20 fascinating folk remedies worth reading about, listed alphabetically

Excerpted from 99 Folk Remedies You Must Try, by Susan Ambrosino

(4-Page Media, Inc. Alachua, Florida. Copyright ©1997-2004. All rights reserved.)

Medical Advisory:
If you are seriously ill or think you might be, please, don't be foolish. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before diagnosing and treating yourself or changing your diet in any significant way. The information presented here is for informational purposes and historical perspective. Publisher makes no claims nor accepts responsibility for the efficacy or appropriateness of any home remedies.

Editor's note: For 99 more traditional, folk and home remedies you can download and print for $2, click 99 Folk Remedies You Must Try by Susan Ambrosino.

By Susan Ambrosino

1. Antiseptic. Australian tea tree oil is about the best you can get. Safe and highly effective when applied topically to wounds. Don't take internally.

2. Anxiety. The Polynesian herb kava kava promotes relaxation and has a profound anti-anxiety effect.

3. Asthma. Cover thin onion slices with honey and allow to set overnight. When ready for use, scrape honey from onion with a spoon or butter knife. 1 tsp. three times a day is said to do the trick.

4. Athlete's Foot. Soak feet in apple cider vinegar. Pat dry. Soak cotton balls in the vinegar and place between toes. Put on socks and leave overnight. Repeat as necessary for cure.

5. Bad Breath. Stop your complaining and chew a sprig or two of parsley as needed. It contains more odor-stopping chlorophyll than any other herb. Parsley is inexpensive and available everywhere. Cinnamon works wonders, too. Get it fresh or in gum that contains REAL cinnamon, not the artificially-flavored kind.

6. Blood Sugar Problems (diabetes). An ordinary onion's ability to lower blood sugar levels is said to be every bit as good as that of at least two widely-prescribed prescription drugs. Add a cup or so to your diet daily.

7. Burns. Make an aloe vera salve for fast healing. Add six large stalks aloe to a pint of water. Heat. Simmer. Strain. Apply as needed.

8. Cancer Prevention. Make garlic a part of your diet. Your grandmother knew the power of "the stinking rose." And exciting research suggests that it contains powerful compounds that help prevent cancer.

9. Cold Sores. Grind the dry rind of a pomegranate and add 2 tbsp. to 1-1/2 cups water. Boil, then reduce to a simmer until half the liquid has evaporated. Strain and refrigerate. Apply to cold sores as a wash, as needed.

10. Constipation. Before bedtime, stir 2 tbsp. black strap molasses into a glass of milk or juice. Drink.

11. Dizziness. What is arguably the oldest and most extensively used herb in the world, ginkgo biloba is highly recommended. Claimed by many to stop ringing in the ears, boost concentration, improve memory, thwart impotence, reduce leg pain, improve eye health, and reduce risk of heart attack.

12. Eyewash. Judging from multi-million sales of commercial preparations, strained, red eyes are an enormous problem. Make your own preparation by adding 1 tsp. eyebright to a cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 15 minutes. Strain WELL and cool. Use as needed.

13. Fever. Ginger tea breaks fevers and loosens sinus and lung congestion. Grate two tbsp. fresh ginger, add to two cups boiling water and cover for 30 minutes. Drink one cup while warm. Repeat as needed.

14. Gas. Make a dill infusion using 2 tsp. bruised dill seeds per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes, strain. Drink up to 3 cups a day.

15. Gum Disease. Add enough water to 1 tsp. myrrh to make a paste. Apply to gums. Before bed is best.

16. Headache. Make a delicious and invigorating peppermint tea at onset of headache. One good recipe: Chop one cup fresh peppermint. Add two cups boiling water. Steep 5 minutes. Sweeten with honey or brown sugar. Add lemon if you like.

17. High Blood Pressure. One or two tbsp. olive oil daily can bring high blood pressure under control. Also good: The South American Rain Forest herb una de gato (cat's claw).

18. Liver Disease. Make tonic by mixing 1-1/2 tbsp. blessed thistle in 1-1/2 cups of vodka. Let stand two weeks in sealed jar. Shake once or twice a day. Strain. Place in clean jar. Add 1 tsp. of the extract to 4 oz. water. Take on empty stomach as needed.

19. Nosebleed. Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and gently stuff into bleeding nostril or nostrils.

20. Sore Throat. Add the juice of one lemon to a cup of hot water. Sweeten with two tsp. honey and drink. An old - and super - standby, apple cider vinegar, works wonders, too. Add two tsp. to glass of warm water and gargle until glass is empty. Don't swallow. Repeat as needed.

Editor's note: For 99 more traditional, folk and home remedies you can download and print for $2, click 99 Folk Remedies You Must Try by Susan Ambrosino.