Create Your Own Herbal Medicine Chest

Creating a home medicine chest using natural products is not only a smart thing to do but it's easy as well. Many people may not know that many natural products can replace over the counter medications. These medications do not assist the body in healing itself and often times can leave toxic residues in the body. In our home we have eliminated products from our medicine chest that contain toxic ingredients including over the counter cough syrups, cold medicines, and various upset stomach remedies. We have replaced them with natural products because they are non-toxic, gentle, and healing to the body.

Here are some ideas to get you started in setting up your natural medicine chest. Golden Salve which is an herbal ointment that helps tissues heal rapidly and can be used on external tissue damage including burns, hemorroids, sores, scratches, cuticles, diaper rash, etc. Also try it as a lip balm it heals and soothes. Golden Salve can be used in place of neosporin due to its anti-bacterial properties. Black Ointment, a drawing and healing salve, can be used for boils, splinters/slivers, infection, tumors, etc.

Herbal Trim Skin Treatment is an herbal food for dry, damaged or inactive skin. Some of its uses include reduction of pain and inflammation of fire ant bites, bee stings and other skin irritants such as diaper rash. It also helps control the itching of chicken pox and shingles.

Having a cough remedy readily available is very important especially for children. Cough Syrup DH is for the relief of dry, hoarse coughs accompanying minor illness, allergies and throat irritations. Cough Syrup LP is for the relief of congested coughs with loose phlegm and difficult expectoration. Cough Syrup NT helps with the persistent nighttime cough that disturbs sleep and is due to minor illness. Unlike over the counter cough syrups, which contain dyes, preservatives and sugar, these cough syrups are natural homeopathic remedies which means they stimulate the body's natural healing force. Some of the other homeopathic remedies from Nature's Sunshine you may find suitable for you and your family are Asthma, Inflammation, Migraquel for headaches and migraines, Pain, Sprains and Pulls, Allergies-Hayfever/Pollen, Caffeine Detox, Tobacco Detox, and Distress Remedy (Flower Remedy).

Stocking Your Home Medicine Cabinet

Here are some suggestions for items to keep on hand for your home medicine chest.

Start with some some standard first aid supplies, like bandages, gauze, tape, real cotton balls and so forth. A Swiss army knife that has scissors and tweezers is very handy. If you don't have a Swiss army knife, at least have a pair of scissors and/or a small pocket knife. A couple of sewing needles and a pair of tweezers for extracting slivers are useful items as well.

Now it is time to stock our natural medicines. The following is a list of items that are valuable to include in your medicine chest. Feel free to add or subtract items according to your own family's needs.

Activated Charcoal is an absorbing agent. It is useful in cases of food or chemical poisoning and should always be kept on hand in homes with small children. It absorbs gas and rapidly relieves bloating. It is excellent in severe cases of diarrhea. It can also be used topically for spider bites, but use caution as it will stain clothing.

AL-J is available in capsules, tablets and as a liquid. For your medicine cabinet the liquid is recommended, because it is faster acting. AL-J is for most types of repiratory congestion, including colds, seasonal allergies and chronic sinus problems. It also aids digestive problems.

Aloe Vera gel, is for sunburn, minor skin irritations that are of a hot, dry nature and scratches. It can also be used to moisten skin where excessive wind exposure is a problem. It is cooling and protective. It can also be taken internally as an emergency laxative.

Capsicum comes in both capsules and tinctures (NSP offers it in capsule form only). For first aid purposes both are acceptable. The tincture is faster acting and more easily applied topically. Capsicum can be used internally for shock (either in tincture form or by opening the capsules and pouring the powders directly in the mouth). The powder or tincture can also be applied directly to open wounds to stop bleeding. The tincture can be rubbed on body surfaces to increase circulation after or during exposure to cold. It can also be applied topically (alone or in combination with lobelia) for relief of pain. Taken internally at the onset of a cold, it can help to ward off the cold.

Catnip and Fennel a liquid combination which helps to settle an upset stomach. It is used for colic, gas and mild acid indigestion. It can also be used in cases of heat stroke or to help break a fever.

Distress Remedy is a homeopathic preparation that aids the body's recovery from trauma. It can be administered after any injury or emotional shock. Applied topically it speeds tissue healing in cuts, bruises, scrapes, bumps and swellings.

Echinacea is an immune stimulant. For your herbal kit the liquid Ultimate Echinacea product is recommended. It can help contain infections and stimulate the body to fight off microorganisms. Useful for colds, infection, blood poisoning and wounds (especially where sepsis or tetanus are imminent, such as cuts on rusty metal or puncture wounds).

Garlic, the most time honored and proven botanical antibiotic, is also useful for high blood pressure and respiratory congestion. Garlic oil in the gel caps or the High Potency Garlic are recommended for your kit. These are more potent infection fighting remedies.

Healing AC Cream is a homeopathic cream made using Arnica and Calendula which reduces swelling, stops bruising and speeds tissue healing. This cream can be applied to almost any injury except puncture wounds or deep cuts.

Lobelia calms the nerves, especially during a spasmodic or convulsive incident. It is also an excellent emetic (meaning it induces vomiting in large doses) and is safer than typical drup preparations. An essential ingredient in any herbal medicine chest, the extract or tincture rather than capsules is recommended.

Peppermint Oil is useful for settling the stomach and maintaining alertness while driving. Add 1-2 drops to a cup of water and sip, or place a drop on a tissue or clean cloth and take deep breaths.

Red Clover Blend is a blend of bitter herbs that is used for blood purifying purposes. This needed where infection is present in the bloodstream and for all skin eruptive diseases including acne, measles, chicken pox, rashes and hives. When taken with Garlic and Echinacea, Red Clover Blend is an excellent preventative as well as corrective for infection. The liquid form ( which is recommended) can be diluted with water and used to wash wounds and burns.

Tea Tree oil is an excellent topical disinfectant and antiseptic. A drop or so can be applied directly to cuts, scrapes, burns, bruises and other injuries. It does not sting. In a pinch, it can be used to sterilize a knife, tweezer or probe when matches or fire are not available. A drop or two added to water can be used as a gargle or mouthwash. It can be diluted in olive oil (1 drop tea tree oil in 10 drops olive oil) and used as ear drops.

Tei Fu oil is used for bruises, aching muscles and tension headaches. Just place a few drops on the finger tips and rub into the sore spot in a circular fashion. It can also be used as an inhalant for stuffy congestive conditions.

Other items to consider adding to your kit include Goldenseal capsules, Black Walnut extract,
Licorice, Slippery Elm, Ginger, Vinegar, White Oak Bark, salt, honey and LB extract. You, can of course, add anything else you feel might be useful in an emergency. Just keep the items small and have a variety so as to meet a variety of different needs.

A Mini Guide To Using The Remedies

This information is provided for educational purposes only. Seek appropriate medical attention for all serious or persistent illnesses.

Anxiety Attack - Use Lobelia extracts in doses of approximately 1/4 teaspoon every two or three minutes for 10 to 20 minutes or until attack subsides. Distress Remedy (10 drops under the tongue) may also help.

Asthma Attack - Lobelia in doses of 1/2 to 1 teaspoon taken with room temperature water may help stop an asthma attack. Repeat every five minutes as needed.

Bites and Stings - Apply Tea Tree oil, Distress Remedy, Tei Fu oil or Lobelia tincture topically. Other options include Jojoba oil, Nature's Noni or Black Ointment.

Bleeding - Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding. Capsicum or White Oak Bark applied topically may help (remove powders from capsules). Capsicum may also help taken internally.

Bloating - Catnip and Fennel (1/2 teaspoon taken with 4-6 oz. warm water) can ease bloating. Activated Charcoal (1-2 capsules) can be taken to absorb gas.

Bruises - Apply Healing AC Cream, Tea Tree oil, Distress Remedy or Tei Fu oil topically.

Burns and Scalds - Aloe Vera gel or honey applied topically can ease the pain and speed healing in burns. Real vanilla extract is very effective for pain. Tea Tree oil speeds healing.

Canker or Cold Sores - Apply Tea Tree oil or Tei Fu oil topically. Use Red Clover Blend internally. Goldenseal is also effective on canker sores (open capsules and apply powder directly to canker). Black Walnut extract is helpful applied topically on cold sores.

Colds - AL-J and Garlic are helpful for easing repiratory congestion. Capsicum or Catnip and Fennel added to warm water and sipped frequently throughout the day can also ease cold symptoms. Echinacea taken in small, frequently repeated doses (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon) every two hours at the onset of a cold can often arrest it. Zinc Lozenges will shorten the duration of an infection. To clear the head: Fenugreek and Thyme, Tei Fu oil under nostrils. Homeopathics: Cold,
Viral Recovery Remedies. For Children: Elderberry Plus, Chewable C, Cold Homeopathic.

Colic - Catnip and Fennel is a time honored remedy for colic. Use five to 10 drops for infants, and space doses about 20-30 minutes apart. Lobelia (2-3 drops) may also be helpful.

Congestion - AL-J, Lobelia and Garlic are helpful for easing respiratory congestion.

Cough - AL-J and Garlic are useful for coughs where excessive mucus is present. Lobelia can relax spastic coughs. For dry coughs drink plenty of water and add Licorice Root extract or take Slippery Elm powder.

Cramps - Lobelia is an antispasmodic and an relieve muscle cramping. Take internally or apply topically with a small amount of Capsicum extract added.

Cuts - Apply pressure until bleeding stops. Capsicum or White Oak bark will help stop bleeding if cut is severe. Healing AC cream can speed healing. Use Tea Tree oil to prevent infection.

Diarrhea - Use 1-2 capsules of Activated Charcoal every two hours (up to a maximum of eight capsules per day). Add 1 capsule of White Oak Bark 3 times daily if severe. For mild diarrhea, especially in infants, use Slippery Elm ( 2 capsles, 3-4 times daily). If symptoms persist for more than 48 hours seek medical attention.

Earache - Warm Garlic oil or Lobelia and use in the ears as drops. Also massage around outside of ear (especially down the side of the neck underneath the ear). Tea Tree oil diluted in olive oil is also helpful. Repeat every hour. Internally use Echinacea, Garlic and/or Lobelia.

Fever - For fevers, add a half teaspoon of Catnip and Fennel and/or Red Clover Blend to a glass of warm (or room temperature) water and drink several ounces every 5 to 10 minutes (as much as feels comfortable). Lobelia, Echinacea and Capsicum may also be helpful (add them to the above drink).

Flu - Catnip and Fennel, Ginger or Peppermint oil may be helpful in settling the stomach. Use Catnip and Fennel as directed for fever. Dilute Peppermint oil (1-2 drops) in a cup of warm water and sip.

Food Poisoning - Activated Charcoal (2-4 capsules) can help to absorb irritants. Use with a little vinegar for greater effectiveness. Lobelia can be used as an emetic to induce vomiting. After vomiting, Peppermint oil or Catnip & Fennel can help settle the stomach.

Hayfever - AL-J and/or Red Clover Blend can help to ease symptoms of hayfever.

Headache - Lobelia and Capsicum and/or Tei Fu oils can be massaged ino the neck and shoulders to ease many types of headaches. Tei Fu oil applied to the temples (avoid contact with eyes) has also been known to ease headaches. Peppermint oil or Catnip and Fennel may aid headaches caused by digestive disturbance.

Heart Attacks - A small amount of Capsicum can be administered to a heart attack victim while waiting for medical assistance to improve their circulation.

Hemorrage - Capsicum can help to stop internal bleeding while seeking appropriate medical assistance.

Indigestion - Catnip and Fennel can help settle the stomach and expel gas. Activated Charcoal (1-2 capsules) can ease acid indigestion.

Infection - Echinacea and Garlic are useful for fighting infection.

Muscle Spasm or Pain - Apply Capsicum and Lobelia tinctures (mixed half and half) to the area and massage. Capsaicin gel or Tei Fu oils may also be used as a topical massage for pain.

Nosebleed - Capsicum can be taken internally to help stop a nosebleed.

Poisoning - Always call the Poison Control Center. Activated Charcoal can be taken internally (2-8 capsules) to absorb poisons that have been ingested. If the poison control center recommends inducing vomiting, Lobelia may be given in large quantities (one to two teaspoons) with warm water every three to four minutes until vomiting is induced. A small amount of Capsicum taken with the lobelia is even more effective.

Rashes and Hives - Use Red Clover Blend with Echinacea internally.

Shock - Keep the person warm, give them plenty of fluids. If severe, immediately give Capsicum and salt water and seek medical assistance. Distress Remedy is useful for emotional shock.

Sinus Problems - AL-J can decongest the sinuses. Tei Fui oil snuffed up the nose can help dry out the sinuses.

Spider Bite - Activated Charcoal can be used as a poultice for poisonous spider bites. Moisten contents of one capsule with water and apply as a paste. Change every 30 minutes. Seek medical attention.

Sore Throat - Apply Capsicum and Lobelia tinctures (mixed half and half) to the throat and gently massage into the lymph nodes in the neck. Garlic oil taken internally or applied topically may also prove helpful. Five drops of Tea Trea oil mixed with 1/2 cup of water makes a useful gargle. Echinacea may also be helpful. A gargle for strep conditions can be made by adding one capsule of garlic with 3 drops of Tea Tree oil to 1/2 ounce vinegar and 3 ounces of warm water. Gargle, swish in mouth and expel. Sucking on Zinc lozenges also soothes and helps stop infection.

Sprains - Apply Healing AC Cream topically to reduce swelling and pain. Distress Remedy taken internally and applied topically may also be helpful.

Sunburn - Keep sunburn moist with Aloe Vera Gel and water. A few drops of Tea Tree oil mixed with the Aloe may also be helpful. Take Vitamin C internally to help repair skin damage quicker.

Toothache - Massage Tei Fu or Peppermint oil around the tooth and take Lobelia internally to ease toothache. See your Dentist.

Warts - Garlic applied topically may be helpful for warts.

I encourage everyone to get serious about putting your own "Home Medicine Chest" together. You never know when you might need one or more of these remedies. Once you have it assembled, you can print a copy of this newsletter and insert it your kit for quick reference.