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We recently stocked up on our medicine cabinet for the year, although many of these products will last much longer. I was so thrilled to pursue using herbal tinctures and remedies for our healing and was eager to share with you what we concluded were some of the best items to have on hand for all the little ailments that could come upon us. I am not apposed to using antibiotics on occasion if it is totally necessary, but for the everyday headaches, wounds, colds, flus, fevers, here is what I have found to be effective natural solutions.
Colds/Congestion
Emergen-C – I have talked previously about our favorite Vitamin C drink Emergen-C here. I like to stock up on this when I get a good deal. Trader Joe’s has a good price on it as well as Vitacost.com. Pumped full of 1000 mg of vitamin C, it also has a good portion of energy boosting B vitamins, in addition to various minerals and electrolytes. This will keep you healthy or kick out those nasty colds quickly! When we get sick, we will drink several packs of this product daily. It tastes delicious and is a good way to cover up any other herbal tinctures that we may add to it. We use this for our children after 1 year.
Traditional Medicinals Teas – Gypsy Cold, Breathe Easy, Throat Coat – I love these delicious teas for specifically formulated with various herbs for every ailment. They are delicious, relaxing, and refreshing and really help solve the problem. They also help to encourage you to drink more fluids, which is most beneficial for healing. We also give these to our children.
Eucalyptus Oil – Eucalyptus in it’s essential oil form is wonderful to have on hand as it is highly beneficial. Add a few drops to the humidifier for easier breathing and rub it on the chest to help releave congestion. We use this for our children especially.
Echinacea/Goldenseal – A great combination to boost your immunity. We take in tablet form. Most do not recommend for pregnant mothers.
For further ideas for natural healing of colds, check out our previous posts:
Natural Cold Remedies for Children
Natural Healing for the Family
Flu/Fever
Elderberry Syrup – Elderberry is anti-viral, contains high levels of flavonoids and antioxidants, has cell-protecting components, soothes sore throats, and supports the immune system and respiratory system. The elderberry is effective in fighting viruses, such as the flu, and upper respiratory infections. According to Prescription for Herbal Healing, “a clinical study of elderberry found that it cured 90 percent of flu infections within seventy-two hours. In the same trial, patients receiving a placebo needed six days.” This is also effective as a cough syrup. We recommend Quantam Elderberry Syrup as it is naturally sweetened with honey or the sugar free version. This is recommended for children over 1 year. A nursing mother can take 1 Tbsp of Elderberry syrup 5 minutes before nursing to pass the benefits on to a infant less than a year old. For infants, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years, recommends putting 1 drop per pound of body weight directly on a baby’s tongue, or administer while nursing. This book states it is completely harmless and can be given repeatedly as needed to help decrease fevers and the like. You can be taking this regularly as an immune booster as well.
Echinacea – To ward off the flu at the first hint of symptoms, take echinacea, an herb with powerful antiviral and immunity-boosting effects, says renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in her book, Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health. Echinacea is available in most health food stores in supplement form, as a tincture and as a tea. Echinacea works best over a short period of time, and isn’t an effective immune strengthener when taken long term. She suggests using the herb for no more than a week.
For infants, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years, recommends mixing 10 drops of Echinacea in a four ounce bottle of water. Allow baby to suck this as desired to keep a fever in bounds. A mother can also take a dose of 5-15 drops two to three times daily that will pass through the breast milk to protect the infant.
Calming Children, Teething
Catnip Tea – A combination of catnip and chamomile is a great aid in calming children when dealing with various stress, teething, pain, etc. Traditional Medicinals offers a catnip tea as well as Mountain Rose Herbs (the Quiet Child Tea) that we enjoy. You can freeze this tea in ice cube trays and allow a baby to suck on it for teething relief. I also dilute it a bit and offer it to a baby in a bottle if needed.
Ear Ache
Garlic Oil – This is a good recipe to use as a preventative as well! Press 2-3 garlic cloves in 2 Tablespoons olive oil. Let warm on stove for 15-20 minutes. Strain garlic from oil. Lay child on side and drop 2-3 drops of garlic oil in ear and massage lower outer ear for a few minutes. Wait for half hour or so before doing the other side so oil won’t drain out. 3-4 times daily. You can also buy a garlic oil already prepared for you.
Muscle Pains/Aches
Arnica Spray - Arnica is highly valued for sprains and bruises when the skin is not broken. Can help prevent bruising if applied quickly. Great relief for sour muscles. Also available in several other forms, as a tincture and in ointments, it makes an excellent treatment for rheumatism and some skin irritations as well. We use Hyland’s Arnica Spray.
Headaches/Nausea
Hylands Headaches – Hyland’s Headache is a traditional homeopathic formula for the relief of symptoms of head pain due to stress and sick or nervous headache. No side affects but rather natural healing response. Safe for adults and children. Take at the first sign of a headache for best results.
Ginger Tea - Ginger’s wonderful effects as a treatment for nausea have led it to be highly recommended for sea sickness or motion sickness as well. Ginger tea is very settling. A great aid for pregnancy nausea as well.
Stress
Rescue Remedy – Bach’s Rescue Remedy is a natural form of healing for everyday stress and help maintain control in your body. Homeopathic remedy. Composite of five of the flower remedies discovered by Dr. Edward Bach. Rescue Remedy calms the nerves, eases tension, buffers emotional shock, and combats stress. You can use this on your pets as well under the guidance of a holistic veterinarian.
Herbal Healing Salts - My favorite way to relieve stress, muscle pain, or to heal any wounds, is to take a hot bath with a combination of herbal healing salts. Epsom salts is in this combination as well. But with the addition of lavender and other herbs it is very relaxing.I use the herbal bath salts from Mountain Rose Herbs and absolutely love them (they are on sale in October as well)! They help to relax me in order to sleep well.
Cuts, Bruises, Muscle Pain
Epsom Salts – Excellent for soaking a small open wound to prevent infection. Use daily as a soak for warts as well. It really works! These are also effective after childbirth to heal the vaginal area. These are cheap and available at your local supermarket.
Hydrogen Peroxide – A great antiseptic. Pour directly onto a wound to clear out dirt and fight infection. Cover with band aid.
Witch Hazel – Witch Hazel is one of the most widely used first aid remedies, both for its astringent and blood clotting actions. Use distilled Witch Hazel as a compress for minor burns and sprains, or apply directly to the skin for insect bites, nosebleeds and cuts. Witch Hazel also makes a good skin toner.
Super Glue & Butterfly Band-Aids – Butterfly band-aids and super glue are a must for the slighter deeper cuts as well. Saves you from getting stitches and prevent scaring. We used it all the time growing up with deeper cuts on the head or fingers. Use your discernment as to the deepness of the cut. Aaron gashed his finger a few months back which was definitely deeper than a regular band-aid would heal. So we cleaned it out with hydrogen peroxide, and then held the gash shut with our fingers and applied a thin strip of super glue and covered with a butterfly band-aid. I cannot say how natural super glue but it was designed originally to quickly patch up soldiers on the battlefield during the Vietnam War. They even used it to glue lacerated livers together (lovely, huh?). I did find reference to it being non-toxic though. It does seals the cut and allows it to heal beautifully! We saved ourselves from many hospital trips growing up by using this simple frugal method. For more on this solution, read Super Glue: Safe for Treating Cuts? and How To Use Superglue for Cuts.
Stomach aches
Papaya Enzymes are a chewable digestive aid that is 100% natural. Each serving contains papaya fruit. Pepermint and chlorophyll are added to refresh and sweeten breath, so it is also a great breath refreshener! We love these chewable tablets! They really work! I usually use only two for myself when needed and one tablet for children.
Burns
Aloe Vera – The one to turn to for burns and skin irritations of all types. When you can, using a piece of live plant. Break off a leaf and rub it directly onto the skin for relief of burn, sunburn or poison ivy. Not for internal use.
Baking Soda – for quick relief of the pain of a burn (as in receiving a burn in the kitchen), dash a little bit of baking soda on the burn. Love it!
Other items and supplements…
The one item that we do use on occasion for relief with our children for fever/pain that is not all that natural is Tylenol’s Infant Concentrate. When you need some sleep, this can definitely come in handy to relieve your infant/child!
Lastly, we all take cod liver oil daily for it’s omega-3 content and naturally occurring vitamin A and D, which are also wonderful immune boosting aids. Cod liver oil is excellent for overall health and wholeness. We use the Nordic Naturals brand as recommended by my naturopath. Aaron takes the EPA version, I take the DHA version (more suitable for pregnancy, nursing, and female hormone balancing) and the kids take the children’s DHA liquid version. I give the children a natural liquid multi-vitamin especially in the winter as a preventative. We use Progena Liquid Infant Multi (also recommended by our naturopath due to it’s completely pure contents). Beyond that, we don’t take any other supplements.
Further Reading:
Hay Fever Homemade Allergy Tonic
Boosting Baby & Toddlers Immune System Naturally
Those are the items in our medicine cabinet! Take stock of what you have for now is the time to prepare for the winter cold/flu season! These items will save you doctor’s bills because many basic sicknesses can be solved naturally at home.
Most of these items recommended above can be found very reasonably at Vitacost.
Disclaimer: As always, remember that I am not a doctor and offer these recommendations from my own personal experience and research into natural healing. Please double check with your naturopath/holistic practitioner before using any of these suggestions. Find a naturopath for the health and wholeness of your family!
Do you have any recommendations for natural healing that you would like to add to the list?
Our families’ $.02 and arsenal of remedies:
I carry a small plastic jar of candied ginger in my first aid kit in my purse for nausea. My kids also use Sea Bands for motion sickness if we are on a windy road.
A bath with baking soda (3/4 cup per half bathtub) is what our pediatrician recommends to help with yeast infections/rashes.
We use Fels-Naptha for poison ivy.
We like duct tape overnight for warts! Put duct tape over warts a few nights in a row and the wart will go away!
Constipation: add apricot nectar or corn syrup (I know, refined) to fluids and meals. Sugar and fat increase transit time for bowels, our G.I. Dr. says cut back on the roughage, prunes and bran??? These things create MORE stool (which can be healthy) but they do not soften it and contribute to motility. In desperation, there is always caffeine.
Pectin relieves sore throats.
We have a homemade boo-boo comfort kit (mainly gives kids something to do instead of scream.) Special homemade wipes, ice pack cozies, ear muffs (to protect ears from screaming and add an element of silliness,) a stopwatch to time how long until the endorphins arrive at the boo boo (my kids picture endorphins as little firemen who live in the brain and travel on demand to emergencies in our bodies,) and fun reusable bandages are in a box on the first floor. Kids know just what to do when they are hurt, and it is becoming a fun tradition I hope they will remember fondly.
Not-so-natural remedies: lidocaine ointment: either purchase at pharmacy counter, or in the “hair removal” section of the drug store, look for “Bikini Zone.” Strange, I know, but it is pure lidocaine. This will dull any ouchies, aid in splinter removal, or a tiny bit on a q-tip and gently applied to the ear canal can dull pain from infections.
Zofran – 2-4mg solutabs are amazing. This drug (ondansetron) is a miracle for relieving nausea and vomiting. My doctors promote its use as it prevents dehydration, and does not have the side effects of predecessors like Compazene, Phenergen and Reglan. You can get a tablet form, but the ones you place under the tongue for rapid relief are amazing when you can’t keep anything down. Also no suppositories! It is a prescription-only drug at this point, but our PCP gave us a script with refills to keep it on hand. There is little risk of overdose (he compared its threat level to Maalox.) Apparently the FDA will be making the 2 mg. tabs OTC soon. I am told that nausea and vomiting will eventually become manageable with Zofran.
I hope no one is offended by my not-natural advice. I am not a doctor or nurse. I just have 3 special medical needs boys and spend a lot of time researching the medical world.
Blessings! Katie
http://www.kdthreads.wordpress.com – meet your online sewing tutor!
In reference to your cod liver oil supplements — I was curious about the NN DHA version that you mention taking (b.c it’s more suitable for pregnancy, nursing, and female hormone balancing). I went to the vitacost link to view the ‘supplement facts’ (which is different from what is found on the NN website) and was surprised to see that cod liver was NOT actually listed — rather, purified deep sea fish oil (from anchovies and sardines) is listed. So while there is clearly DHA + EPA in this formula it appears as though it is not from cod liver oil. I also assume this means it is lacking in Vits. A & D. Could you please confirm that this is the formula you take and if so, why, if it does not in-fact contain cod liver oil?
The children’s DHA formula you link to DOES specifically mention containing purified arctic cod liver oil. Thanks!
http://www.iherb.com is a great place to buy good quality vitamins at a great price. I use Carlson very finest fish oil liquid lemon flavor great taste no burps, good quality company.
Have you ever heard of Dr.Schulze’s SuperFood Plus powder? He has wonderful organic products!
Not sure you are aware that Infant Tylenol contains Aspartame, a known neuro-toxin. There are other infant pain relieivers that do not contain Aspartame, I believe Infant Motrin and Advil contain other sweeteners which may be a little less dangerous.
Do you still recommend the Nordic Naturals DHA fish oil? I’ve read many other blogs saying that the Blue Ice Fermented cod liver oil is the best for you, so I’m curious why you don’t take that. Could you say more on why you use what you do? I’m not liking the price tag on the blue ice CLO. Thanks!
Yes, I still use Nordic Naturals. The Blue Pastures is the best for you due to the fermentation process but it is absolutely disgusting and none of us can keep it down. It is such a strong fish flavor and yes, the price is very high (on top of the high shipping too!). The NN brands is the next best thing from my research as it is pure, no additives, and comes in capsule form which is far easier to take. I concluded that it was better to take NN then no cod liver oil at all. That is the only supplement we take.
Have you and your family ever try the capsules? We got the FCLO/butter-oil gel and WOW disgusting is right. I’m going to try and make it into capsules so we don’t waste it, but I definitely can’t tolerate the taste. We have yet to try the cinnamon tingle flavor that everyone else seems to tolerate okay. But the capsules we don’t mind at all. I got them here http://www.building-health.com/blue-ice™-fermented-cod-liver-oil-non-gelatin-capsules-120-p-70.html for only $30 (you could get two bottles and get free shipping) and the price is actually pretty much the same ($0.50/serving) as what you are taking. I’m not sure how much DHA is in the Blue Ice FCLO though, I just sent a message to the company to inquire.
I just heard this the other day from a friend. Her fiance’ gives makes a “tea” w/fresh ginger at the first sign of a cold/flu to himself and his kids. it’s not the best tasting but it works wonders. No coughs, sore throats anything!
One thing about cod liver oil – there are new studies coming out that show that the ratio of Vitamins A and D is not ideal, with too much Vitamin A and too little D, which apparently can be dangerous. Our family has converted to taking Vitamin D3, in super concentrated drops (2000 units per drop). The recommended daily dose is about 1 to 2000 I.U.’s, but most naturopathic dr’s recommend more. So we take about 8 to 10000 units daily. It really boosts our immune systems and makes a huge difference for us in the winter (we live in Alaska). I don’t know if you follow Dr. Mercola, but he has some good explanations on his website about the dangers of cod liver oil.
Lindsay,
Is elderberry is capsule form as effective as the syrup?
Lindsay,
I have shared your blog with all my homeschool friend and food co-op ladies! Thank you for being such a blessing to our family! I scrolled down through the list of comments but I don’t think you mentioned where you buy each item in your medicine cabinet. Do you buy most everything from Vitacost? Essential oils? I was going to purchase some of your reccommendations,but I wanted to be frugal in the process. I thought you would be the best place to ask!
On a side note, I have treated my children (some now adults) for almost 20 years with garlic oil! It works! In fact, I just finished treating our 8 year old with it this week!
I bought the majority of items from Vitacost, including the essential oils. The throat spray and teas, I buy through Mountain Rose Herbs. I also bought the bath salts through MRH.
My step mother has had trouble with ear infections and shared this with me…
A natural mixture to prevent an ear infection (or help at least) is equal parts rubbing alcohol and equal parts white vinegar. I place it in a container to keep in the bathroom closet and shake before using.
Turn your head to the side, or lay your child on your lap and use a medicine dropper to drop a few drops in your/their ear. Let it sit for a little bit and then tip your head the other way onto a cloth to drain. Repeat for the other ear. The alcohol dries up any liquid in the ear and the vinegar fights the infection or the other way around, either way it works!
It does not sting and is great to do when your kids get a cold or are teething just as a precaution.
Thank you for your blog it is truly a blessing in my life!
RAW HONEY…the best thing ever for burns. A few years ago, when my youngest daughter was three. She was running and fall into the woodstove that was burning hot! She caught herself going all the way with the palm of her left hand. When I picked her up the skin on that hand looked like melted wax. It was all hanging in one pile. It was gross and it was bad. She was screaming in pain. I remembered reading about honey. So I grabbed the raw honey and applied it. Wrapped it up and waited for my husband who was on his way home from work to take us to the ER. We never went. When he got home 15 minutes later, it already looked a lot better and she calmed down within in 1 minute of applying the honey. We kept it covered for about a week only putting fresh honey and bandages on in the morning and evening. Never did we wash anything off. We just added liberal amounts of honey and rewrap. Two weeks later, you could not tell that she had ever been burned. I tried it myself when I had a terrible steam burn and it worked wonders.
What a great tip! Thanks for sharing!