The Zuni tribe of New Mexico uses sagebrush, a plentiful desert plant, as a foot deodorant and to prevent athlete's foot infection. They simply gather the soft aromatic leaves and put them in their shoes.
Comfrey is one of the most soothing remedies for athlet's foot and other skin irritations. It contains mucilage that soothes and softens, and also a compound called allantoin that helps regenerate damaged skin. Fresh comfrey leaves can be mashed with a blender and applied to the skin.
The Bavarians of Germany take the yeast of beer, spread it on a cloth, and bind the cloth to their corns or calluses. This precess is repeated daily until the corn or callus disappears, usually within three to four weeks.
In England, cabbage, high in vitamin C and minerals good for the skin, was used to soothe blisters. The cabbage leaves were boiled in milk (also soothing) and applied when cool.
Russians get rid of corns by soaking a piece of black bread in vinegar and binding it to the corn.
In Sicily, people use a lemon, which they bind to the painful area overnight. A fresh lemon slice is substituted the following night, and the practice is continued until the irritation dissappears.
Hawaiian medicine men applied pure papaya juice or a piece of fresh papaya pulp directly to the corn. The area was then bound and the bandage left on overnight.
Osage Indians bound corns or calluses with bruised ivy leaves, a treatment that was said to bring results in two to three weeks.
Finely powdered licorice root is used by people in the Middle East to dry up blisters.
Have sore or tired feet? First, soak your feet in hot water and Epsom salts or baking soda and sea salt for 10-20 minutes. Then massage each foot for 3-5 minutes with a firm, circular motion. Put your feet up and read a good book!
Warm foot baths erase your cares and pamper your soul.Add a 1/2 cup of Epsom salts for relaxation and a sprig or two of fresh lavender or lemon balm to refresh your mind and calm your spirit. Those with diabetes should check with their doctor before soaking their feet in anything.
For immediate relief, soak in bucket or shallow pan of cold water with ice cubes in it for around 15 minutes or for as long as is comfortable. Do this several times. Keep your feet elevated. Wrapping lightly with an ace bandage has been known to help. If it isn't too tender, press points all around the ankle bone for 3 seconds each. Gently stroke the area away from the swelling. You can do this for yourself, but it works better to have a friend do it. Have someone gently stretch your leg while you are laying down; being careful not to grasp the swollen or painful area. Run your shower water (5 min. hot as you can stand and 5 min. cold alternately) over the sprain. These seem to increase circulation and to decrease swelling. An inflatable cast, called the Air
Stirrip might work for you. Ask your doctor. If you think the damage is more than a simple sprain, consult with a professional first.
Soak your tootsies in strong tea. The tannic acid in tea has astringent properties, which are thought to have an antiperspirant effect
The plantain leaves, the same flat leaves that grow close to the ground and defy the lawnmower's touch, were pounded into a pulp and used to relieve sore, aching feet.
Toenail fungus:
Don't let a case of nail fungus make you give up strappy sandals. Prescription medication used to clear up this condition can take up to a year to work, but many people swear that Vicks VapoRub gets rid of yellow, gross-looking toenails after just a few weeks of application. Experts aren't sure why Vicks might do the trick, though they note that camphor, one of the main ingredients, has antifungal properties.
A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
~Author Unknown
HAWTHORN: Taken in small, infrequent dosage, this powerful herb is a recommended heart tonic.
