Showing posts with label beeswax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beeswax. Show all posts

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Alternative Medicine--Peppermint-Lavender-Rosemary Headache Balm

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

A lot of what I wish to learn about, and then eventually write about (if it's something that actually works), is what alternative medicine and remedies we will need to have for when there is no more conventional medicine--what can individuals do when there is no more insulin, no more thyroid medication, no surgery for appendicitis, no antibiotics.

But I also look at alternative medicine from a preventative point of view and trying to avoid needing conventional treatments.  I have two children who get ulcers, so they need to avoid taking aspirin whenever possible.  And I have a daughter who gets excruciating headaches, but they don't quite qualify as migraines.  Unfortunately, her supplies of sumatriptan and amitriptylline are limited, and building a TEOTWAWKI-type stockpile hasn't gone well, so those meds need to be conserved as much as possible.  She is fortunate in that if she takes something early, she can nip the headache in the bud and prevent a full-blown monster from ruining her day.  But because two of her siblings are susceptible to ulcers, it's probably a good idea for her to avoid aspirin as well, even though it works beautifully, especially when combined with caffeine and acetaminophen (like in Vanquish or Excedrin Extra Strength).

So it's a situation where we are turning to essential oils to help her.  Some essential oils can be irritating if applied directly to the skin, so they need to be diluted in a carrier oil.  Because Becky is in school all day, she needs something she can carry easily with her and that isn't going to make a mess in her bag if it gets too warm.  Some people like using little metal lip balm tins; I prefer the plastic lip balm tubes.  I think they're a little more leak-proof, just in case the balm gets a little too warm and starts softening.

Peppermint-Lavender-Rosemary Headache Balm

1/4 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon beeswax
18 drops peppermint essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil
12 drops rosemary essential oil

Melt coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler on the stove.  When the beeswax is completely dissolved in the coconut oil, remove from heat.  Stir in peppermint, lavender, and rosemary essential oils.  Carefully pour into lip balm tubes.

Apply to temples, forehead, and back of neck at the first sign of a headache.  

Note.  Beeswax is only used as a firming agent.  If you do not have beeswax, this balm can be made with just coconut oil, but it will have a much lower melting point.

Links to related posts:
Peppermint
Rosemary
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Coconut Oil in Alternative Medicine
Coconut Oil in Cooking  

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com 

Monday, July 1, 2019

Post Collapse Uses of Red Clover

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


I had other plans for writing today, but as I was out working in the yard this morning, I saw a few patches of red clover and remembered that I had missed out on harvesting it last year.  I figured today was the day to do it.  And when Lydia came in as I was writing this article and asked which herb she should start working with next, I suggested red clover.  Her timing is impeccable.

Red clover, Trifolium pratense, is harvested just as the blossoms appear, and for medicinal purposes, you want only the blossoms.  You can feed the leaves to your livestock and they will be very happy, unless they are like Bambi's Thumper, who only wanted to eat the blossoms. 

There are numerous clinical studies on the uses of red clover, some of which I have posted links for below.  Red clover probably doesn't make anyone's top ten lists of essential medicinal herbs, but still, it has its uses, especially for menopausal women.

MEDICINAL USES
  • Menopause, especially to alleviate hot flashes and prevent bone loss
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Whooping cough, to reduce spasmodic coughing
  • Upper respiratory infections, including colds, sore throat, and bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Psoriasis and eczema
Infusion.   Prepare an infusion using one to two teaspoons dried flowers steeped in boiling water for 15 minutes.  When there is no higher medical care, this infusion may help in managing the following conditions:
  • Whooping cough
  • Asthma
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Gout and arthritis
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Menopausal issues such as hot flashes and bone loss
  • Halting the progression of prostate cancer in men

Tincture.  Prepare a tincture in a 1:5 ratio of dried blossoms to 30-40% alcohol.  Put the blossoms in a canning jar and add the appropriate amount of alcohol, seal, and place in a dark cabinet.  Shake daily for six weeks, strain, and put in a dropper bottle.  The adult dosage is 2-6 ml, up to three times per day, for the same conditions as above.

Salve.  Fill a pint jar with dried blossoms and cover with olive oil or melted coconut oil.  Let infuse in a dark cabinet for four weeks.  Strain out the blossoms and discard.  Put the infused oil in a double boiler and add 1-2 tablespoons of beeswax.  Melt completely and stir until combined, and then pour into a jar.  Use for psoriasis and eczema.

Note that for many of these conditions, especially dealing with menopause or lowering cholesterol or blood pressure, it may take up to three months of daily usage to see results.

Contraindications:  Red clover is not for use by women who are pregnant, nursing, or wishing to conceive.  It is not for use by those taking blood thinners.  Do not use prior to surgery, as it may increase surgical bleeding.

Cautions:  Red clover should be avoided by those with a peanut allergy, as the two plants are closely related.

Possible side effects:  Nausea, muscle aches, heavy menstrual bleeding, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, acne.

For further reading:
https://draxe.com/red-clover/
http://www.medicinehunter.com/red-clover
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16645539
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/red-clover.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12496063
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25074017
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26471215
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724018/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17350196
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3206499/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17078110
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-308/red-clover
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-red-clover-89577

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com 

17 july 2023

DIY Petrolatum-Gauze Dressings