Using natural remedies safely
Consult a naturopath, herbalist, or other holistic professional. Always consult an herbalist or another professional who specializes in natural remedies when considering herbs, essential oils, or supplements for injuries and illnesses.
Follow directions. Read and follow directions given to you on labels or as suggested by a professional.
Don’t mix and match. Before using more than one natural remedy, make sure there are no potential interactions. Likewise, if you have an existing medical condition and are on medication, ask your doctor if it safe to also use an herbal remedy.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. Though herbal remedies can be a natural cure, they do not always work. If your symptoms worsen or last more than a few days, go see your doctor.
Do not use herbal remedies on your children without consult. Natural remedies may work for you, but they may not be effective - and can even be dangerous - for your kids. Discuss treatments with a naturopath or other qualified professional before administering. And keep your herbal remedies out of the reach of your children for their safety.
Be cautious if you are pregnant. Talk to a professional before using any natural remedies while you are pregnant. Most culinary herbs are safe to eat (particularly ginger in treating morning sickness) but there are some herbs that can stimulate the muscles of the uterus. Avoid blue cohosh, goldenseal, juniper, pennyroyal, and yarrow. Additionally, essential oils to avoid are basil, chamomile, juniper, lavendar, marjoram, myrrh, pennyroyal, sage, and thyme.
Do not injest essential oils. Essential oils are for external use and, further, should be diluted unless specified otherwise.
Allergies happen. If you have a history of allergies to specific plants, you could have an allergic reaction to herbal remedies derived from those plants or from the family of those plants. Consult a professional before using any plant-derived treatments.
Herbal Remedies to keep in your medicine cabinet
The following herbal remedies should be available from most health food stores.
Aloe Vera
If you don’t happen to have an aloe plant in your kitchen, you can soothe burns, scratches, and other skin irritations with aloe vera cream or lotion. Aloe is also used to smooth stretch marks, soothe eczema, and treat warts.
Arnica
Arnica comes in homeopathic tablets, cream, and massage oils. It is effective in treating physical maladies like aching muscles, bruises, and sprains. If you are a hard-core athlete or a weekend warrior, arnica can come to the rescue in your post-exercise recovery. The homeopathic tablets are often used in treating emotional shock and trauma.
Calendula
Derived from the marigold, calendula cream is used on acne, athlete’s foot, bug bites or stings, diaper rash, boils, and minor skin wounds.
Chamomile
Chamomile isn’t just a tea (although the chamomile tea can cure insomnia, indigestion, and nausea). Chamomile oil can be used on diaper rash (add one drop to two teaspoons of almond oil and rub on affected skin). Chamomile cream can relieve sore, itchy skin, bug bites and stings, sore nipples from breastfeeding, and eczema.
Clove
For a toothache, dab a couple of drops of this warm spice's essential oil on the sore area. And if you like the aroma of clove, add it to a diffuser according to manufacturer’s directions.
Echinacea
This immune system stimulator, commonly called the purple coneflower, can be used in supplement or tincture form to combat colds, flu, coughs, and fevers.
Garlic
Garlic is a heart-healthy culinary herb that also comes in capsules to treat colds and flu, digestive infections, and lower blood pressure.
Hypericum
This flower-derived herbal remedy is well-known as St. John’s Wort. In addition to treating depression, hypericum oil is used to soothe minor wounds and burns (due to its strong antibiotic properties). And hypericum cream can be rubbed on aching muscles and joints for pain relief.
Lavender
The pretty purple herb lavender can reduce irritability and headaches as well as be used on bug bites or stings. Dilute a few drops of lavender essential oil in a base oil and rub on sore muscles and joints or your temples for pain relief. Add a few drops to your bath before bed to induce sleep. Dab undiluted on bug bites and stings.
Tea Tree Oil
A pungent smelling essential oil, tea tree oil is used to treat a wide variety of ailments. For stings, burns, athlete’s foot, ringworm, warts, and acne, dilute a few drops in a tablespoon of base oil and rub on affected area. For vaginal thrush, mix a couple of drops with a teaspoon of olive oil and rub onto a tampon. Insert tampon for two to three hours at a time.
Valerian
If insomnia or stress are getting the best of you, take valerian tablets. Valerian is a hardy flower that has been used as a perfume as well as dessicated into pill form as a sedative and anxiolytic.
Willow Bark
The active ingredient in aspirin comes from willow bark. In its natural form, willow bark or white willow tablets can be taken to soothe arthritis pain, sore muscles and joints, headaches, high fevers, and even reduce night sweats and hot flashes related to menopause.
Witch Hazel
Distilled witch hazel, an astringent, can treat insect bites and stings, acne, rashes, eczema, bruises, swelling, and varicose veins.
There are hundreds more herbal remedies. Talk to your local naturopath or holistic health professional to get more information on how natural remedies can benefit you and your family.
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