We need our feet to get from A to B, so it’s important to do everything we can to keep them in shape. Follow these tips for your tootsies, and you’ll walk with ease.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ATHLETE’S FOOT
You don’t have to be an athlete to suffer the itching irritation of athlete’s foot. Those who frequent public pools, gyms, and shower rooms, who sweat a lot, or wear tight nonbreathable shoes are the most likely to develop this problem. Athlete’s foot is seven times more prevalent in men than women and is more common where conditions are hot and humid. Prolonged exposure to moisture, nail injuries, and cuticle damage can all lead to fungal infections. With all foot conditions, it’s important to take care of little problems in the feet so that they don’t become big problems.
Create an antifungal foot powder by mixing 1/4 cup (55 g) baking soda with 10 drops each of essential oils of tea tree, geranium, and lavender. Combine ingredients and store in a glass jar. Liberally apply to affected areas. You can also try soaking your feet in 3 quarts (2.8 L) of warm water to which 1 cup (235 ml) of apple cider vinegar has been added. Dry the feet well, especially between each toe, and apply some tea tree oil, an excellent anti-fungal agent, to the affected area.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Avoid sharing pedicure tools like nail clippers. Wear rubber sandals when showering in public places.
KEEP IN MIND
As much as possible, air your feet out in the sun for short periods of time. Wear natural fiber socks that are changed often and shoes made of natural materials that allow your feet to breathe, rather than synthetic materials. Alternate the shoes that you wear so that shoes have the opportunity to air out. Many health professionals feel that athletes’ foot can also be a symptom of yeast overgrowth in the body. Keep in mind that sugar, fruit juice, alcohol, and yeasted breads may all be foods contributing to yeast overgrowth in the body.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR BUNIONS
Bunions are bony bumps, often on the sides of the toes. Although they can be hereditary, tight shoes can cause this otherwise painless ailment to be irritated. As a first step, you can cushion the area with a foam pad when wearing shoes.
Exercise can also help with bunions. Loop a big rubber band around the big toe and then pull the toe away from the smaller toes, holding each pull five seconds. Repeat ten times. Also practice spreading the toes.
Castor oil can also be applied to bunions twice daily to penetrate the skin deeply and help move congested hardened tissue.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR CALLUSES AND CORNS
A callus refers to hardened skin, often on the ball or foot heel, caused by the way we walk or foot pressure on shoes at odd angles. A corn occurs when the skin over the toe forms a hard protective coating, usually due to pressure. As a start, insert insoles into your shoes to cushion the area.
Corns can be softened by soaking the feet in warm salt water for 10 minutes and then using a pumice stone before applying castor oil twice a day to the afflicted area. Apple cider vinegar can also be applied directly to corns and calluses twice daily to increase circulation to them, thus helping them break up.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR SORE FEET
Do your feet feel sore and tired? After being on your feet all day, it feels delightful to soak your feet in a basin of warm water to which 7 or 8 drops of pure essential sage, rosemary, or lavender oil has been added. Also consider wearing insoles in the shoes and supportive house shoes (rather than outdoor shoes that track in dirt and pollution) rather than walking barefoot on hard surfaces.
You can find foot massage tools at any natural food stores. A foot massage feels heavenly! You can give one to yourself or show the one you love just how pleasurable this can be. Then you can trade!
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR FOOT ODOR
If your nose runs and your feet smell, you are built upside down! Foot odor can often be improved by taking 3 capsules of chlorophyll daily, which acts as a natural deodorizer. You can also put sage leaves in your shoes for weeter-smelling feet. And remember to choose natural fiber footwear so that your skin can breathe.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR M.D.
If you have “burning soles,” it may indicate diabetes or other health conditions, including nerve damage, fungal infection, or excess alcohol consumption.
Cures from Grandma’s Kitchen
The following are great treatments for athlete’s foot.
ANTIFUNGAL FOOT SOAK
1 gallon (3.5 L) comfortable hot water
1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
5 drops tea tree oil
5 drops lavender oil
Soak for 20 minutes once or twice daily.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR INGROWN TOENAILS
An ingrown toenail usually occurs on the big toe. To prevent this ailment, be sure to cut the toes nails straight across rather than in a sloping fashion.
To treat an ingrown toenail, soak the foot in hot water and apply a healing herbal salve to help reduce inflammation. You can also secure a juicy slice of lemon to the affected area with a Band-Aid before going to bed, and in the morning the nail should be soft enough to be eased away from the skin and trimmed. Do your best to keep the skin away from the nail by taping some athletic tape and gently pulling the skin away from the toe.
If the problem is chronic, a misshapen toenail may be the problem. Consult with a podiatrist.
Thrifty Cures!
You may find it helpful to fill a container with marbles and walk around in it to take the ache out. Or pour some dried beans into a shoe and walk for a few minutes as a foot/massaging exercise.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Be sure to choose shoes that fit well and don’t cause unnecessary pressure. Avoid buying shoes in the morning, as the feet expand during the day and what fits perfectly at 10 am might seem too tight by 6 pm. If you walk to work or a ways to the subway or bus, consider wearing sneakers and then changing into other shoes during work.
Cures from Grandma’s Kitchen
Poultices that can be applied to bunions include grated lemon peel or chopped onion soaked in apple cider vinegar held in place overnight by a bandage, allowing the circulatory-stimulating properties of the poultices to move stuck energy and help break down the bunion.
A folk remedy for corns is to tape the inside of a fresh lemon peel to the area overnight for several nights in a row. Garlic oil can also be applied to calluses twice daily.
GOOD TO KNOW!
For tired, aching feet, simply prepare the herbs below as you would for drinking tea, strain, cool slightly, and then pour into a bucket and soak your sore feet:
HERB BENEFITS
• Chamomile - For sore, swollen feet
• Lavender - Refreshes tired feet
• Marjoram - For tired, achy feet
• Peppermint - Stimulates tired feet
• Thyme - For fungal infections, also refreshes tired feet
GOOD TO KNOW!
To deodorize your feet simply prepare the herbs below as you would for drinking tea, strain, cool slightly, and then pour into a bucket and soak your feet:
HERB BENEFITS
• Horsetail - Reduces perspiration
• Lovage - Strong natural deodorant
• Rosemary - Naturally deodorizing
• Sage - Antiperspirant, deodorizing
GOOD TO KNOW!
For healthy feet, keep these tips in mind:
• Spend some time with your feet elevated by lying on a slant board or spending a few minutes a day in the shoulder stand yoga posture.
• Sit with your legs outstretched in front of you and rotate your feet in circles a dozen times in each direction to keep your ankles flexible.
• Whenever possible and safe, spend time barefoot to tone your feet. When trying on shoes, wriggle your toes to make sure they are roomy enough.
This Treating Foot Ailments article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
