nature's medicine cabinet

As our eldest babe opens the newest chapter of her beautiful existence to lifelong learning, friendships forged, wonders encountered and discoveries made she also unwittingly invites in a motley crew of germs. With this her first flight from the nest to kindy this year my beloved and I have braced ourselves for the waves of illness that will no doubt crash on our doorstep. Although we are very lucky that our babies love their fruit and vegetables and sleep well there have still been numerous colds already so in an attempt to avoid the sickness-antibiotic merry go round we are rallying the troops and arming ourselves with nature's preventative medicine cabinet. Here is what we've been doing lately.

We have always supped on a honey and lemon elixir to soothe a raw throat but this Autumn we have added  manuka honey, a healing antibacterial and antiviral nectar, to the brew. Our sourdough toast is spread with it also. Daily meals are laced with bulbous cloves of garlic and we endeavour to consume some form of antioxidant rich cruciferous vegetable such as broccoli, cauliflower and kale each day.

Olive leaf extract bursting with immune supporting properties is taken twice a day (5ml each time) either neat or mixed into freshly squeezed citrus juice (once a day for Bijou). It's pungent flavour is something to get used to but it's natural immunity support is hard to beat. A teaspoon of a high potency Vitamin C powder enriched with minerals is added to water and taken twice daily. Bijou has half the amount only at dinner time after her belly is full with nourishing food and Remy receives the tiniest pinch in his glass (Thanks lovely Sarah for the tip off on this one!) We specifically hunted out a buffered variety as Vitamin C can sometimes be harsh on tender tummies.

Oil of wild oregano with it's antibacterial qualities has been the double edged sword in our germ arsenal as it cools a burning saw throat when a few drops are taken in water or juice and calms a raspy cough by inhalation.  Bijou does not ingest it rather having a few drops rubbed on her feet at bedtime*. She has dubbed them "pizza feet" as the smell is that of a fragrant, fresh from the oven Margherita. A few drops  of oregano oil along with eucalyptus and tea tree on a hanky placed on the bedside table at night does wonders to tame that cool change cough that disturbs peaceful slumber in the early hours of the morning. We don't use topically on Remy at this stage.

Tea tree, lemon myrtle* and lemon essential oils are burned throughout the day for their antiseptic and anti-viral qualities. The bright and uplifting aroma cleanses and purifies our environment and defends against infections. A natural disinfectant is sprayed about the house a few times a day using a small spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of lemon myrtle and tea tree oils. We try ever so hard to keep our feet and those of our poppets warm also.

Our journey stems from one of passion and investigation. We have found these remedies so very useful within the walls of our home but have explored them thoroughly. Natural medicine does not deem something to be completely safe to all so knowledge is power when adding new weapons to your immunity army. Qualified naturopaths are available at most health food stores to offer over the counter advice so please consult them if you have any questions, they are a wealth of knowledge.

Always use only pure essential oils and check with a qualified practitioner if you are pregnant.

* made from the citrus imbued leaves of a native Australian tree found in Queensland. 

* If you've ever questioned the bodies ability to assimilate remedies applied to the feet then rub a clove of garlic over your soles and within a hour or so your breath with smell of garlic.