I use 8-10 drops of eucalyptus oil in the bath for anyone with congestion. I also will us 5 drops in an infuser for the same reason.
A few teaspoons of oregano simmered in a few cups of water on the stove with cinnamon sticks is also good for colds & congestion. Add honey to taste. It's kind of nasty otherwise.
My DH uses echinacea tincture when he feels a cold coming on (follow directions on the bottle). It works very well for him. It bothers my stomach. So, I don't use it.
We all drink ginger tea or mint tea for stomach upset. Typically we just buy the yogi tea brand, but I *have* made ginger tea from scratch by boiling ginger root in water. You can keep a chunk in ginger root in your freezer for a long time. Just cut off a piece and boil it to make tea. Again, add sweetener to taste.
Ginger tea also opens your blood vessels and warms you in the winter! Other favorite warming teas in my house: Good Earth & Bengal Spice.
Vespera has used St. John's Wort tincture for wintertime blues - again, according to the directions on the bottle.
We use grapefruit seed extract for possible ear infections (or garlic oil, but nobody here is a big fan of smelling like garlic). Put a drop or two in the painful ear.
Clove oil diluted in a carrier oil (like almond) is good for mosquito bites - 1 drop per tablespoon of oil.
We use arnica gel for bruises. This stuff is miraculous!
Black Tea bags soaked in warm water & gently squeezed out can be placed over the eyes to draw out Pink Eye infection.
I know there are more...but this is what I can think of offhand...
---------- Post added at 05:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:57 PM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerynne
A dropperful of milk thistle extract in a shot glass of water is great for food poisoning.
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I need to remember this!
---------- Post added at 05:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 PM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerynne
When I feel a cold coming on, I put 15-30 drops of cayenne extract in a shot glass of water, take a hot shower, then another dose of cayenne. Bundle up and wait for the cold to go away within hours.
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I have been afraid of using cayenne, but I've read such great things about it. Does it upset your stomach because of the spice?