Herbal Remedies for Common Ailments

Photo by Jason Houston

• Earache: Chop 5 cloves garlic finely; place in a small baking dish with 4 ounces olive oil. Cook overnight over low heat. Press garlic cloves well and strain. Add 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil and mix well. Store in an amber bottle. To use: Heat eyedropper under hot water and dry. Place 2 drops oil in both ears every half-hour, or as often as needed, for 2 to 7 days.
• Strep Throat: Hold 1/2 teaspoon Echinacea angustifolia tincture in mouth; allow to dribble slowly down throat. Repeat hourly.
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Juniper berries combined with bidens (such as Spanish needles or beggar’s ticks) will almost always work. Juniper berries must be tinctured in alcohol or eaten whole to be effective. Take 5 to 20 drops juniper berry tincture up to 3 times daily. The most potent forms of bidens are fresh-plant alcohol tinctures and the fresh juice. Take 45 to 90 drops of a fresh-plant tincture up to 4 times daily. For a tincture made from the dried plant, triple the dose.
• Wounds: Honey has worked for thousands of years. Organic wildflower honey is best. Many products sold as “honey” are actually corn syrup, so buy local honey if possible. Apply directly to wounds, then cover with a bandage. Change bandage daily.