European Home Remedies

Europeans frequently use food, oils, and spices to cure ailments. Their medicine is more holistic and includes a wider variety of natural treatments.
Raw milk is a staple in their diet, which is heavy in probiotics, as well as fermented foods.  Those, help to prevent illness altogether.


Here are some commonly used remedies: 

Chest Colds, Bronchitis, Pneumonia: 

• Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Essential Oils (mixed in Olive oil base-2 drops per 1 tbsp of oil) Rub on the chest, throat, bottom of feet.  If pneumonia, also use Oregano oil-1 drop per Tbsp of base oil- separate from other oils.
• Green Tea to drink (plus plenty of other fluids, raw juices, etc.)
• Honey (raw if possible) to eat
• If severe illness- slice fresh, raw onions*. Drench onions in olive or vegetable oil (this is the carrier agent to help onion into the body). Lay onion slices on chest and cover with a towel.  Heat is helpful so if you can then add a heating pad, or boiled cloths to get onions warmed on body, it will increase efficacy. 
• Acidophilus-90% of our immune system is in our intestinal tract! Increasing the levels of our "good bacteria" helps them to fight off the "bad bacteria".  Acidophilus can be found at your local health food store and is in powder or pill form.  For babies and kids, too.  Don't worry..you cannot overdose...it is a natural substance in our bodies and we need in the multiple billions!  We all take this as a regular part of our diet, to keep our immune systems strong.  I pay extra for the refrigerated powder or pill versions, as they have the strongest efficacy.
• Chicken Soup, made with the bones! The chicken bones have essential elements within the marrow that help us to build our immune system and fight off infection.  Each time you make a roasted chicken, save the bones in the freezer for soup when needed! See recipe for Chicken (Bone-In) Soup!

*Note:  Onions are an antibiotic and antiviral substance (so is garlic, oregano, and other herbs).  Using the method above helps the onion aroma be inhaled through the nose and mouth; also the onion will be absorbed through the skin-with the help of the oil-to the bloodstream; helping to kill the infecting agent.

An old time remedy for illness was to place a cut onion next to the bedside of the ill person. The onion will turn black because it will absorb the germs!  (For this reason, it is important when cooking with onions that you use your entire onion-do not leave the other half for later use (unless sealed airtight in the refrigerator) as it will absorb any germs  in the air and cause poisoning!

Earaches and Ear Infections:
Warm Garlic Oil-saute garlic clove in olive or vegetable oil, cool to warm.  Use medicine dropper to place 4-5 drops in infected ear; insert small section of cotton ball to cover.  Leave in for a few hours or overnight and remove cotton ball.  This should immediately relieve pain by the warmth and giving counter pressure to the eardrum.  The garlic will help to fight the infection.  Do not flush the ear after treatment, but let the oil drain out, naturally.

Sore Throat
A minor sore throat can be helped along with the following:

• Honey-Raw if possible (for children over the age of 1)
• 1 Tbsp Whiskey heated in Honey to warm
• "Throat Coat" Tea-available at health food and supermarkets-a combination of tissue soothing and immune boosting tea and herbs; tastes great and we love the taste!
• Colloidal Silver-at health stores-spray in throat, used to fight infection
• 1 drop of Oregano Essential Oil in a 8 oz glass of water, to drink...the taste is strange and must be diluted as it is a very strong oil-but will help to fight the infection in the throat.

Important Note about Strep Throat:  If high fever is present, extreme lethargy, or swelling of the throat, mouth, neck area; or any type of a rash on the face or body, please contact your doctor immediately to check for Strep throat.  Remember that children often do not complain of a sore throat when they have Strep.  Also, the rapid strep tests in the doctors offices are many times incorrect.  The full 3 day strep culture is needed for an accurate report. 

**I am not a medical doctor, and these recommendations are opinion only**

More...

 

Immune Boost/Nutrients:

Chicken Bone Broth 3x day 8oz (see easy recipe at http://mycountryfrenchlife.blogspot.com/2013/12/bone-broth-recipehealing-homemade.html
make a big pot, store in medium containers, reheat as needed)
Green Juice
Raw Honey w/Cayenne Pepper (also is germ killer)

Detox/Germ kill:
Oregano oil 3-4 drops in water, drink/sip all day
Colloidal Silver-spray in nose and mouth 1-3x day
Hot Lemon/Echinacea tea (or other tea organic if poss)


For Cough and Lung congestion:
Echinacea oil in olive oil base, rub on chest and bottom of feet. Also place drops of Ech oil in diffuser, water pan on stove to steam, or room steamer.

Onion/Garlic pack: slice white onion and 1 fresh clove garlic, place in muslin bag. Heat in microwave 15 seconds. Pound bag to mince hot pieces, add 1 tsp olive oil to outside of bag and massage inward. Place bag on your chest, cover with towel. Repeat throughout the day.

Fever reducer:
Ginger Bath: 2 Tbsp ginger powder mix in hot water, pour in bath soak
Peppermint Oil: rub on belly
(Please do not dumb your body's defenses down with Tylenol or Ibuprofen. This will only aid the attacking elements and disarm your defenses. If needed for high fever above 103 or nighttime to sleep, use sparingly and then ensure maximum water intake to flush.)