Folk Medicine

Wild yam is used to treat a variety of ailments and can be bought in liquid, capsule or tablet form. Because it is an herbal supplement it has not been FDA rated. When taking, follow label...

Keeping supple youthful looking skin is hard during the harsh winter months. Dry itchy flaky skin on your arms, legs and body is unsightly, aggravating and uncomfortable. By incorporating some...

When I was younger I trip and fell hit the side of the house, then hit concrete and glass. I think my mom screamed louder then me but by the time I got home I had swelling, bruising and a nasty...

Vinegar has been used for many years for different things. From cleaning a coffee pot and windows to treating different ailments, vinegar is a miracle product. There are many different medical...

The common cold is a nuisance that most everyone has to deal with at one time or another. As is well known, there is no cure for this sickness, but there are a number of ways to make the symptoms...

If you suffer from toenail fungus, you may find the condition to be extremely frustrating and difficult to treat. Pharmaceuticals are available to treat toenail fungus, but they don't always work....

Soy milk powder, found at supermarkets and health-food stores, is beneficial as a skin-softening agent, which makes it a soothing choice to keep on hand for a soak in the tub. Soy milk powder can...

Many different cultures in the world have been known to use traditional medicines for the cure of common illnesses. The countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa have been using traditional...

If you have toenail fungus, you may be looking for an effective solution in which to soak your feet. One home remedy for nail fungus, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a vinegar soak. While the...

First sold as Vicks Croup and Pneumonia Salve in the 1890s, Vicks VapoRub has a long history of use in homes around the world. Sold as a cough suppressant and topical analgesic, people have been...

The common cold "is the most frequently occurring illness in the world," reports MedicineNet.com. It normally lasts five to ten days and produces various symptoms, including sneezing, a runny nose...

Thinning hair and outright hair loss is an embarrassing sign of aging for many men and some women. Many options exist to help alleviate this problem, ranging from realistic wigs to radical...

Suffering from heartburn, gastric reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be a harrowing experience. There are a number of homeopathic and alternative cures suggested to relieve...

Fungal infections affect millions of people worldwide. These infections can be minor or they can be dangerous and even potentially deadly. There are many treatments for fungal infections,...

Five species of pine trees in America and Europe produce commercial pine nuts. These are cold pressed to make pine nut oil or cedar nut oil. Small international research studies suggest pine oil...

Warts can appear on your skin--usually on hands, feet and face--inside the mouth, and in the genital and rectal area. Doctors normally remove common external skin warts by freezing, cutting,...

The Amish have developed countless remedies to everyday afflictions over the last few hundred years. Because the Amish abstain from modern technology, their natural cures are usually made up of...

The scalp, like other skin, can become infected with the ringworm fungus that thrives in moist, dark areas. This can lead to to patches of ringed, discolored skin that flake and cause irritating...

Bee sting therapy is an alternative treatment for arthritis and diabetes. The idea is that the venom from bee stings helps reverse these conditions. Bee sting therapy has been practiced as an...

Caused by contamination and poor personal hygiene, an infection by the ringworm fungus results in patchy, discolored, flaky skin, especially that of the scalp and toes and itchy irritation. While...

A nightcap is a drink that contains alcohol which is suppose to help go to sleep faster and better. There has been documentation of nightcaps over 200 years ago. While a nightcap can actually be...

Hair loss has dozens of potential causes. Nutritional deficiencies, genetics and benign hormone imbalances are responsible for many cases of poor hair growth. Nutritional supplements and herbal...

The Chinese method of ear wax removal is often considered a modern form of alternative medicine, but it actually extends far into history. Ear candling is believed to date back 2500 years and has...

Headaches can be a tough part of life. They at best are an annoyance and at worst can be completely debilitating. Often they come unexpectedly and we may not want to pop more pills. Sometimes we...

Having the flu seems to be a pretty big deal these days with all the media hype. They make it seem like an instant death sentence and if you make it out alive you are one of the lucky ones. On the...

Vinegar water is a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. For centuries apple cider vinegar has been used for medicinal purposes ranging from an antiseptic to weight loss. Researchers have...

Apple cider vinegar is purported to be a medicinal remedy, dating back to Hippocrates. It is good for many ailments, from relieving arthritis to lowering cholesterol. Used both internally and...

Constipation can be painful and inconvenient. However, by making a few lifestyle changes and having a ingredients on hand for a few fast-acting home remedies, you can reduce the chance of...

Migraines hurt. These intense super-headaches are often debilitating and bring along a host of other bodily aches and pains. While prevention and education can help reduce their occurrence,...

Many of has at some point have because nausea but with increased traveling in the last few decades people have searched for nausea treatments. However most modern day medicines have a list of side...

At some point everyone gets a splinter in his finger, toe or somewhere else. While it is not typically a medical emergency, it might seem pretty urgent to get it out as soon as possible. There are...

Excess earwax in your ear canal can be painful. It can even cause an infection or temporary hearing loss. Your ear makes wax to protect the eardrum. When you are exposed to loud noise for an...

Uric acid is a byproduct of protein enzymes that help to digest food, and is normally excreted in the urine. If a person doesn't urinate in sufficient quantities, the uric acid remains in the...

Neti pots are ancient medicinal tools used to help alleviate sinus problems such as allergies, colds and chronic congestion or infections. Neti pots work by filling and rinsing your nasal and...

Sulfur and blackstrap molasses is a centuries-old homemade remedy. The mixture of one teaspoon of sulfur and two teaspoons of molasses was believed to prevent health problems and to serve as a...

Mother of vinegar is a substance made up yeasts and bacteria that act as a vinegar starter. While it is rarely used by itself for anything but making vinegar, some alternative health supporters...

H. pylori--short for helicobacter pylori--is the bacteria responsible for most peptic ulcers. Symptoms of an ulcer include a gnawing or burning sensation in the stomach, nausea and bloating....

Individuals who contract the influenza virus, commonly known simply as "the flu," experience a number of unpleasant symptoms including weakened muscles, runny noses and nausea. Incessant vomiting,...

A popular addition to most meals, wine--when consumed in moderation--can provide a number of benefits to the digestive system. Considered by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency to...

Diabetic ulcers usually occur on the feet or legs and are the most common foot injuries that lead to amputation, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). If you have a...

If you find yourself inebriated and need to sober up quickly, a variety of folk remedies may help you achieve a clearer state of mind. However, always use caution when driving after drinking, no...

People have been practicing folk medicine for centuries. In many countries and cultures it still thrives in its original and ancient forms. Folk medicine has a rich and unique history, even as it...

For centuries, aloe vera plants have been valuable for the gel in their leaves, which offers many healing benefits when applied topically. It is now known that aloe vera provides a plethora of...

In the Philippines garlic and honey are often used to relieve many illnesses and ailments. Combined together, garlic and honey can be used as a cough syrup that helps a bad cough or sore throat....

Orally ingested castor oil is known in folk medicine as a tonic for constipation and other digestive problems. Some parents would give their children castor oil the minute the child got sick, not...

Dried corn makes a wonderful alternative to the liquid in heating packs that can puncture and leak. They are also organic and can be made at home in under five minutes. Corn heating pads can be...

Vinegar is an old folk remedy for painful joints. The most common form of vinegar used for this application is apple cider vinegar. Various claims have been made through the decades attributing...

The Mayan civilization was, at its height, one of the most complex and well developed of all ancient cultures and had a herbal pharmacopoeia that utilized many of the local plants. Mayan culture...

Healers in Cuba have used herbs and other plants throughout history for cures of disease and other ailments. These folk remedies were passed down through generations, consisting of more than 170...