Ash, I know exactly how you feel, as I have the same problem myself. Red raspberries are said to help with menstrual cramps, so it would be a good idea to keep a stock of frozen raspberries on hand to thaw out and heat as needed. You can also make a tea from red raspberry leaves, using one teaspoon of the leaves for every cup of boiling water, just let steep for 15 minutes and drink, either as is or sweetened with some honey. Chamomile tea is also quite effective for relieving cramps, so you could substitute chamomile for red raspberry leaves, but it would be a good idea to make a 50/50 blend of both.

Taking daily supplements of Dong Quai herb and calcium are also good for preventing cramps. You may not notice immediate results in the first month, so keep some of those over the counter pain relievers handy. Over time, your cramps should lessen to the point where you need little or no pills going into your body! I have had great success using herbs to relieve my cramps, I used to have to take a full bottle or two of pills during every period, and now I only take one or two if the pain is very severe that month. I wish you much luck!

With spring in full bloom here in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s finally starting to get warm and sunny out! It’s the perfect time to discuss a little miracle plant that every one should keep in their herbal medicine cabinet – aloe vera! Whether you choose to grow your own plant or buy pre-packaged aloe vera gel, you’ll be glad for its multitude of uses. I’m sitting here with a 12 ounce bottle of Aloe Vera gel in front of me that cost me $7.95 at the local health food store. It’s quite a bargain when you consider all of the products that it can replace!

The aloe plant is native to Africa and likes the sun and heat. If you have a green thumb, you may wish to try growing your own. The Garden Helper Guide to Growing Aloe Plants is a useful internet resource that tells you everything you need to know from how to choose the perfect soil, to watering frequency and the appropriate fertilizer. They even have a forum so you can post any questions that may come along the way.

Here are just a few of the many uses for aloe vera gel:

Facial Moisturizer

For clear, healthy skin, use plain aloe vera gel in place of your usual moisturizer. Its healing properties will help soothe your skin and prevent breakouts. Moisturizers are pretty expensive lately, from $10 to $20 (or even $90 for some brands!) for a small jar that may contain about one of two ounces of product. I have tried several brands of moisturizer to try to keep my skin clear, and I have found nothing (in my opinion) that works quite as well. If your skin tends to be very dry, you may wish to spray on a little bit of rosewater after applying a generous layer of aloe vera gel to your skin. You can also blend a small amount of aloe vera gel with rosewater and the contents of one vitamin E capsule in a small, clean cosmetics jar for a great dry skin moisturizer!

Hair Gel

Aloe vera gel has a great consistency for use as an all natural setting gel that won’t damage your hair with harsh chemicals. This works especially well on curly hair that needs a bit of smoothing and taming.

Do-It-Yourself Body Glitter

Aloe vera gel is an excellent base for home made body glitter. Just put a few ounces of the gel into a clean cosmetics jar, and mix in ultra fine cosmetic glitter until you get the desired consistency and sparkle! Some recipes suggest adding a small amount of glycerin and some don’t, so it’s up to you. You may also add a few drops of food coloring and/or essential oils to your mixture for variation. (aroma-therapy glitter, anyone?) This would make a great project for a kid’s birthday party, too!

Sunburn Gel

As summer approaches and the sun heats up, be careful not to get sunburned! Everyday exposure to the sun can damage your skin. It’s recommended that you wear a sunscreen whenever you are outside. You may not always remember and if you happen to find yourself with a mild sunburn, keep some aloe vera gel handy. Why pay tons of money for commercial after sun creams? Apply a generous layer to sunburned areas to soothe the pain and prevent peeling or scarring. It is also wise to apply aloe vera after any exposure to the sun to keep your skin healthy and smooth. (If you know of an effective all-natural sunscreen, please e-mail me! I would love to share the info with my readers!)

Minor Burns

As with sunburn, aloe vera on the affected area will relieve the pain and prevent scarring. If a burn seems like it may be serious, please consult your doctor or go to the emergency room.

Minor Cuts and Scrapes

Apply aloe vera gel to minor cuts and scrapes to help draw out any infection, soothe pain, and prevent scarring. Again, if you think it may be serious, check with your doctor.

Insect Bites

Applying aloe vera gel to an insect bite can help much in the same way as with cuts and scrapes, and it helps relieve the itching. Fight to urge to scratch; it can leave ugly scars and cause infection!

For more information about the aloe vera plant and its many healing properties, check out the Aloe Vera Studies Organization, an entire web site dedicated to the plant.