In this article we will go over some basics of what to have on hand in your home medicinary so you feel prepared and empowered when facing different acute health concerns. Over the years, there are a few things that have been so helpful to have just on hand, especially when traveling where we don’t have access to the same stores, or weekends/nightimes. Natural medicine works best and most powerfully when we start treating at the onset, so again, having things on hand can help you and your family to heal faster. It also lowers the likelihood of requiring suppressive therapies (such as tylenol, antibiotics, hospital visits) when we tend to issues immediately. Of course as a disclaimer, this is not medical advice, and if there is doubt please always contact your provider.
To start here are a few things to consider:
- Use what you feel comfortable with. What do you know, believe in, and feel like you would be comfortable using?
- You can print out the list and take some notes, write down dosing on the bottle or create your own guide. This is a great way to study and learn how to use these remedies, to feel even more comfortable using your tools.
- You will want to learn child and adult dosing. Child dosing depends on age and weight. Work with your practitioner to get clear on what doses are appropriate.
- Look around your house and supplements to see what you already have! Then you can fill in what else you may need.
- If you are traveling, get to know what the common situations are, beach/sun, forest, rain, plane travel, car travels, etc.
- First think about what has happened to you in the past, what common health challenges you may be working with, do you have children, etc?
- Common Acute Concerns:
- Digestive upset (food poisoning, food allergies/sensitivities)
- Physical injury (sprains, strains, cuts, burns)
- Upper Respiratory Infections (Viral/Bacterial, Fever, Cough, Sinus/Ear Infections)
Recommended Supply List
- Storage Bag or Container
- Small Backpack or Small Cooler Bag can be great, especially if you tend to travel, otherwise small totes to keep it organized in your home **keep out of reach of children**
- Organization bags or small containers to keep things separate by category
- Basic Supplies:
- Mini Standard First Aid Kit (Can get at Drug Store or Online)
- Bandaids
- Gauze/Medical Tape
- Alcohol Swabs
- Tweezers
- Emergency Blanket
- Thermometer (Ear)
- Mini Flashlight/Headlamp
- Nail Clippers/Mini Scissors
- Organic Cotton Q-tips
- Cold/Heat Pack
- Non Latex Gloves
- Match Sticks/Lighter
- Water Filter/Lifestraw
- Supplements/Herbs:
- Digestion:
- Binders: Activated Charcoal, Cell Core Biotoxin Binder
- I like to have both
- Digestive Enzymes/Bitters
- For stomach upset or new foods
- Consider both Child and Adult Formula
- Probiotics
- HMF Travel or MegaSpore are great and shelf stable
- Biocidin Tincture/LSF
- Useful for both digestive and other immune challenges.
- Binders: Activated Charcoal, Cell Core Biotoxin Binder
- Immune Support:
- Herbs (Tinctures or Capsule)
- Echinacea, Elderberry, Astragalus, etc. Immune Blends
- Mushroom Blends
- Throat Spray
- Child and Adult Formulas
- Vitamin D (Child & Adult)
- Liquid is better absorbed
- Vitamin C
- I prefer Liposomal Vitamin C (current favorite is Dr. Mercola’s Brand)
- For children you can cut open a capsule and squeeze out the contents onto a spoon. Mixing with a ½ tsp of Manuka Honey or Raw Local Organic Honey can make it more palatable.
- I prefer Liposomal Vitamin C (current favorite is Dr. Mercola’s Brand)
- Vitamin A (or Mixed Carotenoids)
- For adults, retinoid form is most effective, it is not safe for pregnant or possibly pregnant women, nor small children, so having Mixed Carotenoids is a good option.
- Zinc Picolinate (15 mg capsules)
- Colloidal Silver Liquid
- I really like this for conjunctivitis and cuts/scrapes
- It can also be great to have Nasal Spray
- Propolis
- This is the Bee Hives Immune Support so it’s great for so many things
- H2Plex by Priority One
- For HSV outbreaks if that is something you deal with.
- Herbs (Tinctures or Capsule)
- Musculoskeletal/Nervous System:
- Magnesium
- Glycinate/Malate/Threonate are easier to absorb and less likely to cause digestive upset, and have the additional amino acid benefits
- Citrate can be helpful for occasional constipation (especially travel or dehydration related)
- Melatonin
- Anxiety Support/Pain Herbs
- Passionflower, Kava, Viburnum, Lemon Balm etc.
- Rescue Remedy Flower Essence
- Magnesium
- Electrolyte Tablets/Packets
- Check for good quality, with no added sugar.
- Detox Support
- Activated B Complex
- NAC
- Shilajit/Fulvic/Humic
- **The Binders are super helpful for detox also**
- Digestion:
- Topicals:
- Essential Oils:
- Lavender Essential Oil, Frankincense Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Clove Essential Oil, Thieves Blends, Peppermint
- Healing Salve
- Arnica/Traumeel Gel/Cream
- Bentonite Clay
- Goldenseal Powder
- Aloe Gel
- Manuka Honey
- Sunscreen (Zinc Oxide)
- Insect Repellant
- Garlic/Mullein Ear Oil
- Essential Oils:
- Homeopathics: I love these for first aid situations, however one needs to feel comfortable with choosing remedies and such. They are great for children and are super safe. If you are new to homeopathy, getting a pocket book of remedies can be great! Or you can copy and print out Materia medica from websites such as http://homeoint.org/books/boericmm/index.htm. Also keeping this page as a bookmark that can be accessed by phone when deciding on a remedy. Trust your instincts as well, muscle testing, pendulum, etc, however when we are anxious or worried it can be hard to get clear intuitive information!
- Arnica 30c (200c): Falls, Sprains, Bruises
- Ferrum Phos 30c: Early onset of acute illness, Specifically Fever
- Arsenicum 30c: Food Poisoning, Acrid & burning stool, Anxious/Insomnia
- Nux Vomica 30c: Hangover feeling, Constipation, Nausea due to over indulgence, classic is wanting to stay wrapped up in a blanket, would feel better if could just “throw up, or go poop”
- Apis 30c: Allergic reactions/Bug Bites and Stings, Stinging and Burning Sensation, Hot Swollen. feel better with cold applications.
- Aconite 30c: This remedy is great for shock, such as from bad news or from having a fall. It is also very effective for treating conditions which come on suddenly, like a sudden sore throat or headache. Best for illnesses that come on after exposure to cold weather or cold wind; also excellent for an acute illness on the first day of onset
- Belladonna 30c: Fever, Overheating, Hot, Intense Burning
- Hepar Sulph 30c: Painful abscesses, alternate with Silica to support pushing foreign body out of the skin
- Ledum palustre: Go-to treatment for all kinds of puncture wounds, including animal and bug bites, where the wound is cold, yet is relieved by cold applications. Try with Arnica for black eyes.
- Home Therapies/Tools
- Magic Sock Hydrotherapy Treatment
- Check out the article on hydrotherapy for how to. It is an amazing hydrotherapy technique to support immune function in adults and kids.
- Cupping (Silicon or Plastic)
- This is great for pain and also lung congestion
- Cool Compress for Inflammation/Fevers
- I prefer this to ice, you can read about this in the hydrotherapy article!
- Acupressure
- For digestive function, nervous system, headaches etc.
- SunGazing & Earthing
- Shower Hydrotherapy
- Steam Inhalation with herbs/essential oils for cough, sinus congestion, stress.
- Magic Sock Hydrotherapy Treatment
The recommendations are by no means exhaustive, so I encourage you read various other blogs, see what people have found useful to have on hand, and even ask your Naturopathic Doctor or Functional Medicine Practitioner what would be good given your specific needs, or your child’s needs if you have them. We can go over more specific concepts around treating various types of situations that may come up!
Be well!