Herbal Foot Refresher & De-Stressor

Hello Everyone!  It's the official first day of summer as I write this - my favorite season!  For me, the body part that needs the most tender loving care this time of year is my feet.  Can you relate?  I'm on them a heck of a lot . . .  between gardening, mowing the lawn, walking for exercise, hiking up local trails, and going barefoot . . . they get their share of abuse.  I guess my biggest complaint is that my feet just plain ache by the end of the day.  I'm sure you have days when you've been on yours all day and just want to prop them up and "take a load off" cuz' your "dogs are barking"!  Am I right?

Well, today's blog and recipe is just the ticket . . . it's about how to refresh and rejuvenate your tired, aching feet and put a bit of spring back in your step . . . leaving you footloose and fancy-free!  The recipe comes from page 94 of one of my earlier authored books, "Natural Foot Care: Herbal Treatments, Massage, And Exercises For Healthy Feet" (Storey Publishing), published way back in 1998.  It's an oldie but a goodie!  Everyone has feet and they always need attention - so the content of this book is still quite relevant - for sure.

As a professional foot reflexologist, I see many clients, that for a variety of reasons, have chronically achy feet, and for remedial care, I always suggest purchasing several pair of shoes with a wide toe box, so toes can freely wiggle (shoes that are too small make feet hurt), and that they try the combined foot soak and exercise treatment that follows.  Those two suggestions alone go a long way towards making your entire body feel better!  Please "treat your feet" on a regular basis . . . comfortable feet make a comfortable you!

 Foot Refresher & De-Stressor

This combined exercise and herbal foot soak or "foot tea" is designed to relax tired, aching feet, relieve toe cramps, and strengthen weak foot muscles that support the plantar fascia that runs the length of the bottom of your foot from the heel to the ball of the foot. This treatment is also good if you suffer from hammertoes and pain in the ball of your foot.  Deodorizes and freshens smelly feet, too!  Feels fabulous when done at the end of a long day.

What You Need:

- Plastic foot tub or decent size dish pan
- 40-60 medium-size marbles - the more the better
- Large towel
- 4 tablespoons dried peppermint, yarrow, or sage
- 2 tablespoons dried wintergreen (or substitute more peppermint, if unavailable)
   (If you don't have any loose herbs handy, no worries, simply use a few peppermint or chamomile tea bags that you might have in your cabinet)
- 1 piece of cheesecloth
- 5 to 10 drops lavender, peppermint, rosemary, or eucalyptus essential oil
- 1/2 cup sea salt, baking soda, or Epsom salts 

Directions:

1.  Place the foot tub with the marbles in it in front of a comfortable chair. 

2.  Boil enough water to fill the foot tub to above ankle height - about 1.5 - 2 gallons.

3.  Remove pan from heat and add the dried herbs of choice loosely tied in cheesecloth.  Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Remove the herbs. (You can add the spent herbs to your compost pile.)

4.  Fill the foot tub with the hot tea, and add the essential oil, and the sea salt, baking soda, or Epsom salts.  Swish the ingredients around to dissolve the salt/soda and blend in essential oil.

To Use:

1.  Place your feet in the tub and roll them around on the marbles.

2.  Pick up and release marbles with your toes, grasping marbles tightly, squeezing your toes, then releasing.  Do this for 10 to 15 minutes.

3.  Dry feet roughly with towel.

4.  Slather with a thick moisturizer and put on socks.

5.  Now . . . don't you have "Happy Feet"??  

NOTE:  This blog was written by Stephanie Tourles and content adapted from her book, Natural Foot Care (Storey Publishing, c1998). The material is provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your healthcare professional or physician.

Herbal Treatments For Toenail Fungus - Part III

Today, I will give you another herbal remedy for treating toenail fungus. You can use this recipe in conjunction with the "Antifungal Toenail Liniment" recipe previously given. Apply this oil after the liniment has dried. Use this oil consistently for at least six months or longer or until the fungus has disappeared.

"Tough On Fungus Toenail Drops"

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons tea tree essential oil
2 teaspoons thyme essential oil
2 teaspoons clove or thyme essential oil
4 teaspoons jojoba oil (used for dilution of essential oils)

To Make:
Combine all ingredients and pour into a 2-ounce glass bottle. Shake well.

To Use:
Place a drop or two on each toenail morning and night and rub in well, then dress as you normally do.

Storage:
Store bottle in a cool, dry, dark cabinet. Do not refrigerate as the jojoba oil will harden.

NOTE: This information was adapted from the book, "Natural Foot Care - Herbal Treatments, Massage, And Exercises For Healthy Feet", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing 1998. The information in this article is for educational purposes only and any recommendations for health care are made without guarantee on the part of the author. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. Please use common sense when self-treating with herbs and essential oils and consult a professional herbalist/aromatherapist when appropriate.

Herbal Treatments For Toenail Fungus, Part II

As promised in Part I of this topic on natural toenail fungus treatments, the following is a recipe for herbal treatment of this problem:

AntiFungal Toenail Liniment

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons dried black walnut hulls or 8 tablespoons fresh and chopped fine
2 tablespoons dried, chopped goldenseal root or Oregon grape root
1 tablespoon powdered myrrh gum
40 drops tea tree essential oil
40 drops thyme essential oil
40 drops tincture of iodine
2 cups vodka (must be at least 80-proof or 40% alcohol by volume)

Yield: Will make approx. 1.5 cups of liniment

To make:
1) In a quart-sized (liter-sized), wide-mouthed canning jar, add the black walnut hulls, goldenseal or Oregon grape root, myrrh gum, essential oils, and iodine, then pour in the alcohol. Cap jar with plastic wrap first, then screw on the metal lid. Shake daily.
2) After at least 14 days have passed (I really recommend 4 to 12 weeks; it makes for a stronger formula), you may strain the mixture through hosiery-lined cheese cloth or through a coffee filter, then squeeze and twist the cloth or squeeze the filter to wring out all of the liquid.
3) Pour the finished formula into two, 8-ounce bottles or four, 4-ounce bottles with dropper tops (if available).

To use:
Morning, noon, and night, if possible, apply a few drops to all toenails, rub in thoroughly, and allow to dry before putting on hosiery, socks, or footwear. Repeat this procedure daily for as long as it takes to rid your toenails of fungus. The herbs in this recipe have potent antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Remember that toenail fungus can be difficult to eradicate whether using herbal treatments or conventional medications. Please be consistent and persistent with your treatments in order to obtain success.

Storage:
Refrigeration is not necessary. This product will keep for up to 5 years, easily. Do store bottles in a dark, cool, cabinet, though.

NOTE: This recipe was adapted from the book, "Natural Foot Care: Herbal Treatments, Massage, and Exercises for Healthy Feet", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing, 1998. All recommendations are made without guarantee on part of the author. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. Please use common sense when working with natural healing therapies and ask questions from qualified professionals when need be.

Herbal Treatments For Toenail Fungus, Part !

Ugly, unsightly, and embarrassing - that's how best to describe the condition of toenails infected with fungus. People with toenail fungus often avoid social situations that call for baring their feet, such as summer pool parties, strolling on the beach, or an evening out in your best dress and high-heeled sandals.

Onychomycosis is caused by microorganisms called dermatophytes, which are similar to those that cause athlete's foot. These organisms are ever- present on your clothes and in your shoes, the gym, and even your organically fortified garden soil. They're practically unavoidable.

Symptoms: One or more of your toenails will begin to look a bit abnormal. Color changes can appear, such as long, yellowish streaks or white patches that can be scraped off. The nail can lift and begin to separate from the nail bed, thicken, and become brittle and flaky. It can also become distorted in shape and begin to twist. This fungus can be transmitted easily to your fingernails, or to other members of your family for that matter, if you constantly pick at your toes without washing your hands afterward. It sounds disgusting, but lots of people do it unintentionally.

Treatment: In order to treat toenail fungus, you have to get underneath the nail, which can be difficult. The fungus lives on the soft skin of the nail bed. The herbs and oils in the recipes that I will give to you in the next 2 blogs have traditionally been used by herbalists with much success if applied at least once a day. Twice is best, though.

Prevention: Since toenail fungus is infectious, take the same precautions as you would with athlete's foot and wear the appropriate footwear when in public bathing places. Observe proper daily foot hygiene; keep feet fresh and dry with powder and clean changes of socks/hosiery; wear good-fitting, breathable shoes; and never trim toenails too close to the skin or cut the skin.

See A Physician If: Toenail fungus is difficult to treat and eradicate. It can be a persistent, nasty bugger - so to speak. If the above measures fail and you've tried the herbal recipes that I'll list in the next two blogs, visit your foot specialist / podiatrist. He or she may want to prescribe a topical or oral medication to combat the fungus or perhaps remove the diseased nail, depending on the severity of the infection. Medications are not without side effects, and do not always work, either.

Whichever treatment you choose - herbal or conventional medicine - remember that toenail fungus treatment takes time and consistency of treatment. Do not skip meds or herbal applications.

NOTE: Portions of this article were adapated from the book, "Natural Foot Care", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing, 1998. All recommendations are made without guarantee on my part and I disclaim any liability in connection with the use of this information. This article is for educational purposes only and I recommend that the readers use their common sense with all herbal knowledge.