Home Remedies

Aloe Vera is a wonderful plant to grow in a pot either in the house or on the patio.  This valuable plant has gained popularity for its medicinal uses over the past decade.   It is an easy plant to grow, requiring minimal care, and when mature will produce little baby plants at its base which can be carefully removed and given away to friends. Aloe Vera has many uses including:

• External uses - split a leaf with a sharp knife and apply the inside gel.
  • burns (kitchen burns or sunburn).  
  • skin rashes, particularly if there is a burning sensation
  • insect bites and stings
  • cuts and scratches on the skin, particularly if there is heat, redness, throbbing and the beginning of infection.
  • leg ulcers
  • cold sores (herpes simplex) also genital herpes.
  • warts
  • some skin cancers
  • to prevent hair falling out and to assist growth of hair in baldness

• Internal uses - For internal use dilute 1:10 with water
  • stimulates production of digestive enzymes
  • stimulates an underactive gall bladder
  • general tonic
  • arthritis and rheumatism

Anise is a therapeutic medicine that tastes sweet and spicy.  An infusion (tea) can be made with 1 teaspoonful of crushed Anise seeds and 1 cup boiling water poured over the seeds.  Cover with a saucer and leave 10 minutes.  Take a cupful three times a day.  Can be taken cold.

To make a cough syrup add 1 tablespoonful crushed Anise seeds to 2 cups of water and 1 cup raw sugar (or honey) in a saucepan (not aluminium).  Bring to boil with lid on, then simmer one hour.  Strain and bottle.  Take one teaspoonful as required.  This remedy will keep well.

It has several uses:

• aids digestion, flatulence and colic
• morning sickness of pregnancy
• coughs
• bronchitis and chest complaints
• asthma
• diarrhoea
• measles
• insomnia (inability to sleep)
• menopause symptoms (contains an estrogen like substance)
• prostate problems