Page 295 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Fungal Infections: Fungal infections such as ath- How to Prepare: Potassium permanganate must
lete’s foot is easily treated by soaking the foot in a di- be dissolved and diluted by clean water before using.
lute solution of potassium permanganate for about 15 Dissolve one 400 mg tablet or granules in 1 gallon (4
minutes, twice a day, for two or three weeks. These liters) of water. Use the water to soak weeping skin
soaks kill or inhibit the growth of the fungus. The pa- wounds and infections for 1 hour, but no more.
tient should be aware that the treatment will tempo-
rarily stain the foot brown, but normal color will re- Use potassium permanganate as a short-term solution
turn when the soaks are finished. while treating the underlying conditions. Do not use
potassium permanganate internally or in the eyes.
Cholera Prevention: Potassium permanganate is
an effective way to sanitize water for drinking. Other Uses: Water purification, as described above
under preventing cholera. Potassium permanganate is
Clean food and drinking water is necessary to prevent also useful for starting fires.
infective diseases such as cholera and dysentery. To
prepare water for drinking with potassium permanga- Warning: Potassium permanganate is an aggres-
nate, add permanganate granules to 1 gallon (4 Liters) sive oxidizer and will readily start fires when in con-
of water, one or two at a time, until the water turns tact with suitable materials. It must be stored in a
pink. Allow the water to sit for 30 minutes before non-reactive plastic bottle. Strong solutions can cause
drinking or using. The water is safe to drink while the burns. Dilute the solutions as recommended. Potas-
pink color remains. If the color is purple, you have sium permanganate will stain almost everything it
added too much permanganate and the water is un- comes into contact with a nice shade of pink or purple.
safe for drinking. Add more water to dilute it until the
color is pink.

Raw Honey

Honey is made by bees. It is made up of concentrated
flower nectar that bees break down into simple sugars
using an enzyme in their salivary glands (invertase). It
is then deposited into honeycomb for long-term stor-
age. Honey contains many medicinal qualities taken
from the flower. Once the honey has been cooked or
diluted, these properties may no longer exist in benefi-
cial quantities. I prefer to use undiluted raw honey, as
it contains pollen and parts of the waxen honeycomb
in addition to the honey itself.

Honey has a rich medicinal history. It has been used Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, and Anti-In-
since ancient times for the dressing of wounds and as flammatory: Some kinds of honey have more in-
a cough suppressant.
tense antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Medicinal Use. Burn and Wound Healing: than others. In particular, Manuka Honey from New
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Zealand is known to be very high in these active com-
raw honey make it a natural for wound care. It kills pounds. However, any natural raw honey has these
germs and helps the wound heal. Use it applied directly properties in varying amounts.
to burns, infected wounds, diabetic foot ulcers and Cough Suppressant: Honey is a natural cough
other skin conditions such as psoriasis and herpes. You suppressant. Take a spoonful of honey straight or use
can apply it in a layer directly on the skin or apply it to it to make a cough syrup infused with beneficial herbs.
the bandage before use.
For especially difficult infections and ulcers, the use of
Manuka honey is recommended, if available.
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