3 Fabulous Folk Remedies Foil High Blood Pressure

While it is true that our unhealthy 21^st-century lifestyle has contributed to the soaring rates of high blood pressure, the condition itself has been plaguing mankind since the dawn of time. That’s why, long before the arrival of sophisticated medicines — or even nutritional supplements — ordinary folks had their own highly effective ways of solving the problem. Here’s a trio of the best:

1. Scrub and peel five medium-size potatoes, then simmer the skins in 2 cups of water for 20 minutes. Drink 1 cup of the strained brew twice a day.

2. Three times a day (with each meal), drink a potion made from ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar mixed with ½ teaspoon of lemon juice in 8 ounces of water. For the sake of convenience, you can multiply the recipe and store it in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.

3. Steep 6 tablespoons of dried raspberry leaves* in 4 cups of just-boiled water for 40 minutes, then strain. Either drink the tea hot, put it in the fridge to chill (it will keep well overnight), or pour it into ice-pop molds and freeze them.

*Available in health-food stores, herbal-supply stores, and online. 

Feeling Tense? Try This Incredible Calming Cream

As weird and wacky as it sounds, this potent, penetrating, but oh-so-gentle cream can send your anxiety level plummeting — with none of the dangerous side effects of prescription drugs. Here’s how to make it in four simple steps:

Step 1. Round up ½ cup of wheat germ oil, 1 ounce of beeswax, ¼ cup of unflavored yogurt, four 400 IU vitamin E capsules, and 10 drops of juniper essential oil. You’ll also need a double boiler, a blender, and a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 2. Heat the wheat germ oil and beeswax in the top of a double boiler until the wax melts, but the mixture is still cool enough to touch. (Don’t let it get too hot, or you’ll damage the healing compounds in the oil.)

Step 3. Put the yogurt and vitamin E oil (squeezed from the capsules) in the blender, and turn it on its lowest setting. With the motor running, slowly pour in the warm wax and oil mixture, and add the juniper oil. Continue blending until you’ve got a smooth cream.

Step 4. Pour the cream into the jar, and let it cool to room temperature before putting the lid on. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about 30 days.

Several times a day, rub the cream onto your hands to keep stress away.

The Loathsome Lives of Cold Germs

It never fails: At back-to-school time, your kids are suddenly surrounded by dozens of other kids, and the next thing you know, your home has been invaded by every sniffle, sore throat, and cough that’s going around.

We know that all it takes to pick up cold viruses is to touch a germ-laden surface or touch an infected person and then touch your nose or mouth. But how long do those disease-spreading organisms lie in wait for you? There’s no way of knowing for sure. Studies have shown that, depending upon the particular strain, cold viruses can survive on surfaces for anywhere form a few minutes to 24 hours. But these two factors also play a role in how long germs remain in attack mode:

The nature of the “dumping ground.” In general, germs stay active longer on hard materials such as plastic, metal, and ceramic tile than they do on clothing, upholstery, and other soft surfaces.

Environmental conditions. The higher the temperature and humidity are, the sooner the viruses’ firepower will fade away.

This highly portable DIY hand cleaner will demolish flu and cold viruses on contact — with none of the potentially dangerous chemicals found in most commercial brands.

¾ cup of rubbing alcohol (at least 91% strength)

⅜ cup of pure aloe vera gel

5 drops of cinnamon oil*

5 drops of sweet orange oil*

Pour all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor, and run it on high for a minute or two. (Don’t worry: A thorough washing will remove all traces of alcohol and aloe.) Transfer the mixture to small spray or pump-top bottles, and carry them with you to use as you would any other hand sanitizer. The blend will keep at room temperature for at least six month.

*Or substitute 5 drops of one or a combination of your favorite oils. Lavender, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree are all excellent germ-fighting choices. All the oils are available in health-food stores, herbal-supply stores, and online. 

Sobering Tick Talk

Ticks have gained nationwide infamy for spreading Lyme disease and the potentially fatal Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but that’s just the beginning of the horror story. As of this writing, there are 14 different tick-borne diseases plaguing various parts of the United States, and new ones keep popping up with disturbing frequency. The specific ailments, as well as the exact kinds of ticks that carry them, differ from one part of the country to another. But all of the infections have similar symptoms. Both the severity and the time of onset can vary, but these are the most common signs:

• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches
• Rash

All tick-borne diseases are easily treated with antibiotics—but they can be very hard to diagnose. The key to fending off dangerous complications lies in fast action. If you’ve been bitten by a tick, and anywhere from a few days to several weeks later you experience any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor immediately!

5 Zany Ways to Cure a Headache

Got a throbbing headache that just won’t quit? Over the years, folks have come up with more headache remedies than you can shake an aspirin bottle at. Here’s an assortment of the weirdest — and surprisingly, most effective:

1. Soak for 20 minutes in a steamy hot bath while holding an ice pack on your head. The hot/cold combo will ease the pain by drawing blood away from your head and narrowing the blood vessels in your scalp.

2. Tape a fresh mint leaf on the part of your head that hurts the most, and keep it there until you feel relief.

3. Stick your tongue out about ½ inch, and bite down on it as hard as possible without hurting yourself. Hold the position for 10 minutes — no less and no more.

4. Soak a large white cloth in vinegar, wring it out, and tie it tightly around your head. Keep it in place until the pain is gone.

5. Slice a fresh lime in half, and slowly but firmly rub a cut side on the site of the ache. The pain should vanish pronto. 

The Tense Truth about Clutter and Stress

Clutter kills. Well, not directly. But it does send your stress-hormone producers into overdrive, and that can do you in — fast! Consider these half-dozen horrific ways that clutter clobbers your mind and, in turn, your body:

1. It bombards your brain with excessive stimuli, forcing your senses to work overtime and often disturbing your health-giving sleep.

2. It distracts you from things that you need to focus on.

3. It makes it harder to relax, both mentally and physically.

4. It constantly whispers to your subconscious that your work is never — and can never be — done.

5. It triggers feelings of guilt and embarrassment, especially when unexpected visitors drop by your home or office.

6. It sends your frustration skyrocketing when things such as keys, bills, or important documents get buried in piles of junk.

There’s no doubt that even moderate amounts of clutter can send your stress level soaring sky high. But a junk-filled, disorganized home or office can also take a toll on your physical health. Here are four ways you may be doing your body a big disservice by letting a lot of possessions pile up throughout your home:

• The more stuff you have lying around, the more handy hiding places you provide for germs of all kinds.
• The more dust collectors you have, the more exposed you are to the toxins released by PVC and other plastics.
• All kinds of health aids, ranging from nutritional supplements and must-have medications to your walking shoes and gym membership card, can easily get lost under the piles of clutter you have.
• A cluttered home can make you embarrassed to invite folks over — so you deprive yourself of stress-busting social interactions. 

3 Plants That Keep Wasps Away

There are more than 75,000 kinds of wasps in the world. Nearly all of them are not only harmless, but also highly beneficial because they prey on other insects, including disease-carrying mosquitoes and almost every crop-destroying garden pest you can name. But, zowie! Their stings really pack a punch. So place containers filled with any of this trio of repelling plants wherever you want to keep wasps away:

Citronella. This is most potent when you crush the leaves and rub them onto your skin (or use citronella oil, available in health-food stores). But dense groupings of the real deal also discourage wasp visits.

Mint. Both the oil and live plants repel wasps. If you plant it in your garden (rather than in a container), you’ll need to clip it back frequently — otherwise, it’ll take over your whole yard before you know it!

Wormwood. This silvery-gray perennial is highly drought resistant. On the downside, the same aromatic chemicals that repel wasps (and scads of other insects) make wormwood poisonous to people and animals — so don’t plant it if you have small children or pets on the scene.

If you find yourself at the wrong end of a wasp’s stinger, here are two easy ways to control inflammation and ease the pain:

1. Dissolve two effervescent antacid tablets in a glass of water. Then moisten a soft cloth with the solution, and hold it on the bite for 20 minutes.

2. Wet the site, and rub an uncoated aspirin tablet over it.

Whichever remedy you choose, if the culprit was a bee instead of a wasp, remove the stinger before you proceed.