Top 10 Natural Helps (Part 1)

A "from the vault" post, but one some found useful.

And another disclaimer--folks, I'm not a doctor. :) I cannot diagnose, cure, or treat any illness or disease. :) I can only share info I've found while on one of my obsession-fueled quests for information.

When I began formally studying nutrition, I made a list of the "Top Ten," according to the author Dr. Andrew Weil.

A couple of months later, I created a 2nd list! I'll re-visit those soon, too!

©iStockphoto.com/Dimitris Stephanides

My favorites have expanded even more since, so there will be a Part 3, complete with pictures! You'll see the inside of my own "Natural Medicine Chest," which has a good variety of things suitable for our whole family. :)

And then there's the list of my favorite Essential Oils, Homeopathics, and pictures of my making a homemade herbal first-aid salve. This could go on for awhile!

While my summaries are mostly according to Dr. Weil's Guide to Optimum Health, I know there are plenty of other thoughts, ideas, etc. that can be added, so if you know of benefits not listed, feel free to add input in the comments section.

When I originally wrote this, I was pregnant with my 4th child, so any references to morning sickness are from that pregnancy. I didn't want to get anyone excited. :) No news of Baby #6 (yet!)

Before venturing out on your own, I highly recommend seeking out the services of a qualified Naturopath. If you live in or around the Ozarks, I can suggest one for you, otherwise asking at a local health food/natural living store is a good place to start.

A small sampling of what's in my own "medicine cabinet"

1) Echinacea: helpful for shortening the duration of colds and simple infections. We keep Echinacea in our home in a tincture form and it is truly helpful during cold and allergy season. As soon as I hear a sniffle, he or she gets about a dropper full.

2) Chamomile may be used as a stomach soother, helpful with colic and for relaxation. I drink it at night when I feel queasy (have I mentioned that's starting to set in just a small bit? Just every now and then I'll feel it).

3) Peppermint is a stomach soother and is helpful for Upper GI distress and IBS. I thought this was neat, because when I was pregnant with Elena (my 3rd pregnancy), I naturally wanted and ate a lot of peppermint when I had morning sickness. I had to drink two cups of peppermint tea just this morning.

I also have a bottle of peppermint oil that I use to flavor herbal teas.

4) Garlic, preferably fresh. Garlic is helpful for blood pressure, cholesterol, and can even be recommended as a blood thinner--so I'd say all around heart health with this one. Garlic is also considered the only "true" nutritional anti-biotic.

5) Ginseng includes a warning that it can interfere with sleep. It's known to increase longevity and energy. Dr. Weil also notes that it's good for the elderly.

6) Ginkgo, which increases blood circulation and increases mental stimulation, but only if the person's lack of mental clarity is a result of poor circulation.

7) Ginger and Tumeric are both anti-inflammatories. Ginger is also a stomach soother which helps with motion sickness and nausea. We have a bottle of encapsulated Ginger which we find useful. Tumeric is a good partner with Ginger and helps to work with hormones dealing with immunity.

During my 5th pregnancy, I found candied ginger (NOT to be confused with ginger flavored candy) very useful during the early bout of morning sickness. 

8) Gentian helps to stimulate the digestive system.

9) Tea Tree Oil is a staple in our home. I have a good size bottle of 100% pure Tea Tree Oil, which is used quite a bit. It's a disinfectant, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial which is great for first aid for small cuts and bites, etc. Elena is our bug magnet, especially mosquitoes.

I also have a bottle of a Tea Tree/Lavender combo, which we use equally as much.

10) Milk Thistle is a liver tonic. It's also recommended to help with Hepatitis viruses and strengthening and protecting the liver.

Do you have additional info for any of the items listed above? If so, please share in the comments section or visit the group on FB. :)

Sharing with The Better Mom, The Time-Warp Wife, These Five of Mine Plus Two, Raising Homemakers, Growing Home, Raising Arrows, Little Natural Cottage, Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling, Hearts 4 Home, Raising Mighty Arrows, and The Modest Mom 

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