“More and more people are trusting natural, holistic, and alternative approaches to health care. As this demand increases, more and more classically trained physicians are learning integrative techniques.
While some may doubt the efficacy of natural, holistic medicine, its safety has been well established with many decades of experienced clinicians.
When compared to the numerous side effects and potentially severe, even fatal, reactions to various medications, integrative medicine often offers a safer approach to health care that works.” – Dr. Bob Sears, pediatrician and author of The Portable Pediatrician
So below I would like to share with you some of my natural medicine finds that are tremendously beneficial to me and my family. They will give you the confidence in how to approach life and health, will simplify your life, reduce the costs of healthcare, and benefit relationships in your family.
Bad Breath
Its easy to only think of bad breath as a first date deal breaker. However, bad breath can strike anyone, from kids to teenagers. Assuming you want to have minty fresh breath from conception through college, here’s the alternative for combating bad breath.
Generic Treatment: Probiotics
Sample Brand Name Treatment: Klaire Ther-Biotic Complete Chewables
How it works: Contains probiotics that eradicate mouth germs and xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol that reduces bacteria growth
Dosage: Chew 1-2 tablets per day 30-60 minutes after a meal
Canker Sores and Cold Sores
While its easy to confuse canker and cold sores inside the mouth, there’s a major distinction. While canker sores are not contagious, cold sores are extremely contagious. Your best bet is to steer clear of saliva from and sharing utensils with a potentially infected person.
Even though canker sores and cold sores are different, the treatment typically is the same.
Generic Treatment: L-lysine and Traumeel
How it works: Cream applied to infected area soothes discomfort and shortens sore cycle time.
Dosage: Apply liberally to affected area.
Common Mild Side Effects: Tingling, burning
You can also consider using Traumeel drops several times per day and before sleep when it comes to treating canker and cold sores.
Cavities
Cavities develop from the bacteria inside the mouth that feeds on food particles left behind after eating and drinking. Mixed together, lactic acid forms and ultimately decomposes the tooth enamel.
Assuming you want to spare yourself from dates with the drill, let’s look at some cavity prevention options and get away with simple cleanings at your dentist office.
Generic Treatment: Xylitol
Sample Brand Name Treatment: Spry Oral Rinse
How it works: Bacteria cannot break down xylitol into lactic acid; xylitol into lactic acid; xylitol helps prevent the bacteria from adhering to the enamel.
Dosage: Swish for 30 seconds in mouth.
Coxsackie Virus
If you have no clue what this virus is, another name for this malady is hand, foot, and mouth disease. Most common in children between 6 month and 3 years of age, this is a highly contagious virus that can also infect older children.
The first sign of the Coxsackie virus is usually small, white or red sores on the lips, gums, throat, or inner cheek of a child’s mouth. From there, these often-painful sores are frequently accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Excessive drooling
- Fever and fussiness
- Rashes on the hands and feet
- Reduced appetite and refusal to eat or drink due to mouth pain
While flu season usually winds down in the spring, the Coxsackie virus peaks in summer and autumn. It usually lasts one week, but can be combated sooner with some alternative treatments.
Generic Treatment: Homeopathic blend
Sample Brand Name Treatment: Traumeel-S (tablet)
How it works: The natural inflammatory contains botanical and mineral ingredients to provide relief from mouth sore pain.
Dosage: Infants and children under 6 years of age: take ½ tablet 3 times per day; Over 6 years: take one tablet 3 times per day.
Additional soothing and comforting measures that can help your child handle the virus is to make him cinnamon honey tea, a classic Ayurvedic remedy. Sipping 2 to 4 ounces 3 to 4 times per day just may Coxsackie virus sores.
Sore throat
Every so often, that scratchy feeling tells you a sore throat is on the horizon. It might be not dangerous, but its certainly a bothersome ailment that often strikes you with the coming of the colder season.
Viral infections, such as the common cold and flu, can trigger sore throats. Bacterial infections, such as strep throat, can also lead to a sore throat.
Before it turns into something more unpleasant, try treating it with these natural choices.
Generic Treatment: Herbal tea
Sample Brand Name Treatment: Traditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat Tea
How it works: Soothes sore throat symptoms
Dosage: One cup of tea as needed
Active Ingredients: Licorice root, slippery elm bark, marshmallow root
Among other home remedies galore are:
- Herbal teas with honey such as raspberry, sage, and turmeric. – sip as needed.
- Gargling – another time-tested for soothing throats. The most basic is warm water with salt, but other solutions include mixing water with apple cider vinegar, horseradish, or ginger.
- Vaporizers – cool mist can alleviate the hoarseness associated with sore throats.
Swollen Glands (Nodes)
There are several possible causes for swollen glands including infection, virus, immune disorders, and even simple inflammation. Sore throat, stuffy nose, and fever may also accompany enlarged and tender lymph nodes.
The next time you feel that bulge under your jaw, consider these natural treatment option to reduce pain and sooth discomfort.
GENERIC TREATMENT: Lymph massage
Set Of 8 100% Pure Essential Oils Set Made in USA 10ml-Aromatherapy and Therapeutic Grade
HOW IT WORKS: Massage stimulates the flow of lymph, which helps filter foreign substances and fight infection.
DOSAGE: Massage gently every few hours as needed
Essential oils, like lavender, can help soothe and decrease swelling in the lymph nodes when added to the massage routine. Many oils, like chamomile, also contain natural chemicals that counteract inflammation to help soothe swollen nodes.
Runny Nose / Nasal Congestion
Runny noses are not exclusive to the common cold. Allergies cause runny nose when you’re exposed to the allergen. Cold days even cause runny noses.
Whether your runny nose stems from a cold or allergies, you’ll want to find an effective treatment.
GENERIC TREATMENT: Allium cepa
SAMPLE BRAND NAME TREATMENT: Coldcalm pellets (Boiron)
HOW IT WORKS: Temporary relieves runny nose symptoms
DOSAGE: Five pellets every 20 minutes for one hour, then five pellets every two hours until symptoms relieved.
Home remedies for tackling a runny nose are abound. Here are some suggestions:
- Nettle tea – boil water and drop in some nettle herb to ease nasal passage inflammation, congestion, and itchiness.
- Saline solution – use store bought spray or make your own solution – dissolve ½ teaspoon of non-iodized (sea) salt into a 4-ounce glass of warm distilled water.
GERD / Reflux
“GERD” stands for “Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease”, a fancy way of saying that food or drink are coming back up the wrong way from the stomach.
The most common symptoms of GERD include coughing, “heartburn”, gas, stomach pain, or vomiting shortly after consuming food.
Food allergies and sensitivities – and less commonly, medication reactions and neurological conditions –may also be to blame of these digestive problems.
Here’s a look at the treatment options to consider if you or your close ones are suffering from GERD.
GENERIC TREATMENT: Turmeric
SAMPLE BRAND NAME TREATMENT: Lee Silsby Enhansa
HOW IT WORKS: Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and aids in digestion.
DOSAGE: 75-600 mg per day doctor’s instructions
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Curcumin
A small amount of apple cider vinegar
