The Natural Non-Prescription Medicine Cabinet

When a minor ache or pain, cut, bruise or injury occur, we are more inclined to reach for non-prescription antiseptics and painkillers than natural remedies. Instead of chemical medications, there are many alternatives that are not only natural and assist with healing, but they have no harmful side effects as some synthetic medications do. Stock up on natural remedies and start a natural medicine cabinet. Remedies can be found at health food stores and in most health food sections of local grocers. Below is a list of common ailments and some natural remedies to soothe your aches and wounds.

Headaches—Ibuprofen, aspirin, and Tylenol all have harmful side effects, from stomach bleeding to permanent liver dysfunction. And while they may temporarily relieve the pain, they often also have a "rebound" effect, causing your headache to return worse than before the medication was taken. A natural alternative is willow bark. Salicin, the active ingredient in willow bark, was first modified by Bayer Company in 1899 into acetylsalicylic acid, the aspirin with which most people are familiar. Native Indians used willow bark to relieve headaches. Willow bark is taken as a tincture, which is a method of extracting dried herbs in an alcohol and water solution.

Minor Burns—Apply cold water immediately to the burn, then Aloe Vera cream—or better yet use a piece of the fresh plant. Aloe has natural antibacterial properties and will soothe the burn and promote healing. Keep a plant in your kitchen. Break off a piece and apply the thick gel to the burn. Another surprising remedy comes from the Calendula plant, the common marigold. The flowers are made into a cream and can also be used on cuts and scrapes.

Cuts—As noted above, marigold cream promotes healing of cuts. Another remedy is tea tree oil, which is highly antiseptic and antibacterial and, as the name implies, is an oil. It has been shown to also be effective in healing cold sores.

Insect Bites and Stings—Clean under cold running water and wash with a mild soap. Apply witch hazel with a cotton ball to soothe bites. Tea tree oil can also be applied to promote healing.

Bruises—Arnica cream is derived from a flower and promotes healing through boosting the immune system. It causes reabsorption of internal bleeding. Rub on the effected area. Do not use on broken skin, as it can be an irritant.

Nausea/Travel Sickness—Peppermint, another common plant in many yards, is an antispasmodic, soothing the digestive tract and easing nausea. It can be taken as a tincture or tea. Chewing on crystallized ginger has been shown to not only help nausea, but also is very effective for motion sickness. Try some on a your next trip.

Indigestion and Gas—Everyone has occasional difficulty digesting a meal. Food that is not fully digested tends to ferment and form gas in the intestines. Taking activated charcoal will help absorb the gas and relieve that bloated feeling. Bromelain and papain, two natural enzymes, come in tablet form and can be chewed immediately following a meal to help promote digestion.

Colds/Nasal Congestion—Echinacea, derived from the purple coneflower plant or echinacea with goldenseal, another flowering herb which dries mucous membranes, can greatly reduce the down time from a cold. Many people report improvement of symptoms within hours and complete disappearance of symptoms in 24 hours. Both boost the immune system to fight off the cold naturally. Licorice also promotes the expulsion of mucous and can be taken as a tincture or tea.

Hemorrhoids—This painful swelling of the blood vessels is often caused by a poor diet and can be soothed by witch hazel or Calendula. Apply to the infected area with a cotton ball for soothing and to promote shrinking of blood vessels.

Insomnia—Valerian and Chamomile, are both mild sedatives. They can be taken as tea, to promote relaxation and sleep. Lavender oil in the bath or set next to the bed will also promote slumber.

All of the above remedies have been used in many cultures for thousands of years. Many of the remedies may already be found in your home or backyard. If conditions persist or worsen, be sure to visit your health care practitioner.

Try a soothing cup of tea now, and relax!