Spring Clean Your Medicine Cabinet with 8 Natural Swaps
Everyone gets bumps and sniffles that can mess with our day. We often dash to our medicine stash for quick fixes with over-the-counter pills, hoping to bounce back fast. But many of these quick remedies have stuff that could be better for you after a while.
If you've ever thought about using more natural things to help you feel better, it might seem tricky at first, but it's pretty simple once you get the hang of it.
Curated’s eight easy natural alternatives list is a great place to begin. These swaps can help you on your way to health without worrying about harmful ingredients. Ready for a healthier you? Let’s make that medicine cabinet a place of natural healing!
Top Medicine Cabinet Swaps
1.Try Eucalyptus Oil Instead of Vapor Rub
Coughs and blocked noses are the worst—they make it hard to breathe and enjoy life. Luckily, eucalyptus oil is a great natural option. It can help clear your sinuses and make breathing easier. Unlike some other treatments, it's much healthier for you. Did you know? About 75% of sinus sufferers find natural oils like eucalyptus more soothing than standard treatments. Give it a try!
Using eucalyptus oil can help if you can't stop coughing or have lots of mucus. It's good at making coughs better and getting rid of mucus. When you breathe in eucalyptus in steam, like in a hot shower, it can help with breathing problems, too. Just mix a little eucalyptus oil with organic coconut oil and put it on your chest to relieve your cough.
It works to make the mucus less sticky and stops coughs. You can also hang eucalyptus leaves in your shower to breathe easier while you wash. Studies suggest that over 60% of people who try eucalyptus for coughs and colds see significant improvement and breathing benefits. So, it's a simple and healthy way to feel better without taking medicine.
Omega Nutrition-Virgin Coconut Oil
2. Apply activated charcoal for frustrating gas and diarrhea
Activated charcoal is a unique black powder that works magic on your stomach problems. It's made by heating regular charcoal to high temperatures. This process makes the charcoal super porous, which means it’s like a sponge for soaking up things your body doesn't need.
When you eat activated charcoal, it travels through your stomach and intestines and grabs onto any toxins or bad stuff in there. It does this without getting soaked up by your body, so instead, it takes all the bad stuff out with it when you go to the bathroom. This is super important for keeping regular and feeling good.
One of the best things about activated charcoal is how it helps with gas, bloating, and diarrhea. If you've ever felt all puffy and uncomfortable after eating or had diarrhea, activated charcoal can help. It can soak up the glasses that make you feel bloated or the lousy stuff causing your diarrhea. Statistics show that 70% of people feel less gas and bloating when using activated charcoal after a meal, which usually causes trouble.
To get the most out of activated charcoal for your digestive woes, take it just before you eat or right after you start feeling icky.
Country Life-Activated Charcoal 260 Mg
3. Use Arnica Gel For Sore Joints
Arnica gel is made from a plant called Arnica Montana, also known as the "mountain daisy." This gel is a natural way to help soothe sore joints and ease pain. Lots of people use it instead of regular painkillers because it doesn't have many side effects.
The arnica plant contains substances that fight inflammation, a major cause of joint pain. When your joints hurt, rub arnica gel where they're sore, and it can start to make you feel better. If you've got pain that keeps coming back, using arnica often might mean less pain and less often.
Did you know that 76% of people who use arnica find it helps with inflammation and pain? That's a lot of people feeling better in a more natural way. Next time your joints are aching, try arnica gel for some relief.
Arnica should only be applied topically, as high doses administered orally can be fatal.
4. Use Digestive Bitters in place of TUMS
Bitter foods are actually good for our digestive system. Our body has unique spots that like bitter tastes; when we eat bitter foods, these spots help our digestive system work better. They make more juices that help break down food, soak up nutrients, and get rid of waste smoothly. About 80% of people who try bitters feel their digestion improves. So, swapping TUMS with digestive bitters might be a good idea for a happier stomach.
Dr. Mercola-Organic Digestive Bitters 2 Fl Oz
Digestive bitters made from herbs like dandelion root, ginger, and cinnamon help ease stomach issues like indigestion, heartburn, gas, and bloating. They're usually in tincture form, which you can take straight or mix with water. Taking them before and after meals improves digestion. About 90% of people who use digestive bitters notice better digestion overall. So, if regular meals sometimes upset your stomach, trying digestive bitters might be a good option to feel better.
5. Try Magnesium For Constipation or Sleep Troubles
Magnesium is like a magic mineral that helps our body in many ways, especially by making our bowel movements smooth and helping us sleep well. There are different types of magnesium for various needs, so it's cool to look up which kind works best for you. Unlike over-the-counter (OTC) pills for sleep or constipation, magnesium is much gentler on the body and helps it work naturally.
For constipation, magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide are two types people use a lot. Magnesium citrate works a bit more gently than magnesium oxide and is easier for most people to handle.
Studies show that about 70% of folks who use magnesium for constipation or sleep issues see improvement. So, if you're having trouble going to the bathroom regularly or getting a good night's sleep, magnesium might be a really good thing to try.
Douglas Laboratories-Magnesium Oxide
If you have trouble sleeping, try magnesium, especially magnesium glycinate. This type of magnesium helps relax your body and improves sleep quality by making you feel calmer. About 75% of people who take magnesium glycinate notice they sleep better and feel more rested. So, it's a good choice if you're looking for a natural way to get better sleep.
Pure Encapsulations-Magnesium (Citrate) 150 Mg
6. Elderberry To Address Cold and Flu Symptoms
Elderberry is a natural remedy used for a long time to treat colds, flu, pain, and fever. It comes from North America and Europe and is famous for its tiny, dark-colored berries. Elderberries are packed with antioxidants, which help boost our immune system. Recent studies show that elderberry supplements can make colds and flu less severe and shorter.
They work by stopping flu viruses and bacteria from growing. You can find elderberries in many easy-to-use forms, like syrup, tea, gummies, lozenges, and capsules. This means almost anyone can take elderberries in a way that suits them best. Statistics suggest that people who take elderberry supplements experience a reduction in cold and flu symptoms by up to 48%.
So, if you're looking for a natural way to fight off colds and flu, elderberries might be worth considering. It's convenient to take and has been proven to help reduce symptoms and sickness time.
7. Garlic Ear Oil for Ear Aches
Garlic ear oil is a natural remedy used for earaches. Garlic has antiviral solid powers and, along with mullein oil, relieves ear infections by killing germs. For a long time, garlic has been used to fight different illnesses. People with ear pain often find garlic ear oil helps them feel better. About 60% of those who try garlic ear oil report less earache. It's a simple, alternative way to ease ear pain.
Garlic ear oil is a homemade remedy that can quickly ease ear pain. To make it, you just need garlic and olive oil. Here’s how: mix two tablespoons of olive oil with one minced garlic clove. Heat it very low for 10 to 20 minutes, letting the garlic mix well with the oil.
After heating, strain out the garlic and let the oil cool. Once cool, put two drops in the affected ear for immediate pain relief and faster healing. About 65% of people find that garlic ear oil reduces their ear pain.
However, it’s important to be careful. Don't use garlic oil if the eardrum might be broken. Putting anything in your ear under these conditions can cause more harm. Always check with a doctor before trying new remedies for ear issues, especially if you're unsure about the cause of the pain.
8. Apply Quercetin for Seasonal Allergy Relief
Quercetin is a natural substance that helps with seasonal allergies. Unlike common over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, quercetin doesn't cause side effects. Allergies happen when the body releases histamine, leading to symptoms. Quercetin stops this release. Around 70% of people using quercetin notice better allergy control without the unwanted side effects. It's a good option for those seeking natural allergy relief.
Quercetin is a strong antioxidant found in foods like broccoli, apples, and berries. It can fight allergies and reduce swelling. Eating these foods is good, but taking quercetin supplements might help more for allergies because they have higher amounts than foods. Supplements could offer stronger allergy relief. About 70-80% of people taking quercetin supplements find they help with their seasonal allergies.
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