Mama's Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Livin by Svetlana Konnikova (series like harry potter txt) 📗

^ respiratory system

^ nervous system

^ endocrine system

^ circulatory system

^ liver dysfunction, a body “sponge,” processing blood

^ dysfunction of adrenal glands

^ traumas of the head and brain

^ negative emotions

^ irritation

^ stress

^ smoking

^ inappropriate diet

^ inappropriate food

^ inappropriate life style

^ a lack of walking and other exercise

^ a shortage of sound sleep

What are allergy ailments?

^ allergic arthritis, stiffness in bones, and joint paint; constant urinary infections, cystitis; gynecological problems (yeast infections)

^ respiratory: bronchial asthma, asthmatic fit, allergy cold (catarrh, sinus), nasal mucus, sneezing, allergic rhinitis, sore throat

^ conjunctivitis (irritated, blurry, tearful eyes)

90 ^ Mama’s Home Remedies

^ hay fever, skin rashes, eczema, blisters

^ digestive upsets (diarrhea or constipation), gastric pains

^ stress, short-term memory loss, fatigue, loss of energy and appetite In The Complete Medicinal Herbal 19 British author and herbalist Penelope Ody writes, “A healthy system copes with al ergens, but if there is tension, infection, or fatigue, the arrival of an al ergen tips the balance and an al ergic response occurs in the form of hay fever, skin rashes or gastric upsets.”

Our immune system is a strong shield, guarding us from uninvited guests—irritants like inflammation, mucus, and phlegm. If we do not treat the symptoms in time, they will continue to penetrate our body and our immune system may become drastically weakened. Allergies are clever invaders. They sometimes hide under a pretty mask that creates a nice image that everything is fine for a while. Then they hit with an ugly, persistent sinus irritation; sore, irritated eyes; urinary infections; arthritic pains; and digestive upsets. What are common symptoms of allergy?

Al ergy symptoms can appear in hundreds of different forms. What to look for?

^ “Nettle rash.” Blisters and bumps appear on your skin, resembling a burn and maybe the scald of nettle.

^ Allergic catarrh (cold). Aspirated human and animal hair or bird feathers (pillows, wool, and mattresses) can result in the swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes.

^ Hay fever or hay catarrh (sinus). Abnormal sensibility to flower pollen, blossoming herbs and trees.

^ Under the influence of some irritants, people experience bronchial asthma, shortness of breath, hacking cough, mucous membranes, and bronchial swelling. Red, peeling spots on the skin may indicate eczema. When people suffer from severe eczema, the spots may itch and be wet. Sometimes the spots are withered. Eczema commonly occurs on the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. Types of eczema are different. The condition on the hands is called an irritant contact dermatitis and is caused by everyday contact with substances—irritants A Sickness of the 21st Century @ 91

to the skin, such as home chemicals and detergents. The best remedy, doctors say, is to avoid these harmful substances and to keep the skin moisturized. Another type of eczema is a form of allergic contact dermatitis, which usually develops when the body’s immune system rebels against some metals, rubber, or certain perfumes coming in contact with the skin. As a matter of fact, many of us wear earrings or belts with buckles made with nickel. Some people experience allergic reactions through repeated contact with this metal or “touch” perfume and develop a skin rash and inflammation. Others between 20 and 40

years of age have so-called infantile seborrheic dermatitis which looks on the scalp like mild dandruff but can be spread to the face, ears, and chest. You may have seen that the skin in this case becomes inflamed or red, then it flakes. Dermatologists believe that yeast growth provokes this condition. What can I say? Many people love to eat sweets. However, consult your doctor, who can prescribe a treatment with antifungal cream. There are two other not very pleasant types of eczema: varicose and discoid. Varicose eczema hits the lower legs of people in their 60s to the late years of their life and is caused by poor blood circulation. To prevent this, walk every day! Move as much as you can and try to prevent this eczema when

the skin around the ankles becomes itchy, speckled,

and inflamed. If this condition is left untreated,

dermatologists say that the skin can break down

and an ulcer can follow as a result.

Some people are very surprised and get upset

when they see suddenly an appearance of coin-sized

red spots on their lower legs and trunk. These “coins”

develop fast and become itchy and wet. It is discoid eczema.20

As far as I know from my research, there is currently no efficient cure for eczema, but scientists are very optimistic and continue to look for it. However I

can assure you that it is possible to find many ways to

92 ^ Mama’s Home Remedies

minimize the distress and discomfort provoked by this condition. The main solution is an effective skin care régime which is easy to conduct. First of al , we can buy many treatments over the counter at the pharmacy, but I would explore the simplest ways to minimize the presence of al ergens/invaders in my house. Keep it clean, and keep your body and skin consistently refreshed by taking twice a week a warm bath with 16 ounces of al -natural apple cider vinegar dissolved in it. Keep reading. You’l find further in this chapter more useful