As a rehabilitating “conventional medicine” user I have been building up our natural medicine cabinet essentials over the past 9 years or so (ever since our first son was born). I grew up with and worked in conventional Western medicine and was placed on numerous antibiotics as a child for recurring strep throat. Needless to say I reaped the not so great benefits of too much medication at a young age (hello gut issues).
But with growing information about the overuse of antibiotics and the worry of my own kid’s long-term health, I began looking more into natural remedies. Things that will ease the symptoms but also support a health immune response so our bodies can fend off dis-ease naturally.
I am by no means against Western medicine at all. It can absolutely be lifesaving. But our days of running to the doctor due to the smallest cold symptoms are over. Now we utilize our natural medicine cabinet essentials at the first signs of illness or give our immune systems a boost. Here are some of most used and effective essentials.
This is NOT medical advice and I am not a physician. Please always consult your physician or certified healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medications, even natural and/or over-the-counter (OTC).
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For Fevers
Our favorite tincture is Earthley Wellness “Feel Better Fast” tincture. As soon as any of us start feeling feverish we take the designated number of drops several times a day and are generally feeling better by the next day. It is also good for upset stomach and general feelings of “unwellness”.
The “cold wet sock method” is another great way to help bring down a fever overnight. We use this method by soaking plain cotton socks in ice water…while they soak, take a warm bath with Epsom salts and bentonite clay then put on warm pajamas. Next, wring out the cotton socks, put them on and cover with a pair of wool socks. Then crawl into bed and the fever often breaks overnight.
Flu and Flu-like
I buy a box or two of Boiron Oscillococcinum every year. We almost never go through it but it’s helpful to have on hand. While you are supposed to consume an entire tube at once, if it’s too much to take it can be dissolved in a tiny amount of water (this is how I have administered it to my youngest). It relieves body aches and fevers fairly rapidly and can potentially help to shorten the length of illness.
We will use the Feel Better Fast tincture as well as homemade elderberry syrup in tandem with this. I also make a tea of sliced fresh ginger root, whole cloves, immunity essential oil blend recipe is often used when sickness is running rampant in school or at home.
Sore Throat and Cough
Earthley Wellness also makes a great cough tincture, Cough-B-Gone. The taste can be a little strong for kids so we also have Boiron Chestal Kids meltaway pellets (there is also a Chestal Kids syrup) on hand as well as Boiron Spongia totsa for adults. Also really like the Organic Olivia cough syrup. It has a strong menthol taste but works well. And for sore throat/cough I LOVE Olbas Lozenges. These are great even for relieving those raw feeling winter sore throats.
Gargling with salt water and drinking warm water with honey and lemon are classics and safe for kids but for adults we also use Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat in Slippery Elm flavor. It’s great for throats and gut health.
Stomach Bug
Not much to be done for stomach bugs other than run their course and stay as hydrated as possible but I do always have activated charcoal and probiotics on hand as well as some digestive system supporting essential oils. And once again, the Feel Better Fast tincture can help with slight upset stomach issues.
Other than that we just try to do rice cooked in bone broth to add bulk when there is diarrhea and small sips of electrolytes for vomiting…and wait for the storm to pass.
Stuffy Nose and Seasonal Allergies
The kids and I all suffer from varying degrees of allergies so I always have things on hand for these. We are always diffusing essential oils for stuffiness…lavender, lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, frankincense.
Nasal sprays are the best for keeping nasal passages moistened and flowing. Our favorites are ION Sinus Support, colloidal silver and Xclear.
For seasonal allergy relief we use Organic Olivia Spring Defense (amazing!), Earthley “Sinus Saver”, Springboard D-Hist Jr., Genexa Kids Allergy Care (homeopathic blend). And because sometimes our allergies are just too out of control, a bottle of Genexa Kids Allergy medicine (diphenhydramine HCL- same active ingredient as Benadryl) is kept on hand in case of emergencies (obviously not natural but sometimes necessary).
Ear Aches
Usually ear aches for my kids mean they will end up on antibiotics but we sometimes beat the odds by starting these mullein/garlic drops early on. A couple drops of this with a warm, dry compress on top helps to ease the pain and start some antibacterial therapy in the ear.
Menstrual Cramps
I used to pop OTC pain relievers during but have switched teas and homeopathy with success. Traditional Medicinals Healthy Cycle Tea and Boiron Caulophyllum thalictroides work really well and I usually just have to use them once. They also have a meltaway called Cycle Ease for both PMS symptoms and cramps.
This post will be updated from time-to-time as we continue to add or subtract from our natural medicine cabinet essentials.
