In my childhood there were many new discoveries in the world of medicine. Antibiotics had not been long ago discovered which likely saved my life with all the tonsillitis ailments I experienced each year growing up. Tylenol and then ibuprofen joined the shelves replacing the aspirin which could cause a harmful illness when used to treat the flu. Other advancements were made as well to help treat illnesses that were once deemed fatal.
Having said all of that, in this wave of "new medicine" we seemed to throw the baby out with the bathwater when it came to common sense healthy living. Knowing there were certain medicines to treat cholesterol or diabetes, we opted to continue an unhealthy diet relying on a treatment to ward off long term ill effects.
Not only that, we began to jump straight to the medicine shelves at the local drug store rather than referring to many of those treatments our grandmothers and great grandmothers turned to in their kitchen cabinets or backyard gardens. If you are sick, go to the doctor and take the medication prescribed by a person trained in that area. But, in our day-to-day lives I have found that relying on those old remedies can not only enhance our health, but also ward off those illnesses that once sent us to that local drug store.
One of the most surprising earthly gifts that can heighten our happiness is actually dirt. That’s right. Digging your hands down into the soil has positive effects on mood much like an antidepressant. According to scientists at the University of Colorado, soil is packed with probiotic bacteria which activates brain cells that steady mood.
Lavender has been proven to help with relaxation and mood enhancers as well. Soaking in a bath with orange scented oils can relax muscle tension within minutes, which may be helpful after you have been out digging in the dirt planting lavender. I would recommend the lavender scented basil.
Cranberry juice or hibiscus tea can help with the urinary tract. The compounds in the tea calm damaging inflammation.
And of course, drinking a sufficient amount of pure water each day flushes out the system, encourages strong cell rebuilding, and helps the digestive system.
But it doesn't even have to be something we eat or drink to promote good health. Studies have shown that being near water helps the body to relax and recharge. The sounds and smells of a salty ocean or freshwater lake soothes stress which has been proven to attack the immune system.
Hungarian research suggests that green scenes activate the parasympathetic nervous system, relaxing muscles, calming brain waves, slowing heart rate and maximizing sleep quality. Simply strolling in a lush green park or sitting amongst azaleas and boxwood in your own back yard can ward off the attacks our bodies face when we let dehydration, fatigue, stress, and a poor diet lead the way.
Today we seem to have more immune disorder illnesses than ever before, combined with some of the greatest advancements in medicine? Lately, the articles I have read on promoting a healthy immune system have all pointed to the same thing. If we slow down, absorb the fresh water, fresh air, and abundant sunshine we will be healthier. If we make it a habit to disconnect from the daily rat race and step back into simplicity, we might discover Grandma's home remedies had stemmed from just that all along.
