I’ve discussed my extensive natural "medicine cabinet" in the past, and many people are curious about my favorite remedies. With a limited budget, where is your money best spent? The good news is that many of these simple remedies are likely already in your pantry!
My Top Simple Home Remedies
If I were to be stuck on a deserted island, which natural remedies would I choose to have with me? I didn’t need much time to decide. These are the household remedies that my family regularly relies on.
Always consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or using home remedies for children.
Magnesium for All Occasions
Although technically a supplement, magnesium would certainly top my list of favorite home remedies. Ensuring a good night’s rest is key for me to feel good and maintain health. Since magnesium aids in sleep and relaxation, it has been transformative for me and my family.
Many people lack sufficient quantities of this vital mineral (here’s how to tell if you are deficient). This is significant as it is essential for more than 300 bodily functions. Having enough magnesium is crucial—we can’t live without it.
My kids and I take magnesium as a daily supplement, and we incorporate it into homemade concoctions for everyone in the family, as it can be absorbed through the skin too.
Using Magnesium
To obtain magnesium: This is the oral supplement I take, or I apply it on the skin using magnesium oil.
Nausea Relief Methods
Magnesium helped with my morning sickness, but there are other ways to combat nausea.
- Peppermint or ginger tea: Sipping on peppermint or ginger tea can alleviate indigestion and an upset stomach.
- Peppermint essential oil: For motion sickness or nausea, I mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with a tablespoon of a carrier oil such as almond or olive oil. I then apply this to the feet, chest, and back of the neck. Simply smelling or diffusing peppermint oil can also be beneficial.
- Herbal digestion tincture: This formulation includes fennel, peppermint, and ginger. It aids in digestion, reduces bloating, and soothes an upset stomach.
Natural Treatments with Peppermint
Peppermint is excellent for easing nausea and aiding digestion, but it also has numerous other applications. You can enjoy it as tea or use it as a diluted essential oil. A refreshing option is combining peppermint with green tea for a morning or afternoon beverage.
Always ensure peppermint essential oil is diluted before applying it to the skin, and avoid contact with the eyes.
Utilizing Peppermint
- Apply diluted peppermint oil to your temples and the back of your neck for relief from headaches and migraines.
- Use peppermint tea or hydrosol in a spray bottle to counter hot flashes or to stay cool in summer. The cooling spray utilizes aloe and mint.
- Drink peppermint tea or inhale the essential oil to combat nausea (as discussed in the section above).
To get peppermint: You can obtain peppermint herb and peppermint essential oil here.
Managing Fever with Home Treatments
Although peppermint essential oil can help reduce a fever, that’s not always advisable. Often, fever is an indication that the body is fighting off illness. While the first reaction might be to treat the fever, it can actually delay recovery. Fevers help the body fight off viruses or bacteria.
That being said, certain fevers, especially in children, can be dangerous. Rapidly increasing temperatures may lead to febrile seizures in young kids. While generally regarded as harmless, there’s no proof that lowering a fever will prevent febrile seizures.
Fevers in newborns, immunocompromised children, and kids with temperatures over 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) can signify severe infections or serious illness. Seek medical attention immediately if a high fever accompanies severe illness.
Natural Fever Reduction Methods
- Dilute peppermint essential oil and apply it to the soles of the feet and base of the neck. Avoid applying peppermint to infants’ faces.
- Use a cold ice pack on the back of the neck, which can help as the body’s heat regulation center is located there.
- Try herbal teas to bring down a fever.
- Take a lukewarm or cool bath to allow your body to adjust to a cooler temperature.
Treating Ear Infections at Home
Like fevers, ear infections are common in children. Antibiotics usually aren’t effective, often leading to multiple prescriptions and possibly ear tube surgery.
Fortunately, there are simple remedies for ear infections! Here’s the approach our family uses:
At the first sign of infection, have the person lie on their side and use a dropper to insert pure 3% hydrogen peroxide into the ear. The peroxide will bubble but stay lying down until the bubbling decreases. Repeat every few hours until symptoms subside.
A comprehensive list of natural remedies for ear infections can be found here.
Apple Cider Vinegar
What can’t apple cider vinegar do? Whether for cleaning or health, we use ACV almost daily. For health benefits, choose apple cider vinegar with "the mother," the murky substance in organic vinegar boasting potent effects.
Make your own if you have excess apples—simply save the cores and peels to create homemade apple cider vinegar.
Applying Apple Cider Vinegar
- Mix a teaspoon into 1-2 cups of water for indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, or stomach discomfort. Ginger honey switchel offers a tasty way to enjoy more vinegar.
- Incorporate into a bath to alleviate skin issues or minimize body odor.
- Soak a washcloth in a 25% ACV and 75% water solution for quick sunburn relief.
- Add to a foot soak to ease athlete’s foot.
- Use it for skin problems like acne to banish blemishes.
- Create an herbal hair rinse to fortify hair and nourish the scalp.
- Though not conclusive, there’s some evidence it may aid weight loss.
- For a sore throat, mix 1/4 cup ACV with several teaspoons of raw honey, and drink in an 8-ounce glass of water six or more times daily until better.
- Consuming ACV helps reduce fasting blood sugar levels in the morning.
- Apply a 50/50 ACV and water solution to insect bites to alleviate the sting.
When to acquire apple cider vinegar: Choose raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar (not pasteurized). I tend to prefer this particular brand.
Insect Bites and Sting Remedies
Summer outdoor activities inevitably include insect bites. ACV can be helpful, but here are additional remedies for bites and stings. First, carefully use tweezers to remove a stinger without squeezing.
- Mix baking soda and water into a paste and apply it to the affected area.
- Apply a drop of lavender essential oil. It’s anti-inflammatory and minimizes mosquito bite itchiness.
- Place a crushed plantain leaf on the spot. To crush, roll it in your hand or chew then apply. Kids often enjoy this!
- Use a charcoal drawing salve.
Activated Charcoal
Ideal for drawing salves against bites and splinters, we keep charcoal for its varied uses: upset stomachs, food poisoning, and teeth whitening. It’s safe, extensively researched, and affordable.
Remember, this isn’t the same charcoal used on grills! Here, we utilize activated charcoal. With a porous nature offering increased surface area, it effectively binds to substances, aiding in poison removal and water purification.
Employing Activated Charcoal
- Use in charcoal gummies for stomach issues.
- Stir into applesauce (though it looks unappealing).
- Incorporate into a purifying face mask.
- Utilize within a drawing salve for insect bites.
- Whiten teeth by mixing with natural toothpaste or using a healthy pre-made option.
- Integrate into a water filter or air purifier.
- Keep as a safeguard for accidental poisoning emergencies. However, always consult the Poison Control Center first and only administer it if instructed to do so. Activated charcoal isn’t suitable for every scenario.
Note: Through personal experience, don’t give activated charcoal to a child who may soon vomit… unless you’re prepared for black vomit everywhere!
When to get activated charcoal: I opt for this brand manufactured from coconut shell charcoal.
Natural Solutions for Bleeding
Serious, deep, or severe looking wounds warrant a hospital visit. However, most minor cuts and bruises can be addressed at home. With six kids, we’ve had many scrapes and cuts!
Steps to Halt Bleeding
For non-stop bleeding from cuts, scrapes, and wounds, I utilize cayenne pepper powder. Sprinkle organic cayenne on the wound for it to burn briefly as it assists with clotting. Once bleeding subsides, rinse with cool water and treat as usual for a bleeding injury. This prevented several emergency room visits.
- Maintain medical-grade super glue and raw honey for sealing and healing wounds.
- Apply fresh or dried yarrow to curtail bleeding; it’s also antiseptic and antimicrobial.
Elderberry Syrup for Immune Defense
If given only one remedy for life, elderberry syrup would be my choice as the initial tactic against colds or flu.
Elderberries naturally bolster the immune system without adverse side effects. They not only help avert the flu but also offer benefits even when you’re already ill. They’re safe for young kids and boast flavonoid antioxidants beneficial for certain health conditions and overall wellness.
I purchase elderberries in bulk to create homemade elderberry syrup, lasting weeks when refrigerated. Kids adore its taste (a robust grape or blueberry flavor mixed with cinnamon), and I appreciate the health advantages!
Using Elderberry
- During cold and flu season, we take 2 teaspoons of elderberry syrup each day, increasing up to 4 times daily if symptoms arise.
- Craft elderberry gummies for simple dosing while travelling, enhanced by additional gelatin benefits.
- Prepare elderberry tea at the hint of illness.
- Make elderberry marshmallows for an enjoyable, immune-boosting snack!
- Mix into kombucha for extra health benefits and flavor.
- Create elderberry popsicles when kids have sore throats.
Where to buy elderberry: To concoct syrup or gummies, I purchase elderberry in bulk here. I also rely on Gaia Herbs and Sambucol for pre-made options.
Alleviating Congestion with Home Remedies
Colds and flu often bring congestion, an annoying symptom. Resorting to medication solely to ease symptoms isn’t preferable. Congestion poses a risk for babies due to their small airways.
Eliminating Congestion
- As soon as symptoms start, consume vitamin C every few hours until they dissipate.
- Try a steam tent: Boil a pot of water, add peppermint herb or essential oil drops. Eucalyptus or cedarwood oil can also work. Cover your head with a towel, lean over the pot and inhale slowly. Keep a safe distance to avoid steam burns!
- With small children, run a hot shower and ensure the bathroom is sealed. Sit with your child in the steam-filled room (not in the shower) to help alleviate congestion.
- A nose Frida or bulb syringe is another helpful tool for congested little ones.
- Employ Xlear nasal spray or find Genexa’s congestion remedies, including homeopathic options. Flu Fix and Cold Crush assist with congestion issues.
- Use a ceramic neti pot as well.
Chamomile-Based Home Remedies
Chamomile is one of my favorite herbs for calming effects and relaxation. It’s also effective for mild pain relief (I use it instead of Tylenol).
Moreover, chamomile’s anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-parasitic attributes make it versatile. A robust chamomile brew even serves to color my hair.
Chamomile Applications
- Used as a homemade cough remedy.
- In a sleep-promoting tincture for restless children and insomniac adults.
- As a tincture or tea, it relieves aches from menstrual cramps, headaches, or stomach bugs.
- Employed in DIY baby care recipes (diaper cream and baby oil).
- To soothe eczema and dry skin, especially in children.
- For infants with colic or teething issues.
Where to acquire chamomile: Chamomile is available here in bulk.
Final Thoughts on Home Remedies
Clearly, numerous natural solutions exist for family healthcare. You don’t need to acquire every item on this list to begin. Over time, you’ll accumulate a wide range of home remedies the more you engage with the practice.
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Madiha Saeed, a board-certified family physician. As always, consult your doctor for personal medical advice.
What home remedies do you always have on hand? Leave a comment and share with us!
References:
- Shmerling, R. (2020, October 29). Apple Cider Vinegar Diet: Does it really work? Harvard Health Blog.
- Domínguez, R., et al. (2020). Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) as potential source of antioxidants. Food chemistry, 330, 127266.
- Drugs.com. (July 4, 2022). Yarrow.
- Hadi, A., et al. (2021). The effect of apple cider vinegar on lipid profiles and glycemic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 21, 179.
- Salehi, B., et al. (2020). Achillea spp.: A comprehensive review on its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, phytopharmacology and industrial applications. Cellular and molecular biology, 66(4), 78–103.
- Silva, G. L., et al. (2015). Antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, 87(2 Suppl), 1397–1408.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Fever in Children.
- Mayo Clinic. (2021, February 24). Febrile seizure.
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