Organic Mama’s Medicine Cabinet – 5 Basic Essentials

Finally, the temps are cooling, the kids are back in school (for us Phoenicians anyway!) and we’re heading into our version of Fall. Truthfully, I’m a little leery of believing in it yet, this summer seemed so very hot!! And, it doesn’t take a crystal ball to know that fall illnesses follow closely behind the cooling weather. The great thing is, we don’t have to be caught unaware by flu or colds. I’m already stocking up to be prepared in advance for what’s likely to arrive. Here’s what’s in my medicine cabinet.

**As always, I’ll remind you that I am not a doctor.  These are common sense remedies I use for my family, especially because they support the immune system rather than simply attacking the symptoms of illness. I have taken the time to research any herbal recipes carefully myself and have consulted with my local herbalist and doctor. I encourage you to always do the same before choosing to take or administer any kind of remedy, whether herbal or off the shelf at a local drugstore.**

Raw local honey – Honey is a great remedy for coughs and sore throats. In a study published by the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, parents gave honey high marks for easy cough symptoms. When my girls are coughing, I ply them with honeyed teas made of herbs that easy coughs and I give them a teaspoon of honey before bed. They LOVE that! Raw honey is also supposed to be filled with living enzymes that help our bodies to heal.

Echinacea Augustifolia root tincture  – At the first sign of illness, my girls are used to getting “special water,” usually 4 oz water with a size appropriate dose of tincture. Tincture is made by macerating herbs in a base of alcohol, vinegar or glycerin to extract the herb’s healing properties. It’s very potent. I make my own tincture so that I can be sure of the quality I’m getting but if you buy it, be sure you buy E. augustifolia. According to herbalist Susan Weed, E. augustifolia roots retain their effectiveness when dried while E. purpurea do not.

Flu-berry tea*  – When I can tell my girls are succumbing to a cold/flu with a respiratory kick, I make a weak version of this tea for them. I always get current dosage information Kita Cantrell, the owner and a local herbalist who created the blend at Chakra 4. She has studied herbs for many years and I appreciate her wisdom. This tea blend includes the following ingredients and their corresponding properties.

• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) – antiviral
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – antiviral, expectorant
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – expectorant, warming
• Osha (Ligusticum porterii) – antiviral, expectorant
• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) – warming, pleasant flavor
• Echinacea Root (Echinacea angustifolia) – immune support
• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) – antibacterial