from the garden, its anti-inflammatory properties also aid in treating minor cuts and abrasions – and the flower may be antibacterial (it was used during the Civil War to draw out infection in wounds). Marigolds are also used to soothe and heal such skin ailments as burns and acne.
Here’s a recipe for Marigold Balm from Old Schoolhouse Magazine’s Homestead Newsletter: You will need ½ cup dried calendula petals (available in bulk at a health food store or from your garden), 1 ounce beeswax, ½ cup olive oil, (and) a sterile tine to hold your finished project.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
- Place the petals and oil into an ovenproof dish.
- Place the oil and herbs into the oven, then turn it off and leave for three to four hours.
- Remove from oven to cool for an hour or so on the counter.
- Once cool, strain out the herbs with cheesecloth.
- Add the beeswax to the remaining oil and put back into the oven (or you can use a microwave for this part).
- Heat just until the beeswax is almost melted.
- Stir until it is completely melted and combined.
- Pour into your prepared tins and let sit 15-20 minutes until cool.
Makes two tins of balm, about 2 ounces each.
Tomatoes
Many backyard gardeners grow tomatoes, and the season’s first ripe red tomato on the vine is a summer pleasure worth waiting all year for! Whether they are in a vegetable plot, container garden or upside down planter, tomatoes are not only delicious and nutritious, they also offer an array of health benefits.
In fact, it’s been well publicized that tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. But did you know the tomato is one of the top five food sources of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, potassium and fiber? Tomatoes are also excellent sources of phytochemicals, polyphenols and carotenoids. And research shows tomatoes are an aid in lowering blood pressure.
According to an Israeli study, adding tomatoes to a diet can reduce systolic pressure by four points. The secret weapon, once again, is the tomato’s high concentration of lycopene. The delicious dosage? About four whole tomatoes daily, which is easy during peak season. Off season, use chopped and canned garden tomatoes in chili, tomato sauces and soups to reach your daily dose.
Pansy Poultice
The pansy is a common, easy to grow flower. With their colorful “faces,” a plot of pansies adds personality to a garden or window box, but the ancient, edible flower is also a valuable detoxifying and anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, it’s been claimed the pansy is also helpful in treating eczema, asthma and allergies.
Pansies grown without pesticides can be enjoyed in their natural state, simply washed and tossed in a salad or cold drink, or the flowers may be made into a healthful tincture or tea. To make a pansy poultice for external skin application to treat eczema and impetigo, simply:
- Add two tablespoons of pansy petals to 2 cups boiling water.
- Allow to steep for about 20 minutes and cool.
- Soak clean cloth in mixture and apply to skin.
Garlic
Growing garlic? The health virtues of garlic have been touted for generations. Here are a couple to try: The book “The Healing Power of Garlic” suggests garlic nose drops can kill the viruses that cause cold or flu. Here are the book’s instructions on concocting the drops:
- Crush some garlic to obtain juice, and add ten part water and mix well.
- Apply as you would regular nose drops.
According to a home remedy published long ago, if you place a clove of garlic on each side of the mouth between the teeth and cheek, a cold will disappear within a day. It’s worth a try!
Interested in more healthful articles? Support your good health with more of our natural healing remedies and recipes, or visit our nutrition and fitness section.
