Georgia Varozza - 99 Favorite Amish Home Remedies: *Healing Cures from Foods and Herbs *Soothing Salves and Creams *Natural Solutions for Your Home

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

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This book is offered solely as a source of information and entertainment. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb or any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. If you have a medical problem, consult your physician first and discuss any alternatives at that time. This book is not intended to take the place of sound professional medical advice or to treat specific maladies. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any liability for possible adverse consequences as a result of the information contained herein.

99 FAVORITE AMISH HOME REMEDIES

Copyright 2016 Georgia Varozza

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Varozza, Georgia

99 favorite Amish home remedies / Georgia Varozza.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-7369-6593-4 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-6594-1 (eBook)

1. Traditional medicine. 2. MedicineFormulae, receipts, prescriptions. I. Title. II. Title: Ninety-nine favorite Amish home remedies.

GR880.V37 2016

615.88dc23

2015023107

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To my beloved family

As always.

Nick Harrison Your encouraging words and positive attitude started me on my writing adventure. I know I speak for countless others when I say Im so thankful I listened to you! I love how you can take my disparate thoughts and bring focus to what Im really trying to get across. Thanks, friend!

Kim Moore Ive been fortunate to have you as my editor. Truly, Ive never known anyone with such a gift for detail, and your legendary memory continues to amaze me. You are gracious and kind, and your special box of chocolates has seen me through more than one crisis! It doesnt get any better than you.

The Varozza clan: Walker, Travis, Logan, Sara, Crystal, Audrey, Asher, Easton, Alexis, Everett, Nicole, and Lucas Without my family, I wouldnt have been as apt to find homemade solutions to lifes little difficulties. You guys keep me going!

CONTENTS

T he Amish are not averse to taking advantage of modern medical technology, especially in the less conservative groups. Because they do not have formal church rules regarding health care, decisions about what type of medical treatment to use is informally decided by individual communities or within families. The Plain groups more open to change tend to avail themselves of modern medicine sooner and more often than do the more conservative groups. However, alternative methodologies are usually welcome in all communities. The Amish have a stoic sense that illness and injury are part of Gods will, and as a result they arent as quick to run to the doctor as are their English counterparts. Therefore, home remedies play a big part in many communities, especially for minor illnesses or injuries.

Because the Amish have a somewhat condensed and unique gene pool, they are disproportionately affected by certain rare genetic disorders. As a result, families often have astronomical medical bills. Added to this is the fact that most Amish do not participate in any type of health insurance plan, so these hard-hit people are responsible for the sometimes staggering amounts. But, as in every other aspect of Plain life, the community offers tangible support and helps to defray some of the costs by engaging in benefit auctions and sales, as well as collecting regular offerings for the churchs mutual aid fund.

So, when comon colds, flu, aches and pains, or anxious times occur, it just makes sense for folks to reach for ingredients in their kitchen cupboards to naturallyand inexpensivelyfind a cure for what ails them. And for those of us who are interested in self-reliant alternatives to a quick trip to the doctor, the remedies in this book might just prove to be useful and effective for us as well.

The remedies Im sharing with you in this book have been safely and effectively used by Plain and non-Plain people for generations. These old-fashioned solutions to everyday problems use common items, many of which you probably already have in your cupboards, and what ingredients you dont have you can easily purchase. Even better, if youre a gardener, a lot of these ingredients can be harvested from your backyard. For the most part, you can use what you make right away, but its a good idea to read through the book and make note of any mixtures that may need to set for a time before using. That way, when injury or illness strikes, youll be prepared.

Obviously, this isnt an exhaustive collection of cures and solutions for what ails you and your loved ones. Rather, these are a sampling of remedies that have proven useful to me and my family for many years. I hope you enjoy reading 99 Favorite Amish Home Remedies and that youll be encouraged to try a few of the recipes. I think youll be pleased!

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

P ROVERBS 31:27 NASB

Dear Lord, I pray You would bathe this home in peace and joy and bind us together in love. Shield us, Father, from sin and despair, and help us to always remember that here, in this house, we can find respite from our daily cares. May our words to one another be sweet and seasoned with kindness. May we be quick to offer grace and slow to anger. Help me, Father, to care well for my loved ones and point them always to You. In Jesus name, amen.

A re you coughing or wheezing, or do you have phlegm in your throat? Homemade horehound cough syrup will help. Horehound is a member of the mint family and has been used to tame coughs and colds for hundreds of years. You can easily and quickly make this cough syrup. Store it in a clean jar in the refrigerator, and it will keep for about two months.

1 oz. fresh or dried horehound leaves

1 pint boiling water

3 cups honey, more or less

Bring the water to a boil. Add the horehound leaves and then reduce the heat. When you have a gentle simmer, let the mixture steep for 10 minutes. Strain the leaves and measure the amount of liquid. Add twice as much honey as the amount of liquid and mix well. Pour the cough syrup into a sterilized glass jar, cover, and keep it in the refrigerator.