Category Archives: Natural Health

Sep 26
2

Garlic Oil for Coughs & Earaches

By | Natural Health, Parenting | 31 Comments

Magic stuff!

When our kids complain about earaches and coughs, we reach for the garlic oil. Garlic has great immune boosting properties but it’s also touted as anti-bacterial and even useful for easing coughs.

Fresh garlic is best because you get more of it’s healing benefits. Plus, it’s already in your pantry!

Here’s what you need to make the oil.

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • Carrier oil like olive or coconut

1. Chop the garlic.

2. Add to 1/4 c oil.

3. Swirl to mix & let it infuse for at least 10 minutes. (Some people heat it, we don’t).

I don’t remove the garlic from the oil & it keeps a  few weeks in cooler temps & probably longer in the fridge.

We used this recently when our infant had a cough.

We also use this for earaches. I just dip a q-tip in the oil to saturate it (no garlic chunks on the cotton!) and place 3- 4 drops in the affected ear.

What natural uses do you have for garlic besides cooking? Share!

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Sep 26
0

Natural Congestion Remedy: How to “Hose” Baby’s Nose

By | Natural Health, Parenting | 3 Comments

In babies, the nose, throat, ears are so close together and the passages are small. Congestion can lead to earaches, sinus infections or coughing. When my kids get congested, cough and complain about earaches, I “hose the nose” to move the congestion and avoid infection.

We use Simply Saline for the kids as I’ve not yet figured out how to get such small ones to use a neti pot. I hose their noses before they shower, after they shower and several times throughout the day (when they are too congested to clear it themselves).

Does sticking nasal spray up your little one’s nose (especially when it’s so small) sound intimidating? I thought so too but we’re old pros at it now. It’s so worth it to see my kids get better more quickly.


Here’s how I “hose a baby’s nose”.

1. Make eye contact and communicate.
This is so important. Before I do anything new with my baby – especially if it might scare him, I always hold him close, look into his eyes and talk to him. With the nose spray, I explain that he might not like it but that it will help him feel better. When I exude calm, he feels it and is more calm too.

2. Hold Baby Securely and Comfortably Next, I cradle him in my arms in a way that allows me to hold his body and head firmly so I don’t poke him with the nasal spray can. Before I became a pro at this, I’d lay him on the bed and cradle him with my body and arm. Much more secure!

3. Gently SprayI gently place the tip of the sprayer in his nostril and give it a good spray. I keep eye contact with my little guy while doing this, smile and encourage him.

4. Tip-Top After the good spray, I gently lift my little guy and tip his body slightly back so the saline stays in his nose for a few minutes and has the chance to loosen all that gunk.

5. Wipe & – Done! Finally, I gently wipe his nostrils with a soft cloth (not tissue) so his skin doesn’t get raw.

I always make eye contact with my baby and talk him through the entire process to reassure him I love him and that he will be ok. I didn’t know to do this with my first baby and she was just as freaked out as I felt when we had these experiences. With experience, I have learned! My youngest was scared the first few times we had to spray his nose but within a day, he handled it calmly.

And there you have it. How to “hose a baby’s nose”!

Like this? Then share it!

 

Sep 06
0

Natural Sore Throat Remedies

By | Natural Health | No Comments

When you’re wakened in the night by the cries of a small child with a sore throat, a simple, fast-acting, natural remedy is just what you need. Last night was such a night for us. Around midnight, we were wakened by one of our little ones complaining her throat hurt. As usual, we turned to our natural medicine cabinet.

We are not “anti-allopathic medicine” in our family but when sickness strikes, we tend to reach for what is in our cupboards first. I would not hesitate to see a good DO or MD if necessary but most of the time,  a little common sense (rest and fluids) and herbs from our cabinets – cures what ails us without a doctor visit.

Here is what we used last night.

1. Echinacea Angustifolia tincture 

When our kids show any signs of illness, I offer echinacea tincture in water to  stimulate their immune system. Usually this either allows them to avoid being sick at all or significantly shortens the length and severity of their illness. While Echinacea has been known to boost the body’s ability to fight infections that have survived a few rounds of antibiotics, it really shines at the beginning of an illness when it can stimulate the body to address the onset of an infection.

2. Usnea lichen tincture 

Usnea has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. It has a long use as an expectorant and is used today to treat inflammatory illness of the mouth and throat.  According to Mountain Rose Herbs, Usnea is “antibiotic, antifungal, antispasmodic, antipyretic, and analgesic”. We first used it, at the advice of an herbalist, to treat strep throat in my husband. He took it for two days and in conjunction with the next remedy, recovered without antibiotics.

3. Red Hot Honey 

This last remedy is a combo of Honey, Garlic and Cayenne pepper. Think of it as kind of a garlicky hot tamale. While I’ve no problem getting Rob to take this remedy, getting kids to take it takes a bit of doing. But, as soon as my little one took a spoon last night (after resisting for a few hours), she fell fast asleep and only woke after 7 hours.

The dark honey we use works to ease sore throats & to stop coughs too.

My kiddo is feeling a lot better today but we’ll keep an eye on her and continue to give her Echinacea and Usnea till it’s clear she’s completely well. Also, we’ll avoid dairy, orange juice and sugar. Dairy and OJ cause the body to create more phlegm. NOT what she needs when she’s already feeling congested.

Isn’t it great to know that good health can be just as close as your kitchen?

What natural remedies do you use when your family is feeling under the weather?

If you liked this post, please pass it on!

*As always, I’ll remind you that I am not a doctor.  These are common sense choices I have made for myself. I have taken the time to research any health decisions I make and have consulted with my local herbalist. I encourage you to always do the same before choosing to take or administer any kind of remedy, whether herbal, prescription or off the shelf at a local drugstore.*

 

Sep 06
0

Red Hot Honey: Natural Remedy for Sore Throats

By | Natural Health | 8 Comments

When we have sore throats (even strep!) in this house, we reach for a fast-working, natural remedy, Red Hot Honey! Our secret remedy for sore throats in this house is a three ingredient recipe made with foods you should always keep in your house: raw honey, garlic and cayenne. It tastes a little like those candies from childhood – Hot tamales – only with garlic in them.

The dark honey we use works to ease sore throats & to stop coughs too.

This remedy helps minimize pain and has, in at least one instance, helped Rob recover from strep throat within three days without the need of antibiotics.

Raw honey – as in unpasteurized, unheated honey – has long been touted for its health benefits. It’s supposed to be rich in natural nutrients and enzymes and is used for anything from internal problems like coughs and indigestion to topical applications. You can get it from the grocery store but the more cost effective way to purchase it is from your local bee keeper. Here are two ways to find bee keepers in your area. *Remember – no honey for kids under 1 year. 

Local Harvest

Honey Locator

Garlic has powerful antibacterial and immune boosting properties. When using garlic in a remedy, I always use it fresh – not powdered, dried or in capsules. I have found fresh garlic to be the most powerful when using it to fight infection so I use my fresh preparations within two days to ensure the most effective healing benefits.

 

Cayenne possesses natural pain relieving properties and is purported to have anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s peppery hotness naturally clears congestion as well. I remember my first college voice teacher telling me to eat a dash of cayenne on a spoon of honey to clear congestion. I thought she was crazy back then but I heartily agree with her now!

Rob and I have been taking this for a few years when the need arises but our kids have never needed it. Recently my oldest had a terrible sore throat during the night and it took several hours to convince her to try it due to the garlic. Let’s be honest, garlic – well – stinks.

Finally, when she could not sleep due to the pain, she ate a spoonful. And, she was asleep within minutes. She slept another 7 hours without a sound and when she woke, pronounced her throat “tons” better. I gave her one more spoonful just for good measure – but she was better!

*Because Cayenne and Garlic both pack a lot of “heat”, I am always careful to keep the recipient hydrated between doses. Since I want it to coat the throat, I offer a drink before or 15 minutes after the honey. And, of course, I listen to my child and my gut. If the remedy hurts more than the illness, we discontinue it.*

When the pain eases, I discontinue this remedy and continue to offer immune boosting herbs like Echinacea and Usnea.

There you have it! Our family’s tasty, super powerful sore throat remedy that will relieve pain and speed healing.

If you liked this post, please pass it on!

*As always, I’ll remind you that I am not a doctor.  These are common sense choices I have made for myself. I have taken the time to research any health decisions I make and have consulted with my local herbalist and naturopath when appropriate. I encourage you to always do the same before choosing to take or administer any kind of remedy, whether herbal, prescription or off the shelf at a local drugstore.*

Red Hot Honey: Natural Remedy for Sore Throats
Recipe Type: For sore, painful throats
Author: Organic Mama Cafe
Prep time: 5 mins
Total time: 5 mins
Rob and I take 1 t. doses every hour or two for a 4 doses or so. My kids get 1/2 teaspoon and after the first 1/2 t., I offer it based on whether my patient is feeling any pain. Garlic and cayenne both pack a lot of heat & after a few doses it’s possible for the throat to feel a bit dry. So I am careful to offer lots of cool fluids to offset the heat.
Ingredients
  • 1/3 c. raw honey
  • 3 to 5 cloves garlic (depends on what you can handle!)
  • 1/2 t. cayenne
Instructions
  1. Chop or slice garlic into small pieces
  2. Stir all ingredients together
  3. Eat!