Homeopathic Remedies ~ Worth Looking Into

"Praise the LORD, O my soul, 
and forget not all His benefits ~ 
Who forgives all your sins 
and heals all your diseases, 
who redeems your life from the pit 
and crowns you with love and compassion, 
Who satisfies your desires with good things 
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." 
~Psalm 103:2-5

I am a firm believer in the healing power of the Lord. I also believe that He has blessed us with home remedies and medicines that originate from His creation. One of those is the method of Homeopathic Remedies.

Homeopathic remedies are preparations that originate from anything from ants and honeybees, to quartz and oyster shells, to Chamomile and charcoal. These remedies date back to late 1700 Germany; they are heavily diluted preparations that are thought to cause similar symptom as someone is suffering from. This is called "the law of similars" and is where the old expression "like cures like" comes from. Another thing that I like about Homeopathics is that the ingredient(s) is (are) diluted down. The impressive aspect being that the more it is diluted, the stronger the medicinal effect is! 

A third aspect that some Homeopaths (Homeopathic Doctors) subscribe to is that your personality and out-look on life plays a part in how your remedies work and, for that matter, which one to choose for each ailment.

Homeopathic remedies have a long shelf life, are non-habit forming and can be taken with most Rx without interfering with it's effectiveness.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of differnt homeopathic remedies and blends, but for my purposes here, I'll list some of the most popular remedies and what they are used for. [Remedy symptoms and uses are from my personal home remedy notes gleaned from information I've gotten from: personal experience, advice from knowledgeable friends and co-workers, product package recommendations, Milk and Honey, Inc., Hylands website, Boiron website] 

(PLEASE NOTE disclaimer at bottom of blog)

~Aconitum Napellus ~ Sudden colds, scute infections, frights, anxiety.  For sudden illnesses due to fright or shock. Cold, flu, sore throat, fever, hot skin; eye injury, dental problems, earaches, headaches; panic attacks.

~Apis Mellifica ~ Stings, swelling. Insect bites, stings, redness and swelling, rashes.

~Arnica Montana ~ Bruises, soreness, muscle injuries. One of the most popular homeopathic remedies; use for most any bruising, can be taken 2-3 days before surgery to reduce post-op bruising and soreness, after childbirth. Even good for whooping cough and bed wetting in children.

~Belladonna [Antropa Belladonna] ~ Fever, flu, headaches, sensitivity to light. High fever, throbbing pain, infection, inflammation, menstrual pain; restless sleep.

~Calcarea Carbonica ~ Digestion, constipation. Anxiety, bone and tooth complaints, slow to heal fractures, tooth decay; slow growth in children; indigestion, tonsillitis. 

~Cantharis ~ Urinary, stomach. Urinary tract inflamation; digestive problems, diarrhea.

~Causticum ~ Bed wetting and bladder incontinence. For children and adults experiencing weak bladder.  

~Chamomilla recutita ~ Irritability, colds, colic, ear pain, teething. Toothaches aggravated by hot or cold foods/drink, painful periods, teething pain, sleeplessness. 

~Carbo Vegitabilis [Carbo Veg, Charcoal] ~ Indigestion, flatulence, fatigue, constipation. Low energy after surgery or illness, digestive problems, heartburn, dizziness, fainting.

~Magnesium Phophate [Mag Phos, cell salts] ~ Leg cramps, menstrual cramps, muscle spasms. Anti-spasmodic, relieves cramps, muscle spasms, sciatica, backaches, headaches, toothaches, colic, hiccups. 

~Rhus Toxicodendron [Rhus Tox] ~ Rheumatism, joint pain, stuffness, skin problems. Itchy skin, hives, rashes; stiff and swollen joints, arthritis, flu, fever, fatigue.

~Sepia Officinalis [Sepia] ~ Heavy periods, menopause, hot flashes, PMS. Remedy for most women's issues, including painful intercourse.

~Cephaelis Ipecacuanha [Ipecacuanha, Ipecac Shrub] ~ Nausea, Indigestion, fever, morning sickness. Dry, hacking coughs, wheezing, asthma-related congested chest; migraine with nausea, morning sickness.

~Lachesis Mutus [Lachesis] ~ Menopause, hot flashes, PMS, sore throat. Sore throat, hacking cough, sinus pain, headache; PMS, menopause, hot flashes, night sweats followed by shivering.

~Nux Vomica [Strychnos nux-vomica] ~ Stress, fatigue, hangover, sleeplessness. Helps with hang-overs, over-eating, mental over-work; insomnia, digestive disorders brought on by suppressed anger; colds, flu.

~Ruta [Ruta Graveolens] ~ Sprain, bone bruies, carpal tunnel, eye strain. One of the best 1st remedies for sprains, strains, repeated injury, joints, tennis elbow; deep bruises, headache, eye strain from long hours of reading, computer or poor lighting. 

~Silica [Silica Terra, Quartz] ~ Skin and bone issues. Purges splinters, acne, skin sores; for congested ears and sinuses; helps streagthen hair and nails.

~Sulphur [Brimstone] ~ Skin complaints, mental stress, digestion. Eczema, thrush, diaper rash, dry scalp; indigestion, vomiting, chronic diarrhea; mental stress, forgetfulness, indecision. 

If you have any other favorite homeopathic remedies that you would like to share, please do. We are entering a time in our country when Mother will, once again, be the nurse of the family and we need to help and support each other in caring for our families and our own health. Let's bless each other with our help and knowledge.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
   

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#76~ Living Letters

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ . . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." ~2 Corinthians 3:2-3

I saw this little paragraph today: "When Tim Tebow wore John 3:16 on his eye black during the 2009 Championship game, over 92 million people looked that verse up on Google. That means that over 92 million people heard the Gospel just because one man took a stand." Wow. How incredible. Tim Tebow used that opportunity to literally be "a living letter" for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What if we woke up every morning and determined that those who "read" us throughout our day see Jesus written all over us? Would our friends and family see the difference Jesus has made in our lives? Would our co-workers, our classmates, our neighbors see that there is something good and different in our lives and wonder so at what makes us different that they would ask? 

I would like to challenge all of us to look at ourselves and ask, "Am I being a living letter? Do the people who 'read me' see Jesus?" 

We may not be perfect in our presentation, but our testimony is a powerful tool in the hands of the Lord and is always a great read.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Wasn't She Just Born Yesterday?

Happy 25th birthday to our DD#1. 

My sweet, darling girl. Your birth did so much more than fill my aching arms ~ you filled my heart with joy ~ and still do. You, who have my daddy's beautiful blue eyes & a smile that lights up a room. You are dreams come true.

I love you, Mommy 

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #174~ 1/7/13

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . glorious sunny, blue skies. The temps will be inching up this week & our lovely snow will disappear. I've actually enjoyed our snow this season.

I am thinking . . . how glad I am to be off the couch. I have been terribly sick since New Year's Eve. I didn't have the flu but I had a terrible cold.

I am thankful . . . for God's healing power in the human body. This is the first I can remember that it seemed no amount of home rememdies, suppliments or EVEN Alka-Seltzer Plus (lol) could put a dent in any of my symptoms.

From the kitchen . . . chicken noodle soup, homemade bread & a chunk of Colby-Jack cheese.

I am wearing . . . jeans & a purple pull-over sweater.

I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am going . . . to go back to work later today. One of those days when I leave as the others are coming home from work. :-(

I am wondering . . . how a meeting will go.

I am hoping . . . that it goes well. :-)

I am reading . . . nothing right now. I've been sick & haven't been able to enjoy any reading. That will change soon.

I am looking forward to . . . getting back to good health.

I am learning . . . that sometimes, there's no "cure" or short-cut for some things. Sometimes, you simply have to live through it.

Around the house . . . will finally take down the Christmas decorations this week.

One of my favorite things . . . family celebrations.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, celebrating DD#1's 25th birthday, work, getting the house back to normal.

A favorite quote for the day . . . "The devil accuses the brethren day and night, remember, and if you are never accused of anything, then perhaps it is time for a little spiritual inventory. And if you inquire into the reasons why the devil never shoots at you, you might come up with the reasonable answer that you never shoot at him." -Douglass Wilson

Scripture thought . . . "Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge." ~Psalm 119:54

A picture thought for you . . . 

Read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Scottish Mulled Cider

The cold weather months bring their own kind of comfort & yumminess with them, don't they? Everything from stews & soups to warm drinks.

If you love cider drinks this mixture will quickly climb to the top of your Favorites List. This is the taste treat of authentic Scottish Mulled Cider ~ 

You will need:

~8 c. apple cider
~1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
~1 pinch of ground nutmeg
~8 4-6" cinnamon sticks, + a few extra
~1 ts whole allspice
~1 ts whole cloves, + a few extra
~8 orange wedges, with rind
~cheesecloth
~string

Directions:

1) In a saucepan, mix the cider, brown sugar & nutmeg.
2) In the cheesecloth, put in the cinnamon, allspice & 1 ts of the cloves; tie with a string
3) Add the bag of spices to the cider mix & bring to boiling. 
4) Once it boils, reduce the heat, cover & simmer on low for 10-15 minutes.
5) While the mulled cider simmers, stud the orange rinds with 2-4 whole cloves.
6) Once cider has simmered, take out the spice bag & throw it away.
7) Serve mulled cider in mugs with one of the clove-studded oranges in each one; you may also wish to serve with an extra cinnamon stick in each mug.

Enjoy!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><          

Warm and Cozy on a Cold Winter's Day

This is how I feel today . . . 

Enjoy the blessing of a warm and cozy home on a cold winter's day.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<>< 

Mini-Blizzard of 2012

BRRR! What a day!

After a blessed and happy CHRISTmas, we had a day full of crazy weather. Our Ohio mini-blizzard afforded us a day when we were glad to be inside our warm home where we could bundle up in warm clothes, under comfy quilts, watching the movies we received as Christmas gifts and left-overs from Christmas dinner to nosh on through-out the day.

Here's a peek at what it looks like at our house . . . 

This was the view from our front porch looking across the road at mid-day ~ it was ONLY about 6" at this time.

Our front porch swing ~ retired for the winter ~ collected a dusting of snow at mid-day.

Poor little Maggie ~ it's hard to go potty when the snow is up to your . . . well . . . you know.

My hand is 7-1/2" from wrist to tip of middle finger ~ at mid-day my entire hand went all the way into the snow! We ended up with 10" by the time it stopped snowing in the late afternoon.

But we were snug in our house watching the snow from the warm side of the windows. 

Here are a few more shots of our CHRISTmas tree, that I showed you in an earlier post, and some favorite ornaments . . . 

This photo doesn't exactly do our tree "justice," but since we bought a rustic-real-looking tree (about 4 years ago) & cut down on the more glittery ornaments, took away the tinsel & started using the more vintage, rustic ornaments, I can't hardly stop admiring our tree. In person, it is simple and lovely to me. My favorite look of any trees we've had.

This ornament is in memory of our sweet dog, Hickory, a Sheltie. I'm sure you can guess that he was much loved.

A sweet cabin in the snowy woods.

And we HAVE to have SOMETHING with wolves on it!

A little somethin'-somethin' for THE Man. :-)

I love the red tartan & gunnysack ribbons on the brown wrapping paper.

And, as always, it is ALL about JESUS.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree . . .

 O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

Yes, to so many of us, this is an old, familiar tune. Brought out every Christmas just like the ornaments & tinsel we decorate our own Christmas trees with. But do you know why we decorate our trees? Here's a little bit of symbolism to help you ~ and your family ~ appreciate the tradition even more . . . 

Many pagan cultures "worshipped" the Evergreen trees as a sign of immortality but to counter pagan falsehood with a degree of Godly truth, believers started erecting Evergreens on December 24th. Then, to honor Christ's birth Martin Luther began the tradition of bringing in and decorating small Evergreens  at around 1500. Then, by the 1800's the Christmas Tree was well established.

 O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

In the late 1700's, people started adding more decoration to the Evergreens. They added candles to symbolize the birth of Jesus Christ as The Light of the World (the same symbolism is why we decorate our homes with lights ~ to show the world that our Light has come!) [John 18:12]; ornaments of pine cones, baby's hair, embellished combs, hand-made paper snowflakes and chains, holly and ivy, fruit, cotton batting as snow or "angel hair" . . . items that were special and had meaning to the family. Christians also began to hang wreaths on their doors and in their homes and even small wreaths were hung on the trees. These never-ending circles of Evergreen represent eternity, endless hope and even God Himself as our Alpha and Omega.

 O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !"

And the crown of every Christmas tree is either an angel or a star. Both recognise the fact that a heralding angel of God came to the Shepherds to announce the birth of God's only Son, Jesus Christ, and that a star led their way to the family, find the holy Babe lying in a manger.

And gifts under the tree? Well, that has a couple of meanings. One is that after their long journey following the star, the three Maji (Wise Men) gave gifts of precious worth to the Boy King ~ gold, frankincense and myrrh. The other is that the Lord, in His love and goodness towards us, His children, has blessed us with the opportunity to celebrate His birthday by giving and receiving gifts.   

We truly serve a wonderful Father God, a precious Lord & a tender Holy Spirit ~ they do all the work and we have all the fun.

I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse of our family Christmas tree and the blessings wrapped in brown paper that wait for our family to open on Christmas Day. 

 From my family to yours ~ have a very merry and blessed CHRISTmas.

CHRISTmas blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><