The Amish community is known for its simple and traditional way of life, including its approach to healthcare. While they do not exclusively rely on natural remedies, they often use traditional, home-based remedies for common ailments.
As a homesteader or a future one, you can use many of the herbal remedies commonly known by the Amish community.
What Kind of Amish Remedies You Can Use?
You can cultivate your own medicinal herbs in your backyard and always have a fresh source of herbs for making remedies. I recommend you start with these.
Many of these herbs can be used to make herbal teas, which can be soothing, offer various health benefits, and be a part of a daily routine on the homestead.
You can also make herbal tinctures by extracting the beneficial compounds from herbs using alcohol or vinegar.
Poultices made from herbs like yarrow, mullein, and comfrey can be used to address pain, inflammation, and skin issues.
Common Natural Remedies From The Amish
Chamomile
You can use chamomile as a natural remedy just like the Amish. Chamomile is a versatile herb known for its calming and soothing properties, and you can use it in many ways.
One of the most common and simple uses of chamomile is turning it into tea. Grow chamomile in your herb garden, and harvest the flowers when they are in bloom. Dry the flowers by spreading them on a tray or hanging them in a well-ventilated area. Store the dried flowers in an airtight container. To make tea, simply steep a teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers in hot water for 5-10 minutes. You can sweeten it with honey if you like.
Chamomile tea is soothing and can help with sleep, relaxation, and digestive discomfort. It can be used for stress relief or as a mild sedative.
Ginger
One of the most common ginger remedies Amish uses is ginger syrup. Prepare ginger syrup by simmering ginger with honey or sugar. This syrup can be used to soothe sore throats, coughs, and cold symptoms.
Ginger is well-known for its digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, and it can be a valuable addition to a homesteader’s natural remedy toolkit.
Echinacea
Echinacea, commonly known as coneflower, can be used as a natural remedy for its potential immune-boosting properties.
Echinacea poultice can be used for wounds or insect stings. You can create a poultice from crushed fresh Echinacea leaves and flowers. Apply this directly to the affected area.
Another way to use echinacea as a natural remedy just like the Amish is echinacea syrup. Make a syrup by combining Echinacea tincture with honey. This syrup can be used as a daily immune tonic, especially for children who might not like the taste of the tincture. You can find here high-quality, NON-GMO echinacea seeds.
Yarrow
Yarrow, also known as Achillea millefolium, can be used to help stop bleeding and promote wound healing.
One of the most common remedies is yarrow slave. As ingredients, use Yarrow-infused oil (made by infusing a carrier oil with dried yarrow) and beeswax. Combine the infused oil and beeswax to make a salve. Apply the salve topically to help with minor skin irritations and to promote wound healing.
Nettle
Amish communities use this herb to support their immune system.
Nettles can often be found growing wild, but you can also cultivate them in your garden. They are hardy perennial plants and can be a valuable addition to your homestead.
Harvest young nettle leaves and stems before they flower. Use gloves when handling them to avoid stings. You can either pick individual leaves or cut the upper portion of the plant.
To store the nettle for future use, you can dry it. Spread the nettle leaves and stems in a well-ventilated area or use a food dehydrator. Once completely dried, store them in an airtight container.
You can use nettle to make nettle tea, nettle infusion, and even soup or pesto.
Honey
The Amish community often uses honey as a natural remedy for various health and wellness purposes. Honey is highly regarded for its potential health benefits, and the Amish incorporate it into their daily lives in several ways.
Honey is known for its soothing and cough-suppressant properties. When the Amish community has a sore throat or a cough, they take a spoonful of honey to relieve discomfort. This is often mixed with lemon juice to create a comforting and effective remedy for stubborn coughs.
Raw honey is believed to have immune-boosting properties due to its natural enzymes and antioxidants. The Amish may consume honey regularly as a general health tonic, especially during cold and flu season.
Many people might not know this, but honey can be also used for its wound-healing properties. The Amish apply honey topically to minor cuts, burns, and wounds to prevent infection. You can spread honey directly on the affected area or use it in combination with a clean bandage.
Garlic
Garlic is known for its potential to help with respiratory issues. When someone in the Amish community has a cold, cough, or respiratory congestion, they use garlic to make a homemade remedy. This involves preparing a garlic-infused syrup or tea by boiling garlic cloves and combining them with honey, lemon, and other soothing ingredients. Consuming this mixture is believed to help relieve symptoms and boost the immune system.
Also, garlic is sometimes used to alleviate itching and inflammation caused by insect bites. You can apply a crushed garlic clove directly to the affected area for relief.
Homesteaders and the Amish may share a commitment to self-reliance. As a homesteader myself, I found it very useful to do my research about the Amish community and learn a thing or two.
Many Amish remedies are based on the use of herbs and other natural ingredients that you can grow on the homestead.
Natural remedies can be particularly useful in situations where access to conventional healthcare may be limited, such as during emergencies, power outages, or when living in remote areas.
While herbal remedies can be a valuable part of a homesteader’s toolkit for maintaining health and wellness, it’s crucial to remember that not all remedies are suitable for all individuals or situations. If you have specific health concerns or are unsure about using a particular remedy, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare professional or herbalist to ensure that you’re using herbal remedies safely and effectively.
Do you know any other natural remedies from the Amish? Let us know!
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