Simple Herbal Cures

When most people look in their medicine cabinets, they see a wide array of over-the-counter and prescription medications.  There are probably cough and cold remedies, pain medications, ointments, and much more.  If only feeling well could be simpler.

Actually, it can.  Herbs can provide quick and simple relief for many everyday ailments.  And although there are numerous herbs in the world, you don't have to keep every one of them in your medicine cabinet.  Most of them can be used for multiple purposes.  Here are some herbal cures for common health problems.

* For bacterial infections, use garlic.  Eating raw cloves can help the body fight off almost any kind of infection.  For ear infections, put a few drops of garlic juice in the affected ear.

* Apple cider vinegar is helpful when battling fungal infections.  Some ailments that can be eliminated with vinegar include swimmer's ear, toenail fungus and athlete's foot.

* For depression, make a tea with St. John's Wort and Gingko Biloba.  Ask your doctor before using this remedy, however, if you are on medication for depression.

* For persistent hiccups, pour a cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of minced dill or peppermint leaves.  Steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink.

* Burns may be treated with aloe vera.  You can buy aloe vera gel or cream at drugstores and grocery stores, or you can break off the leaf of an aloe vera plant and squeeze out the gel.

* For insomnia, drink valerian tea.  You can make it by pouring a cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of chopped valerian root.  Drink a cup each night at bedtime.

* Cayenne pepper can be an effective treatment for arthritis.  To use, mix a small amount of the ground pepper with some olive oil and apply to the affected joints.  This will burn slightly during the first few applications, but it works very well.

* To relieve hot flashes, take 1/2 teaspoon of black cohosh extract two to three times a day.  Including soy in your diet can also help.

* For nausea and headaches, use ginger.  You can take 1/3 teaspoon two to three times a day, or you can make ginger tea.  Even using it in cooking will allow you to enjoy its benefits.

* To reduce inflammation and promote healing of bruises, use calendula.  Pour a cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of chopped dried calendula flower heads, let cool, and soak a cloth in the liquid.  Apply several times a day.

These are but a few of the many cures that herbs have to offer.  Herbs can be used to combat most minor health problems without a trip to the doctor.  Keeping your medicine cabinet stocked with herbs can save you money and reduce the incidence of side effects common among over-the-counter medicines.