8 Apr 2013

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.

13 comments:

  1. Do you guys take probiotics or fermented foods daily? Having healthy bacteria is THE best prevention for any type of illness (and it's basically essential for good health). Love the rubbing of the feet with oil idea, I will try that in the future. Kellie xx

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    1. Probiotics are on this week's shopping list! Thanks Kel x

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  2. On and off we have but you're right, we should commit to it! Thanks so much for the reminder Kellie. Hope all is lovely in your world :) x

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  3. We rely on the same natural remedies in our house. I use olive extract to treat fever too. My naturopath makes us a remedy every year. She labels the bottle 'Family Flu' and we use it for anything cold/flu/sore throat related. It's black and tastes awful but works amazingly. Whenever one of us is under the weather we take a dose. It's seems to ward off illness or if we do get sick, we don't suffer as much or for as long. One bottle costs around $80 but it lasts us around 18 months and nobody here has needed anitbiotics in the last 3 years...so I think it's well worth the money.

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    1. That sounds like a really economical way to do it. I'll look into that, thanks so much :) x

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  4. I SWEAR by Manuka Honey. If I feel the slightest sore throat coming on I start drinking lemon and Manuka honey drinks. It is wonderful for applying to burns too. Keeping well and warm with the coming cooler months. xo

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  5. My mother taught me to cut an onion in half and place that on the bedside table when my girl is sick with a nasty cold or flu... I was sceptical at first but the odour helped her breathe a little easier esp at night when the croup cough kicks in and so does the blocked nose! Try it... It's the most natural way :) And for that tickle in the throat that can't be coughed out take a straight teaspoon of honey - They recommended this at my health food store.

    Sophie xo

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    1. Will definitely give that onion a whirl! Thanks lovely x

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  6. I love this post, thank you for sharing your knowledge!! We swear by Manuka Honey too. X

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  7. It is so hard when little ones start interacting with others in groups at day care and kindy, I found that's when my two girls would come down with colds much more often then they do now as they have built up an immunity. Thank you for your handy tips, I am fortunate to have my mother give up olive leaf through her work, the taste I have to say horrible but it's healing properties are very good as you mentioned. I hope Bijou is feeling better now after all your love and care. xx

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  8. i love this post steph ... will have to make up some of lovely room spray and get my hands on the honey {sounds delicious} x

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  9. natural remedies are lovely..we used to take olive leaf extract daily, but have gotten a bit slack of late. thanks for sharing all these wonderful idea's steph! I use tea-tree and eucalyptus a lot during the change of season too...there is something so calming and natural about using what nature has made and not man made synthetic items. Always so wonderful to see the world you are creating for you and your family Steph! Have a splendid week xx

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  10. Thank you so much for this post Steph with it's abundance of ideas and remedies to try as well as all the links. Will be trying your disinfectant spray. I prefer to use natural remedies and preventative measures too and always welcome new ideas to try. You are a wealth of knowledge and inspiration! x

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Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x