Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine

Cold Sores

■ Aromatherapy: apply tea tree oil at onset and continue until cleared

■ Herbs: lemon-balm tea shows significant antiviral activity against herpes

simplex; echinacea (600 mg daily) or goldenseal (100 mg daily)

Colic

■ Aromatherapy: chamomile (rubbed on abdomen), coriander, orange, pepper-

mint

■ Massage abdomen; massage bottom of feet with warmed sesame oil

Constipation

■ Aromatherapy: massage abdomen in a clockwise direction with orange, black

pepper, ginger, or marjoram mixed in a carrier oil

■ Exercise: especially activities that work the abdominal muscles such as row-

ing, swimming, walking, or sit-ups

■ Herbs: dandelion root, chicory root, angelica root (20–30 drops of extract in a

small glass of water three times a day), cascara sagrada, senna; psyllium—

only use for several days, long-term use can be damaging

■ Homeopathy: bryonia (wild hops) or nux vomica—1 tablet 3 times daily—

maximum 1 week

■ Drink 6–8 glasses of water daily

■ Yoga: twisting postures and forward bends are often helpful

Corns

■ Aromatherapy: mix 2 drops each of orange, lemon, and lavender oils in a

basin of warm water and soak feet for at least 15 minutes per day

Cough

■ Aromatherapy: cedarwood; several drops of cypress or tea tree on handker-

chief and inhale deeply; add 3 drops eucalyptus and 2 drops thyme oil to 2

tsp. vegetable oil—massage into neck and chest; steam inhalation using san-

dalwood, benzoin, eucalyptus, or frankincense

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