Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine

Skin (Dry)

■ Aromatherapy: mix 2 drops each of sandalwood, rose, and geranium oil with

a tablespoon of almond oil—use as a topical evening moisturizer; other oils

good for dry skin include jasmine, orange, and ylang-ylang used in a mois-

turizer or in a bath

Sore Throat

■ Aromatherapy: several drops of sandalwood on handkerchief or mix with

carrier oil and massage into throat area and then wrap something warm

around the throat

■ Herbs: mix 1 cup of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon

of goldenseal powder

■ Homeopathy: monkshood, poison ivy, belladonna—1 tablet every 2 hours for

6 doses, then every 4 hours—maximum 3 days

■ Reflexology: massage the throat reflexes around the “neck” of the big toes

and thumbs

Sprain and Strains

■ Aromatherapy: chamomile, ginger, lavender as massage to area

■ Healing Touch

■ Herbs: 1/4 cup each of dry mustard powder and flour with warm water to

make a thick paste, spread the paste onto cheesecloth or gauze, roll it up,

and apply to the strained area

■ Homeopathy: poison ivy—1 tablet three times daily—maximum 2 weeks

■ Hydrotherapy: cold compresses to reduce swelling first 24 hours; then warm

compresses to increase circulation

■ Magnets: cover area with magnetic pad and secure with an Ace bandage—12

hours on and 12 hours off

■ Myofascial release

■ Pressure-point therapies

■ Reiki

■ Therapeutic Touch

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