Dria El
June 29th, 2001, 08:49 PM
I have lots of books on natural/herbal healing so I thought I'd share some of the information in hopes that it'll help someone. Here's the first...
Acne
To keep the skin clear of acne, early pioneer farm women experimented with foods from their own gardens. In farmer Janice Myers' family, wheat water has kept generations of Idaho women clear of acne. Directions: Buy wheat berries for sprouting in a health food store or by mail. Soak the wheat berries in pure water for a day. Discard the berries, drink the water. Continue the cleansing drink once a day as long as the acne continues.
The use of honey for healing is as old as history itself. Egyptians used honey plus wheat or almond oil for healing face masks. Amazingly, when archaeologists opened an Egyptian tomb over three thousand years old, among the discoveries was a woman's cosmetic jar full of perfectly preserved honey. Directions: Combine a tablespoon of wheat germ oil with a tablespoon of honey and apply as a mask for fifteen minutes. Wash off with warm water and a soft cloth.
Throughout past centuries, the women of Italy, Spain, and France controlled blackheads with herbal steam facials. Many herbs can be used, but one favorite has continued to be the flowers of the chamomile plant. Directions: Place a handful of chamomile flowers into a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel bowl. Pour two cups of boiling water over the chamomile. This will generate instant steam. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, allowing the towel to hang over the bowl and trap the steam. Keep your eyes closed and stay in that position for ten to fifteen minutes. You will feel perspiration dripping, and blackheads will be easier to extract. Wash off the loosened debris with a clean, soft cloth, then pop each blackhead out by squeezing gently with your thumb and index finger. Cover your fingers with a clean tissue. Note that whiteheads, large pimples, or cysts should not be steamed or squeezed.
Catherine the Great was a raw adolescent of fifteen when she arrived at the opulent Russian court from the small duchy of Anhalt-Zerbst. Russian women aristocrats showed her the clay facial masks they used and explained how clay powder can absorb dirt and controll excess skin oil. Similar green or white clay and clay masks are available today in better health food stores and pharmacies. Directions: It's better to use clay as a full-face mask, not as a spot aid. Purchase from a health food store or pharmacy and follow package directions.
Thousands of years ago the Chinese discovered three trigger points on the face and hands that influence acne outbreaks. Directions: Press each point daily. The Ho Ku point lies at the edge of the two bones in the webbing between the thumb and the index finger. (Do not stimulate this point if you are pregnant since it may bring on uterine contractions.) The next point is at the inner crease as you bend your arm at the elbow. Bend your arm tightly, place a finger at the end of the crease, and keep your finger in place. The third point is just below the collarbone, in the hollow where your arms join your body.
Every village in Europe has a cabbage remedy to heal infected sores. In Hungary, women add astringents such as lemon and witch hazel to the cabbage. Directions: Select a medium cabbage and cut in half. Wash each leaf thoroughly then place in a blender. Squeeze and strain half of a lemon and add to the leaves. Add one cup of distilled witch hazel extract. Blend all three together, then apply twice a day.
Ancient Healing Secrets by Dian Dincin Buchman, Ph. D.
Acne
To keep the skin clear of acne, early pioneer farm women experimented with foods from their own gardens. In farmer Janice Myers' family, wheat water has kept generations of Idaho women clear of acne. Directions: Buy wheat berries for sprouting in a health food store or by mail. Soak the wheat berries in pure water for a day. Discard the berries, drink the water. Continue the cleansing drink once a day as long as the acne continues.
The use of honey for healing is as old as history itself. Egyptians used honey plus wheat or almond oil for healing face masks. Amazingly, when archaeologists opened an Egyptian tomb over three thousand years old, among the discoveries was a woman's cosmetic jar full of perfectly preserved honey. Directions: Combine a tablespoon of wheat germ oil with a tablespoon of honey and apply as a mask for fifteen minutes. Wash off with warm water and a soft cloth.
Throughout past centuries, the women of Italy, Spain, and France controlled blackheads with herbal steam facials. Many herbs can be used, but one favorite has continued to be the flowers of the chamomile plant. Directions: Place a handful of chamomile flowers into a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel bowl. Pour two cups of boiling water over the chamomile. This will generate instant steam. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, allowing the towel to hang over the bowl and trap the steam. Keep your eyes closed and stay in that position for ten to fifteen minutes. You will feel perspiration dripping, and blackheads will be easier to extract. Wash off the loosened debris with a clean, soft cloth, then pop each blackhead out by squeezing gently with your thumb and index finger. Cover your fingers with a clean tissue. Note that whiteheads, large pimples, or cysts should not be steamed or squeezed.
Catherine the Great was a raw adolescent of fifteen when she arrived at the opulent Russian court from the small duchy of Anhalt-Zerbst. Russian women aristocrats showed her the clay facial masks they used and explained how clay powder can absorb dirt and controll excess skin oil. Similar green or white clay and clay masks are available today in better health food stores and pharmacies. Directions: It's better to use clay as a full-face mask, not as a spot aid. Purchase from a health food store or pharmacy and follow package directions.
Thousands of years ago the Chinese discovered three trigger points on the face and hands that influence acne outbreaks. Directions: Press each point daily. The Ho Ku point lies at the edge of the two bones in the webbing between the thumb and the index finger. (Do not stimulate this point if you are pregnant since it may bring on uterine contractions.) The next point is at the inner crease as you bend your arm at the elbow. Bend your arm tightly, place a finger at the end of the crease, and keep your finger in place. The third point is just below the collarbone, in the hollow where your arms join your body.
Every village in Europe has a cabbage remedy to heal infected sores. In Hungary, women add astringents such as lemon and witch hazel to the cabbage. Directions: Select a medium cabbage and cut in half. Wash each leaf thoroughly then place in a blender. Squeeze and strain half of a lemon and add to the leaves. Add one cup of distilled witch hazel extract. Blend all three together, then apply twice a day.
Ancient Healing Secrets by Dian Dincin Buchman, Ph. D.