Spring Clean Your Medicine Cabinet with 8 Natural Swaps
We all experience aches and ailments that impact our daily life, unfortunately some of us more than others. To find fast relief, we typically run to our bathroom medicine cabinet filled with over-the-counter (OTC) medications in hopes that something will make us feel better as soon as possible. Unfortunately, although these OTC options do suppress your symptoms and might make you feel better in the moment many actually contain harmful ingredients that are detrimental to your overall health. Knowing where to start with transitioning to a more natural approach to health can be intimidating, but with a little guidance you will be on your way in no time. Read on for Curated’s top 8 swaps for a more natural approach to health.
Top Medicine Cabinet Swaps
1. Use Eucalyptus Oil as Natural Vapor Rub
There aren’t many things more frustrating than a cough that simply will not quit, or sinus congestion that makes it difficult for you to breath. Symptoms like these can impact your quality of life, and make it difficult to do the things that you love to do.Thankfully, essential oils like eucalyptus oil can serve as a natural alternative to some of the less healthy respiratory options.
Using eucalyptus oil is a natural way to address a pesky cough and mucus symptoms that won't budge. Eucalyptus oil has been shown to help clear a cough and loosen any mucus build up to help expel it from your body. It is also thought that eucalyptus can help soothe respiratory conditions when the oil is inhaled in a steamy environment (like your shower). For a natural vapor rub, mix a few drops of pure eucalyptus oil with organic coconut oil and spread that on your chest to help break up mucus and soothe a coughing fit. You may also choose to hang eucalyptus leaves in your shower as another convenient way to get easy breathing benefits.
Omega Nutrition-Virgin Coconut Oil
2. Try activated charcoal for frustrating gas and diarrhea
Activated charcoal is a popular home remedy that is used to address many different symptoms and conditions. It is a fine, black powder that is activated by processing it at extremely high temperatures which creates charcoal that is more porous than regular charcoal. When consumed orally, it traps toxins and chemicals in your gut and prevents your digestive system from absorbing them, which makes it a common home remedy for many digestive woes. Since activated charcoal is not absorbed by your body, it absorbs and carries the toxins out of your body through your feces (one of the many reasons regular bowel movements are so important!).
One of the many great uses of activated charcoal is its ability to decrease uncomfortable gas, abdominal bloating and diarrhea.
Activated charcoal may help to decrease gas after consuming a gas-inducing meal, thus minimizing bloating, and it may also absorb and expel harmful toxins or bacteria that could be the root cause of the diarrhea you’re experiencing. For best results, it is recommended that you take the recommended dosage either immediately before or after a meal, or at the onset of symptoms.
Country Life-Activated Charcoal 260 Mg
3. Apply Arnica Gel For Sore Joints
What we recognize as arnica gel comes from a plant native to Europe and Siberia known as Arnica Montana. It is nicknamed the “mountain daisy” and the yellow-orange flower head is typically used to create the creams and ointments that we find in our health stores. Arnica is a great, natural alternative for addressing sore joints, inflammation and overall aches, and has far fewer side effects than the typical OTC pain relieving medicines. Much of its benefits are believed to come from the plant's anti-inflammatory properties, which is important as inflammation is a large culprit in joint pain. Arnica ointments or creams can be applied topically at the onset of symptoms, or more frequently to decrease the overall severity and frequency of chronic pain.
Arnica should only be applied topically, as high doses administered orally can be fatal.
4. Use Digestive Bitters in place of TUMS
It might be surprising to you but bitter foods are great for our health, specifically our digestive system. The body contains many receptors for bitters throughout our digestive system and when these are stimulated the receptors increase digestive secretions. This increase in secretions supports healthy digestion as they are integral for properly breaking down food, absorbing nutrients and efficiently moving waste out of the digestive system.
Dr. Mercola-Organic Digestive Bitters 2 Fl Oz
Some of the many great health benefits of consuming digestive bitters include easing indigestion, heartburn, excess gas, and bloating. Examples of herbs and bitters that typically compose digestive bitter supplements include dandelion root, artichoke leaf, burdock root, cinnamon, vanilla, mint, and ginger. Digestive bitters are most often found in tincture form, and can be placed directly on the tongue or diluted in water as they are taken orally. For optimal digestion benefits, it is wise to try to take the bitters immediately before and after meals.
5. Try Magnesium For Constipation or Sleep Troubles
Magnesium is a magic mineral that is required for numerous reactions throughout the body, and has an important role in maintaining healthy bowel movements and healthy sleep patterns. There are many different types of magnesium, each with its own specialty, so doing your own research is important to find the right type for you! Compared to many OTC sleep and laxative supplements, magnesium has very few potential side effects and actually supports your body in doing what it was designed to do.
If you struggle with constipation, magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide are two forms that are commonly used to alleviate constipation and promote healthy bowel movements. Of the two, magnesium citrate tends to be the better tolerated form and has a gentler effect than magnesium oxide.
Douglas Laboratories-Magnesium Oxide
If you struggle with sleep, it would be wise to consider supplementing with magnesium. This mineral is involved in the contraction and relaxation of all body systems, and can help to promote deeper, better quality sleep. Specifically, magnesium glycinate is great for sleep as it binds to the amino acid Glycine which helps us reach increased levels of calmness and improves overall sleep.
Pure Encapsulations-Magnesium (Citrate) 150 Mg
6. Elderberry To Address Cold and Flu Symptoms
Elderberry is a species that is native to North America and Europe, identifiable by their bunches of tiny berries which are typically dark in colors like purple, blue, or black. For thousands of years, elderberry has been used as a way to treat a wide range of conditions and symptoms like pain and fever. Lately, it has received a significant amount of attention in regards to its immune boosting properties.
When it comes to fighting common cold or flu symptoms, elderberry’s high antioxidant content gives it the immune boosting properties that it is well known for. Research suggests that consuming elderberry supplements may decrease the length and severity of cold-like symptoms, and prevent the growth of influenza viruses and other bacteria.
Elderberry can be found in many convenient supplement forms including syrups, teas, gummies, lozenges, and capsules, making it an easy supplement option for many different individuals.
7. Garlic Ear Oil for Ear Aches
If you decide to choose an alternative treatment for ear infections, using garlic and mullein oil ear drops provides antibacterial and antiviral soothing effects. For thousands of years garlic has been used as a remedy for many illnesses and because of its antiviral effects it is extremely effective in mitigating ear pain.
Garlic ear oil is easy to make and only requires two ingredients: garlic and olive oil. To make the oil, combine two tablespoons of olive oil and 1 garlic clove, minced. Warm mixture in a pan on very low for between 10 to 20 minutes to allow the garlic to diffuse into the oil. Once complete, strain the garlic and allow oil to cool to room temperature. Place two drops of oil into the ear. This should provide immediate relief for ear pain and decrease overall healing time.
**Although this remedy is effective, please make sure that the eardrum has not ruptured before using this oil or anything else in the ear. If you are unsure please consult with your doctor before applying any remedy to the inside of your ear as that may cause further damage.
8. Use Quercetin for Seasonal Allergy Relief
Seasonal allergies can be frustrating for many individuals, and many find that common OTC options just don't provide the relief they are looking for. Allergies occur when a trigger causes the body to release histamine, the substance that creates what we observe as allergy symptoms. Quercetin is a natural remedies that are great for addressing seasonal allergies without uncomfortable side effects.
Quercetin is a potent antioxidant that has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory benefits. It is found in many plants and foods including broccoli, apples, grapes, berries, black or green tea, and peppers. Although there are many benefits to including foods rich in this quercetin, supplementation for seasonal allergies is often more beneficial as food levels are significantly lower than most supplements.
Interested in taking this a step further with individualized nutrition, lifestyle and supplement guidance from one of our experienced practitioners? GET STARTED.
About the Author
Emily Alexander, M.Ed, FNTP—Emily is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with Curated Wellness. She is passionate about supporting others in their journey to improve their relationship with food and their body through gentle nutrition, and is a firm believer that understanding the bio-individual components of nutrition is one of the best ways to do so. Emily completed her Master’s of education in health education and promotion with a concentration in eating disorders, and draws from both her educational background and life experience to help her clients improve their energy, understand their bodies, boost their athletic potential, and break down diet myths one at a time. Read more about Emily
The information presented on this website is intended for educational purposes only. Statements within this site have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any specific condition or disease, nor is it medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise. Readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health conditions or concerns. One should always consult a qualified medical professional before engaging in any dietary and/or lifestyle change or new health program. Curated Wellness does not take responsibility for any health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content.
References
1. Ben-Arye, E., Dudai, N., Eini, A., Torem, M., Schiff, E., & Rakover, Y. (2011). Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in primary care: a randomized study using aromatic herbs. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2011, 690346. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/690346
2. Widrig, R., Suter, A., Saller, R., & Melzer, J. (2007). Choosing between NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a randomised, double-blind study. Rheumatology international, 27(6), 585–591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-007-0304-y
3. Tiralongo, E., Wee, S. S., & Lea, R. A. (2016). Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients, 8(4), 182. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8040182
