The Natural Remedies Cabinet On the following pages you will find lists of natural health products-food supplements, medicines and basic equipment-that you may want to keep at home. Some of these items you may already have on hand; others you will have to buy. Resist the temptation to purchase large numbers of natural medicines. Most of these products have a limited shelf life, so keep only those that you think will be helpful for common ailments or first aid. Buy or make anything else only when you need it, so you won’t have to discard expired products. Make sure that remedies remain clearly labeled and that implements are cleaned after each use. Purchase replcements before they are needed.
The uses described for the remedies in this section are for general refrerence only . Please be caution concernings each type of natural therapy.
Check appropriate entry for more detailed guidance on using natural remedies for specific ailments.
Safe Storage Natural remedies should be kept in the same way as other kinds of medicines in a cool place (or the refrigerator, when included) and away from children, sunlight and humidity.
| Vitamin, minerals and other supplements |
Keep your basic stock to a minimum. The following products are useful for many families: |
- Multiple vitamin and mineral supplement: Particularly helpful if your eating habits are poor. Special vitamin and mineral supplements are available for certain times of life (such as during pregnancy).
- Starflower (borage) or evening primerose oil: A good source of omega-6 fatty acids if your diet or digestion is poor. These oils are also recommended if you suffer from premenstrual syndrome.
- Fish oil capsules (krill oil) : An alternative source of fatty acids .
- Vitamin C :500 miligram vitamin C tablets with flavonoids (as vitamin C complex or as separate items) can help at the first sign of vital or bacterial infection, for inflammatory conditions , for daily use if you a smoker, or if your diet is lacking in vitamin C..
- Vitamin E: Helps protect against heart disease; enhances the immune systems ; aids the skin healing. Especially good for people with circulatory disorders.
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| Flower essences |
If you are frequently affected by mineral or physical distress and you find that flower remedies helps, stock those that most closely match your emotions. The following are good standbys for most people; |
- Olive: For stress.
- Rescue Remedy: For emotional shock or physical trauma , such as may follow a fall or other injury.
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| Herbal Remedies |
Select those remedies that you consider appropriate for your family’s needs.Read for safety concerns. |
- Aloe vera gel: for burns or to soothe irritated skin (use leaf from a houseplant or commercial preparation).
- Arnica cream : For bruises , sprains and chiblains (distinc from the homeopathic cream of the same name.)
- Black cohosh or dong quai: For menstrual and menopausal problems.
- Chamomile flowers/leaves or teabags : For anxiety ; anxiety –provoked wind , nausea, indigestion, diarrhea and sleep problems; itching ; menstrual pain; and infections.
- Comfrey-based ointment or lotion: For sprains and strains when skin is not broken.
- Cramp bark : For menstrual pain and leg cramps.
- Echinacea tincture: For boosting resistance to infection and to counter allergic reactions and inflammation.
- Elder flowers: For fevers and allergic rhinitis.
- Eyebright : For colds and influenza.
- Fennel seeds: for wind and indigestion.
- Ginfger : For nausea, wind and cold extreminities.
- Myrrth tincture: For mouth ulcers, gum disease and sore throat.
- Slippery elm: For indigestion and splinters.
- Witch hazel liquid: For cuts, scrapes , bruises, insect bites, varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
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| Aromatherapy oils |
Select from the following list the essential oils that you think will be most useful . You will also need cold-pressed vegetable, nuts or seed oil for diluting essential oils other than lavender, tea tree and clove. |
- Cloves : For tootheache
- Eucalyptus: For respiratory infections and fungal skin infections.
- Lavender : For burns, insect bites ,cold sores, aching muscles, weakness, anxiety, headaches, depression, sleep problems and splinters.
- Pepper mint: for upper respiratory infections, fever, irritable bowel syndrome, and cuts and gazes.
- Roman chamomile : For fever, insomnia and inflammatory conditions.
- Tea tree oil: For bacterial and fungal skin infections, and vaginal yeast infections.
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| Homeopathic remedies |
These remedies need to be selected according to the precise nature of your symptoms. However , the following are applicable to a wide range of conditions and are good to have on hand. Choose 12c or 6x potency for remedies taken by mouth. |
- Aconite: For sudden onset of high fever.
- Arnica tablets or cream: For bruise (the homeopathic cream is distinct from herbal arnica cream.)
- Belladonna: For headache.
- Coffea: For insomnia.
- Hypercal (St.John’s wort and calendula): As cream ot topical solution for chiblains and other skin problems.
- Ipecacuanha: For nausea.
- Ledum: For puncture wounds.
- Nux vomica: For nausea.
- Rhus toxicodendron: For sprains and strains.
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| Useful items |
- Glass droppers: for measuring essential oils.
- Skin brush or loofah: for boosting circulation if you have cold hands and feets or varicose veins.
- Hot-water or heatable pad: for the relief of abdominal cramps and muscle aches.
- Thermometer : for measuring temperature ( the ear type is most accurate and easy to use.)
- Ice pack: for sprains and bruises.
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See also Kitchen cabinet basics and First-aid kit.
