Your Natural Medicine Chest....

Almost everyone I know has used Natural Therapies at some stage in their life. Even if they won't admit to it and are against Natural Therapies they have probably more than a few times reached for the Vitamin C when they have been struck down by a cold or brewed up a hot honey and lemon drink for a sore throat.

Natural Medicines are not just supplements prescribed by a Naturopath they can include dried herbs brewed into tea, essential oils and simple everyday household foods such as sea salt, garlic or chillies.

I thought I would share with you all my natural first aid kit that I keep at home to have on hand for a range of ailments that may present themselves.

Arnica - Arnica is a herb that is traditionally used for bruising and muscle strain. I keep this as a gel or cream - it usually gets used up during my partners football season!

Calendula - Calendula flowers are soothing and anti-inflammatory, they are also fantastic for the lymphatic system. I keep Calendula as an oil or concentrate, however a gel or cream is fine also. Use your calendula preparation topically for any burns, cuts, scrapes and insect bites.

Chamomile - I keep organic Chamomile tea and sip on it slowly if I have an upset stomach. I also drink it when I get home late from work and am feeling wired at all and in need of something to settle me before bed. A tip for mum's here is to brew a weak organic chamomile tea if your baby is suffering from colic, stomach cramping or is unsettled - you can add a cooled teaspoon into their milk which will help with all of these troubles.

Echinacea & Andrographis - Because I am a qualified herbalist I will usually take these in an alcoholic liquid tinture if I feel a cold coming on. However, for everyday use I keep an organic Echinacea tea and some dried andrographis root (I get mine from an asian grocer). At the slightest feeling of a cold I boil up my "witches brew" as it has been called by family and friends.

Here is the recipe below:

2 litres of water in a large pot

3 cloves of sliced garlic

1/2 root of chopped ginger

1 sliced lemon

2 sliced chillies

3 echinacea teabags

1 handful of andrographis root

Raw honey as needed to taste

Bring everything to the boil, turn down to a simmer for 20 minutes - drink the entire brew throughout the day and remember not to kiss anyone, the garlic can be a little strong!!

Epsom salts - for muscle soreness, pain and tension. Add to a bath on a friday night and RELAX!

Ginger - for any nausea, stomach upset or respiratory congestion. Add some organic sliced ginger to a cup of boling water with some fresh sqeezed lemon and sip.

Lavender essential oil - I burn this beautiful oil if I am stressed, have a headache of any sort or am having trouble sleeping. You can also add mint essential oil to the oil burner for headaches or apply directly to the temple.

Tea Tree essential oil - great for skin infections and insect bites. Depending on the infection or bite you may need to dilute the oil as it may sting if applied neat. Tea Tree oil is also something that I add to all of my homemade cleaning products due to it's strong anti-bacterial properties.

Aloe Vera - I have a fresh aloe vera plant growing all the time. For any sunburn rip one of these beautiful plants open and smother the skin in the gel. I also use the gel if I am naughty and pick a pimple to take away the redness overnight!

Remember natural remedies are effective for most of the common conditions you would normally self treat. However, anything more severe including browken bones, high fever, unexplained lumps, severe wounds, third degree burns, extreme vomiting etc needs to be attended to by a Doctor.

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