Alternative Health Articles



 

Go Natural with an Alternative Health Care Kit
By Amy Phillips-Gary

Many of us like to keep first aid kits on hand in our homes or when we travel for longer periods of time. This way relief can be provided relatively easily and quickly
when a family member or we, ourselves need non-emergency medical care.

I choose to stock my medicine cabinet with alternative health care products. You might already do this too.

If not, read on to learn more about why you might want to choose an alternative health care kit instead of (or in addition to) your more traditional over-the-counter drugs, creams and sprays.

I am NOT a health care professional, doctor, nurse-- or even an alternative health care professional. But I have used various natural and alternative remedies to treat the maladies of myself and family members for over 15 years.

Please consult with your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns before trying these suggestions...

Why use an Alternative Health Care Kit?
Every once in a while, I get a really intense cold.  You've probably been there too.

The coughing, post-nasal drip, sore throat, etc. And every once in awhile I turn to a cough suppressant like Nyquil or Vicks in order to just get some sleep.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with using a cough suppressant-- especially when you just desperately want to sleep.

But, in my case, I found that the cough suppressant stopped my ability to cough, but didn't address the post- nasal drip. So there I lay in my bed, tossing and turning and still unable to sleep!

This is one negative side effect of a more mainstream, allopathic medicine. (Allopathy is a general term used to describe Western medical practices-- those predominant in the U.S.)

Many of the usual products in a first aid kit or medicine cabinet could be described as allopathic. And, again speaking generally, what many of these products do is to mainly suppress the symptoms that the person is experiencing.

And on that sleepless, coughing night, I really really wanted my coughing and other symptoms to just go away!

As I discovered, however, many times when you suppress an unwanted symptom, you don't really treat the imbalance that the symptom is indicating in the first place.

You may even end up feeling worse. To suppress my cough wasn't enough.

My immune system needed boosting so that my body could return to a healthy, balanced state.

Unfortunately, the bulk of the more mainstream medicines on the market just don't offer whole body support-- such as bolstering the immune system.

Another downside to many allopathic medicines is that they have unwanted side effects. Ibuprofen, for example, causes stomach upset for some people.

Prolonged use of acetaminophen has been linked to liver and kidney damage. The alcohol and mild hallucinogens in certain cough suppressants make some users feel disoriented, dehydrated and less able to function.

One look at the sometimes lengthy warning labels on the bottles of products like these and you might wonder if the temporary relief you might receive is worth the long-term (or even more immediate) health costs?!

My introduction to Alternative Health Care
I discovered alternative health care in my early 20s after being mistreated by a dermatologist with the drug Retin-A.

The way this drug was being used for my sun-induced acne outbreak ended up causing more intense and negative effects than those that led me to the dermatologist in the first place.

It was this horrible experience that led me to a homeopath.

Put very simply, homeopathy is a medicine that works in conjunction with the imbalances going on in the body. Homeopaths use a "like cures like" approach.

Rather than suppressing a particular symptom or disease, homeopathic doctors look at a the entire body of the patient.

The homeopath I met with asked me very detailed and specific questions about my emotions, my preferences and dislikes and where I felt particular sensations in my body in addition to noting the symptoms that led me to him.

From this information, he was able to prescribe a homeopathic treatment plan for me-- not just for my red and inflamed face.

In less than 1 month, I saw amazing improvements not only in the condition of my skin, but also in terms of my digestion and overall health.

I needed no other proof.

From that point on, I have relied on homeopathy as well as herbal and other natural and alternative health care remedies. I use them on myself and other family members.

If you open the medicine cabinet at my house, you will primarily find herbs, tinctures and homeopathic remedies.  Yes, we do have some Pepto-Bismol and even a bottle of ibuprofen. But these are used rarely.

Even if you are not ready to clear your cabinets of Tylenol and Nyquil, consider adding a few alternative health care products to your own medicine cabinet or kit.

These more natural products do not usually act in the same ways as their more mainstream allopathic counterparts.  Your symptoms might not abate as quickly, for example.

But you probably won't encounter negative side effects in your quest for relief.

You'll probably find that your return to health is more complete and possibly even longer-lasting when you use alternative health care methods and remedies.

What are some basic remedies for an Alternative Health Care Kit?
Here is a short list of alternative remedies for common ailments and injuries:

Headaches: Herbal teas such as peppermint, ginger or chamomile can be soothing. Acupressure massage is quite effective in releasing pain and tension. (*I keep a credit card-sized acupressure guide handy on my dresser.)

Stomaches: Homeopathic remedies such as nux vomica work well when due to overeating. Regular doses of aloe vera juice can help keep the digestive system functioning optimally. Aloe vera is also a wonderful anti-inflammatory agent.

Colds/Flu: Infuse your body with vitamin C with Emergen-C packets. These are fizzy and taste great too. A friend of mine swears by the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum for flu-- my family concurs.

Another all-around anti-microbial and anti-infective product is colloidal silver. This can be used as a preventive for flu and viruses and is also beneficial for cuts.

Bumps and Bruises: When a fall or other injury occurs, use Rescue Remedy. This is a Bach flower remedy that helps with the emotional impact of a sudden physical trauma. I even carry Rescue Remedy in my purse! It comes in a cream
or spray form.

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy that can be used topically or internally that I also always keep stocked in our medicine cabinet. It works wonders on bruises and stiff or sore places on the body.

These are just a few items that I have in my Alternative Health Kit in my home. There is a wealth of information online and at your local health food store to learn more about these and other products you might consider trying.

Here are some sites to check out...

Homeopathy information

Herbal remedies information

Bach Flower information

Colloidal Silver information
 

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Amy Phillips-Gary is a freelance writer, homeschool mom and
personal growth adventurer.

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Susie and Otto Collins are Relationship Coaches and authors of 4 books on relationships and personal growth. To get their FREE weekly newsletter filled with practical tips and ideas for creating more connected, passionate and alive relationships send a blank message to mailto:collins@aweber.com 
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