Author | |
Patty LeVasseur Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline Posts: 238
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 9:23am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I was organizing my medicine cabinet and found a list of things that should be in every medicine cabinet (like bandages, cold medicine, etc.) I wanted to ask those of you who favor a more natural approach what you think are the medicine cabinet essentials.
__________________ Patty
mom to four blessings
|
Back to Top |
|
|
MaryMary Forum All-Star
Joined: July 04 2006 Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline Posts: 535
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 9:50am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Echinacea and a good vitamin C (Emergen-C) for staving off colds etc. and acidophilus to build up good bacteria to fight off any infections.
Mary
Mom 2 3
|
Back to Top |
|
|
JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline Posts: 12234
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 10:07am | IP Logged
|
|
|
arnica - homeopathic for bruising and swelling (great for things like sprains as well as the big ol' knots from a hard fall - also helps with bleeding injuries.. I take it immediately after a birth, and I've given it to my kids before dental work (had one child have a couple teeth taken out, just a bit early)
bromelain - enzyme from pineapple, also for bruising but any soft tissue injury (including sore muscles) helps reduce swelling and speed healing.. often can be used instead of NSAIDs and won't build up in your system the way NSAIDs do (you don't have to increase doseage over time for the same relief for long term use)
paste toothpaste - haven't found anything to work so well on bee stings as plain ol' paste toothpaste.. you can get it on quick.. you can carry a small tube with you.. it starts helping right away and within several hours it's gone.
red raspberry leaf - capsules or tea.. absolutely wonderful at helping balance hormones/emotions
herbal ear drops (usually a mix with garlic, mullien maybe golden seal) but can be used at first hint of earache and often head off any infection.
definately vit. C - allergies use up vitamin C so taking more vit. C can actually reduce/eliminate allergic reactions.. at least for the hay fever variety.. it helps the others but I don't know how much.
colloidal silver - I use this pretty sparingly but it works so well on pink eye.. I can use it at the very first hint and treat all eyes in the house and stop it dead in it's tracks. (which is so important with all the eyes around here)
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Lisbet Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2006 Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline Posts: 2706
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 10:28am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I second all Jodie said, especially the arnica, I keep it in gel and tincture.
__________________ Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
|
Back to Top |
|
|
hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline Posts: 5980
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 10:36am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Lavendar essential oil; vitamin E cream; peppermint essential oil, red thyme eo (also jojoba oil or some other carrier oil for mixing these eo's into --we mix the peppermint and red thyme along with euchalyptus (sp? doesn't look right to me), then apply to throat, chest, jawbone below and behind ear, then keep cotton ball used for application on pillow when kids are stuffy, coughing).
Sea salt for making gargle or swishing in mouth for small sores that may develop.
Peace,
Nancy
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Sharie Forum Rookie
Joined: July 06 2006 Location: Wyoming
Online Status: Offline Posts: 26
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 11:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Since discovering essential oils, our home will never be without them again. All my children know how to use them and LOVE them (even though they thought Mom was a bit crazy when she first brought them home!)
Lavender and peppermint are must haves. Then we use many blends from the company we buy from. They aren't cheap, but you don't have to use much either. We don't have any health insurance so I figure that I can spend some of the money I would use toward premiums for prevention and natural care.
Our 17yo ds, who plays football, wouldn't be without Lemongrass. He has pulled a few muscles and finds great relief with the oils.
We also use other homeopathics and herbs when needed, but rely mostly on EO's. One word of caution....don't just buy any EO's as many are diluted with various substances and can cause more harm than good.
Blessings,
Sharie
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Lisbet Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2006 Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline Posts: 2706
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 11:50am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sharie, Could you steer me in a good direction to learn more about using various eo's? I always have lavender and tto on hand, and euchalyptus for cold season, but I'd love to learn more and broaden our use of them. Thanks so much!
__________________ Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
|
Back to Top |
|
|
hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline Posts: 5980
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 11:59am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Lisa -
This is not Sharie, but I can share with you the best book I've found on the subject of using essential oils. (DUH! I've misspelled 'lavender' about 2000 times in the last 24 hours!)
Anyway, the book is The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. You can probably find it at Amazon.
I'm with Sharie - we are 'hooked' on essential oils around here -- use them also to wake up sleepy brains (lemon and rosemary in a diffuser), among other things. They aren't a cure, but often treat symptoms and prevent some little thing from getting too big, so you can make people comfortable while, say, a cold runs its course.
Peace,
Nancy
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Elizabeth Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005 Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline Posts: 5595
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 1:06pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
No time to add extensively but Tea Tree Oil is a must around here. And I use this flow chart and stock up at Tri Light Herbs.
__________________ Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
Back to Top |
|
|
organiclilac Forum All-Star
Joined: March 30 2006 Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline Posts: 640
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 4:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Don't forget the wonder drug you carry around in your own "medicine chest" - breastmilk is great for scrapes, burns, ear infections, pinkeye, and warts!
|
Back to Top |
|
|
momwise Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2005 Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1914
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
organiclilac wrote:
Don't forget the wonder drug you carry around in your own "medicine chest" - breastmilk is great for scrapes, burns, ear infections, pinkeye, and warts! |
|
|
What a great reminder.
We have quite a few of the items listed above plus "Golden Salve" which is an ointment of oils and calendula, Vit. E, Beeswax, Comfrey and Yellowdock roots and a few other things. It's great for the chapped lips and under the nose where it gets so painful during allergies and colds.
For cramps a tea of fresh ginger and Lemon Balm and Chamomile works great for my dd.
I second the Euchalyptus oil which I use in a small steamer for head colds and stuffed noses. Aloe Vera plants are the best for burns but the liquid is what I'm using right now. I refrigerate it and apply it to burns with a cotton ball.
This is a great topic!
__________________ Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Rebecca Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 30 2005 Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1898
|
Posted: Sept 14 2006 at 10:54pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I keep the homeopathic remedy Ipecac, on hand because it works wonders at stopping vomiting in my children.
|
Back to Top |
|
|
|
|