Basic first aid tipsFirst posted 00:10am (Mla time) Nov 15, 2005

http://news.inq7.net/lifestyle/index.php?index=2&story_id=56521&col=4

By Cory QuirinoInquirer News Service
THE BEST MEDICINE is still prevention. This means healthy lifestyle involving the right food, exercise, attitudes and stress management.Prevention may also need some basic skills, like first aid. Here are a few tips for beginners:
Natural disinfectants—Substances in food that may draw out toxins and clean wounds like apple-cider vinegar, olive oil (and, now, a new star in the horizon—virgin coconut oil), witch hazel, cayenne, pepper, garlic, lemon, onion, cloves.
Poultice: You may also try secondary disinfectants like cabbage (it contains repine, a natural antibiotic) or carrots. These may be juiced, grated or chopped and made into a poultice. Make a paste by adding warm water, virgin coconut oil/olive or wheat germ oil. Apply directly to the affected area or wrap it in a hanky. Poultice may be replaced every one to four hours until symptoms subside. Use three times daily. A cabbage poultice over the ear can fight infection.
You may increase the power of these medicines by taking them as broth or soup.
Teas—Tea is best taken freshly steeped or brewed. One of the most effective is infusion— pouring very hot water over the grated or leafy part of a plant without boiling the herb. Allow to steep for 10-20 minutes. Strain the herb, then drink. You may use a natural sweetener like honey, fruit juice or fructose. If you use natural fresh herb, use one tablespoon per cup of water. Avoid using milk.
You can also make a cold infusion, especially for plants sensitive to heat like lemon, orange or basically any citrus fruit/plant. Simply mix the herb or fruit juice in cold water. Store for eight hours. Strain and drink. If the preparation is too strong, dilute with more water.
Ginger tea taken regularly after meals is an immune system booster, digestive and slimming tea all in one!
Enema—An effective yet simple home remedy, it quickly releases poisons in the colon. You need an enema bag and hose. You may have an enema when you are sick with flu, fever, cold, colic, gas nausea, headache, dysentery. It is best done at the beginning of an illness and with the use of warm distilled/purified/alkaline water. Use a gentle hand in dealing with a delicate part of the body.
Don’t forget to lubricate the rectal regions with natural oil like olive or virgin coco. Take the solution in three parts. A good enema to fight a cold is half a lemon’s juice, strained and mixed with warm water.
Formentation—An extremely hot, moist compress is applied on the affected area of the body. It may be an herbal tincture or oil or fresh plant applied on the body covered with a hot towel. Leave on for one to two hours or overnight if necessary.
Eye treatment
To draw out toxins, add egg whites to a cloth and apply over the eyes.
Soak baths—A relaxing dip in a tub of warm water not exceeding 106 °F will open up the pores and stimulate the elimination of toxins. Soaking is also good for varicose veins, genital problems and sleeping disorders. It is also a preventive for prostate problems.
Place herbs in an old sock and tie to the faucet. Allow hot water to pour through the sock. Soak baths are not recommended for the very old and weak, the very young, or a person with a tendency to hemorrhage or has a serious health condition. Soaking time—five to 20 minutes only. Best detox ingredients in a bath—1 c apple-cider vinegar or 1 c Epsom salts or 1 c aloe vera.
Fasting—Absence of food allows the body to detoxify naturally. It can also speed up healing. Take a vegetable/fruit juice—carrot/apple, coconut water—every 30 minutes, alternating with purified water, for one day. The juices will keep your body energized. Break the fast with home-made soup or apples/oranges. This is great for those with weight-loss goals.
Be one with your body, mind and spirit. Affirm with me now.
Love and light!
Reference: “A treasury of natural first aid remedies from A to Z” by James Kusick