I rarely take prescription or over-the-counter medicine, except for more serious ailments. For the most part, I prefer to let minor health issues resolve on their own...well, with a little help from "natural" home treatments.
Now, keeping in mind that I'm not a doctor and this is not meant to diagnose or treat your ailments, I would like to share a few things I have learned on my green journey. Since it would take a book to cover every minor ailment, I will just choose a few to cover in this post. If you would like to learn more, there are many resources that can help you treat a variety of symptoms naturally.
Here are a few ebooks that might be helpful.
Chest congestion
I once had so much chest congestion that I could hardly speak. I tried everything I could think of. Finally, one night, I boiled a pot of water and added a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the water. Draping a towel over my head, like a tent, I leaned over the pot of steaming water and breathed in the steam for about ten minutes. That night, I ran a humidifier while I slept, and the next morning, almost all the congestion cleared out. Now, whenever I even start feeling congested, I inhale steam daily until I feel better.
10 Natural Cold & Allergy Remedies
Minor cuts and scrapes
Melaleuca oil (tea tree essential oil) is a powerful healing agent for minor injuries. It is also a fast-working spot treatment for acne. I like to place a drop or two on a cotton swab and dab on the affected area a couple times a day until it's healed. I don't even own store-bought topical ointments anymore; I always use the Melaleuca oil or MelaGel (you can learn more at melaleuca.com).
Dry or sore throat
At the first onset of a dry or sore throat, I start drinking chamomile tea with local honey (real honey; not the kind that comes in a bear-shaped bottle). Of course, I drink plenty of water, as well, and suck on hard candies or cough drops if needed. If you develop a cough, try swallowing a spoonful of honey before bedtime to soothe your throat.
Warning: Never feed honey to a child under one year old; it could trigger botulism (source).
Headaches
Headaches are tricky for me. Although effective, I don't like popping pills to get rid of them, so I will often let them get out of control before giving in and taking a Tylenol. However, if I catch it right away, I can occasionally get rid of a headache naturally. Sometimes, smelling peppermint essential oil can help. You could try diffusing it if you have a diffuser, or place a drop on your skin...just make sure you are using a high quality oil if you decide to use it topically. Reflexology can also help, as can a neck or shoulder massage if tension is the source of your headache.
What are some of your favorite natural, home remedies for minor ailments? Please share below if you have found an effective treatment for a problem that can be treated at home.
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Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.
Your challenge: This week, consider using natural remedies or treatments for any minor ailments that may come up.
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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during
which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to
lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**
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