ANNA ANSWERS YOUR REMEDIES QUESTIONS

I have been asked if I would do posts on remedies and herbs.  First off, I am not a doctor nor am I a veterinarian so if you use any of these remedies or suggestions, you do so at your own risk. I advise you to see your doctor first.  Being Amish and Old Order Mennonite, we do believe in doctors, and hospitals.  But, we also feel that there are times, we can use our own ways at home.

When Elmer and I first got to know Jean and David's family, Elmer got along with everyone, but there was one that seemed cold to me - Grandmother Olive.  I tried talking with her and she answered my questions or made her comments, but that was it.  The next few months, tried as I may, I couldn't get her to warm up to me.  One day I came over to Jean's and we got talking about remedies and Grandmother Olive joined us.  I thought I had lots of remedies, but she has more than I ever did.  I just listened to her.  That's the day we became friends and have been ever since.  Yes, Grandmother Olive, gave me permission to put this on here.  I said she should be doing this, not me, but she wouldn't.

There is a group of questions that were given a while back that weren't answered so I will try to do it.

Are there any specific herbs that might be soothing to arthritis? This isn't herbs, but I have heard that wearing copper bracelets has helped many people.  Also eating cold-water fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines, herring, cod and bluefish helps in that can slow the advance of arthritis and reduce pain.  Fish oil pills can be taken, but intake should be limited to 3 grams a day.  If you are diabetic or take anti-clotting check with your doctor before taking them.  Olive told me of a lady she knew that tried all the remedies, and doctor medicine, but still the pain was not reduced.  Olive told her to stop eating beef - that worked.  Also not eating sugar, pork or strawberries may help. Exercise is another that will help.  Taking walks or swimming.  Walking in a swimming pool, lake, etc. may help.

You can pack a quart can with ferns.  Fill the can with rubbing alcohol and set it in the sun for four weeks.  This lotion can be rubbed on ailing body parts.  I hope some of these help.

Another question is: Is there any herb that would sooth an Alzheimer patient or with dementia?  Ginkgo  may be a help with Alzheimer or dementia.  Ginkgo may relieve symptoms of Alzheimer disease including short-term memory loss and depression.  This can be obtained at most drug stores in pill form.  It may be under food supplements rather than a drug or vitamin.

Is there something that could be calming in teas?  You could say either catnip, skullcap, peppermint, goldenseal, black cohosh or blue vervain teas.  My favorite to use is peppermint.  Is there perhaps something to use to scent a room?  I would use lavender.  Lavender has a calming, relaxing scent. It is also good for relaxing or sleeping.

Elmer injured his back at a factory job he was working.  He was given pills for his back pain
 and another for sleeping.  The sleeping pills would put him to sleep, but when he woke up, he was still sleepy all day.  When he first hurt the back, he stayed home for a few days, but raising a family, at that time, he had to get back to work.  The peppermint tea relaxed him, but he couldn't sleep all night.  So one night, I had him drink peppermint tea before we went to bed and had lavender scent in the bedroom.  He went to bed, went to sleep and slept all night.  When he woke in the morning he wasn't sleepy.

Is there anything that would help against dog fleas?  Feeding dog and cats brewer's yeast and rubbing it in their fur should get rid of fleas.  Also bathing you dogs and cats with pennyroyal tea may bet rid of fleas.



Is there any herb that the Amish or Old Order Mennonites are not allowed to use?  As long as it is not illegal, we can use them.  I can't think of any legal herb we can't use and neither can Olive.

What I think is kind of funny is they are trying to make marijuana legal for medical purposes in New York State.  My mother told me that when she was a little girl you use to be able to buy marijuana at the drug store. She can't remember things correctly sometimes do to age so I thought she got mixed up until I asked Olive.  Olive said my Mother is right.  When Olive was a little girl you could buy it at the drug stores.  Of course back then, it was used for medical reasons, only.  You didn't smoke or inject it in you to get higher than a kite. So I am still learning something new every day.

If you have anymore questions, please ask.  Again, I am not a doctor, so please contact your doctor before using any of these.  If you don't contact you doctor, you use these at your own risk.


Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna