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the plants themselves
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castor-oil packs
Castor-oil packs are useful for easing pain and inflammation. They can
also relieve congestion and draw out toxins. Construct a muslin or flannel
pack to the appropriate size and soak it in warmed castor oil. The
temperature on the body should be as hot as is bearable, because the heat
will force the castor oil into the area. After placing on the body, hold in
place and cover with plastic wrap and a hot water bottle. The duration
that the pack is left on will vary. Some packs are changed for new ones
every hour or so in order to keep them hot. Some may be left on
overnight, or just for thirty minutes. Another option is to apply a pack for
thirty minutes every four hours.
garlic paste for feet
This treatment is an excellent aid for any respiratory disorders. Peel eight
cloves of garlic and puree with equal parts of olive oil, water, and slippery
elm bark. Apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly to the soles of the
feet (to prevent burning of the skin) followed by a layer of the garlic
paste. Cover with fine muslin bandages and an old pair of baggy socks;
you can even tie plastic bags over these. This paste should be checked
every two hours to ensure that the garlic is not burning the soles of the
feet.
suppositories and pessaries
Suppositories and pessaries are herbal poultices that are used internally.
The base is generally made with a mucilaginous herb like slippery elm
inner bark powder and a lubricant such as coconut oil or cocoa butter.
Other powdered herbs that treat the particular problem are added to the
base. These are inserted into body openings (vagina, rectum, nasal
cavities, ears, or mouth) in order to disperse their herbal constituents to
internal areas. Suppositories and pessaries are made in the same way and
are commonly used for rectal cleansing, vaginal infections, irritation,
inflammation, and general problems in the reproductive area.
When making a suppository, you will need finely powdered and sieved
herbs in order to make the result as smooth as possible. The size of the
suppository will depend on the area that it will be inserted into.
Take a jar of coconut oil and place it in a bowl of hot water. In a short
time the oil will melt. Mix the melted coconut oil with the finely
powdered herbs until the mixture forms a pastrylike consistency. Form
the herb mixture into the size and shape of suppository you desire.
Place the individual suppositories on a piece of waxed paper, or a
stainless steel or glass plate, and refrigerate them. Refrigeration will make
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