Backyard Remedies

[Guest guest]

Backyard Remediesby Pamela YarboroughCommon weeds and plants have been used for centuries to help heal minor cutsscrapes, insectbites and stings.If you are outdoors hiking, camping or picnicking and do not have a first

aid kit, just lookaround you. Most likely you will find all you need near by. You will findplants that areantiseptics, that stop bleeding, and that will work as bandages. Be carefulnot to useplants that are in an area that has been recently sprayed with pesticides.

Plantain is a common lawn pest, but it is one of the best medicinal plantsavailable. All parts ofthe plant can be used to clean and disinfect scrapes and cuts as well asinsect bites. Pick theleaves and rub them together or chew them until the juice comes out. Then

rub on the cut, scrapeor sting.Chickweed is a common garden pest and as you can tell from it's name isloved by chickens. This isanother good plant for cuts and scrapes. Make a poultice by squeezing

together and rubbing in handuntil juice comes out. Apply to affected area.Yarrow is a member of the Sunflower family. For many centuries it was usedas a vulnernary (anagent which is active in the healing of wounds) that is why it has common

names such as soldier'swound wort, the Military herb, and Berbe Militaris. For an emergency can beused as a tooth acheremedy, remove several leaves- chew into a pulpy poultice and pack aroundtooth.

For cuts and scrapes, pick the flowers and leaves, crush until juice comesout, pack on cut orscrape.Jewelweed is a good plant for poison ivy or oak. If you are in the woodswith no water around and

get into poison ivy or poison oak, look for jewelweed. Crush the flowers andstems and rub on theaffected area.Elderberry is a member of the honeysuckle family. It is an excellent insectrepellant. The leaves

can be crushed and rubbed on the body or placed under your hat. Manyherbalist say Elderflowersare laced with essential oils that increase circulation and open pores whichmay reduce fevers.Elder leaves are often used externally for bruises, sprains and minor

injuries.Aloe does not grow wild in all of America but it is a plant everyone shouldhave in their home.Aloe is great for minor burns, sunburns and rashes. Cut a leaf and expressthe juices and apply to

affected area. Aloe is also a natural underarm deodorant and hairconditioner.Shepherds Purse is part of the mustard family. It is a lawn weed and can befound along roadsidesand moist areas around living quarters. For cuts and wounds crush and bruise

leaves, moisten withhot water. Place on injury and cover with cloth to keep moist and in place.For earache, crushplant to a pulp. Squeeze several drops into the ear. Place cotton into theear opening. For

nosebleeds, pound or chew the leaves into a moist pulp and place in thebleeding nostril(s).These are but a few of the many plants readily available to you for firstaid while outdoors. Just

remember nature's weeds can be our natural remedies. ------------ Diana Gonzalez

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets. -Unknown