10 Medical Home Emergencies and How to Manage Them

Many emergencies can be controlled at home if you know how to handle them. Preparing ahead for the most common medical emergencies allows you to be ready to treat them effectively and allows you to relax knowing you have it under control.

Let me first tell you that I am not a doctor and I do not have any medical training. I am a researcher and writer.  My family members and I suffer from many of these conditions, so I have taken the time to find out which treatments work best.

However, not every case is the same and every person is different, so you should do your own research and choose the treatments that are best for you and your family.

Natural Diabetes Treatments

Type II Diabetes can be controlled very well with a combination of diet, exercise, and herbal remedies.  You should never stop taking medication without consulting your doctor and keeping in mind the fact that every patient is different.

If you would like to try reducing your medication now or must go without during a SHTF disaster, a combination of a low carbohydrate diet (ketogenic) and these herbs can be effectively used to bring blood sugars down into a manageable range. It takes a while for the diet and herbs to be fully effective, possibly weeks, but blood sugar will begin to drift down quickly.

For high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), exercise will help bring down your blood sugar levels, when used with a low carbohydrate diet. These herbs that stimulate insulin production and reduce blood glucose levels should also be added: Bitter gourd, Fenugreek seeds (increase insulin production), Indian gooseberry (Amla), Curry leaves, Aloe Vera gel, Gymnema Sylvestre, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, Garlic, Ginger.

If your blood sugar falls dangerously low (hypoglycemia), drinking a small amount of juice or eating a small piece of fruit will bring it up quickly. If this happens to you, use stabilizing herbs regularly and keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. Use these herbs to stabilize blood sugar levels: Cinnamon, Holy Basil, Aloe Vera gel, Cloves, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, Cayenne, Ginseng, Ashwagandha.

For best results, it is necessary to use these herbs regularly. Fortunately, there is also a healthy way to add a little spice and flavor to your food. Use them in healthy recipes and in teas regularly to see prompt and lasting improvement.

Related: Preparedness for People with Diabetes (part. 1: How to Make Insulin)

Natural Treatments for Prostate Problems

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) include frequent urination, including getting up frequently to urinate at night, difficulty in voiding, urinary leakage, and urinary tract infections.

A combination of herbs, vitamins, and minerals is effective in treating BPH for many men. The most effective herbs are:

• Saw Palmetto – is high in Beta Sitosterol and plant sterols that relieve symptoms of BPH.
• Pygeum Bark – helps with emptying the bladder and increases urine flow.
• Stinging Nettle
• Garlic, Echinacea, and Goldenseal – reduce inflammation in BPH.
• Quercetin blocks the growth of prostate cancer cells and reduces symptoms of prostate infection. Quercetin is found in fruits and vegetables or can be purchased as a supplement.
• Cranberries or cranberry juice – is effective in preventing urinary tract infections caused by BPH.
• Take Zinc, Vitamins B6 and D3.

How to Treat Migraines Naturally

Migraines can be debilitating and often begin with no warning. There are many natural remedies for migraines that people swear by.

The problem is that not every remedy works for everyone. If you suffer from migraines, your first line of defense is to prevent them.

Keep a food diary to help uncover any trigger foods and add leafy green vegetables to your eating plan. Many migraine sufferers find that a green smoothie every morning greatly reduces the number of migraines they have.

Herbal Treatments for Migraine Relief

• Basil is an analgesic, antispasmodic, muscle relaxant and warming herb which reduces headaches caused by tension and muscle tightness. It also reduces the nausea and vomiting associated with migraines. Take Basil as a tea by steeping basil leaves in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also chew on fresh basil leaves or massage basil essential oil into your forehead and temple when a headache threatens.
• Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis, contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds useful in relieving migraines. Steep the leaves to make a tea, add them to a bath, or apply the oil to the forehead to relieve pain.
• Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is another anti-inflammatory that relaxes the blood vessels to the brain and helps restore normal blood flow. Use butterbur extract from the plant root. It is most often found in capsule form.
• Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) acts as an anti-inflammatory and a mild sedative. It reduces muscle spasms and tension that often cause migraine headaches. Use chamomile as a tea or make a compress with a few drops of essential oil and apply to the affected area.
• Feverfew (Taacetum parthenium) also known as wild chamomile, is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory with a mild sedative effect. Use it in tinctures or teas, or take it in capsule form.
• Lavender has long been used for headache relief. Rub a few drops of diluted lavender oil on the temples or inhale the scent for a calming relief.
• Mint (Mentha piperita) also known as peppermint, is an excellent migraine tonic. Sip on Peppermint tea or make a cold compress with a few drops of diluted mint oil and apply directly to the forehead.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) warms the body and reduces the tension and stress that cause migraines. Rub the essential oil on the temples and neck, or add it to a warm bath.

Natural Treatments for Insomnia

Insomnia is quite common, especially in times of crisis. But when insomnia goes on, night after night, it can become a medical emergency. If you are having trouble falling asleep, try this mix of lifestyle and herbal remedies.

• Turn off the TV and other light emitting devices at night and listen to soothing music. Set your music to automatically turn off and relax.
• Practice 15 minutes of gentle stretching exercises before bed. Stretching or gentle yoga exercises will loosen your muscles and prepare you for sleep.
• Go to bed and get up at the same time each day. Regular sleep habits will help train your body.
• Drink tart cherry juice before bed. Cherry juice is naturally high in melatonin, which helps regulate your bodies sleep cycles.
• Chamomile is a sedative herb which is considered safe for children and adults. Use chamomile oil in the bathwater or drink it as a tea.
• Lavender has long been used under the pillow to promote sleep, but it can also be used as a tea, or put a few drops of lavender essential oil in a diffuser in the bedroom.
• Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) is useful for insomnia caused by stress, worry, or nervous exhaustion. It is a natural sedative, safe for minor sleep problems in children and adults. Take as a tea or tincture.
• Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis) is recommended extensively for insomnia and restlessness. It has a sedative action and helps the user fall asleep and sleep longer. Take valerian as a tea or tincture.
• Wild Lettuce (Lactuca Virosa) has mild sedative properties, helpful in treating insomnia. It is safe for use in children. Use wild lettuce as a tincture.
• California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica) is a mild sedative that relieves pain and promotes sleep. It is widely used in insomnia formulas to help you relax and reduce anxiety. Take California poppy as a tea or a tincture.

Natural Pain Relief

For pain relief, I recommend a variety of remedies, because getting relief often depends on the type of pain experienced. These are the top herbs I recommend keeping on hand for pain relief:

Anti-inflammatory Herbs

They treat and relieve pain caused by inflammation in the muscles, joints, or tendons. This includes pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve pains, and back pain. Such herbs are:  ginger, turmeric, curry, Boswellia, capsaicin (found in peppers and applied topically),  clove oil (applied topically, great for toothache), Bromelain, and devil’s claw.

Willow Bark

This is another anti-inflammatory that is a good general pain killer. It can be used for headaches, muscle aches, back pain, arthritis and osteoarthritis, and other pains caused by infection, inflammation, or other causes. Willow bark contains natural aspirin.

Turmeric

Turmeric can be used for stomach pain, indigestion, ulcers, cancer pain, and skin conditions. It relieves the pain and inflammation.

Wild Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Also known as lettuce opium because of its ability to treat pain, wild lettuce can be used topically and orally as a substitute for narcotics. It is a mild sedative and hypnotic.

Related: Black Seed: The Remedy For Everything But Death

Treating High Cholesterol Naturally

High cholesterol is often associated with inflammation and heart disease. It is worth the effort to keep your cholesterol numbers in the normal range.

The herbs listed above for treating blood sugar problems are also effective in treating high cholesterol and inflammation. Additionally, these herbs are especially beneficial in controlling cholesterol and heart disease: Astragalus, Hawthorn, Flaxseed, Garlic.

Natural Constipation Relief

When constipation goes on for too long or becomes chronic, it can become very painful and may be a medical emergency.

Natural laxatives work by drawing fluid into the bowel and causing muscle contractions, which move the bowel.

The first treatment tried should be eating more high fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Don’t overdo it all at once, however. Too many high-fiber foods can cause GI pain.

If eating increased fiber foods does not do the job, these herbs are effective for relieving severe or chronic constipation:

• Buckthorn (Cascara sagrada) – does the job, but it can cause abdominal pain along the way. Use it for extreme situations and for short-term use only.
• Psyllium – a member of the plantain species, is a natural fiber used for constipation.
• Rhubarb – best known for its use in pie, is a natural cure for constipation. It has a laxative effect and anti-diarrheal effects. Rhubarb is effective for short-term use.
• Slippery elm – is a source of mucilage which coats the gastro-intestinal tract and relieves constipation by stimulating the nerves in the GI tract.

Treating Heart Problems Naturally

Heart problems usually involve a group of health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sometimes arrythmias or even heart failure. They are also often associated with high blood sugar and other health problems. Treating these symptoms is also necessary to help the heart become healthy, so also refer to the individual conditions above.

Goldenseal is beneficial in the treatment of congestive heart failure. It acts as a natural diuretic to remove excess fluid from the body and improves the dilation of blood vessels and blood circulation.

Omega-3 Oils, like fish oil, help reduce the risk of irregular heart rhythms, palpitations, and A-Fib. It also helps reduce high blood pressure.

Hawthorn helps strengthen the heart, helps lower blood pressure, reduces chest pain, and arteriosclerosis.  It improves its ability to pump and keep a regular rhythm.

A lack of Vitamin D increases the risk of heart disease and heart failure. Avoid this risk by getting plenty of vitamin D naturally in foods, taken in the form of D3, or naturally, by spending time in the sunshine.

Natural Allergy Relief

Allergies can make you miserable, especially during pollen season. However, some allergies persist year-round and can be quite crippling for affected people. For some people, allergy medications can create a rebound effect and make the problem worse.

Here are some natural ways to treat allergies:

#1. Avoid the allergen. This is more practical for food allergies, but many people apply it to air borne allergens also. They stay inside and use an air filter when allergens are high.

#2. Rinse the nasal passages with salt water before symptoms strike. By washing away pollen and other allergens you can reduce allergy symptoms.

#3. Exercise outdoors in the evening, when pollen counts are lower.

#4. Drink bone broth from chicken, beef, or lamb. Not only is it healthy for you, but it also helps reduce mucus in the nasal passages and reduces inflammation.

#5. Boost your immune system with apple cider vinegar. It breaks up mucus and supports the immune system.

#6. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a powerful antihistamine. It counteracts the inflammation and allergic response.

#7. Ginger, garlic, onion, and horseradish help break down and remove toxins from the body.

#8. Cassia Cinnamon taken with Spanish needles (Bidens Pilosa) work well together to reduce allergic rhinitis and inflammation. For best results, begin taking cinnamon and Spanish needles a week or two before allergy season begins and continue taking it throughout the season.

#9. For mild allergy symptoms take cinnamon and honey to relieve itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion.

Treating Auto-Immune Conditions Naturally

Autoimmune conditions can be difficult to control, even with powerful medications. However, there is much that can be done naturally to relieve some of the symptoms and effects of these diseases.

Your first line of defense against autoimmune diseases is the right diet. A good diet can help ease the pain and inflammation and begin the healing process. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and dairy. Include more fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and fish. Eat foods that are anti-inflammatory.

Avoid gluten and hidden food allergies. An elimination diet can help you discover hidden food sensitivities and allergies.

Take supplements like Omega-3 or fish oil, Vitamins C and D, probiotics and the anti-inflammatory nutrients mentioned above. These herbs are also worth trying:

• Borage oil is high in GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid that helps reduce inflammation.
• Cat’s claw is anti-inflammatory and known for reducing pain and swelling.
• Evening Primrose is rich in GLA, which reduces inflammation.
• Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. It is protective for the joints and some body systems.
• Green Tea is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. It reduces inflammation and swelling.

Treating autoimmune conditions can be difficult. Each condition is different and often patients have more than one autoimmune condition. Reducing inflammation is key to taming autoimmune conditions.

By stocking up now on herbs needed for these conditions, you will be ready, should one of these conditions affect a family member. An even better alternative is to plant the herbs in your medicinal garden, ready for use as needed. Don’t wait until you need these herbs, however. Most are extremely healthy for everyday use. Do your research and get ready for healthy alternatives to modern pharmaceuticals.

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