Home Remedies

Natural Health, April, 1999 by Laurel Vukovic

NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYDAY AILMENTS

I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, when my herbs, flowers, and vegetables are all beginning to grow. What just last month was a blank slate outside my window is now bursting with new life. I go to my garden first thing every morning just to see what has pushed through since the day before. I pull a few fledgling weeds, water, and squeeze in another vegetable or herb start that I couldn't resist buying from the local farmer's market. But mostly, I just look at the beauty of the plants. Observing the cycle of new growth reminds me of the possibilities for renewal within myself, and I feel inspired and refreshed.

Soothing Relief for Razor Burn

Razor burn plagues many people, especially those with sensitive skin or men with thick, coarse facial hair. If you take a couple of minutes to prepare your skin first, you can enjoy a smooth, close shave without irritation. First, soften the area to be shaved with hot compresses. Soak a washcloth in a basin of hot water with 1 drop of lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia). Gently ring out the cloth and apply it to your skin, repeating the process several times. Next, apply a thin layer of moisturizing oil (such as jojoba or avocado). On top of the oil, use a moisturizing shaving cream or lotion, and make sure to shave in the direction of your hair's growth. Rinse your skin thoroughly with warm water after shaving.

For a soothing after-shave lotion, steep 1 tablespoon each of dried comfrey leaves (Symphitum officinale) and dried calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis) in 1/2 cup of distilled witch hazel extract (Hamamelis spp.) for two weeks. Strain, and combine 1/4 cup of the herb-infused witch hazel with 1/4 cup of rose water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin, 5 drops of lavender essential oil, and 5 drops of sandalwood essential oil (Santalum album). Shake well before using. Comfrey and calendula promote skin healing, and witch hazel and rose water are mild astringents. Lavender and sandalwood calm inflammation and are gentle antiseptics, and vegetable glycerin helps to keep the skin moisturized. Stored in a cool, dry place, this lotion will keep for at least six months.

Herbal Laxative Tea

Several weeks ago I got a frantic call in the middle of the night from a friend. She had been awakened by severe abdominal pain and needed my help getting to the emergency room. The doctor asked a few questions and palpated her abdomen. After ruling out appendicitis and a urinary tract infection, he diagnosed a simple but painful case of constipation, and recommended a harsh over-the-counter laxative. As I drove my friend home, I told her I thought it would be better to take a natural laxative. She agreed to skip the drugstore version and I made her a tea of cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana). This herbal laxative was used by native California Indians who shared it with constipated and grateful 16th century Spanish explorers (cascara sagrada means "sacred bark" in Spanish). By morning, my friend reported that cascara sagrada had done the trick.

Cascara sagrada contains natural chemicals called anthraquinones that stimulate wavelike contractions that move waste materials through the intestinal tract. Other laxative herbs that also contain anthraquinones, such as buckthorn, senna, and aloe, tend to have a harsher effect and can cause diarrhea and nausea.

Although cascara sagrada has a bitter flavor, you can make a drinkable tea by simmering 1 teaspoon of dried bark with 1/2 teaspoon of ginger (Zingiber officinalis) and 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) in 1 cup of water in a covered pot for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to steep for an additional 10 minutes. Strain, add sweetener if desired, and drink 1 cup before bed and another cup in the morning, if necessary. Ginger and fennel help to disguise the bitter taste of cascara sagrada, and also relieve gas and alleviate intestinal cramps. If you prefer, you can take cascara sagrada extract, diluting teaspoon in a small amount of warm water, once at bedtime and again when you wake up, if necessary.

While cascara sagrada is safe and gentle, you should not rely on any laxative for more than occasional relief from constipation. Most cases of constipation can be cured by getting more fiber in your diet from foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds; by drinking a minimum of 6 glasses of water every day; and by getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. You can also add more bulk to your diet in the form of fiber supplements such as psyllium husks. Take 2 capsules a day with a large glass of water.

Help for Pet's Dry Skin

Last year my mom and dad called me looking for a dry skin remedy for their dog, Tippy. She had been constantly scratching herself raw, and her black fur was loaded with dandruff. When I heard their description of Tippy's skin problems, my first guess was that she wasn't getting enough essential fatty acids in her diet. That's what I usually find to be true in people with excessively dry skin. So I gave my parents a bottle of blackcurrant seed oil capsules (Ribes nigrum), which are high in omega-6s, and told them to squeeze one capsule onto her food every day. I also suggested that they bathe her with a mild natural conditioning shampoo containing soothing ingredients such as aloe vera. And to help heal her skin, I told them to add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to the rinse water.