Natural Home Remedy Kit

Parents often ask me for a concise, simple list of remedies they should have on hand for their kids’ minor ailments.  Here’s my list of basic recommendations.  If your child is prone to specific conditions such as asthma, digestive weakness, or other intermittent, chronic issues, speak to your healthcare provider for an expanded list:

• Vitamin C- to ward off infections and colds.
• Echinacea- Kid’s orange-flavored drops taste great and help keep the colds and flus at bay if given at the very early stages or when your child has been in contact with other sick kids (or adults) or is feeling run-down.
• Assorted homeopathic remedies for colds, flus, fevers, and bug bites, teething.  While traditional homeopaths claim the combo remedies available are not the way to go, for home treatment of acute symptoms that often come in the middle of the night, I suggest having a cold, flu, and (for babies) teething remedy on hand.  These remedies work and are readily available and obviously by their function such a “Cold Calm,” “Complete Flu Care,” or “Teething Tablets.”  For single remedies, you can buy a kit or individuals.  A few good single remedies include:
  • Arnica- Homeopathic remedy for trauma, bruises, aches, and strains.  Keep both oral and topical applications on hand.  After a tumble or boo-boo occurs, administer the oral arnica every few hours until symptoms start to improve.  The topical (comes in a combo such as “Traumeel”) can be applied to bruises or bumps, just not over open wounds.
  • Belladonna- A good place to start for most fevers.
  • Chamomilla- For crying, upset, and inability to sleep.
  • Nux vomica- for nausea, vomitting, constipation
  • Apis mellifica - insect bites, stings
• Chinese herbs for sore throat, ear aches, diarrhea, constipation, and calming.  Ask your acupuncturist for a good list to have on hand.
• Essential oils for stress (experiment with what your child likes.  Some suggestions lavender- not for boys as it may be estrogenic, chamomile, ylang-ylang), teething (high quality clove oil can be applied directly to inflamed gums for a natural analgesic)
• Aloe Plant- grows easily (read: hard to kill) in any window.  For most sunburns or other non-emergent burns, aloe with help soothe and cool scorched skin.  Cut a spear at it’s base, slice it length-wise with a sharp knife and smooth directly onto skin.
• Medicine dropper to administer herbs or supplements that don’t already come with one.
• Children’s Ibuprofen/Advil (not acetaminophen/Tylenol) as a last resort for extreme pain accompanying fevers or teething that is keeping your child from getting the rest he needs to get better.  See my article on Fever Fears for more info as to why these medicines should be avoided or used sparingly only.