As promised, I’ve compiled a list of my top 10(ish) natural remedies for home health and first aid care. These are just a handful of the many great choices out there. They are tried and true by me and my family, but that doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily right for everyone. If you want to consult your GP, go for it. I find that our intuitive feelings about such matters are usually the best answers we need.
First Aid Kit:
- Witch Hazel works as an astringent, antiseptic and anti inflammatory. It is useful for insect bites and skin irritations. It is also an excellent base for diluting essential oils for topical application. Do not take internally.
- Tea Tree Oil is an antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal. It is useful for many things, some of which include: insect bites and stings, skin infections, ringworm, acne, minor scrapes and cuts, and toothaches.
- Arnica Gel is anti-inflammatory and has circulation boosting properties. May help sore muscles, sprains, strains and bruising. Do not apply to broken skin.
- Aloe Vera Gel is cooling and healing. It soothes inflammation of sunburn and mild kitchen burns.
- Calendula/Comfrey Salve. Calendula is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Combined with Comfrey’s ability to help heal wounds makes this a perfect ointment for minor cuts.
- Lavender Essential Oil is a multipurpose remedy. It has sedative, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is helpful with anxiety, insomnia, headaches, wounds and burns. Most can tolerate the oil directly on the skin but it can also be mixed with a base such as aloe, witch hazel, or even olive oil, depending on the purpose for application.
- Ginger Capsules/Chews/Tea. Ginger is antispasmodic, gas relieving and perfect for soothing digestive upsets. It is also excellent for motion sickness.
- Chamomile Tea is a gentle remedy that promotes relaxation, relieves indigestion and soothes skin irritation when applied topically.
- Vitamin C Chewables are helpful from allergies to the common cold, to helping to speed healing of bumps and bruises. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant against free radical damage. Excellent to have along in any first aid kit.
- Slippery Elm or other throat lozenge. Slippery Elm has demulcent or mucilaginous qualities that sooth inflamed throats and noses.
*Of course you’ll want to have your trusty band-aids, q tips, gauze, cotton pads, tape, rubber bands, tweezers, matches and any other methods of application and covering that suits your fancy!
Home Health Kit:
- Vitamin C Chewables. Vitamin C is a primary factor in immune strength and health. It may help shorten the duration and intensity of a cold.
- Echinacea is commonly used for boosting immunity. It is best taken at the first sin of a cold. It can treat internal infections and be used externally for woulds and burns.
- Grapefruit Seed Extract is a natural antibiotic for bacterial, viral and fungal infections. It has a very unpleasant taste in my opinion but works wonders. I’ve found the best way is to dilute the drops in orange juice. It masks the taste exceptionally.
- Colloidal Silver is a natural antibiotic. It is tasteless, non addictive and non toxic. It has been proven against most fungi, bacteria, parasites and many viruses. I have personally used the 10ppm directly in the eyes and ears to treat infections as well as internally for colds and viruses.
- Peppermint Tea soothes an upset stomach, eases congestion from the common cold and is also an antiviral. Peppermint Essential Oil can be mixed with Lavender Oil in a base of olive or jojoba and applied to the temples to help relieve headaches.
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil is antibiotic and antiviral, among other things. It is excellent for treating colds and sinus infections when used as a steam inhalation.
- Tea Tree Oil. *See First Aid.
- Clove Oil is antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic and is a good oil for the prevention of disease and infection. It is best known for a quick cure for toothache. It should not be used undiluted on the skin.
- Chamomile Tea. *See First Aid.
- Tamanu Oil is antibiotic and antiinflammatory and helps accelerate wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. It is useful for cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and stings, abrasions, psoriasis, dry or scaly skin, blisters and eczema. Tamanu oil can also be massaged into the skin to relieve neuralgia, rheumatism and sciatica.
- Egyptian Magic lists its ingredients as: olive oil, bees wax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee propolis and Divine love. While pricey, it seems to last forever because a little goes a long way. I use this cream on everything skin. Cuts, scrapes, burns, bites, stings, acne, rashes… the list goes on and on. It’s an excellent moisturizer, lip balm, even hair cream.
- Probiotics. These friendly bacteria have a profound influence on our health. When friendly microorganisms are plentiful, they inhibit the growth of pathogens, boost the immune system, manufacture important vitamins, improve digestion, and keep our bodies clean and protected from toxins.
Disclosure: I am NOT a doctor. Just a practiced parent. Always trust your instincts. These suggestions are for minor ailments that can be treated easily at home. Please see your doctor for any serious injury or health concern.
Read Part 1 of this story here.
Sources:
The Antibiotic Alternative, by Cindy Jones
The Herb Companion
The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, by Valerie Worwood
The Holistic Pediatrician, by Kathi Kemper
Healthy Healing, by Linda Page
