Go Natural: Try These Remedies At Home!
More and more people are looking for alternatives to conventional medicine when it comes to coughs, colds and common sicknesses. Tylenol and advil may help you or your child feel better in the moment, but does it actually help the healing process? Usually, it prolongs the process by masking what is really going on. I highly recommend natural remedies to the families I take care of in order to help the body heal from whatever it is experiencing. There are no side effects, no damage to the liver or kidneys and most of these things are household items that are sitting in your kitchen right now! So next time you or your child is expressing symptoms, try to support the body naturally before reaching for the medicine cabinet. You may find that your body will respond better!
Apple Cider Vinegar: anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal; Can be used topically to aid with skin infections or rashes, or can be taken orally mixed with water or apple juice; great for sore throat, fighting infection, and settling upset stomachs
Garlic: anti-viral and anti-bacterial, contains allicin which is the major healing agent;
odorless capsules are great for kids to boost immune system in fighting infection or cold-like symptoms, also great for ear infections (use in oil form, or crush fresh garlic and mix into olive oil, strain out the garlic and put drops of olive oil into the ear)
Honey: great for using on any sort of skin rashes, wounds, bug bites, shingles; use raw or unpasteurized honey (Manuka honey is a great type to use) for best healing properties. Do not use on babies less than 18 months old; also mix with warm water and lemon for throat soother
Oatmeal: helps to relieve itchy skin, eczema, chicken pox, etc. Best used in a bath (Aveeno Oatmeal Bath is a good brand), or put oatmeal into a blender so it is fine and wrap in cheesecloth to drop into the bath. Add a few drops of lavender to help with soothing skin
Potato: contains pectin and enzymes that help draw out infections; great for infections on finger nail or toe nails; slice a piece of raw potato and tape onto infected area throughout the night. Also great for pink eye or eye infections (best to use right at the onset); shred potato [or apple] onto a paper towel and press onto eye, allowing the juices to seep into the affected eye.
*breast milk is the best for pink eye*
Salt: Mix sea salt with warm water and gargle to soothe sore throat; also soak in Epsom salt bath (magnesium chloride) to help with detoxification
Oil of Oregano: Comes in oil or tablets; strong immune booster in fighting off colds, infections, flu-like symptoms
Mullein Oil: great for ear aches or ear infections; can be mixed with garlic to make garlic mullein oil, put a drop or two into the affected ear
Colloidal Silver: helps fight off colds and sore throats, comes in drop forms or as a throat spray; take sparingly
Dr. Morgan owns and operates Connection Cafe Chiropractic in Union City, CA. She specializes in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care. Growing up in a holistic household, Dr. Morgan uses natural remedies when her body starts to express symptoms from time to time. In fact, she has never had a drug in her body...no tylenol, no advil, no midol, etc. By allowing her body's natural healing processes to run uninterrupted, her immune system is strong an always ready to fight off whatever it needs to.
