Linda B. White - The Little Book of Home Remedies, Aches and Ailments: Natural Recipes to Ease Common Ailments

2015 Fair Winds Press
Text 2014 Linda B. White, M.D., Barbara Brownell Grogan, and Barbara H. Seeber

First published in the USA in 2015 by
Fair Winds Press, a member of
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, MA 01915-6101
www.fairwindspress.com
Visit www.bodymindbeautyhealth.com. Its your personal guide to a happy, healthy, and extraordinary life!

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

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Digital edition: 978-1-62788-290-3
Softcover edition: 978-1-59233-670-8

Content for this book was previously published in the book 500 Time-Tested Home Remedies and the Science Behind Them by Linda B. White, M.D., Barbara Brownell Grogan, and Barbara H. Seeber (Fair Winds Press, 2014).

Cover design by Leigh Ring // RingArtDesign.com
Book design by Leigh Ring // RingArtDesign.com

The information in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or medical practitioner. Please see your health care provider before beginning any new health program. The authors and publisher are not responsible for readers misuse of these recipes and, as a result, any unintended effects.

In todays high-powered, health-conscious world, were all smarter, more informed about our bodies, and preoccupied with ways to live long, healthy lives. Weve accomplished half of that goal: living longer. But were missing the living healthier part of the equation.

On December 15, 2012, the British medical journal The Lancet published data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Here are the key findings, starting with the good news: Around the world, longevity has increased. Were less likely to succumb prematurely to malaria and measles, but more likely to drop dead later in life from heart attack or stroke. The bad news is, were more likely to spend our last years disabled by diseasesmost of which are preventable.

Chronic illness has long dogged Americans. Now its spreading to other countries. Where have we gone wrong? We have health-related facts and figures at our fingertips. We have expensive diagnostic tests, highly trained doctors, and cutting-edge treatments. The shelves in supermarkets groan under the weight of boxes, cans, and bags. Modern conveniences have reduced our need for physical labor. Computers give us up-to-date medical bulletins.

Despite these advances, and to some extent because of them, weve become fat, flabby, and frequently ill. Were too often hurried, harried, sleep-deprived, and socially disconnected. We eat in our cars, at our desks, in front of televisionseverywhere but at the dining room table in the company of others. We sit too much and move too little.

It turns out that health springs largely from old-fashioned behaviorseating wholesome food, enjoying friends, relaxing, getting enough sleep, moving our bodies, and using natural remedies to heal.

The goal of this book is to help you get back to the basic lifestyle measures that point you toward a healthy, vibrant future.

We provide lots of practical information on preventing and managing ailments. Youll find time-tested recipes and lifestyle tipsall designed to give you sometimes quick, always natural, ways to soothe, calm, and heal.

We hope you enjoy this book. May it enlighten you, guiding you along natural and simple paths to your healthy future.

Each day, nine Americans die during an asthma attack. Unfortunately, an increasing number of Americans have asthma. The current count is about 25 million people. Asthma has become the most common chronic disease in childhood. Theories about the rise in asthma include changes in dietary habits, environmental pollutants, indoor lifestyles, and an increase in obesity.

This inflammatory condition usually begins in childhood. African-American and Puerto Rican children are at particularly high risk. Symptoms include a cough thats typically worse at night and in the early morning, chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and increased respiratory rate. The airways become inflamed, swollen, constricted, and congested with excess mucus. Its like trying to breathe through a straw.

A combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors causes asthma. Part of the treatment involves identifying and avoiding (or preparing for) triggers.

Medications dont cure asthma; rather, they help keep the condition under control. The drug regimen depends upon whether the symptoms are intermittent or persistent. Inhaled bronchodilators open the airway to nip an attack in the bud. For persistent asthma, inhaled anti-inflammatory medications are taken daily. Its important to follow the treatment plan. That said, a number of foods and exercises can gently and safely support lung health.

Natural asthma remedies include acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, massage therapy, biofeedback, homeopathy, dietary improvements, and dietary supplements, such as herbs, vitamins, and minerals. Research supporting these therapies is preliminary at best. Science has yet to discover a cure for asthmanatural or otherwise. Kids sometimes grow out of it that is, stop being symptomatic as their lungs grow bigger.

Such remedies as deep abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, biofeedback, and regular massage can help relieve emotional stress, which can aggravate asthma. Dietary changes are important for avoiding known food triggers and maximizing intake of natural antioxidants.

Dont overdo the baking time, or your fish will be dry and unappealing. If you keep it pink in the center and cook it until it just flakes at the touch of a fork, this omega-3 powerhouse is divine.

2 salmon fillets (6 to 8 ounces, or 170 to 225 g each)

2 teaspoons (10 ml) olive oil

1 to 2 tablespoons (14 g) bread crumbs / teaspoon dried tarragon

1 tablespoon (15 g) Dijon mustard Pinch of paprika

Lemon slices, for garnish