For a first aid treatment of toothache, chew some Cloves, as they are rich in the analgesic oil eugenol. Alternatively, you can soak a pad of cotton wool in Clove oil and place it by the tooth. Peppermint oil also acts as an analgesic, but it is not as effective.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common infection of the surface tissue of the gums, caused by a lack of oral hygiene and by an inappropriate diet. Particularly sugar and refined, processed foods have to be avoided. The herbal anti-microbials like Echinacea, Eucalyptus and Myrrh can be used very effectively in the form of tinctures. Depending on the severity of the infection, you can either wash the gums daily with a tincture of Myrrh or if a stronger remedy is needed, you can use a mixture of equal parts of tincture of Myrrh and tincture of Echinacea. Whilst not being very pleasant to taste, it will be very effective. Alternatively, massage the gums before going to bed with oil of Eucalyptus and wash out the mouth in the morning with distilled Witch Hazel.
Pyorrhoea
This chronic degenerative disease of the gums must be treated systemically with the use of alteratives that are anti-microbials and lymphatic cleansers as well. For a treatment use the approach described under gingivitis to treat the gums themselves, and combine this with taking a high dosage of vitamin C. Most important is the use of a mixture of
| Echinacea | 2 parts |
| Blue Flag | 1 part |
| Cleavers | 1 part |
| Poke Root |
1 part  |
This tea should be drunk three times daily for a number of weeks until the condition clears.
Abscess
This very painful condition can best be helped by the use of the tea described under pyorrhoea. This treatment will also protect the whole system from a spreading of the infection which could occur, as the existence of the abscess indicates that the defence capacity of the body is reduced. Any treatment that aims at encouraging the body to absorb the abscess should be avoided.
Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are usually indicators of a run down general condition and are best treated by increasing general health. They commonly occur after the use of antibiotics, or during recovery from influenza. In both cases the body has been exposed to considerable physiological stress, resulting in a general weakening. This in turn affects the normal ecology of the mouth and of other areas and, as one symptom, the ulcer appears. They can also arise during a period of psychological stress. Whether the cause is physical or psychological, it obviously has to be treated by increasing general health.
To treat the ulcer, Red Sage (in the form of a mouth wash, made preferably from the infusion of fresh leaves) is very simple and effective. The fresh leaves can also be chewed. Alternatively, a mouth wash of tincture of Myrrh in an equal amount of water will be effective.
At the same time, vitamin B-complex and vitamin C should be taken to help deal with the stress involved, whatever the cause is.
The stomach is the organ that takes the brunt of the liberties we sometimes take with the food and drink we consume. Too much alcohol, too much refined food, too many cigarettes, too many aspirins, all will affect the stomach.
The main task of the stomach is to prepare the food for further processing in the small intestine, which it accomplishes by mixing it with hydrochloric acid and powerful enzymes.
Before we look at the stomach, two problems with the oesophagus (the tube down which swallowed food travels) will be examined. If there is a burning sensation in the oesophagus or acid rising into the mouth, the symptom is due to a problem in the stomach. It can be treated with the help of demulcents, but the condition of the stomach has also to be examined. If there is a problem with swallowing, the problem (dysphagia) should be examined professionally. It is often due to nervous tension and anxiety and may be relieved by the use of nervines like Hops, Valerian or Wild Lettuce.
Indigestion
The label ‘indigestion’ is used for a wide range of symptoms, all of which are due to a functional problem in the stomach caused by inappropriate eating habits. Indigestion (or dyspepsia) can be accompanied by pain, flatulence, heartburn and other symptoms. The causes of these symptoms can be grouped into four categories:
Irregular eating. The functioning of the body is characterised by rhythms, and the stomach—and in fact the whole digestive system—is no exception to this. If meals are taken irregularly, these rhythms are disturbed and functional problems may result. Shift-workers for instance are very prone to this.
Overeating and eating too quickly. If too much food goes into the stomach, either at any one time or in total over the day, the stomach will be overloaded and thus work with reduced efficiency. Overloading causes problems in the stomach which may affect the whole system. Obesity is the most common result. Also when food is eaten too quickly and not chewed thoroughly it causes problems; food will not be digested properly and may pass through the system in an undigested state.
Eating the wrong food. Many people are allergic to certain foods, even though the symptoms might not be very obvious. Any food that causes a problem should be eliminated from the diet altogether. A typical example is food containing gluten, such as wheat bread. Another common allergen may be cow’s milk.
Nervous tension. The stomach, like the whole digestive system, is easily affected by stress and anxiety.
By taking all these factors into account and by changing one’s diet and lifestyle accordingly, indigestion can be treated. There are a number of herbs that will speed up the healing process, but obviously they will have to be chosen according to the cause. The most important remedy is Meadowsweet, which will settle the stomach and reduce any excess acidity.
The demulcents can be very useful, a good one being Irish Moss, though the other digestive demulcents will also do.
If the digestion is sluggish, bitters like Gentian, Golden Seal and Wormwood will help.
If there is flatulence, the carminatives should be used as well. Good ones for the stomach are Aniseed, Balm, Cardamon, Fennel and Peppermint.
If there is nervous tension involved, the nervine relaxants are indicated, especially those that also aid digestion, such as Chamomile, Hops, Lavender, Rosemary and Valerian. In all cases consult the Herbal section to choose the most appropriate herb or combination of them to use in the individual case.
Gastritis
When a disturbance in the stomach changes from a functional one like indigestion to a structural one, the first stage is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach wall. It may last only for a short time and can be due