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Four Amish Remedies That Are Very Effective: Amish Health Secrets

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish

The following list consists of home remedies the Amish have used for generations. 
Kill Foot Odor With a Rubbing Alcohol Foot Wash
Foot odor can arise from many sources. Whether you sweat more than the average person or a certain type of shoe material seems to bring out the funk in your feet, Rubbing Alcohol has long been used as a natural way to deodorize feet.
Preliminary research suggests alcohol eliminates foot odor due to its antiseptic properties. Foot odor comes from bacteria who live off your sweat. The sweatier your feet, the greater the bacteria, which means the stinkier your feet. Simply pour enough alcohol into a basin to fully submerge your feet. Add 1 cup of water and soak each foot for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat every morning or night to prevent your feet from clearing a room the moment your shoes come off.
Eliminate Headaches the Natural Way
While you’ve probably never heard of Willow Bark, this plant species has been used since Hippocrates as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent. In fact, this plant is so successful at treating headaches and other aliments that it was used as a primary element to develop aspirin. The primary active compound, known as salicin, is noted by researchers to provide near-instant headache relief.
If you feel the nagging pressure or thumping, make a Willow Bark tea by placing 2 teaspoons of dried bark into 8 ounces of water. Allow the tea to lightly boil for 10 to 15 minutes, then steep for 30 minutes. For faster relief, take 60 to 240 milligrams of a salicin nutritional supplement. Don’t have access to either of the aforementioned? Almonds feature the same active compound. Eat 20 almonds at the beginning of any headache. In fact, research suggests those who eat 10 to 15 almonds per day have fewer headaches than those who don’t.
Clove Oil for Toothaches
Have you ever smoked a clove cigar? If so, you probably notice your mouth and tongue were instantly numb. This herb is known for its ability to numb skin. In fact, clove oil is commonly used in modern dentistry as a pain control treatment throughout a procedure. It’s believed the effectiveness of clove oil for toothaches is due to a compound known as Eugenol. This compound is so effective, many dentists recommend it for emergency toothache relief.
To experience relief, place 1 to 2 drops of clove oil directly on the affected portions of your mouth. Try not to swallow the oil. Repeat until you can find permanent toothache relief by visiting your dentist.

Relieve Eczema Itch and Pain With Evening Primrose Oil

While the severity of eczema can dramatically vary, the desire to relieve its pain, itching and swelling is universally strong. Evening Primrose Oil, or EPO, has long been used to retain skin moisture and treat various ailments; however, it’s not until recently the scientific community. The Europe PubMed Central database highlights a study published in the 1988 edition of ‘Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research,’ which found topical application of evening primrose oil significantly improved eczema symptoms and severity. It’s believed this oil provides such relief through a compound known as Efamol, which contains forms of linoleic acid.
With your physicians’ consent, apply 3 to 4 drops of EPO directly to affected portions of your skin. Repeat one to two times per day for relief.
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Amish Buggy Styles You May Have Not Seen

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish,Amish Life

Amish Buggy Styles You May Have Not Seen

Buggy styles can vary across the hundreds of Amish settlements in North America. Here are a few that you may not have seen.

This is not an Amish Taxi, it is an unmissable Byler Amish buggy. 

The Byler Amish are located northeast of Altoona, in Kishacoquillas Valley, Pennsylvania.

 

Big Valley Amish
The Nebraska Amish buggy is also seen in Kishacoquillas Valley.  Unlike most Amish buggies, the Nebraska buggy has no protective front. No “windshield”, just open air. 
Nebraska Amish are among the most conservative of all Amish groups. Nebraska Amish live in just a few places, Kishacoquillas Valley and in a small community in northeastern Ohio.
Renno Amish Buggy
 
A Renno Amish buggy, also in Kishacoquillas Valley aka Big Valley.  Amish in Juniata County drive buggies of a similar style. The Renno Amish are a minority group found in just four settlements.
You may have seen black buggies in other communities, in Ohio or Indiana. Typically those buggies have tapered sides, distinguishing them from the Renno buggies.
Lancaster Amish Buggy

The classic Lancaster grey-top buggy.  Amish in two other communities, Cecil County, Maryland, and Charlotte County, Virginia, also drive this style.

Dover Amish Buggy
 
The Dover, Delaware Amish buggy.  Notice the difference between this and the black Renno buggy above.  The Dover buggy is bulkier, with curved-in sides.
Amish in the Dover settlement at Halifax County, Virginia also drive this style. Dover-affiliated Amish are found in 16 locations across America.

 

 

When we think of Pennsylvania Amish, we typically think of the Lancaster County gray buggy.  The Amish at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania use a distinctive brown-topped vehicle.  New Wilmington Amish and their spin-off groups are the only ones to use this color.
 
Swartzentruber Amish buggy
 
A Swartzentruber Amish buggy passes by in Wayne County, Ohio. 
Swartzentruber buggies lack both an SMV triangle and a storm front.
 
 
 
An Old Order Mennonite carriage for zipping around the neighborhood.  Old Order Mennonite communities can be found in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ontario, and other places.
 
 
The Ashland Amish use grey reflector tape to outline a safety triangle.  An orange reflector is located in the center of the tape triangle.
Swiss Amish Buggy
 
Amish in certain so-called “Swiss” communities use a distinct style of buggy.  Swiss carriages are always open-top.
 
Amish cargo Buggy
 
 
Buggies come in a variety of styles and designs, with different names depending on the community.  The vehicle above, which we might think of as an “Amish pick-up truck”, is designed for hauling bulky items.
Amish Church Buggy
 
This large wagon is used to transport church benches between Amish homes.  Amish do not hold church services in separate buildings, but rather in the basement, shop, or barn of a member’s home.  
The church wagon hauls both pews and hymnals. Church services are held every other week.
 
 
Amish adults sometimes ride in pony carts as well.  Since no driver’s license is required, sometimes very young Amish children pilot pony carts.

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Secret Amish Country: What the travel sites don’t know

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish,Amish cooking,Amish Recipes,Mennonites,Recipes,Travel

Secret Amish Country

Among all the tourist attractions in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there is a “secret” Amish country—a little-known stretch of farms on route 772, east of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The stretch of Rt. 772 that runs Southeast from Route 23 at Leola in the North to Route 340 at Intercourse in the South is chock full of authentic ‘finds’ without being a main tourist corridor.
You will find little roadside stands with fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses. You will find little shops and authentic Amish folk.
This is not tourist country, it is Amish country. 

Surprising Things You Might Not Know About The Amish

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish Recipes,Amish,Amish cooking,Mennonites,Recipes

Surprising Things You Might Not Know About The Amish
The Amish Faith Actually Started In Switzerland: The church was created after Amish founder Jakob Ammann separated from a group of Swiss Anabaptists in the late 1600s. The Amish followed the teachings of the Mennonite faith, but split away from the Mennonites in the late 17th century because they felt the Mennonites weren’t disciplined enough. Even so, in the U.S. today, sects generally vary in dress and style of worship.
The Amish Have Their Own Language: It’s called Pennsylvania Dutch, owing to the fact that so many Amish settled in Pennsylvania and is an amalgam of German, Dutch and English.
Amish Women Aren’t Married In White: What non-Amish consider traditional, Amish consider downright weird. Women are married in blue or purple gowns, and don’t wear make up or jewelry.
Children In Amish Communities Typically Don’t Receive Higher Education: A 1972 Supreme Court (Wisconsin V. Yoder) ruling deemed that Amish families weren’t required to educate their children past the 8th grade, and were protected under the freedom of religion clause. Some families do choose, however, to persue higher education. Most of the time, though, kids are required to help around the house and farm.
While They Don’t Own Cars, They Are Allowed To Ride In Them: The Amish generally don’t permit motorized automobiles in their communities, but they are allowed to accept rides from non-Amish people, whom they call English. 
Amish Fun
 

Amish Recipe: Crispy Buttered Peach Fruit Cobbler

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish cooking,Amish Recipes,Recipes

Crispy Buttered Peach Fruit Cobbler


Crispy Buttered Peach Fruit Cobbler

This is a great cobbler because of the delicious crispy top that stays crispy for a few days. It’s terrific with vanilla ice cream and also makes wonderful leftovers with morning coffee!

Ingredients (Yields one 9″x13″ cobbler)

Amish Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler & Ice Cream

Fruit Filling:

  • 2 lbs of fruit (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 4 oz (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cold

Topping:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 egg

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • Spread the fruit in the bottom of a 9″x13″ casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle the cinnamon and salt over the fruit.
  • Use a whisk to mix all the dry topping ingredients together well in a medium bowl except for the egg.
  • Break the egg right on top of the dry topping and stir in with a fork until it resembles a crumbly topping.
  • Spread the topping evenly over the fruit
  • Cut the butter into tiny 1/2″ cubes.
  • Dot the butter evenly along the cobbler topping.
  • Bake for 1 hour until it is brown.

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Crispy Buttered Peach Fruit Cobbler
This is a great cobbler because of the delicious crispy top that stays crispy for a few days. It’s terrific with vanilla ice cream and also makes wonderful leftovers with morning coffee!