Welcome to Earth Clinic's treasure chest of home remedies!
Our readers have been testing and developing these folk remedies, with contributors from every part of the world, since 1999. We've been sent some of the most exciting remedies to date – dozens of restorative remedies, plus natural cures for cancer, fibromyalgia, back pain and better than 350 other diseases and conditions!
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RECENT NOTABLES:
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR COLD SORES
06/23/2009: Amber from Washington, DC writes: "I had never gotten cold sores before and this was the first time. It was horrible i had 3 HUGE cold sores on and around my lips. i waited 2 weeks and they didn't go away. i used pills and creams but nothing worked. I read here to use hydrogen peroxide and i figured what could i lose i already look horrible and i had 1 day befoe i was leaving to europe for 2 weeks. basically it works wonders! i had yellow puss dried up for about 5 days and it hadn't fallen off yet. the HP dissolved the dried puss and made it easier for me to pick off. some of the sores were still open so i put the hydrogen peroxide on( it burned like nothing else) it didn't puss over again it just dried out. now i have red skin but thats it. i can at least go out in public now"
BANANA PEEL FOR PSORIASIS
06/14/2009: Singing Preacher from Belton, Texas writes: "I recently read in a local paper that a woman used banana peel on her Psoriasis. I have had two treatments and immediately saw results. I rub the inside of the peel on the affected area twice a day. The first reaction burned like nettle, but after the stinging stops the itching did as well. Now that I have used the peelings for two days it appears that the areas are less productive, and lighter in color. No ointment has worked this successfully, and I am 51 with psoriasis at my knees and elbow since I was 12."
MULTIPLE CURES WITH TURMERIC
06/08/2009: Pcline from Springfield, Ohio writes: "Turmeric has controlled almost all of my health issues! I am amazed! It was given to me by a relative when I fell on the ice, to prevent swelling and inflammation in my injured knee, and while it appeared to make a difference (I continued to be able to walk, and the pain and swelling abated quickly) the most wonderful thing that emerged was that I realized about a week later that the my whole sinus/allergy issue was clearing up. I had been taking at least one Zyrtec and often either more Zyrtec or other sinus medication every day for over 18 years to keep the ever-lurking migraine away. I could not have gone more than 24 hours without taking the Zyrtec or a headache would start creeping up and my sinuses would begin to swell shut. First I saw, after taking turmeric for about a week, that I did not need any "back-up" medication, then I tried missing a Zyrtec, and to my complete amazement, I felt GREAT! No headaches! I can breathe! I cannot believe it.
I take at least a heaping teaspoon of turmeric (from the spice section of the grocery, although I am looking for it in bulk now) stirred in water as soon as I get up, and one in the evening. If I begin to feel any swelling during the day, such as when I am exposed to household dust, I take another teaspoon right away, and it eliminates the "headache creep". I stay ahead of the allergies this way, but if I cannot get turmeric when the swelling starts, and it begins to cause headaches, when I can get to the turmeric, I may have to take several teaspoon doses before it alleviates, leaving a half-hour or so before I take each additional dose, but IT WORKS! It has ALWAYS EVENTUALLY WORKED. I have not had to take more than three additional doses to stop what used to be RAGING migraines, causing me to have to go to bed and be debilitated for hours afterward.
I feel marvelous, but the additional benefits have been that I realize that my arthritis in my knees is all but gone! I can walk up stairs most of the time without noticing any discomfort at all!
Finally, most astonishingly, I (and everyone I know who has begun to take this) have begun to LOSE WEIGHT! I determined after a bout of intestinal virus to eat less food at a time. (After all, I had not been able to eat anything for 3 days, so this was a good time to break a habit) This was just before I started taking turmeric. With the addition of the turmeric, I feel, I was able to eat less. Nothing else has ever made a difference in my being able to eat less and not feel ravenous and deprived. In just over 3 months, I have lost 48 pounds!!!! And I feel energetic, fabulous, lively and alert! I cannot say what actual physical role turmeric plays as a weight loss aid, but I don't care. I am 53 years old and feel better than I have in YEARS!
I have begun to try turmeric on everything that occurs. I got a spider bite and it began to itch and sting immediately. I washed it right away and put a band-aid with moistened turmeric on it and in minutes, the pain and itch left, no sign of any bite. My family jokes that I would try to revive the dead by sprinkling some turmeric on them, but I cannot believe what a difference just taking turmeric has made with me."
EPSOM SALTS FOR SCIATICA
06/04/2009: Aldo from Brisbane, Australia writes: "Epsom Salts Worked for Sciatica!
My mother came down with sciatica last week. Immediately she went to see my brother, who is a chiropractor. That helped her a lot but the pain and discomfort was still there for her. Since then she was resting her leg as often as she could and taking pain killers when needing to walk on it for any extended period of time. When I heard about it, I had a look on this site and noticed the epsom salts testimonials. I suggested that she try having an epsom salt bath and to drink a couple of teaspoons of it with a glass of water also.
Well, I called her this morning and my mother was so excited! She said that she had a bath for about 30 minutes (and read a magazine!) with 2 cups of epsom salts on Wednesday night before going to bed. She also drank a glass of water with 2 teaspoons of epsom salts with some honey to improve the taste. She said that she slept so peacefully that night and woke up in the morning with NO PAIN! She was over the moon!
On Thursday, she drank a couple more glasses of water, epsom salts and honey and she plans to have another bath tonight (Friday). There has been no sciatica pain since waking up Thursday morning.
Thank you to Jean and Gwen for posting your results, the good news has now spread to our family too and we are passing it on to others. God Bless."
TURMERIC AND PEPPER IN WARM MILK FOR ALLERGIES
06/01/2009: AR from Newton, MA writes: "Hi, My son has been suffering from allergies for the past 5 years and I did try the apple cider vinegar etc. It helped but not all the time. Recently I put a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of pepper powder in a cup of warm milk and gave it to him before going to bed. And presto! Worked like magic! No more couging and sneezing in the mornings.
Also I made sure he eats a lot of organic raw vegetables ...a bowlful everyday.
Hope this works for someone."
COLD SHOWERS FOR SEVERE DEPRESSION
05/29/2009: Bill from East Stroudsburg, PA writes: "I suffer from periodic severe depressions. I have taken every drug known to science and have undergone shock treatment. By accident this spring I discovered that a long, very cold shower, as long as I can stand it provides the best treatment I've had in 50 years. I can only assume it is not suggested by doctors because the drug companies don't recommend it."
VEGETABLE OIL FOR BRUISING
05/27/2009: Danielle from Grand Rapids, Michigan writes: "For bruising, if you put a little oil on the bumped spot before the bruise appears it will not show up. At most it will only be a little red. My son is quite hard on himself and I have done this so many times for him. I don't know if it takes the pain away as well or not but every time he gets hurt he asks for oil on it now. It can really be any kind of oil, usually around the house I have vegetable oil or olive oil."
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR SHINGLES
05/17/2009: Sam from London, UK writes: "Hi all, in January 09 i came down with a case of shingles on the right side of my face. It was excruciatingly painful. Once the blisters had cleared up and I could again open my eye, I thought I was on the mend. However I was left with neuralgia in the nerve endings in the right side of my face and head. I went to the doctor to see what he could give me for it as this was preventing me from sleeping each night and I was slowly going in insane. The only thing he could suggest for me was anti-depressants. No way! Not for a pain on my face, however much it hurt! So to cut a long story short I did a lot of research. ACV kept coming up over and over. One morning the pain was soo bad and frustrating as I could'nt keep my fingers from it that I couldn't leave the house. I remembered that I had brought the ACV to try and took 2 tablespoons of it in desperation. Magically the itching and burning sensation stopped almost within minutes. I thought I was imagining it. However I continued to take it every time the pain came back and each time it had the same affect. 2 tbsp every couple of hours. Or whenever you feel the need. Hope you find this helpful. Take care"
BANANA PEEL FOR SPREADING WARTS
05/15/2009: Katie from Skipton, North Yorkshire, England writes: "WOW THIS REALLY IS A MIRACLE. It really does work 100%. My daughter is 4 years old and was covered in warts they started as a small cluster in the crook of her arm within a month they had spread right down her arm. I took her to the doctor who said to leave them alone they would go within two years. After 4 months she was covered down the whole of one side of her body.It was hard to see any skin. After numerous visits to the doctor and specialists they were still growing but by now they were catching on things and bleeding and were very sore. I couldn't take her swimming or have any of her skin showing they looked so bad, children can be so cruel. I did try other things first like Wartner but they didn't work and just hurt, but then i found this site. Thank you to all who left messages or i wouldn't have tried this. I put strips of banana skin on the warts at night held on by very large dressings because there was so many and in the morning we washed the skin with lemon juice. At first they seemed to get worse and i did think what am i doing but i am so glad we persevered. Some nights her skin was to sore so we just had a few nights off then start again. Banana skin at night washed off with lemon juice the next morning. It took about a month in total some just disappeared others a white core came to the surface so i just pulled it out with tweezers they did bleed a bit but then i just again washed with lemon juice and they dried up.All the warts have gone.Today we have just returned from seeing the skin specialist who can not beleive her skin. Even the doctor could not deney it works he said he had heard of this before, so why not tell people! I have been told they will not come back now they have gone. You will need to use bio oil afterwards to help the skin to heal with no scars, but my little girls skin is back to being beautiful, only people with warts will ever understand the pain of seeing your child so upset because people will not play with her because of the warts. Please if for nothing else other than curiosity or your at the end of your tether try this banana skin wrap.Thank you to everyone who took the time to leave good advise i will be eternally greatful."
SEA SALT FOR INSOMNIA
05/13/2009: Cal from Calgary, AB writes: "I was having problems falling asleep at one point and I resorted to all kinds of things even drinking alcohol, working out hard in the day so I would be exhausted but still wouldn't fall asleep but somehow (don't know how and why) it stopped and I was able to fall asleep. Then I would fall asleep fine but around 2am I would just awake sometimes for no reason sometimes to pee and I would hardly be able to fall asleep again. This happened for months. My eyes would just open and I would like there for hours trying to fall asleep again and no matter what I did it just won't happen. I even got eyebags due to lack of sleep now I want to get rid of them. I had gone to a health store and bought some sea salt - one without preservatives or additives and just sun and wind dried. Somewhere I had read something about sea salt but didn't quite remember what so I decided to try it. Add some to my drinking water and lo and behold that solved the problem. Another thing is I could only fall asleep on my left side so I started developing pain in my left shoulder and I could only sleep in that position. I couldn't sleep on my back or right side or belly but since drinking the sea salts I sleep on my back or right side like a baby. Sometimes i even sleep all through the night and even if I wake up to pee I will fall asleep again. I am sooooo happy. Hope this helps someone. I still take it daily or almost daily by adding about a little to about 1 liter of water - enough to taste it but not be salty. I think I was missing some minerals which the salts provided"
APPLES FOR ACID REFLUX
05/09/2009: Erin from Lima, Ohio writes: "After suffering from symptoms of "Acid Reflux Disease" for about three and 1/2 years and feeling very frustrated with (expensive)pharmceutical treatments and not getting any results, I decided to try both apple slices and apple juice before going to bed or when symptoms appeared (not at the same time). The results, I am THRILLED to say were IMMEDIATE!!! I tried them the same night that I read the testimonials from others on this site and I slept the best I have in those 3 1/2 years! No more sleeping sitting up or on my left side only. I had sloppy joes this afternoon, felt the symptoms coming back, ate apple slices (red delicious) and the symptoms went away. I am still trying to figure out what all of my trigger foods are. THANK YOU for this site and the information!"
CABBAGE FOR KNEE PAIN
05/08/2009: Treef from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England writes: "Hi. About forty years ago I badly sprained my left knee when the heel of my shoe broke. Since that time it occasionally becomes extremely painful, with a large swelling on the inside of the knee (I mean the side towards the other leg). A few years ago, however, I read about using cabbage leaves to treat joint pain and so thought I would give it a go. Hey presto! It worked. This is the treatment: Take some large dark green cabbage leaves and cut out the hard stalks. Next, in their raw state, crush them using a rolling pin until the juice starts to run a little. Then wrap them around the knee--right around and overlapping--and then apply a crepe support bandage to hold them firmly in place. This is best done just before bedtime. Go to bed, get a good night's sleep with your cosy knee held firmly in place, and wake up smelling like a compost heap. Unwrap the bandage, discarding the leaves, and test the leg gently. It works for me and also for a student I once had on a dance/drama course. He was about 16 and practically crippled with the pain from a knee that the doctors could do nothing about. He tried this remedy--and yes, it worked for him too! Excellent website--thank you."
TURMERIC FOR HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA
05/07/2009: Matthew from Lincoln, NE writes: "Good morning,
My wife suffers from HS. She has had multiple surgeries to remove large sections of her arm pits and was having constant large boils that required medical lancing to relive the pressure and pain. I read about Tumeric and using a natural based deoderant. She was skeptical at first but after my insisting she started taking the tumeric. I believe it was about 500-600mg twice a day. In addition, she started using the Natural Deoderant, and in about 2 weeks her golf ball sized inflammation was completely gone. She had the start of 3-4 more boils that had the potential to be just as large and all were gone.
Since the surgeries, my wife would have at least 2 to 3 open sores under her arms at any given time, they would just never heal. Since taking tumeric and switching to the natural deoderant they have completely healed. My wife can not remember a time when her arm pits were this clear, she is currently in complete remission of HS and able to live pain free. (And, as anyone with HS will tell you, the smell from open wounds is not that pleasent either)
I normally don't write into websites like this, but I had to spread the word about Tumeric. I don't understand what it does, but it seems to work to counteract HS from what I have read.
Thanks,
Matt"
RASPBERRIES FOR ALLERGIES
05/04/2009: Toni from Graham, NC writes: "I suffered from allergies for 27 years. One day I heard that Raspberries were good for allergies so I gave them a try. I will eat about four in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. I usually suffer from runny and itching nose, sneezing, watery eyes. It all disappeared, but you do have to eat them daily. Oh by the way I buy the frozen kind."
GARLIC CURES
05/02/2009: Monet from Cincinnati, Ohio writes: "Hello, I use your site all of the time and want to thank you for such useful information!
Recently, my feet started swelling along with blood pressure spiking to very high levels. I do not have high blood pressure so I could not understand what was going on. By day three I figured out I had a tooth infection that was probably starting to seep into my blood causing the swelling, blood pressure spikes, tingling in head, legs, and feet. After speaking with a dentist who felt they were unrelated and would not give me any advice on whether I should go to the ER, I decided to use garlic infused with yogurt (yogurt helps it go down easier). I took about 1 T. of crushed garlic and 1 T. of yogurt. Within 5 minutes the swelling in my feet went away and I felt my blood pressure had gone down. I took my blood pressure and it had dropped over 50 points! Obviously, the blood pressure spikes were brought on by the tooth infection, unbeknownst to the young Dentist!!!
I cook with garlic all of the time, but RAW GARLIC is terrific for blood pressure and infections!!!
Thanks!"
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR GOUT
05/01/2009: David from Midland, Tx writes: "I have had a swollen, painful big toe joint on my right foot for over two years. The left foot was becoming dotted with red spots as well as swelling in both ankles. Went to the Dr. in March, 2009 and he dignosed Gout and gave me 100mg of allopurinol daily. No improvement as of April 29. I looked up Gout cures on the internet that night and saw Apple Cider Vinegar being used with positive results. I remember family members who are all gone now, taking honey and apple cider vinegar for lots of ailments, so thought, what the heck. I took 3 tablespoons of cider yesterday a.m., last night and this morning I have no pain nor redness. This is unbelievable. I also stopped taking the meds which I know you aren't to do. These results in my case are amazing. My wife cannot believe all the redness disappeared overnight. I hope this keeps up."
OIL PULLING WITH SESAME OIL
05/01/2009: Pam from Ooltewah, Tn writes: "oil pulling and heart: I ran into OP one morning while getting together my sunday school lesson. For some reason my finger hit a site about acv which i take and happen to mention op I thought what is op. I looked it up and bought my sesame seed oil and began. The acv has helped me tremendously but the op makes me feel like I have a new heart!! I could not lay on my left side because i could feel my heart trying to push blood like it was having a hard time and when i would get off the acv for a long period of time my heart would just do weird stuff and almost where i almost faint. I am amazed by op i can lay on my left side and my heart feels like its brand new!! Op at first made me feel so tired for a few days but that left also at first i had a bad taste in my mouth but it left after a few days. Let me know if anyone else have had my symptoms!!!"
04/27/2009: Nic from Athens, Greece writes: "After seeing how successful are most of the home remedies I've found here, I decided to try this one as well out of curiosity. Oil pulling started more than a week ago, first with olive oil, which I thought would be the best, then bought excellent sesame oil for the first time in my life. Sesame oil was an amazing discovery, Greeks love olive oil and I was a big fan of this national product, avoiding all other oils, but in my case oil pulling was disgusting when using olive oil, and it was a big unpleasant surprise for me since I love the taste of olive oil. Although I suspect olive oil is extremely powerful, more than sesame oil and other oils, it was the latter that worked. I read someone's feedback that he managed to feel less depressed or something like that while oil pulling. I have always been against anti-depressants but many a time before I nearly tried to find a decent doctor to prescribe me some mild ones, as I felt very low for a very long period despite the fact nothing that serious or bad was happening in my life. First of all, negativity has vanished entirely from my way of thinking, dark thoughts were eliminated in just two days. I had no problem focusing so far but I never thought my ability to focus could become so good, excellent! Colours became more vivid especially red green and blue. Confident and more pragmatic than ever, I find it no more difficult to decide and evaluate almost everything. Oil pulling is a great tool if you are trying to become serene and positive. And yes, oil pulling with sesame oil doesn't taste horrible, is easier and you can swish more efficiently, cures not only the body, but also the mind, betters your psychological condition. I am so glad I never found a decent doctor for those 'happy' pills. The answer is oil pulling. I just wish I knew about turmeric powder, ACV+honey, good old garlic and onion, warm compresses etc, earlier, as I would have never taken so many antibiotics. Thank you very Earth Clinic Team and all of you who send your feedback!
Cheers"
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR SEVERE ALLERGIES
04/26/2009: Liz from Scranton, PA writes: "In the last few years, I have developed severe allergies-- almost debilitating during the warm weather. My face swells, eyes shut and itch--even my scalp itches, but worst of all is blowing my nose raw and the exhaustion from continuous sneezing, headaches and constant sore throat. Did I say that I was almost constantly miserable? I had lost all semblance of my carefree outdoor life.
In desperation, I tried every natural remedy and over-the-counter medicine I could buy, even doubling the doses--nothing has worked except slightly, perhaps, for an hour or two.
I have found so much help on this site in the past, so I came here again yesterday when an allergy attack was so severe, I could not continue to teach. My seventh graders kept asking, "What's wrong, Ms.? What's wrong?"
Going over your allergy remedies again, I could not help but marvel at all the people who were getting such tremendous relief from apple cider vinegar. I had tried it before with little benefit, and I was just wishing, "If only it would work for me!"
Suddenly, it dawned on me! Maybe I'm not using enough vinegar! Maybe I'm not using it often enough? I started to use about two good splashes of raw apple cider vinegar to about three ounces of water (less than 1/2 cup). On the counter, ready and waiting, I had mixed 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and a little water (Thanks Ted). Quickly I slugged the vinegar and water (strong but bearable this way). Then immediately swished my mouth with the baking soda and water to protect my teeth. Swallowed a little of this for my stomach. I did this on the hour, about four times, and about 11:00 PM, I started to notice some relief.
I took the cider vinegar once during the night and again upon rising. Then I noticed right away that all my allergy symptoms had subsided considerably. I used the intensified method five or six times the next day and felt so well on the third day that I dropped the "treatment" back to 4 times. I feel human again! I feel wonderful! I can smell flowers and cut my grass without a handkerchief tied to my nose By the way, my nose is not red and swollen, my eyes are open and clear. The sore throat that I have had constantly for months and months is finally gone! THIS IS A MIRACLE WORTH PRAISING GOD ABOUT!
PLEASE! PLEASE! ANYONE WHO DID NOT FIND THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TREATMENT FOR ALLERGIES TO WORK, TRY IT AGAIN AT MUCH HIGHER DOSAGES AND FREQUENCY.
It may be all you need to do to tweak this remedy and get your life back. I still can't believe how good I feel. Thank you Earth Clinic! So glad you're here for all of us!
Liz"
HOW TO TAKE TURMERIC (for CANCER PREVENTION, BOILS, MRSA, STAPH, ACNE)
04/17/2009: Rick from Montreal, Quebec, Canada replies: "Tumeric. The best way to take it is to make sure you have a very small amount of piperine ( black pepper ) with it. The piperine facilitates its absorption into the bloodstream in considerably higher amounts. A world class authority on cancer has shown this by way of a diagram in his book....
You can make a tea, allowing the tumeric ( and a pinch of black pepper) to steep for at least five minutes. After it cools a bit, adding honey is fine if that suits you better. ( 2g of Tumeric for at least 1 cup of boiling water).
As an interesting option, I sometimes mix my organic tumeric, which I purchase in bulk at a health food store, with some black pepper. Then I add this mix to unpasteurised buckwheat honey ( which is high in minerals and enzymes ). So about 3 grammes of the powdered mix with a tbsp. of the honey.. I eat this at intervalles during the day.
I personally believe in consuming tumeric daily as, at the very least, a cancer preventative.
Enjoy."
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
04/14/2009: Tina from Vancouver, Canada writes: "1.5 yrs ago I was diagnosed with RA (Rheumatiod Arthritis) and I learned what pain is. I have been taking 6 different medications for it and allergy medicine. I had gotten to the point where I wasn't sure if I would ever get better, and deffinatly knew that I did not want to be taking a handsful of pills everyday, when it was suggested that I look at this website and specifically at the Hydrogen Peroxide Cures, that maybe there was something there.
I did and also looked at some other websites to see both sides of the story, and decided that maybe this could help me.
3 weeks into treatment following the drop schedule I had started with 3 drops 3 times a day of 35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide diluted down to 3% and was now at 25 drops 3 times a day, I felt good enough to stop taking all of my medications. I had been gradually decreasing them since I had started taking the HP, I didn't just stop taking them all of a sudden, I had feared withdrawl symptoms, or other side effects. I would simply take one pill out of my regime every few days or so, and see if there were any ill effects. As of today I am 3 weeks off my medications.
I thought it might be worth a mention though, as I haven't read it anywhere else yet, that I started experiencing the Cleansing Crisis, and went to the local Health Food store to see if they had any sugestions to help me to ease the new joint pain that I was experiencing as I did not want to take any Over the Counter Drugs for the pain, and the Health Food Store Owner sugested that I add more fiber, as some toxin's need to leave the body through the bowels, not just through the liver and urine. She suggested that since I was so far into the Therapy that I start out with 3 tbs of a fiber supliment 3 times a day for a week or so the help eleminate more of the toxin's. I have followed her direction for 2 days now, and have noticed a considerabe improvment. I think if I had been taking a fiber supliment regularly since I had started the HP Therapy, maybe I wouldn't have gone through the Cleansing Crisis, although I am by no means a registered naturopath or anything, just a regular person willing to learn, it deffinatly makes sence to me that this information might be of benifit to others.
Something else I have experienced is throat soarness. For this I have Apple Cider Vinager mixed with equal parts Honey ready in my fridge, and would take this 15 mls 3 time a day until the soarness went away. I have also found it a great way to head off colds.
And Just another side note: I have been using the HP as ear drops for my boyfriend and myself, and have noticed that his hearing has improved (he has a perforated ear drum, and was hard of hearing, he is in construction and the loud machinery has been gradually making his hearing worse). The other night he asked me to turn the TV down, that has never happened befor.e
I am still feeling some soarness and stifness, although I am not sure if that can be associated with the fresh snow on the mountains, but now I can see a future without pain and without RA. I am optimistic. "
VITAMIN B COMPLEX FOR EDEMA
04/08/2009: Susan from Townsville, Queensland writes: "Vitamin B Complex: Recently went on an overseas air flight. The 1st leg of the journey was 7 hours, my feet and ankles were extremely swollen on landing. But during the 2nd leg, 12 hours, I was lucky to find spare seats and lay down to sleep, so I had minimal problems on landing. 4 weeks later, on the return 12 hour flight, I had to sit the whole time, but I made sure to get up and walk every half hour or so. On landing, I had swelling again, but this time with an ugly red rash up the inside of both shins. 3 days of extensive walking and sight seeing only made the rash darker, although the swelling did subside. But of course it returned after the 7 hour flight home. I read at home that night that Vitamin B might help with Edema - fluid retention. I took 2 "Mega B" capsules, and the next morning, the swelling was gone, and the rash had completely disappeared, there not a trace of it, yet it had been an extremely dark, solid, red mass with slight itchy bumps, running 2/3rd's up the length of each shin. I only wish that I had known this before the trip, I would have taken a bottle of Vitamin B with me. I now take Vitamin B each day, and have noticed that my feet are no longer puffy in the mornings .. a problem that has occurred every now and then since my last pregnancy 11 years ago. Thanks for a truly informative site."
TURMERIC FOR BOILS
04/07/2009: SARITA from MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA/INDIA writes: "I WAS SUFFERING FROM VERY LARGE AND PAINFUL BOILS FROM THE PAST 1 1/2 YEAR. THEY USED TO BE THE SIZE OF A TENNIS BALL AND EACH WOULD LAST FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 -2 MONTHS TO GET CURED. THE FIRST BOIL LASTED FOR 4 MONTHS. AFTER THE BOIL GOES AWAY A BLACK BIG MARK IS LEFT BEHIND. AFTER I STUMBLED UPON EARTH CLINIC SITE ON THE NET,I STARTED TO TAKE TURMERIC I TEASPOON IN WARM WATER THRICE A DAY. THE LAST BOIL WAS A VERY PAINFUL ONE,BUT THAT WAS THE LAST ONE.TURMERIC HAS REALLY WORKED WONDERS WHICH VARIOUS DOCTORS, ANTIBIOTICS, PRESCRIPTIONS COULD NOT DO. THANKS TO EARTH CLINIC."
POTATOES FOR FEVER
04/05/2009: Heather from New Orleans, Louisiana writes: "We have been using potatoes in my family to break fever for many years. My mother is 65 and HER mother used to do it when she was a little girl. I tell all of my friends about it b/c it does work and many people do not know about. Get an old pair of socks that fit snugly. Purchase larger sized potatoes. Cute them in half and keep them in the FRIDGE to make them cold! Then, slip them into your socks and keep them on your feet until they cooked! They will turn brown or black from drawing the fever out of your body. I have done this many times throughout my life and only once did my fever not break. I was very, very sick when that happened. But, 95% of the time will work for you. You can even stick the used potatoes in a bag back into the fridge to get cold again...then reapply to the feet within a half hour or so. Please try this...it's been in my family for two generations and there is a reason why."
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR DAUGHTER'S ECZEMA
04/02/2009: Amanda from Lakeside, Arizona writes: "Apple Cider Vinegar for Excema: My daughter who is now six years old has had excema since she was 5 weeks old. We have tried everything to cure her excema. She has it the worst on her cheeks and around her mouth. I finally found this website that said to use Apple Cider Vinegar. I thought we would give it a try. Two nights ago I gave her 1 tsp. in a glass of juice. She didn't like it but she tried it. Then we took a cotton ball and rubbed it all over her face. She said it stung for about a minute then it went away. I only did this once that day, then the next morning it was absolutely amazing. Her face looked better than it has in years. We did not even give her the APV orally yesterday we just rubbed it all over her face again before bedtime and this morning her face is completely cleared up. I have been calling every family member I know telling them about this. We have quite a few kids in the family that have excema that have had no luck. I am so grateful I found this website. Thank you."
3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR STAINED TEETH
03/30/2009: Bob from Memphis, TN writes: "My Secret for Whiter Teeth: I really like this site. I've read numerous helpful suggestions on here I plan on trying. Here is one that I have been doing for many years now that I would like to pass on to you. Dentist are making a fortune off bleaching teeth when you can do it yourself at home for a few cents per day. I have been using regular off the shelf 3% hydrogen peroxide to bleach my teeth for years now. I am a male 52 years old and even today when I go to the dentist they are astounded at how white my teeth are and find it hard to believe that I don't have them bleached. Every day after you brush your teeth grab your bottle of peroxide and put enough in your mouth to fill it up but not to the point of gagging on it. I like to do this while I am shaving but it also works well to put it in your mouth as you are stepping into the shower. Leave it in your mouth the entire time you are in the shower and right before you turn the water off spit it out and rinse well with water. While it is in your mouth swish it and just keep doing that the whole time it is in your mouth. Try to do it once per day every day of the week. You should see a difference within a week or two. If you are a smoker or heavy coffee drinker you will probably see a difference even quicker. I happen to like really strong black coffee. I drink about 4 cups every morning. I buy several big bottles which you can get at places like Costco or Sam's. The cost is very minimal and for just a few cents per day you will have gleaming white teeth. Watch, people will start commenting on what white teeth you have and ask how you get them so white. I always reply I just brush with that baking soda and peroxide type tooth paste. I guess you can answer however you choose. Hope some of you get some use out of this."
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
03/27/2009: Ali from Bursa, Turkey writes: "ACV for blood pressure: I have been having high blood pressure, for the first time in my life. I am 56 and have Type 2 diabetes. At the doctors, I had consistent high bp measurements for a few times, and the doctor decided to monitor it for a week and put me on medication depending on the results. My son told me about earthclinic and ACV and one night I decided to give it a shot. I measured my bp at 15.9/10.1. I took ACV (about two tbsp and some water) and measured it again 30 min later. Voila!!!! It was 12.2/8.5. I have since been on ACV and have my bp has measured normal, no more high bp. Thank you earthclinic and ACV!!!"
HORSERADISH FOR MELASMA
03/26/2009: CASSY from LAS CRUCES, NM writes: "FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE GAL THAT FIRST POSTED THIS INFO...U ARE A GODSEND ! I HAVE SUFFERED WITH ACNE AND MELASMA FOR OVER TEN YEARS. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING OUT THERE, SPENT THOUSANDS ON USELESS TREATMENTS, AND HAVE FOUND THAT SOMETHING SO SIMPLE AS HORSERADISH HAS ENDED THIS AWFUL CHAPTER IN MY LIFE ! THIS STUFF BURNS A BIT, BUT IS INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE AT ELIMINATING ALL BROWN PATCHES INCLUDING ONE THAT LOOKED PRECANCEROUS...IT JUST FELL OFF ! I AM TRUELY AMAZED AT HOW FAST THIS STUFF WORKS.
I HAVE BEEN PUTTING IT ON AT NIGHT AND LET IT DRY WHILE I READ OR WATCH TV. I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT ON ALL NIGHT BUT AFTER IT DRIES IT WILL FLAKE OFF AND GET ALL OVER YOUR PILLOW/BED. SO WHAT I DO IS KINDA GROSS, BUT IT WORKS...I STAND OVER MY SINK AND GENTLY WIPE IT OFF WITH A DRY WASHCLOTH. I DO NOT WASH MY FACE ...I WANT TO LEAVE WHATS LEFT ON MY FACE ON ALL NITE LONG, ONLY WIPING AWAY THE EXCESS DRIED HORSERADISH. DO NOT RUB, ONLY WIPE GENTLY. I TRIED DOING THIS TWICE A DAY BUT IT WAS TOO MUCH...AND I BURNED MY SKIN A LITTLE....SO ONCE A DAY IS SUFFICENT.
I STARTED USING THIS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND ITS ALMOST GONE...AND I HAD IT ALL OVER MY FACE.IT WAS REALLY REALLY DARK TOO. I HAVE ALSO HAD ACNE MY WHOLE LIFE IT SEEMS, AND HAVE NEVER FOUND ANYTHING THAT HELPS. I HAVE CYSTIC, AND REGULAR ACNE.I WAS SO SURPRISED TO NOT HAVE A BREAK OUT WHEN I GOT MY PERIOD. SO I HAVE BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH IT ON PIMPLES AND CAN BELIEVE WHAT IT DOES. THIS STUFF DRIES IT UP IMMEDIATELY !
I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH MY RESULTS I AM NOW PUTTING IT ON MY ARMS WHERE I HAVE LOTS OF SUN DAMAGE AND A FEW SPOTS THAT I AM WORRIED MAY BECOME CANCEROUS. WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW THAT GOES. I HAD A SIMILAR AGE SPOT THAT LOOKED CANCEROUS ABOVE MY EYEBROW. I HAD ONLY BEEN USING IT FOR ABOUT TEN DAYS WHEN THE WHOLE THING JUST CAME OFF, LIKE A SCAB ON A WOUND. WOW !!! THIS STUFF BURNS AND STINKS BUT IS SOOOO WORTH IT ! A MIRACLE PRODUCT SITTING ON YOUR GROCERS SHELF FOR ONLY A FEW BUCKS. TRY IT U WILL BE AMAZED TOO. BE DILIGENT AND DO IT EVERY NITE UNLESS U HAVE BROKEN SKIN...THEN U SHOULD WAIT TILL IT HEALS. I USE REGULAR CREAMY STYLE...NOT THE EXTRA HOT."
[YEA] 08/08/2007: jamie from laguna hills, ca writes: "i read in a book that swedish woman use horseradish on their faces to cure brown spots. I tried it and i will have to say it really worked. Not only did it take away brown spots instantly but it made my face glow and took away my sleep crease .definately give this a try i haven't heard anyone talking about horseradish but it works.Just get the kind at your local store that is crushed and put it on in a circular motion ,leave it on for a few minutes and rinse."
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR SINUS POLYPS
03/19/2009: Kieran from Cookeville, TN, USA writes: "Much better within days using hydrogen peroxide! I have had nasal polyps for 6 years at least. I got on a prescription corticosteroid nasal spray. Very expensive, it worked and I could breathe so well I no longer needed it for a year,then the polyps came back. This time neither that medication nor another brand worked well at all. Since then I have spent literally thousands of dollars, and got used to mouth-breathing, most of the time, year-round - in addition to having the nose at times swollen, face hurting, constant runny nose (delightful on social occasions!) being woken up repeatedly every night to mop at nose, little to no sense of smell, etc. For years I have continued the nasal steroid spray, in addition I have taken a truckload of supplements, tried homeopathic remedies, acupuncture (repeatedly) and Chinese herbs, over-the-counter meds, lymphatic drainage massage (helpful to a degree), drinking gallons of water daily as per Dr. Batmanghelidj, a mini-trampoline (slightly helpful), DHEA (somewhat helpful at 25mg per day for me, a middle-aged male, tended to shrink the polyps slightly), FDA-approved meridian-diagnostic machines, a 4-day water-only fast followed by an elimination diet followed by avoiding all eggs, milk, and cheese for a year or 2 (made no difference) etc...I have been desperate enough to consider surgery, but put off by the astronomical cost and by the tales of pain, misery, brief relief and repeated polyp re-growth of those who pursued that option.
Last week, as a result of one more of my countless internet searches on the subject, I found some interesting references.
Little is known about nasal polyps, but one known fact is that "eosinophilia" is often involved - (I thought Eosinophilia was a city in Pennsylvania), but actually it turns out eosinophils are a type of white blood cell, and at least in many cases of nasal polyps in an immune over-reaction too many eosinophils rush to the sinuses (to fight a real or imaginary invader) and cause chronic inflammation.
I had also seen before the idea mentioned that nasal polyps might be caused from either actual parasites or "ghost parasites".
Last week I found someone on a forum on curezone.com saying they were shrinking their polyps by squirting ordinary drugstore 3% h2o2 up their nostrils twice a day, mixed 50/50 with water I believe, in their opinion killing the parasites.
Then I found another article saying that applying h2o2 to eosinophils caused apoptosis - cell death. I have been merely dipping a cotton swab in straight h202 3 times daily and swabbing the polyps. They stopped tickling and have been shrinking rapidly, my sense of smell is back, I am not filling a trash-can full of tissues, I can breathe a lot better! It costs $1 or two at the dollar store for enough to last for months. Incidentally, an applied kinesiology practitioner told me months ago that I had parasites in the sinuses."
BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS
03/18/2009: Judy from Toormina, N.S.W. Australia writes: "I would like to tell you for 7 years we have been trying to find a cure for our daughter Natalie with chronic ulcerative colitis, she was just about to have her colon removed when a friend told us about black strap molasses. Within a week of taking 1 teaspoon daily she has been in complete remission and said she has never felt better am so grateful. I have been taking it too and have found a big improvement in my well being and nervous system. regards Judy Harrison"
CASTOR OIL AND SINUS/SMELL ISSUES
03/17/2009: Gautam Desai from Vadara, Gujarat, India writes: "i had severe problem of sinus coupled with loss of smell. Doctors suggested this is dsue to polyps and i had them removed about 5 years.
this surgery has given temporary relief but the loss of slell continued.
some of my friend suggested use of castor oil.
i put one drop of luke warm castor oil in morning and one drop before i sleep.
this i am doing for last 10 days and to my surprise i got rid of my sinus problem and smelling sense is gradually coming back"
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR SEVERE PAIN
03/16/2009: Jim from Madison, Wisconsin writes: "I have spinal stenosis and scoliosis and my back got so bad that I started limping. I had severe pain especially if I bent over. My back literally was killing me with pain. I was taking prescription naprosen (1000 mg/per day). That had little effect on the pain. I had arthritis in both index fingers, both shoulders and my back was full of it. I remembered that I had heard or read somewhere about ACV. I found this web site and read everything I could on ACV. I was so encouraged! I went out that day and bought a qt of organic ACV. The first time I took it I wondered how could I continue taking it. However the taste was not as bad as the pain I was going through. I quit taking the pain medication and just used ACV. I take about 3 ozs. to 4ozs a day in some water. After about 3 or 4 days, I noticed the pain throughout my body starting to subsiding. By the end of 2 weeks the pain was literally gone. I can bend over with no pain, hop around with no pain and play with my cat. No more NSAIDS, only ACV. I have been telling everyone I see about this MIRACLE CURE FOR PAIN. I hope I have encouraged someone sitting on the fence to try this. By the way, there are other benefits to taking ACV."
WHITE VINEGAR AND A PENNY FOR RINGWORM
03/13/2009: Sherry from New Orleans, Louisiana writes: "My Grandmother would always cure the family's ringworm with white vinegar and a penny. She would soak the penny in a cup of vinegar over night and then place the penny on the site with a bandage. The results are amazing in that the ring worm would began drying the same day and the itching would almost cease immediately. I reminded my brother of this remedy when my niece had a ring worm. He stated that he soaked the penny over night but only applied the penny periodically ( no bandage) and it worked just like always! Thank you grandma!"
5-HTP AND PYRIDOXAL 5 PHOSPHATE FOR DEPRESSION
03/13/2009: Tim from Perth, Western Australia writes: "I am a 46 year old male who has suffered from regular bouts of depression for most of my adult life. These depressed episodes were not usually linked to any situational cause and indeed could be very difficult to understand for my family because there was no obvious trigger or reason why I was depressed. The symptoms presented as physical as well as mental and I would suffer from joint pain, lethargy and extreme nausea and in severe bouts even cold sweats and shivering that would last for days and sometimes a week. I have tried prescription anti-depressants but the side effects were almost as bad as the ailment so I resolved to put up with the ups and downs (I only probably had episodes bad enough to take off work maybe twice a year).
About 2 years ago someone put me on to 5 Hydroxy Tryptophan or 5-HTP as a precursor to serotonin production and I decided to give it a try (the potential for weight loss was an added incentive) and I found the results somewhat hit and miss until after some research and experimentation I hit on the combination of 5-HTP (100mg) combined with Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate (15mg) (the active enzyme version of vitamin B6 and assists in the conversion of the 5-HTP to serotonin) taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (I avoid eating for at least half an hour). The theory from my research into taking it on an empty stomach is that this avoids the 5-htp metabolising into serotonin in the stomach before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Further, I have found that the active version of B6 is more effective than the common variety version (pyridoxine) because I think I struggle to metabolise the pyridoxine variety into the active enzyme and therefore have a natural B6 deficiency (probably why I don't produce enough serotonin).
I haven't had a bout of depression for over 12 months now despite the fact that I have experienced (as many others have over the past 4 months) the most stressful and extreme anxiety creating environment of my professional life."
MAGNESIUM FOR KIDNEY STONES
03/10/2009: Alex from Falls Church, Virginia writes: "I read your website in desperate need for guidance with a self-diagnosed kidney stone issue (no health insurance).
I tried everything. 500 g tablets of magnesium twice a day plus lots of water was the most effective method. After a couple days, the pain diminished dramatically. After about a week, I didn't have anymore pain. It made my urine look cloudy, otherwise, no other side effects. What a relief!!"
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR BURNS
03/09/2009: Felicia from Ellensburg, WA writes: "I once saw years ago a mention in an article that ACV was good for burns. I remember my mother putting it on me when I was young and dumb and got a sunburn. But I don't remember it ever doing much. Strangely though several years ago I got a fairly bad burn on several of my finger tips taking chicken out of the oven. At the time all I could think was that I had to get some ACV, don't ask me why but I did, especially since my experience so far wasn't good. But I got it out (not even the good natural, unfiltered kind) and I soaked my three fingers in ACV for about 45 minutes which was about how long it took for the fingers to quit throbbing. Instead of getting blisters all that happened was about a week after the incident a small patch of dry skin appeared on the finger where I received the worst of the burn. So the skin was still damaged and I still lost it, but there was no blister or lingering pain or tenderness. Same exact thing happened when my young son burned the palm of his hand on a light bulb. When he did it he immediately said through his tears, "Oh, no, not the stinky stuff, Mom!" I had him soak it for about 45 minutes and he experienced the same result I did, just a small patch of dry dead skin about a week after the incident. I now know that ACV isn't very good for sunburns because you would need a vat of the stuff to soak in, but for everything else burn related, I swear by Apple Cider Vinegar. It works miracles!"
ANNA'S TURMERIC RECIPE FOR BOILS
03/07/2009: Leila from Amsterdam, The Netherlands writes: "First, let me tell you that this site has become one of my favourites and has helped me get back in touch with my affinity for folk remedies. Thank you for that!
Yesterday evening, I tried the Turmeric Tea recipe that Anna from Union County, NJ, shared. It tasted so much better than I thought it would, it's actually delicious! I like drinking warm milk before bedtime :D
More importantly, only one large cup of this tea already reduced a boil in my armpit to half its size overnight. It also doesn't hurt any longer. I stopped using commercial deodorants about a year ago, because I kept getting awful boils under my armpits and suspected the aluminium in deodorant to cause these. Used green clay compresses, but they only work temporarily and the boils kept returning. I also get boils on my breasts - horribly painful and embarrassing.
I'm absolutely amazed at how quickly the Turmeric had an effect! Thank you, Anna, and thank you, EC!"
09/06/2007: Anna from Union County, NJ writes: "Turmeric truly is the cure for boils. I have been struggling with boils for over 10 years! I have been to countless doctors and dermatologists for this embarrassing and painful ailment to no avail. I stumbled upon this website and tried it. When I saw a huge difference in 48 hours, I cried. Thank You.
Here is a turmeric tea recipe that is truly delicious, from Yogi Bhajan, founder of the Yogi Tea brand INGREDIENTS:
* 1 tsp turmeric powder
* 4 cups water
* 1 cup milk (soy or dairy)
* 2 tbsp almond oil
* liquid sweetener, to taste, optional (honey, agave, maple syrup)PREPARATION:
Bring water to a boil and add turmeric. Allow to simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring to make sure the turmeric is fully dissolved. Reduce heat, add milk and oil and stir well. Add sweetener if desired and enjoy!This just shows how we should look to Mother Earth a little more often instead running to a physician.
Also, instead of using Neosporin on those nasty things, a little manuka honey and vitamin E salve goes a long way."
VITAMIN C FOR BODY ODOR
03/03/2009: Haycee from Gauteng, SA writes: "Vitamin C for body odour
I have tried several remedies listed on EC for body odour after I suddenly started perspiring profusely this summer and noticed a strong and unpleasant smell coming from one armpit. I stopped using soap, tried ACV, baking soda, coconut oil, witchazel, zinc ointment, green clay, all with varying degrees of success. However, they were no match for the hot and humid SA summer we are experiencing and had to be re-applied during the day.
Two weeks ago, I hit on a simple remedy which works spectacularly well - Vit C. I have been experimenting with remedies to replace soap and hit the jackpot when I mixed one crushed Vit C tablet with about two tablespoons of baking soda and discovered that the mixture prevents body odour. I also use the mix to brush my teeth. Later I discovered that Vit C works well on its own as a deodorant.
Here's what I do: I crush a Vit C tablet (ascorbic acid 500mg), lightly dip a damp finger in the powder and apply to damp skin once a day. One tablet is enough for many applications since you need a miniscule amount to be effective. I have also noticed that it not only prevents BO but also instantly removes any odour if, for some reason, you neglect to apply it in the morning."
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