Natural Medicine Cabinet with a Soothing Antiseptic Recipe

Over the last couple of years my medicine cabinet has had a complete overhaul. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines not only suppress symptoms and impede your body's ability to heal itself but they are comprised of synthetic chemicals that are highly toxic to you and your family.  No one wants to suffer when they are sick or injured so below is a list of natural remedies that do not just cover up symptoms but actually help your body to recover and mend in a timely manner.

***Please confer with your licensed health care practitioner before taking any herbs if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or going to be administering anything new to an infant. I am not a doctor and everyone has unique health needs. Do not give honey to an infant under 1 year of age. Eucalyptus essential oil should not be used with children under 10 years of age.***


Colds/Flu/Viral or Bacterial Infections

• Bone broth: beneficial for healthy blood cells and strengthens the immune system.
• Elderberry Syrup: anti-viral and anti-inflammatory. Helps relieve nasal congestion.
• Echinacea tea or extract: potent anti-viral and my personal go-to when I feel a cold coming on. If you buy the extract and it doesn't make your tongue go a little numb, then it is not the real deal.
• Slippery Elm tea: helps soothe sore throats.You can usually find this at your local grocer.
• Eucalyptus essential oil: with a towel draped over your head and a steaming bowl of water, add a few drops of the oil to the water and inhale to help open congested airways. (Not for children under 10.)
• Local Raw Honey: great cough suppressant. (Not for infants under 1 year.)
• Garlic and Olive Oil: smash a garlic clove in a teaspoon of warmed olive oil and place a couple drops in the ear for aches or infection. Repeat as needed and refrigerate any leftover oil.

Allergies

• Local Raw Honey: 1 teaspoon per day. This could take a few weeks so be patient. (Not for infants under 1 year.)
• Peppermint tea: extracts of the leaves have been shown to inhibit histamine release.

Insomnia

• Chamomile tea: mild relaxant and also has sedative properties.
• Room Freshener: spray on linens before going to bed to help calm and soothe the mind.
• Take 10 deep breaths. Breathing in as much as you can and fully exhaling right before bed.

Heartburn/Upset Stomach/Intestinal Complaints

• Activated Charcoal: antacid remedy, powerful absorbent in the stomach and intestinal track that also picks up harmful bacteria to pass it through the body. This can cause constipation if over-used but it is useful in treating diarrhea.
• Psyllium Husk: great for constipation- a natural alternative to Metamucil.
• Peppermint tea: soothes an upset stomach, aids in digestion and helps relieve bloating and gas.
• Chamomile tea: relieves heartburn, indigestion and colic.
• Ginger tea: anti-nausea. Can usually find at your local grocer.
• Bone broth: great anti-inflammatory and also is very healing to the digestive tract.

Pain/Sprains and Bruises

• Turmeric tea: potent anti-inflammatory. Great for arthritis pain.
• Aloe Vera plant: gel squeezed from a cut leaf is very soothing and healing for burns. Easy to grow and care for- every home should have one.
• Arnica cream: reduces pain and swelling and promotes healing. Do not use on broken skin or take internally.
• Peppermint tea: cooled and applied to the nipple prevents cracks and pain in breastfeeding mothers.
• Epsom Salts: 1 cup poured under running bath water helps relieve sore muscles.
• Lavender Bug Bite Balm: DIY balm great for itchy or painful bug bites.

Fungal Infections

• Tea Tree Oil: a couple of drops neat (straight from the bottle) onto the infected toe or nail. Repeat until infection is gone.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: soak a cotton ball and place over the wart, with medical tape, and leave overnight. Repeat until wart falls off.
• Oil of Oregano: apply a little to Plantar warts every morning and night until they are gone.

Cuts and Scrapes

Soothing Antiseptic Vinegar Living Life Granola Printable recipe here

1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup distilled water 30 drops tea tree oil 15 drops lavender essential oil 15 drops bergamot essential oil Mix all the ingredients in a finger pump spray bottle. Let sit for at least 24 hours in a dark cabinet before use.

Humans have been healing and treating themselves for thousands of years before the advent of OTC's. This is actually a small list in comparison to all the natural remedies out there but I hope this will get you started in the right direction!

Linked with the Simply Natural Saturdays blog series.