HOME REMEDIES

Naturopathy can treat many problems. However, a disease in an acute stage, an emergency, broken limbs, surgery and open wounds all require the attention of modern medicine.

Keeping fit or being cured through Nature cure is undoubtedly a long-drawn process, which can take not only months but years. Furthermore, Nature cure demands personal determination and exercising strict control on one's diet. It requires the child to abstain from junk foods and from drinking tea and coffee. If the child can follow this regimen diligently and consistently, he will stand to benefit greatly. The use of home remedies for various diseases in children is an important aspect of Nature cure which could be used extensively in children.

Home remedies consist of spices, which are important constituents in our diet, common herbs, fruits and vegetables. They are harmless and could be used as a primary treatment for common disorders.

Following are some Home Remedies for various disorders in children :

Adrak, Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)
a.	It is known for its quality of helping in digestion, if had with little salt.
b.	Adrak increases appetite and reduces the flatulence resulting from certain foods like black gram (Urad Dal). The digestive containing some salt, sugar and lots of lemon, marinated for few days.
c.	It increases natural body heat, if taken with jaggery in winter.
d.	It is beneficial for disorders connected with the formation of phlegm in the respiratory tract.
e.	Take ginger juice and honey in equal amounts, 3 times a day, 2 teaspoons each.
Ajwain, Caraway Seeds (Ptychotis Ajowan)
a.	It is used as a spice for vegetable dishes and other foods which tend to produce flatulence
b.	It is pungent in taste and has a small seed with a strong smell, it is particullarry helpful for disorders of the liver, stomach and the intestines.
c.	It is an essential ingredient of nostrums for relieving colic.
d.	2 teaspoons with warm water should be taken for a stomach ache, indigestion and flatulence.
e.	1 or 2 teaspoons at bed time are helpful for constipation, cough and nocturnal enuresis.
Alsi, Linseed (Linum Usi Tatissimum)
a.	The seeds and oil of the plant are used as medicine. It provides a useful remedy for cough and asthma and is also useful for inflammations.
b.	It is used as a poultice for abscesses and ointments made from it relieve pain of burns.
c.	Powdered alsi is used for fermentation, during coughs and colds. Boiled alsi with honey is also useful.
Amla, Emblic Myrobalan (Emblica Officinalis)
a.	It is the cheapest source of Vitamin C, which is not destroyed by boiling or by other processes.
b.	It is an ultimate remedy for many illnesses of the body and mind, for e.g. anxiety and melancholia (depression).
c.	This fruit when taken over a period of time can lead to rejuvenation of the body.
Babool, Kikar (Acacia Arabica)
a.	It is a large tree with thorns on its branches.
b.	It's twigs are used as a tooth brush.
c.	The tender leaves of the tree help relieve diarrhea.
d.	Prolapsed rectum among infants, if washed with decoction of the bark of Acacia, heals quickly.
e.	Powder of charcoal made by burning acacia wood, is used as an antiseptic for the gums and is also useful for curing cough and asthma.
Bada, Banyan tree (Ficus Bengalensis)
a.	The sap of its leaves is specifically used for soothing kibes (cracking of heals in winter).
b.	The fibers of the banyan tree, which hang from its branches are ground in water and help to prevent vomiting.
c.	The juice from its branches, 2 teaspoons every day for 21 days kills most of the helminthes (worms).
Bel, Wood Apple (Aegle Marmalos)
a.	It is used for most diseases of the intestines and the liver.
b.	It has a specific use for dysentery with dry ginger and jaggery.
c.	The pulp when mixed with water forms a refreshing drink which offsets the effects of heat exhaustion.
d.	The paste made from leaves of the tree, help in curing sore and inflamed eyes, which exude pus.
e	The juice of the leaves added with pepper are given to a patient suffering from jaundice.
Brahmi Booti, (Herpestis Monniera)
a.	It is helpful in dealing with memory lapses.
b.	It tends to strengthen the faculties of the brain.
c.	It is given for convulsions, measles, insomnia and hyper-activity.
Chhuimui, Lajjalu and Lajwanti (Mimosa Pudica)
a.	A plant akin to Touch-Me-Not or Jewel Weed.
b.	It has excellent properties of stopping bleeding, whether from piles or the womb.
c.	The juice of the leaves is effective in dealing with the delirium of fever.
Choona, Slaked Lime (Calcii Hydras)
a.	Recommended for mixing with milk for babies fed on bottled milk to prevent vomiting and excessive cough.
b.	If used with turmeric (locally), it reduces inflammation and helps heal contusions (bruises).
Dhania, Coriander (Coriandrum Sativum)
a.	It is an ingredient used in recipes of curries. It is a carminative (reduces gas) and a cooling agent.
b.	A paste of coriander seeds when ground with water and applied on the forehead relieves a headache.
c.	When taken with curdled milk, it checks diarrhea.
Gajar, Carrot (Daucus Carota)
a.	The tuber is eaten raw or cooked; Besides sugar, starch, iron, calcium and phosphorous, it contains appreciable amounts of Vitamins A, B and C.
b.	A diuretic, carrot has many other medicinal uses, particularly for deficiency diseases.
Haldi, Turmeric (Curcuma Longa)
a.	It adds not only colour, but also helps in prevention of flatulence.
b.	It is used mostly to cure injuries and wounds.
c.	It is also an ingredient of poultices (a pack) for boils.
d.	It prevents inflammation.
e.	Turmeric powder boiled in water, if dropped in the eyes, clears them and the pain and redness is relieved.
f.	When boiled in milk with ginger, it is used to use pharyngitis and coughing.
Harde, Chebulic Myrobalan (Terminalia Chebula)
a.	It is the fruit of a large tree, one of the three myrobalancs (the others being Bahera and Amla) which forms the Triphala, a well-known remedy for many diseases. It has been used in India for many centuries.
b.	It gives tone to the intestines and helps cure piles.
Heeng, Asafoetida (Feaula Asafoetida)
a.	It is a resinous gum of a tree, dirty yellow in colour with a pungent smell.
b.	It is used for several diseases of the stomach. One of the best remedies for flatulence, it is an inevitable ingredient of most digestive powders.
c.	For a ear ache, some powder in cotton wool is to be kept inside both the ears.
d.	For sepsis of wounds, it is mixed with powdered neem leaves and is applied and tied.
Imli, Tamarind (Tamarindus Indica)
a.	It's alkaline properties counteract hyperacidity, bilious fevers, nausea and thirst.
b.	It also acts as an appetizer.
Isabgol or Isapghul, Spogel or Fleaseed (Plantago Ispagula)
a.	They are small seeds which turn into a mucilage when soaked in water.
b.	The husk also has the same properties.
c.	It is used extensively for curing constipation and dysentery. It is also useful for curing a cough and asthma.
Khees, Colostrum
a.	Khees is the visuous milky fluid produced by a cow or buffalo for three to four days after calving.
b.	It coagulates when put on the fire. It is difficult to digest and is constipative in nature
c.	It is a general tonic and is also used for asthma.
Koela, Charcoal
a.	It makes a very good dentifrice particularly that of Aacacia.
b.	Finely grounded charcoal helps to stop bleeding from wounds. A poultice of charcoal is also made for dealing with old wounds, where putrefaction has set in.
Lahsan, Garlic (Allium Sativum)
a.	It is used as a spice for curries along with onions and ginger.
b.	Pungent in taste, it has been used for centuries for dealing with flatulence. It deals with the unpleasant smell of fish aviod lowers the blood pressure.
c.	Contains an oil which is eliminated through the skin and the lungs.
d.	It is used in medicines prescribed for diseases of the lungs and the respiratory tract.
e.	It is used for dealing with leucoderma, ringworm and skin blemishes, by direct application of the lahsan juice.
f.	For stomach aches and joint aches lahsan juice is applied on the abdomen. For tooth a ache, crushed lahsan in cotton to be kept under the aching tooth.
Methi, Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum Gareceum)
a.	It is a plant, also used as a vegetable.
b.	Its medicinal uses include disorders like cough, asthma and rheumatism.
c.	Powder of fenugreek seeds helps dysurea, constipation and lumbago.
d.	For body ache, 5-10 gms raw seeds are crushed and consumed. For rheumatism (arthiritis) crushed powder in milk is to be taken. In ameobiasis (dysentery with mucus in stools) crushed powder in curds is taken.
Multani Mitti, (Bole Armeniac)
a.	A yellowish white, stratified earth, it is used for washing hair and is used on the skin as paste for dealing with prickly heat. Soaked in water overnight and the supernatant water drunk in the morning relieves bleeding from the nose.
Muli, Radish (Raphanus Sativus)
a.	It is a tuber with a sharp and acrid taste that is eaten as salad.
b.	Eaten raw with salt, it helps digestion because of its carminative effect.
Namak, Common Salt (Sodii Chloridum)
a.	It is an essential item of diet, which gives taste to food.
b..	Lack of salt in the body gives rise to many diseases. Dissolved in lukewarm water it induces vomiting.
c.	Fermentation with hot water in which salt has been dissolved, reduces inflammation of sprains and reduces effects of fatigue. Saline gargles are specifically used by people with sore throats.
Nariyal, Coconut (Cocos Nucifera)
	It is a kind of palm tree which grows mostly in coastal areas. Water of its unripe fruit is drunk and the kernel of the fruit known as Khopra is used in many dishes. It is a nutritious fruit and is highly recommended for expectant mothers. It is used in case of intestinal parasites. Oil of the coconut is also used as a cooking medium.
	Dry nariyal for diarrhoea, wet nariyal for weakness, also for excessive thirst and burning sensation is used.
Neem, Margosa Tree (Melia Azadirachta)
a.	The tree has bitter leaves and the leaves have been used as an antiseptic for centuries.
b.	The tender shoots ground into paste relieve prickly heat. Crushed leaves made into a ball and applied on boils removes the pus.
c.	Decoction of leaves are used to clean wounds and boils. All parts of the tree are endowed with the quality of purifying the blood.
d.	Oil of the kernel fruit is also used as an antiseptic.
Nimbu, Lemon (Citrus Bergamia)
a.	A well known fruit of the citrus family, it has a sour taste and is extremely rich in Vitamin C.
b.	The juice of lemon is added to salads.
c.	An excellent appetizer, it has a beneficial effect on the stomach.
d.	It's medicinal uses include disorders like enlargement of the spleen, jaundice and atony of the intestines.
e.	Widely used for beauty treatment, cut lemon when rubbed on the skin removes blemishes.
f.	The juice instilled into the nostril, stops bleeding.
Papaya (Carica Papaya)
a.	It is called the golden tree, it's fruit acts as a digestive agent because of the large amounts of pepsin which it contains.
b.	It is used to reduce inflammation of the liver and the spleen.
c.	The sap of the papaya tree is a specific remedy for ringworm and intestinal parasites.
Phitkari, Alum (Alumen)
a.	It is a valuable substance, used for medicinal purposes.
b.	An astringent, it stops bleeding from a cut. Also cleanses water of all impurities, the dust and sand settles down to the bottom of the vessel. It is used in many prescriptions for intermittent fevers, cough, diarrhoea, dysentery, gonorrhoea, haemorrhoids and diseases of the eye. Used as an ingredient of tooth powders, it gives a sparkle to the teeth.
c.	Dissolved in hot water, it is very good as a mouth wash, curing inflammation of the gums. Used as a hair wash, it kills lice and if applied on palms and soles it helps to contain excessive sweating.
Pyaz, Onion (Allium Cepa)
a.	The bulb of the plant is an essential ingredient of all curries and has many medicinal qualities.
b.	It is an excellent preventive against cholera and diarrhoea.
c.	Freshly sliced onions, if smelled, relieves congestion of the nose.
Podina, Mint (Mentha Arvensis)
a.	It is an ingredient of most prescriptions for stomach ailments, because of its digestive properties.
b.	The juice of these green leaves when instilled into the nose and the ear, helps deal with parasites infesting them.
c.	It is also beneficial in cases of urticaria.
Saunf, Anise (Pimpinella Anisum)
a.	It is the seed of a plant with excellent carminative qualities and a diuretic. It also expels wind from the stomach.
b.	Boiled with milk and a large cardamom, it is an excellent carminative for bottle-fed infants.
c.	A trituration of collyrium in green anised leaves when applied to the eyes, helps to improve eyesight.
Sena, Senna (Cassica Lanceolata)
a.	This is a leaf of a plant that resembles the henna leaf.
b.	It is a laxative which purifies the blood and destroys intestinal parasites.
c.	In case an infant is constipated, it is given to the mother and acts upon the child, through the milk he feeds from her breast.
Shahad, Honey (Apis Mellifica)
a.	As an article of food, it has many medicinal properties and is extensively used for preparing linctus, in the indigenous systems of medicine.
b.	A perfect food if taken with milk, it is an excellent restorative.
c.	It is helpful in cases of paralysis.
d.	Applied externally, it cures suppurating wounds.
e.	Applied to the eyes, it improves eyesight.
Sonth, Dried Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)
a.	It helps is digestion, expelling wind from the intestines and is efficacious for rheumatism and lumbago.
b.	It is a good remedy for amnesia, sexual debility, etc.
c.	When mixed with five times its quantity of jaggery, it give protection against a cold.
Til, Sesame (Sesamum Indicum)
a.	A well-known edible oilseed, it is considered a powerful aphrodisiac.
b.	Bed wetting by children is effectively controlled by giving them sweets made of sesame seeds.
c.	Crushed leaves act as an excellent remedy for dandruff.
Tulsi, the Holy Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
a.	The plant is considered sacred and is grown in flower pots by the Hindus.
b.	It's leaves drive mosquitoes away.
c.	If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, Tulsi leaves with saffron hasten the process.
d.	It is a useful remedy for cough and fever.
e.	Taken with pepper in an infusion, it is a very good prophylactic against malaria.
Zeera, Cumin Seeds (Cuminum Cyminum)
a.	An essential ingredient of Indian spices, it is known for its carminative effect.
b.	It also relieves nausea and vomiting in pregnant mothers.
c.	Given in a powdered form with an equal amount of sugar, it increases the milk yield of mothers of suckling children.