Kitchen Medicine

by Maxine Haigh-White
Medical Herbalist
BWhm, MsHsc, ADipWHM
mNHAA, mANTA, mATMS
www.plantmed.com.au

Traditional medicine methods were handed down by mother to daughter, through the generations, but in the modern world we live in, the family unit has become fragmented by time, distance or circumstance.  It is more the exception than the norm to see families made up of more than two generations living together.  Because of this there has developed a rip in the western world with regard to using simple remedies to cure a cold, an ear ache or muscle pain.  The massive move to pharmaceuticals developed in the late thirties by Rockefellers scientists, took over from the gentle art of home healing.  However we seem to now have come full circle and there is a growing awareness of simpler times.

Here are my suggestions for pantry essentials which will enable you to facilitate your families health, when dealing with mild to moderate conditions.

PANTRY ESSENTAILS.

• Aloe vera gel
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Arnica as ointment (NEVER INTERNAL unless homeopathic)
• Cayenne pepper powder
• Cinnamon
• Clove tincture
• Cod Liver oil or Fish Oil
• Comfrey ointment:
• Echinacea tablets (or tincture) : Naturopath prescription
• Epsom salts : Order online
• Garlic oil capsules (or fresh) Brand: Gartech
• Ginger (fresh) : Grocer (Use organic preferably)
• Lavender oil (Thursday Plantation)
• Calendula tincture
• Magnesium powder or tablets (Bioceuticals or Orthoplex)
• Manuka Honey or hospital grade medicinal honey
• Propolis oil and tincture
• Slippery Elm powder
• St Johns Wort Spray
• Thyme oil (and herb)
• Tumeric powder
• Tea-tree oil
• Witch Hazel
• Zinc tablets

TEAS:

• Echinacea
• Chamomile
• Calendula
• Lemon Balm tea
• Lemongrass tea
• Horsetail
• Nettle
• Thyme
• Rosehip

Remember that many FOODS AND cooking herbs have a medicinal use too – these can be used dried or straight from the garden.
BEETROOT – rich in iron; good for anaemia;
CABBAGE – scald or iron a large leaf and apply hot, as a poultice in swollen and inflamed conditions.
CAYENNE – good for poor circulation and chilblains; add a pinch to gargles – do not make too strong
CINNAMON – good for colds as a tea.
CLOVES – anaesthetic and antiseptic – chew a clove for toothache.
CUCUMBER – cooling, put slices on hot, sore eyes etc.
DRIED FRUIT – mild laxative for constipation.
GINGER – an excellent herb for colds, indigestion and sickness. Use in cooking or make a tea.
HONEY – antiseptic, containing natural antibiotics. Apply to wounds. Useful as soothing sweetener in teas for coughs and colds.
LEMON – antiseptic and cleansing. Helps the body cope with infection.
LEMON BALM – a relaxing and pleasant flavoured herb tea. It is calming for anxiety, and settles nervous indigestion. The herb and the essential oil are strongly antiseptic to cold sores.
MINT – garden mint can be used instead of Peppermint
PARSLEY – useful in cystitis, and arthritis; very rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and iron.
POTATO: Rub a raw potato over your burn, but make sure you get a juicy piece of potato. Use immediately after the burn.
ONIONS – similar to garlic only milder in effect.
ROSEMARY – a warming and cheering herb tea that raises the spirits when depressed. Add 5 drops of essential oil to a bath, for its in vigorating effect in the morning.

If you buy all these in small quantities you will have a compact and portable herbal first aid kit – quite small enough to take away on holiday and able to help with everything from sunbum to insect bites and stomach upsets!
Remedies for common ailments needn’t cost money or require pharmaceuticals. Many remedies may be sourced directly from your pantry or kitchen garden. We don’t always need to go to the doctor for a ‘pill, pill, pill’ (nursery rhyme).

Maxine is a fully qualified herbalist based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. She is mum to three wonderful children and is passionate about using simple remedies to maintain family health. She runs affordable kitchen medicine workshops in term time at Mosman Community College. More information may be found at www.plantmed.com.au

NOTE: Maxine Haigh-White will be speaking at the Academy on Monday Night 21st February.  Don’t miss out on these simple natural remedies.