The Natural Medicine Chest (Stuff to Always Have on Hand)
Looking through my medicine cabinet the other day, I realized the stuff in mine is probably a bit different than the contents in most other peoples’ chests. While I probably have a closet worth of supplements at home for emergency situations, I have a few go-to remedies that I think everyone should have on hand.
Check out what I always have on hand for the natural treatment of acute situations.
Activated Charcoal Tablets & Nux Vomica – The Hangover Remedies
Activated Charcoal Tablets are amazing at binding to excess toxins in your gut preventing them from absorption. Activated Charcoal is not absorbed by the body allowing it to carry toxins out of the body. But beware, because of this, charcoal can cause constipation.
Nux Vomica is a great homeopathic remedy for nausea, especially nausea with dizziness and headache follow overindulgence of rich food, coffee and liquor. This is why it is perfect for hangovers. Nux Vomica is specific to sour eructations (burps) and a ‘nail’ splitting headache. When treating with homeopathy, physical symptoms usually respond better with lower potencies such as 6C or X potencies.
Cold Calm/Oscillococcinum – Cold & Flu Remedies
It can be tough to find the right homeopathic remedy when you’re not feeling well. If you can’t get a hold of your favorite Naturopathic Doctor or Homeopath, you can try these homeopathic combinations. They work best at the first sign of symptoms and luckily, most pharmacies now carry them.
Buy Cold Calm or Oscillococcinum Now!
Chamomile/Fennel Tea – Gas Relief
Both Chamomile and Fennel are considered carminatives (just a big, fancy word that they relieve gas). The trick to using tea medicinally is to make it strong.
Use 2-3 tea bags and steep for at least 10 minutes, covered (this is important) to make it potent. By covering the tea while it steeps, keeps all the active oils from evaporating.
Butterbur – Migraines
While the research shows that Butterbur, specifically the brand Petadolex, can decrease the frequency of migraines when used daily for prevention, I’ve found it works great at the onset of a migraine.
Magnesium Citrate – Constipation
Magnesium is now the go-to remedy for constipation even with allopathic medical professionals. But with so many different forms out there, it’s good to know what each one does.
Here are some basics about the different forms of magnesium:
- Magnesium Citrate: can help with constipation & muscle cramps;
- Magnesium Glycinate: can help with anxiety, insomnia & muscle tension;
- Magnesium Taurate: can help with anxiety & can improve heart health;
- Magnesium Malate: can help with muscle tension, chronic fatigue & fibromyalgia;
- Magnesium Oxide: most commonly sold in pharmacies, this form is not easily absorbed & can be tough on the kidneys.
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NAC – Mucus
Even before I produced my own supplement, I always had NAC (or N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) on hand.
A precursor to cysteine, NAC is a great antioxidant that is commonly used to get rid of mucus, but it can do so much more! It can also limit the duration of a cold or flu.
The research also shows that NAC has antibacterial properties and it can reduce recurrent middle ear infections.
To learn more about Natural Medicine for acute illnesses, visit your favorite Naturopathic Doctor. Don’t have one & live in Connecticut? Call Dr. Frawley for your free 15 minute consult.