Remedies

Milk Thistle: Liver Benefits, Uses and How to Prepare It IMPORTANT: Milk thistle is considered safe for most adults, but it is not without cautions. People allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (daisies, marigolds, ragweed, chamomile) may also react to milk thistle. Anyone taking medication metabolized by the liver should talk to their doctor, because silymarin can influence how the body processes certain substances. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with serious liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or hormone-sensitive conditions should use milk thistle only with medical advice. Milk thistle does NOT replace medical treatment for liver disease and is not an excuse for drinking alcohol. If you have jaundice, persistent abdominal pain, dark urine, or unexplained fatigue, see a doctor. ...

Mullein: Benefits, Uses and How to Prepare It IMPORTANT: Mullein is generally well tolerated, but a few precautions are essential. The flowers and leaves are covered in fine hairs that can irritate the throat and mucous membranes, which is why mullein tea MUST always be strained twice, through a double layer of cheesecloth or a fine coffee filter, to remove these hairs. Mullein seeds are toxic and must never be consumed in any form. People with chronic illnesses, pregnant or breastfeeding women, young children, and anyone on medication should consult a doctor or pharmacist before using the plant. Mullein is a support for the body, not a substitute for medical care — a cough lasting more than two to three weeks, persistent fever, blood in the sputum, or severe difficulty breathing REQUIRE medical evaluation. ...

Olive Oil: Benefits for Heart and Skin, Uses and How to Use It IMPORTANT: Olive oil is a safe food for most people, but it remains energy-dense (about 9 kcal per gram, like all fats). Consumed in large amounts without regard to the rest of your diet, it can contribute to weight gain. People with gallstones or gallbladder problems should introduce fats gradually and talk to their doctor, since fats stimulate gallbladder contraction. Applied to the skin, olive oil is generally well tolerated, but in people with acne-prone skin or atopic dermatitis it can sometimes worsen irritation; test first on a small patch. Never replace prescribed medical treatment with oil-based “remedies,” and consult your doctor if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure or any chronic condition. ...

Celandine Tea: Benefits, How to Prepare and Side Effects IMPORTANT: Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a powerful plant with a narrow safety margin. It contains alkaloids that, in large amounts or in prolonged courses, can damage the liver — the very organ people hope to support. Celandine tea must NOT be drunk daily for months on end, and must NOT be given to children, to pregnant or breastfeeding women, to people with active liver disease, hepatitis or cirrhosis, or to anyone taking medication processed by the liver. The fresh orange-yellow latex is irritating and is never swallowed as such. Before any internal course of celandine, talk to your doctor or an experienced herbalist. This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. ...

Lemon Balm Tea: Calming Benefits, How to Prepare and Side Effects IMPORTANT: Lemon balm tea is generally very well tolerated and is considered one of the gentlest calming teas. Even so, people with hypothyroidism should be cautious, as studies suggest lemon balm may influence thyroid function. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult a doctor before drinking it regularly. Lemon balm can intensify the effect of sedative medications, sleeping pills, and certain thyroid treatments, so if you are taking medication, talk to your doctor. Lemon balm tea is not a substitute for medical treatment of anxiety, depression, or severe sleep disorders. ...

Kefir: Benefits, How to Make It and How to Consume It Properly IMPORTANT: Kefir is generally a safe and very well-tolerated food, but there are a few situations in which it should be consumed with caution. People with a severely compromised immune system (after organ transplants, during chemotherapy, with advanced AIDS) should talk to their doctor before consuming live fermented foods. Those with severe lactose intolerance may feel discomfort at first, although kefir contains far less lactose than fresh milk. People with autoimmune bowel conditions (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) in an acute flare should introduce kefir gradually and under supervision. If you are on important medication, keep in mind that fermented foods can influence the flora that metabolizes certain substances. Kefir does not replace medical treatment and does not cure diseases; it is a health-supporting food, not a medicine. ...

Natural Remedies for Leaky Gut Syndrome Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, is a modern health problem that shows up more often than people realize. The intestinal wall should function as a guardian, allowing good nutrients to pass while blocking bacteria and toxins. But when it’s damaged, it leaks, and that’s how chronic inflammation starts. After years of poor diet and medication, many people find themselves with strange food allergies, unexplained joint pain, skin issues, and overwhelming fatigue. ...

Sea Buckthorn: The Queen of Vitamin C, Benefits, Uses and How to Consume It IMPORTANT: Sea buckthorn is a generally safe and highly valuable food, but it is not a cure-all. The raw berries are intensely acidic and may irritate a sensitive stomach or aggravate gastritis, acid reflux, or an active ulcer. People with gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, or acute liver conditions should consume sea buckthorn cautiously and only after consulting a doctor, since it stimulates bile secretion. Pregnant or breastfeeding women may consume ordinary culinary amounts of sea buckthorn, but it is wise to avoid concentrated supplements and internal oil without medical advice. Sea buckthorn never replaces a prescribed treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical care in serious illness. If you take anticoagulants, blood pressure medication, or diabetes medication, talk to your doctor, as sea buckthorn may slightly influence blood pressure, blood sugar, and clotting. ...

Natural Remedies for Water Retention and Swelling Water retention is something many people don’t understand. You see that you’ve mysteriously gained weight, but haven’t eaten more. The problem isn’t fat, it’s water. Your body holds fluids for reasons that don’t make sense, and it’s a frequent problem, especially in women before their cycle, in people with high blood pressure, or in those who consume too much salt. ...

Thyme: Benefits, Uses and How to Prepare a Time-Honored Healing Herb IMPORTANT: Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is generally well tolerated as a food and seasoning, but its essential oil and concentrated preparations call for caution. Pregnant women should avoid medicinal amounts and thyme essential oil, since folk tradition attributes uterine-stimulating effects to it. People allergic to plants in the Lamiaceae family (mint, oregano, sage), those with thyroid conditions, high blood pressure, or who take blood thinners should consult a doctor before using thyme as a remedy. Essential oil is never ingested undiluted and never applied neat to the skin. Thyme is not a substitute for medical treatment: if a cough, fever, or respiratory infection lasts more than a few days or gets worse, see a doctor. ...