Remedies
Commonly used Herbs/Spices and their Potential Drug Interactions.
If you are taking conventional medicine, commonly used Ethiopian herbs might put you at risk for adverse herb-drug interactions. Please check the link below for the list of herbs and drug interactions.
Ethiopian Herbs and Their Interactions With Conventional Drugs.
When you are consuming berbere on a daily basis, have you ever thought that it would interact with your conventional medicine?
Face Mask
Prep time: 30 mins
Easy steps to make face mask.
All the ingredients used below are natural, so it does not have any harmful side effects. I use the treatment at home once a week to get spotless and glowing skin.
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Rice Flour
1 Tablespoon Yogurt
1 Teaspoon Honey
1 Teaspoon of Fenugreek powder (Be aware that Fenugreek has a strong smell.)
A pinch of Turmeric powder
Step by step instructions on how to make face mask.
Mix all the above ingredient and make a paste
Apply this paste on your face
Keep it for 15 to 20 minutes.
Wash your face with cold water when the mask dries out
The benefit of rice is to keep the skin soft, clear, tighter, and younger-looking.
Rice contains a great deal of para-aminobenzoic acid, ferulic acid, and allantoin.
Para-aminobenzoic acid serves as a good sunscreen and increases the absorption of Vitamin C in the body.
Ferulic acid is an anti-oxidant and allantoin is an inflammatory that nurtures and repairs the skin.
https://www.bebeautiful.in/all-things-skin/everyday/how-to-use-rice-flour-for-your-skin
Fenugreek benefit for skin
Cleansing ability
Moisturizing and healing properties
Strengthen Your Skin and reduce wrinkle
https://www.skindiseaseremedies.com/fenugreek-for-skin/
Did you know...
On a hot day instead of using plain water to wash your face, using a cotton ball and dipping in cold milk is the best cleanser? A wise woman (my mother Sergut) taught me this trick.
Deep Hair Conditioner
Prep time: 45 mins
Step by step instructions on how to make Deep hair conditioner.
Deep hair conditioner is loaded with ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft. It is intended to repair and nourish between the hair cuticles with its higher viscosity. It is heavier and needs to be left on the hair longer to fully penetrate the hair shaft. Applying with heat allows for it to penetrate easier.
Ingredients
¼ Cup Rice
¼ Cup Coconut oil
¼ Cup Olive oil
1 Medium size Avocado
½ Teaspoon Rosemary oil
Instructions
Boil 3 cups of Water. Turn the temperature to low and add the rice to the boiling water. Cover the pot and cook the rice for 30 min.
Add the rice, coconut oil, olive oil, rosemary oil, and avocado to a blender,
Blend until smooth.
The deep hair conditioner needs to be used once a week. If you have any conditioner left place it in a plastic bag and freeze it for next use.
Did you know…
Adding olive oil to your treatment will lock in moisture and treat scalp issues like dryness.
Adding avocado will replenish moisture.
Adding rosemary oil will help with dry or itchy scalp and stimulate hair growth.
https://www.healthline.com/health/rosemary-oil-for-hair - benefits
Rice makes hair smoother, increases shine, and makes hair stronger.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321353 - history
Natural Way To Remove Facial Hair
Prep time: 5 mins
Ingredients
A pinch of Turmeric
A pinch of Fuller's Earth Powder
½ Teaspoon Lemon Juice
Instructions
Make a paste and apply it to the area.
Leave it on for a few minutes (Do not let it dry) and massage the opposite way the hair grows.
Rinse it off with water.
Fuller's Earth Powder can be purchased on Amazon. Click on the image to go to Amazon.
Natural Way To Tighten and Brighten Your Skin
Prep time: 5 mins
Ingredients
1 Teaspoon of Gram Flour (Chickpea flour)
1 Teaspoon of Aloe Vera Jell
Instructions
Make a paste and apply it to the face.
Wait until it dries.
Message with warm water before rinsing.
Natural remedies in your kitchen cabinet that you can integrate into your daily living
Clove Oil
Clove has antioxidant, antiseptic, and anesthetic properties.
Feeling sore after vigorous exercise?
You may apply clove oil to the sore muscle.
If you have cold symptoms, apply the clove oil to your chest and neck. Cover your neck to retain the heat.
If you have sensitive and painful gum. Clove oil will numb the gum for immediate relief.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cloves - 5.-May-improve-liver-health
Blackseed Oil
Blackseed oil is known for its many benefits. If you have a sore throat consuming ½ a teaspoon before bedtime, heals the sore throat.
If you have sensitive gums wiping the gums with black seed oil will improve the gum disease.
When consumed, black seed oil has been shown to have multiple health benefits and may aid in the following conditions: Inflammation, Asthma, High Cholesterol, and Metabolic Syndrome
https://www.webmd.com/diet/black-seed-health-benefits - 1-3
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is a home remedy for sore throat. According to WebMD “Vinegar also has chemicals known as polyphenols. They help stop the cell damage that can lead to other diseases, like cancer”.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar-and-your-health - 1
Warm Pack For Tired Eyes
Do you have tired eyes after staring at the computer for a longer time?
Applying warm packs will relax the eyes.
You can easily make your own warm packs. Follow the easy steps below
Find a single sock
Fill the sock with Basmati rice.
Tie it well.
Microwave the sock for 30 second
Nigella Seed (Nuge in Amharic)
In Ethiopia, Nuge is known for its oil use.
Did you know that Nuge is enriched with nutrients beneficial to our body?
Nigella seed improves your cholesterol balance because this oil possesses high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and linoleic acid.
Nigella seed oil consists of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Nigella Seed has benefits for people struggling with arthritis, gout, rheumatism, fever, or high blood pressure.
The best way to consume the Nigella seed is to grind it and spread it on Teff crackers (Recipe for Teff crackers is on the recipe page).
You can purchase Nigella Seeds on Amazon. Click here
Turmeric
Turmeric is a common spice in Ethiopian kitchens. Turmeric has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in reducing blood cholesterol, reducing osteoarthritis pain, or relieving itching caused by chronic kidney disease.
The best way to get the flavor is using the turmeric root. Shave the root on any dish.
Using vegetables to heal your body
Beets Health Benefits
Beets can lower your blood pressure and improve circulation.
Beets can boost your energy and enhance your brain activity.
Beets are loaded with antioxidants.
Beets are high in soluble fiber, which significantly reduces the amount of glucose in the bloodstream.
According to WebMD “The nitrates in beets don't just reduce inflammation, they also improve heart health. Nitrates have been shown to reduce high blood pressure. Beets are also naturally low in cholesterol and fat, which makes them a good option for people concerned about heart disease or stroke.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-beets - 1
The easiest way to make beets is by boiling them whole to retain the juices and color
Place whole beets in a medium to a large saucepan and cover with salted water by 2 inches.
Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 30-45 minutes, depending on beet size.
Remove beets as they’re done and immediately plunge in ice water to easily slip off skins.
You can add it to your salad or serve it as a side dish.
Cauliflower
The health benefits of cauliflower include a reduced risk of cancer, heart and brain disorders, relief from indigestion, of the body, increased iron absorption, and weight loss.
The best way to cook the cauliflower
Cut the head of cauliflower into steaks or florets, spread them on a cooking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil on high for 5 min or until lightly golden.
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-cauliflower - 1
