Natural Remedies and Children: The Pros and Cons

Are you a parent? If you are, there may come a point in time where your child may be faced with a minor medical issue. This minor medical issue can include something such as head lice, the chicken pox, a severe headache, or a toothache. While many parents wouldn’t think twice about taking their child to a professional in the medical field, you may want to do so. Did you know that there are a large number of natural remedies that can be used to treat a wide range of minor medical problems, such as headaches, toothaches, head lice, or the chicken pox?

As nice as it is to hear that there are a number of natural remedies that may be perfect for children suffering from minor medical problems, many parents are still unsure. After all, parents want what is best for their children. That is why many parents, especially those who are unfamiliar with home remedies and natural remedies, are a little bit leery. Of course, natural remedies have their advantages and disadvantages, but so does just about everything else in the world. With that being said, you may still be wondering if natural remedies are right for your child. To help you come up with the conclusive answer that is best for your own family, please continue reading on.

As previously stated, natural remedies have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. For the advantages, you will find that there are a large number of them. For example, natural remedies are safe. In fact, they are much safer than most over-the-counter products, as these products are often stocked full of chemicals that many of us cannot even pronounce.

The ease of use and implementation is another advantage or plus side to using natural remedies as a way to treat minor medical problems in a child. One of the reasons why natural remedies are also commonly referred to as home remedies is because many of the needed ingredients can already be found inside most homes. This makes treating a child with home remedies easy and convenient. It is also important to mention the saved time and money. Home remedies eliminate travel and costly trips to the doctor’s office or drug store.

Although most home and natural remedies are regarded as being safe, there are still a number of steps that you will want to take when using a home remedy on your child. For starters, be sure to follow all directions. Next, never give your child a home remedy that has an ingredient that they may be allergic to or have a reaction with, such as dairy foods. It is also important to discuss the process with your child. For example, if you are using mayonnaise to kill head lice, be sure to tell your child not to touch the mayonnaise, let alone eat it. Generally speaking, using your best judgment as a parent is one of the easiest ways for you and your child to see success with a home remedy.

If you are interested in examining what all of your options are, in terms of natural remedies, you can perform a standard internet search online. When doing so, it may be best to search for the specific home remedy that you are looking for. For example, if you are interested in getting rid of your child’s head lice, search with the phrase “natural head lice remedy.” In addition to using the internet to your advantage, you can also purchase your own printed natural remedy manual, many of which are available for sale both on and offline.

As you can see, there are number of advantages to using home remedies and natural remedies as a way to treat your child when they are dealing with a minor medical problem, such as head lice, the chicken pox, a headache, or a toothache. Whether your family is uninsured or if your child just has a fear of the doctors office, consider giving a natural remedy a try first. Both you and your child may be pleased with the results.

Natural Remedies for Hangovers

So, you had a fun night out on the town last night with your romantic partner or a few close friends. Although you may have had a great time the night before, you may be feeling a little bit “weird,” the next day, especially if you consumed alcohol. If alcohol was consumed, you may be experiencing the ever so dreaded hangover.

Anyone who has every experienced a hangover before knows the feeling of just wanting it all to go away. Unfortunately, many individuals believe that there is no “cure,” for a hangover. Although cure may not be the best word used to describe seeking treatment, there are a number of natural remedies which many claim do provide hangover relief. You are looking to relieve yourself from a hangover, please continue reading on as a few of these natural remedies, as well as tips for your next alcohol drinking outing are highlighted below.

Water is a natural remedy for hangovers. Before heading to sleep, after a night of drinking, drinking a lot of water can assist with your hangover the next morning. Alcohol, especially when consumed in large amounts, can impact a body’s hydration, which can result in unpleasant feelings the next morning. That is why a glass or two of water before bed is a great idea. The next morning, as soon as you wake, start drinking even more water. In addition to helping to treat a hangover, drinking water before you starting consuming alcohol also has a number of benefits.

Eating can also help with a hangover from too much alcohol consumption. Eating should be done before, during, and after alcohol consumption. Most importantly, it is important not to consume large amounts of alcohol on an empty stomach. This increase a drinker’s likelihood of becoming intoxicated or drunk, and it also increases the chances of a hangover the next morning. Eating before, during, or after alcohol consumption can slow down the rate in which alcohol is absorbed into the body and bloodstream.

As for vitamins, which many individuals turn to when looking for a natural remedy, vitamin C and B is recommended for hangover relief. It has been claimed that vitamin B helps to shorten the length of a hangover. As for vitamin C, it can help to breakdown the alcohol in your body, also assisting with a hangover, namely by preventing one, shortening its length, or reducing symptoms.

When it comes to a headache associated with a hangover, there are many individuals who take pain relievers. Of course, this approach will work for many, but it is not natural. If you are concerned with that you are putting in your body, you may be looking for a more natural way to relieve the headaches often associated with hangovers. A natural way to relieve a headache associated with a hangover is to place a cold pack on the head; however, a ziplock bag filled with ice will also do. Depending on the activities that you have planned for the day, consider getting extra rest, preferably with an ice pack on your head or neck.

An extra tip to help reduce the likelihood of a hangover involves limiting alcohol consumption. Many professionals recommend pacing yourself with one alcoholic drink an hour, as anything else increases the chances of a hangover. As previously stated, eating before, during, and after alcohol consumption can help with hangovers, as you aren’t drinking on an empty stomach. Eating, even just snacking, while drinking will reduce the amount of alcohol consumed, as you are doing something other than just drinking. Also, some mixed drinks, especially those that are tasty, fruity, or sugary, should be avoided, as it is hard for some drinkers to gauge the amount of alcohol they are actually consuming.

The above mentioned natural remedies are just a few of the many that you can use to relieve the symptoms of a hangover. Also, the tips mentioned above can also reduce your chances of having a hangover following the consumption of alcohol.

An Alternative to Traditional Health Care

In the last few years, there has been an abundant interest in alternative medical therapies and treatments for all sorts of physical and emotional ailments. The burgeoning interest can probably be attributed to the rising costs of traditional medical care and pharmaceuticals normally used to treat these illnesses.

Many people also have another, related problem: they don’t have health insurance. The lack of health insurance can affect a person’s ability to get proper medical treatment for chronic problems. Using alternative medical treatments can not only be cheaper than traditional treatments, but many people feel that these alternative treatments are just as effective, if not more so. For those who do not have medical insurance, alternative treatments may be the only option they have for symptom relief or for a cure for their problems. Also, since mental health isn’t generally covered by insurance, alternative therapies are sometimes the only viable option.

Homeopathy Medicine

Homeopathy medicine utilizes micro doses of substances from the plant, mineral or animal origin to stimulate a person’s natural healing response. Unlike conventional medicines that attempt to suppress symptoms without the body healing, homeopathy medicines do not have side effects. They work gently with the body to produce balance and healing and reduce the percent of doctor-induced (iatrogenic) diseases.

Homeopathy medicines consist of extremely diluted natural substances. Potency is determined by the amount of dilution and the defense system of the body is stimulated by these dilutions. A common example would be 30X. The number indicates how many times a product has been further diluted. The letter “X” is the method of dilution. X means 1 part crude (remedy) to 9 parts dilatant, which is a 1:10 ratio.

There are certain guidelines to follow when taking homeopathy medicine to maximize the effectiveness:

• Limit contact with cigarette smoke as much as possible.
• Do not take anything by mouth 10-20 minutes before and after a dosage. This includes food, drink, chewing gum, toothpaste, etc
• No camphor and avoid moth ball fumes.
• Limit caffeine as much as possible, including chocolate, coffee and soft drinks
• If dental drilling is necessary, request an injectable or extra dermal application
• Eat cooked garlic only, avoid raw.

Most single remedy homeopathy medicines (pellets or tablets) dissolve in the mouth or under the tongue. For fast relief, sprays are applied under the tongue. In most cases, food should not be taken with medicines. The success of these medicines depends largely on the situation and duration of the ailment. The length of the ailment is relative to the length of the healing process.

Some of the newest homeopathy medicine combinations include treatment of restless leg syndrome; leg cramps; earaches; seasonal allergies; flu; and diaper rash.

To determine which remedy is needed, a self help book or homeopathic practitioner will explain several common single remedies. Select the remedy most like your situation.

As an alternative, the Materia Medica contains detailed descriptions of the homeopathy medicines and the symptoms they treat. Medicines labeled by the Latin name of the drug, substance or compound are used for manufacturing.

Conventional medicines and homeopathy medicines may work together. A homeopathic practitioner should closely monitor this situation. Homeopathy medicines do not interact with other medicines since they have no side effects.

The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of the United States establishes industry standards with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Due to the overwhelming safety record and extreme dilutions, the FDA does not use the same standards of approval for homeopathy medicines.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is part of the Ayuvedic tradition of holistic medicine. These ancient remedies created in India provide simple solutions to numerous maladies both physical and psychological.

How does oil pulling work?

There are a few theories on the way that oil pulling works. Some say that the movement massages and stimulates the sublingual muscles to excrete toxins stored up in the body. Others report that the production of saliva is the catalyst for the draw out of bodily toxins.

How do I oil pull?

The procedure is quite straightforward; take 1 tablespoon of oil into the mouth on an empty stomach. Swish the oil in your mouth much as you would mouthwash being careful not to swallow the oil. If you swallow a minuet amount this is fine.

Pull the oil through your teeth as well as chomping and moving your jaws in a biting motion. The oil will change in consistency from thick and yellow to thin and foamy. This is due to the fact that your saliva is mixing with the oil bringing with it toxins being excreted sublingually through the tongue.

Swirl and pull the oil through your teeth for 15-20 minutes. At the end of the session spit the pulled oil into the sink or toilet. If you discard the oil in the sink be sure to clean the sink with an antibacterial wipe or soap.

Rinse your mouth with water 2 to 3 times and then brush your teeth as normal. You will notice that after a few weeks of this your tongue will become pinker and healthier looking. Your teeth will be whiter and your breath will improve.

Some say that tilting your head back while oil pulling will ensure that oil is getting all the way to the back of the molars. This is an advanced technique and not recommended for those just beginning. Remember to slowly swish and pull the oil in your mouth, this is not a race and you will not get any more benefit from rushing things.

It is recommended that you wait an additional 10 minutes before you have breakfast. You may practice oil pulling 3 to 4 times a day if desired making sure to do so on an empty stomach each time.

Are there any precautions to take while oil pulling?

The main precaution involved in oil pulling is to practice it on an empty stomach. You run the risk of vomiting if you oil pull after eating. The best time to oil pull is in the morning, after you brush your teeth, but before breakfast.

Being careful not to swallow the oil after pulling is another precaution. After the oil is pulled through it will contain toxins extracted from the body. If you do happen to swallow the oil it will be passed through the system.

The type of oil is also something to keep in mind. Sunflower and sesame seed are the recommended oils to use. Cold press oils are the highly desirable, refined oils are required.

Make sure to clean the sink with antibacterial soap after each session. The toxins pulled into the oil are concentrated and this precaution will keep from getting anyone sick who happens to use the sink after you.

If symptoms worsen discontinue oil pulling for a week or two and then resume the practice. Some people have very sensitive systems and because of individual physiology may not be able to oil pull. If you notice that symptoms are not subsiding then discontinue permanently.

How can oil pulling help?

Oil pulling has been purported to effectively treat gingivitis and whiten teeth. Skin conditions such as eczema, and acne have been reported to improve after sustained use. Lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and even diminished migraines have been attributed to the practice of oil pulling.

Does Alternative Medicine Work?

In today’s modern times, many of us no longer believe in alternative medicine, natural remedies, the use of herbs or anything that does not involve the use of traditional modern medicine. We have made so many advances in modern day medicine, that most of us don’t trust or want to believe in anything else. The question I ask myself constantly is; “if traditional medicine has become so much better than other alternative, more natural medicine, Why are we still getting sick?” Why do some people get better when they use alternative medicines? Why do traditional medical professionals see so many ¨unexplained healings,¨ as they like to call them. Is it all because of miracles, or is it thanks to Alternative medicine?

Natural medicine does work! Or at least I am one of those believers. But as even the best alternative medicine professionals believe, it should be used in conjunction with traditional medicine. Natural, or alternative medicines allow your body to heal itself, and to balance itself out, without the use of so many chemicals. Even studies done by traditional medicine experts show that many life threatening diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart problems are caused by stress and anxiety. If the cause is stress, and they agree that one of the best ways to fight this stress and anxiety is through alternative medicine, then how can they also say that alternative medicine doesn’t work. Why do so many in the medical profession say that alternative medicine doesn’t work? Well, your guess is as good as mine! But whether it’s the natural medicine, herbs, therapies or just the patients faith, what is true that something is working, and it’s more than just traditional medicine.

Recently, in a conversation with a friend, who was once a stage IV cancer patient, I asked him what he attributed his healing too. This man should be dead, he is in the 3% survivor rate and was stage four! He told me the doctors had sent him home and told him to make his final plans. Instead he used his faith, tried alternative medicine and is still alive today! If you ask him, whether he believes in alternative medicine or not, he will say, ¨I don’t know what I believe in, but I am still here. Does that answer your question?” ¨It might have been the natural herbal treatment I take, it might be people’s prayers, it might even be traditional medicine. The good thing is I’m still here for a few more years and enjoying every minute of it! I don’t think I could have ever written a better analogy as to the effectiveness of alternative medicine.

The truth is that there are two types of people. Those who truly believe in the natural healing wonders of alternative medicines, and others who believe that natural medicine is a matter of “old wives tales” and these old techniques that have no effect at all.

It is difficult to say which is true and which is not. But we are left with something to consider. If alternative medicines do not work, then why have they been around for thousands of years, and why do we still use them? Why do people who use them, survive life threatening diseases? Is it truly just a matter of faith, or is there really something to these alternative medicine techniques? Those questions I will leave you to answer.

What is Alternative Medicine?

Alternative medicine is becoming a popular choice for health-conscious individuals, yet many of them are unsure just exactly what the term encompasses. Many of them have even asked their doctors, “What is alternative medicine?”, yet they get no clear answer.

Basically, alternative medicine is any sort of therapy or treatment that is used instead of the type of medical attention most of us grew up with. You know the routine… you feel unwell, make an appointment with your doctor, and go to his office. You sit in the waiting area with a group of other sick people, hoping that none of them are too contagious. Finally, you are called back to see the doctor. You leave with a prescription or two, stop at the drugstore to get your prescriptions filled, and go home to bed. In a few days, you may or may not feel halfway human again.

Would you like to know what alternative medicine is? Think of alternative medicine as a tree trunk with many branches. The branches are the different practices that together as a whole make up alternative medicine. You have a wide variety to choose from, based on the symptoms of your illness. What is alternative medicine used for? It’s not only for when you are ill, but when you want to improve your health

What is alternative medicine also known as in the natural medicine world? A few of the most used and recommended branches of alternative medicine include –

• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Herbal Medicine
• Naturopathy
• Chiropractic

Acupuncture uses fine needles to regulate the energy of the body into a more cohesive pattern, and is used for many types of sicknesses and well-being issues.

Homeopathy works under the assumption that the body can be cured of anything that is wrong with it by using just a tiny amount of material from nature, such as herbs or flowers, that would create symptoms of an illness in man or beast. By doing this, the body rallies, and begins to heal itself.

Herbal medicine is the use of any part of a plant, from its roots to its leaves, as an aid to relieving sicknesses and pain, as well as promoting feelings of calm and well-being.

Naturopathy does merely treat routine illnesses. People who have embraced naturopathy as a form of alternative medicine believe that the body is able to heal itself, and that nature can play a huge role in a person’s overall health.

Chiropractic does not heal. By adjusting the spine, a chiropractor clears the nerve pathways in the body, allowing the body to make itself well.

What is alternative medicine? It’s a way of life for many people, and its natural remedies continue to draw seekers from all walks of life.