Natural Products to Assist Your Daily Living
Quite often we dismiss natural products as a first measure to use when we are ill. We have perhaps been programmed to some extent to expect quick relief for pain and to use other prescribed medications and we don’t think about natural remedies as being able to assist us in our daily living, but they can often help with many problems so we are not as reliant on drugs.
Natural remedies can assist with a number of issues in our daily life –for example Cramp Bark (otherwise known as Viburnum opulus) is a great alternative when you have period pains as it relaxes all the muscles rather than just numbing away the pain as common pain killers do. It is best in a tincture for this reason as it goes easily into the bloodstream.
Whilst on the subject of pain we need to also look at Arnica which is great for removing bruises, puffiness and swelling as well as easing pain. It can also be used to help with headaches if taken internally and to calm your nervous system in the case of trauma.
Lavender also is a good remedy for a headache or if you are feeling stressed and down. You can rub it in your pressure points – wrists, temples, small of the throat, under your nose. It will assist you to come into emotional balance but don’t use too much of it as that can have the reverse effect. Also remember that Rescue Remedy is a flower essence mixture you can buy in health food stores to help you stay calm, ease shock, relieve emotional fatigue and it can also assist with calming the nervous system during panic attacks.
If the pain you have needs numbing however as in the case of a toothache remember the old remedy of clove oil which will numb your mouth as well as prevent tooth infections from spreading as it has anti-bacterial properties. It can also numb the skin if that’s what you need but remember it should not be swallowed.
More commonly during those winter months Echinacea, a natural boost for your immune system due to its antibacterial and antibiotic properties, will help you if you feel as though you are getting cold or flu. If you have a sore throat just start dosing yourself up with about 5000mg twice a day. Combine this with a Vitamin B and C and you will find you will often ward off the worst of colds and flu. Even if you don’t, the immunity boost will help you get over it quicker. Follow that with a cup of sweet licorice tea for a sore, dry, scratchy throat.
Goldenseal can also be added to the Echinacea as this herb is also antibacterial and antibiotic. Used topically and applied to open cuts it can stop them from becoming infected and is good for the digestion in that it can ward off parasites. Mix this with Ginger it can be very soothing for nausea or an irritated stomach. Add to this Peppermint tea for bloating or flatulence and Licorice to get your bowels moving and you will find very soon your stomach problems will be a problem of the past.
Tea Tree Oil is our very own well known Australian remedy which is a disinfectant so it can be used to clean scratches and cuts, on face pimples and in a neti pot to clean the sinuses. It is strong so it needs to be mixed with water. It reduces fungal activity so you can use it for tinea or anywhere the body needs to be cleansed. It can make a good natural mouthwash and you can combine it with Prunella vulgaris which is also antibiotic, antiseptic and astringent to help cuts heal faster and prevent infections. Add to this some Aloe Vera which is great for the skin in general – especially if you accidentally get sun burnt.
Lastly we cannot forget Neem which is a sacred plant in India used for all sorts of things from top to toe. When applied to your feet it can abate tinea and brushing with it will keep your teeth healthy. It is a great air freshener or insect repellent but it has a strong medical smell so you may want to think where before you use it.
Remember it is also important to drink lots of water to flush the toxins out of the body when you are using natural remedies to assist in general with your healing.
The above makes quite a list of natural products which perhaps you may not have thought of using. So next time, before you reach for the pain killers, have a think of where the discomfort is, and if there is a natural remedy for it. Or better still, why not stock up with a few things in your cupboards now, before you get ill? I am sure you will be in no mood to look for Cramp Bark or Lavender oil if you have a heavy period or a bad headache.
