Medieval Remedies That Still Work Today

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?

In a previous article we looked at several possible definitions of a home remedy, and patched together a definition that met our mental image of such a remedy. If you missed it, here's the definition we derived.

A home remedy is an experience-based or even accidental remedy or cure prepared from herbs, plants, or other available ingredients by common folk when modern medical help was unavailable (or hadn't been devised yet).

But Home Remedies Are From The Dark Ages, Right?

Not so fast! Countless myths, legends, and superstitions have survived for centuries, so why not home remedies too? Think about it: we bless someone after sneezing to ward off evil spirits, throw a pinch of spilled salt over the shoulder to prevent bad luck, say that breaking a mirror brings bad luck, and we knock on wood or find four-leaf clovers to bring luck.

How Many Times Have You Used These Folk Remedies?

Home remedies from The Dark Ages are all around us. Quick: name three ways to cure hiccups. No doubt you immediately thought of scaring the victim, holding your breath while drinking a glass of water, and breathing through a paper bag. I'm sure some of you even thought of others.

At some time, these procedures must have worked well enough to stop hiccups that others began using them. I'm sure you've already noticed that each cure mentioned above changes the victim's breathing rhythm, which may be why they sometimes stop annoying hiccups.

Look Past The Obvious

The hiccup example demonstrates the assertion that home cures and folk remedies have at least a grain of truth in them. Think about that the next time you rub aloe vera juice on a burn, starve a cold (or feed a fever), or hear of a mother who puts her child with chicken pox together with her healthy children so they all catch it now rather than later.

Are home remedies things of the past? I don't think so!

Doug Smith is a Chemical Engineer and the webmaster of http://www.SuperHomeRemedies.com. You get free & natural remedies for fungus, lice, acid reflux, cold sores, yeast & more. Stay up to date with our Natural Remedies News

Copyright 2005 by Doug Smith. You may reuse this copyrighted article provided no content is changed - other than line length - and the author's box is intact. All links must be active hyperlinks or made active.

---

Three Immune System Building Natural Remedies

Here are three products that can help you elevate your... Read More

Your Home is a Toxic Waste Dump!

Did you know that the household and beauty products that... Read More

Parasites: The Missing Diagnosis?

Parasites, commonly thought of as only affecting those in developing... Read More

Self Hypnosis CD Recordings

The purpose of this article is not to offer an... Read More

Reversing Macular Degeneration: Without Drugs Or Surgery

I would like to report some anecdotal research findings that... Read More

Essential Oils Are Essential For Our Time

What is "it"? Oils-Pure Essential Oils. Frankincense and Myrrh, for... Read More

Toxic Plastic Water Bottles

I recently received a question from one of my readers... Read More

Gearing Up for Flu Season

Well, flu season is coming upon us quickly, and most... Read More

My All Natural Oasis

About 7 years ago, I decided that my budget could... Read More

What is Tea Tree Oil? Benefits?

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has a proven history of... Read More

NMT: Trigger Point Therapy and What to Look for in a T Bar

Massage therapy is as ancient as noodles. People have been... Read More

Learn About Falun Dafa

I have been practicing an advanced form of qigong for... Read More

Application Methods For Aromatherapys Essential Oils

BATH: Add 10-12 drops of a single oil or a... Read More

Natural Sleep Aid Tips and Remedies

This article is a summary of some of the sleep... Read More

Fight Cancer With Broccoli Sprouts

Mom was right to insist on us eating our vegetables.... Read More

Proper Medical Identification Could Save Your LIFE

Everyone with a medical condition or allergy should have a... Read More

Air Purifiers, Are They Worth The Money?

When you suffer from allergies or asthma, you may think... Read More

Is Shiatsu Massage the Ultimate Stress Relief Treatment?

My first shiatsu massageI opened my eyes suddenly. He was... Read More

When Your Emotions Become Like Ticking Bombs & Cause Disease

So, where does disease come from? How does it get... Read More

An Introduction to Bach Flower Essences Part II ? The Seven Helpers

The 12-7-19 Method of Bach Flower ClassificationDr. Edward Bach, developer... Read More

How To Use Cascara Sagrada as a Constipation Remedy

Cascara Sagrada comes from the bark of the buckthorn tree.... Read More

Magnets: How Do They Really Work?

Can magnets actually help us feel better? When I first... Read More

Ayurveda Approach to Genital Herpes

Dosha theory which help in diagnosis of the diseases.According to... Read More

Title: Using Rhubarb for Constipation

Vegetables like fruits and their juices have healing properties because... Read More

Ganoderma the Miracle Herb - Can It Help You?

Let us see if Ganoderma which has been discribed as... Read More

Green Tea for Health: Your Heart Will Thank You

I began drinking green tea about five years ago after... Read More

Quit Smoking With Nature?s Help

Smoking is very dangerous to your health. Most smokers feel... Read More

Beating Your Neck, Back and Shoulder Pain

Suffering from neck, back and shoulder pain? If you are,... Read More

The Truth About Dandelions!

Dandelions are not weeds! They are wild vegetables. In Greek... Read More

As The Primary Caregiver, Should I Journal My Feelings About Alzheimer?s Disease?

Being a caregiver is stressful and difficult. It involves contradictory... Read More

Full Spectrum Daylight Bulbs ? Simply Light Years Ahead!

Sunlight is a vital nutrient, which regulates the activity of... Read More

Just The Tea FAQs: Health Benefits (Part I)

Hands up all those who can't get through the day... Read More

Relaxation

We talk a lot about stress in our society, but... Read More