Homeopathic Cough Syrup

This is a post previously published in December of 2008 I thought I would recycle as it pertains to a great flu season remedy.  I'm happy to report that the 2 preschoolers are now solidly into elementary; colds and flus rarely get us down; but when they do, this homeopathic cough syrup is still a favorite!  

I have 2 preschoolers and one thing you can count on in the fall is the start of cold season. There will be coughing, runny noses, and all kinds of yuck. I went many years with hardly a cold, but now with mini Petri dishes running around my house, I’m good for several good cold bouts. I caught a good one a couple of weeks ago that involved lots of coughing and not sleeping and found myself wandering around a CVS store of all places for help. I’m really excited about a new product I discovered there and want to tell you about it. It’s a homeopathic cough syrup made by a company called Boiron. They call it Children’s Chestal.

As I move toward a healthier lifestyle I’ve tried to avoid using over the counter remedies whenever I can. Many over the counter remedies simply suppress symptoms which are the body’s natural way of telling you there is a problem. Besides that, let’s face it, if most cough syrups were tested side by side with a sip of water, the water would win. They just don’t work.

I’ve recently been introduced to and love Homeopathics. These are natural substances that strengthen the body and allow it to resist bacteria and viruses and fight off colds, flu, and etc. I’m sure I will be talking more about these wonderful products over time.

Anyway, this syrup has 10 different homeopathics in it. I looked them up in my homeopathic book here at home and they all help the body fight off colds and flu and particularly those associated with coughs. I tried the syrup for two nights and I have to tell you, I slept like a baby. I felt rested in the morning and didn’t wake up coughing once.

I hear those in naturopathy talk about how they never get sick and how they rarely if ever go to the doctor. I hope as I head down this road to better health that one day I will be able to say the same thing. In the meantime, it’s nice to have a good natural remedy standing by when I need it.




Karla

Benefits of Fish Oil for Adults and Children

Fish oil is yielded from the cold water fish like mackerel, tuna, salmon, cod and many other fish. It has been recommended as part of a heart healthy diet for quite some time. Fish oil is a very effective nutrient as it contains two most important omega 3 fatty acids that can be absorbed easily. EPA and DHA are two most important fatty acids that have very crucial role in development of normal brain, proper functioning of nervous system and better eyesight. The EPA and DHA fatty acids derived from fish oil are considered to be the protective elements for the body as they are very effective to reduce the risk of developing arthritis. Among other fish oil benefit you can find:

Most of the recent searches regarding fish oil benefit to the heart diseases has proved the importance of omega 3 fatty acids in protection against the heart diseases. The recent study of American Dietetic Association revealed the factor that these acids are very effective to reduce the fatty deposits in arteries.

The consumption of fish oil reduces the chances of all forms of cancer including breast, colon and prostate. The fatty acids found in the fish oil is quite helpful to stop the development of cancerous mass from quite a healthy cell, it inhibits the unwanted growth of cell and causes apoptosis or death or cancer cells.

Fish oil has significance in preventing the pregnancy complication like premature delivery and low birth weight. The consumption of fish oil during pregnancy reduce allergy in the newborns, help in development of brain and reduce risk of post partum depression. It is better to take fish oil during the period of pregnancy.

Fish oil is very effective for the eyesight. It not only improves the eyesight but also decrease the dryness in the eyes. The fish oil helps to stop the eyesight decline with the increasing age.

Fish oil is very effective to prevent all types of depression including the schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD and anger caused depression.

It is also helpful in treatment of the Huntington’s disease. Fish oil is found effective in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus and other inflammatory conditions.

The recent scientific studies recognized the role of fish oil in weight regulation, it reduces craving caused by the fatty foods.

These are the most significant fish oil benefits. Fish oil not only reduces the risk of a number of incurable diseases but is also very helpful nutritional supplement. Eating fish is the basic way for the body to get enough fatty acids but if you want to get more, than try to get fish oil benefits directly from the fish oil that is extracted from the cold water fishes as its benefits are bigger and it is easer to digest.

In children, fish oil is also shown to helps improve:

Behavior
It was found that unruly children ingesting fish oil had improved behavior. Out of the 47 percent of children with "bad" behavior in the test group, only 4 percent remained unruly.

Concentration
The use of fish oil was shown to improve concentration in children. Within the study, many two-year-olds were able to speak in full sentences rather than just single words as before taking the fish oil.

Bonding
Interestingly, the use of fish oil in children improved bonding with their parents. Of course, this effect may be a side benefit for better behavior and concentration.

Accelerated Learning
In the scientific study, learning advanced a measurement of nine months in only a five-month period. This learning increase was primarily in expressive language and oral communication.

Dyslexia
Although it is not a cure, fish oil has been shown to improve dyslexia in children.

We are huge salmon fans around my house. Glad to see the health benefits for all of us!

- Shannan

Sources: Fish Oil Benefits, eHow

Natural Cough Remedies

My daughter was diagnosed with Croup last week and I got sick shortly after. I am now on day 5 of feeling pretty lousy and a suffering with a horrible congested cough. This sent me on the search for some natural cough remedies that my ease my discomfort.

Congested Coughs Causes
The obvious causes of coughing are colds, flu, bronchial infections, sinus congestion, smoking, and the need to rid the throat of foreign matter. But did you know that heartburn is one of the leading causes? For some unknown reason heartburn is the cause for about 10% of chronic coughers. See our Heartburn section for suggestions to relieve both the heartburn and coughing. Dust, pollen and chemicals are other sources of irritants. Also, some drugs, most notably ACE inhibitors used for high blood pressure, have coughing as a side effect in 21% of the people using them. Coughing is also a common symptom of asthma. The sound of your cough may indicate its cause. Below is a list of the cough sounds and what that may indicate:

A barking cough - bronchitis or croup

A high-pitched cough - your vocal cords are involved and the airways have become narrowed

A wheezing cough - asthma and/or bronchitis

A loud, gasping cough with difficulty getting air - whooping cough

Tips
• Breathe the steam from a vaporizer, hot shower, or pan of boiling water. The moist air will soothe the airways and loosen sinus congestion and phlegm in your throat and lungs. A few drops of the oil of eucalyptus will help this process.

• Elevate the head of your bed. This will allow your sinuses and nasal passages to drain better and not create that "tickle" in your throat.

• Stop smoking. Passive smoke or other irritants, such as chemicals, can be a cause. Household cleaners, new carpeting, paneling and mattresses are some of the many possible sources of chemical irritants.

• Drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water. This is especially important if your cough is due to an illness. Water is the best expectorant you can take and will help thin the mucus and loosen the cough.

• Do not use over-the-counter expectorant cough remedies as they just suppress the symptoms and do not address the underlying problem. If you have the kind of cough with mucus you want to get it out of your respiratory system, not suppress it. Try one of the natural expectorant remedies below.

• Try eating hot chili peppers, horseradish or other spicy foods. They will help loosen mucus.

• During the winter, if your house is dry, use a humidifier and a cool-mist vaporizer in your bedroom at night. This will help thin the mucus. Be sure to thoroughly clean the vaporizer, as it can harbor bacteria.

• Drink hot tea to break up the mucus and open and moisten the airways.

• Cough drops or hard candy will help stop the tickle if you have a dry cough and will moisten the throat.

• Avoid foods that increase the production of mucus, such as dairy products, meat and fried foods.

• Hot packs placed on your throat and chest are very soothing.

Supplements
Vitamins A, C and E are beneficial with conditions that cause coughs.

Aromatherapy
The use of inhaled steam can be very effective in liquefying mucus and reducing irritation. To control the steam, bend over the steaming water while holding a towel over your head. Try some of these aromatherapy oils. Inhaling essential oils can stimulate your lungs to expel phlegm.

Cypress Add three drops each of cypress and juniper oil and a drop of ginger.

Cedar Dilute 3 drops of oil of cedar in one teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive, sweet almond or jojoba, and massage onto your chest several times a day.
Add 10-15 drops to a pot of steaming water and inhale the vapors

Eucalyptus Add a few drops of eucalyptus to a carrier oil and rub on your chest.
• Put 10-15 drops of oil in boiling water and inhale the steam. Eucalyptus is a good decongestant and expectorant. You can also add three drops of hyssop oil.

Jasmine Use the oil in a burner or put a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale the fumes.

Myrrh Add a few drops of myrrh to a carrier oil and rub on your chest. This will help reduce mucus.

Peppermint Dilute 3 drops of peppermint oil in one teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive, sweet almond or jojoba, and massage onto your chest several times a day.
Add 10-15 drops to a pot of steaming water and inhale the vapors.

Pine Put some essential pine oil in a burner to soothe the throat. You can also place a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale the fumes.

Thyme Add 10-15 drops of this oil in a pan of boiling water and inhale the fumes, in an infuser, or place a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale.
• Massaging using oil of thyme may also be helpful in relieving your cough. Put 5 drops in 1/4 cup olive oil and massage your neck and upper body. Thyme is an excellent expectorant and has been used for centuries to heal respiratory conditions.

Reflexology
Rub the padded area below your big toe in various directions at the first sign of a cough. Also, hold back the toes and press on the raised area with your thumb. This will help relieve chest congestion.

Remedies

Folk

Aloe vera Mix equal parts of aloe juice and honey. This is very good for a scratchy cough.
Angelica Use a tincture of the root or leaf, or make a tea. Angelica is an expectorant. Do not use if you are pregnant.

Bee balm Native Americans used bee balm to alleviate colds and coughs. Steep two teaspoons of fresh (one, dried) bee balm leaves in a cup of hot water, covered, for four minutes. Sip a cup three times a day. Bee balm has antiseptic compounds that can help heal respiratory infections and clear nasal congestion.

Carrot juice Mix with honey and a little warm water. Take a tablespoonful several times a day.

Cayenne pepper Mix 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a glass of water and use as a gargle, swallowing afterward. You can also use 15-20 drops of Tabasco sauce in a glass of water or juice. Pepper helps clear congestion and draws blood to the throat to fight infection.

Chamomile tea will soothe the throat.

Garlic Grate one or two cloves of garlic and mix with a teaspoon of honey. Take as needed.

Ginger Make a tea using ginger and drink 6 oz several times a day, as needed.

Grape juice Mix a cup of grape juice with a teaspoon of honey.

Honey Mix honey with juice of a fresh lemon and take as needed. Not only does honey soothe the tickle, but it has antibacterial properties, too.

• Dr. D. C. Jarvis, in his classic book, Folk Medicine, described another honey remedy that worked very well: boil a whole lemon for 10 minutes; when cool enough to handle roll it back and forth on a hard surface, cut it in half and squeeze the juice into a pint of raw honey. Add a teaspoon of glycerin and take as often as needed.

Horehound cough drops have been used for generations to quell coughs. One of horehound's compounds, marrubiin, stimulates bronchial secretions and helps break up congestion.

Hyssop Steep two teaspoons of dried hyssop in one cup of boiling water, covered for ten minutes; strain and drink cool for an expectorant or hot to relieve congestion. The oils in hyssop are good for mild respiratory problems. Hyssop contains marrubiin, the same compound that makes horehound an excellent expectorant.

Lime juice Mix equal parts of lime juice and honey.

Mullein soothes and relaxes the lungs and bronchial tubes, which eases a cough. Use 25-30 drops of tincture in a small glass of boiling water three times a day.

Onion broth Make a broth by boiling an onion for 10-15 minutes; strain and drink the broth several times a day. The broth will reduce congestion.

Onion juice Make a syrup by combining 1 teaspoonful of raw onion juice with 1 teaspoonful of honey; let stand for 3-4 hours, and take in divided doses.

Sugar Suck on a cube of raw sugar.

Tea Tea made with peppermint or rosemary will help break up congestion.

Thyme Make a tea using two tablespoons of fresh (one tablespoon of dried) thyme in a cup of boiling water; steep, covered, for four minutes; strain and drink hot. Thyme relaxes the lungs and promotes expectoration of mucus. It contains a volatile oil, thymol, which has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Looks like I have a lot to try!

- Shannan

Source: Health911

Some Natural Help for Night-Time Bedwetting

I belong to a really great list-serve through the Holistic Mom's Network and oddly enough that is where I got the idea for today's post. A mom had written in wondering what she could do for her 5 year old son who was wetting every night. This brought back a few memories of about a year ago when our son seemed to have nightly wetting episodes. People will tell you it's so normal, and that it's a stage, which is all true; but when it's you up every night at 2 am changing sheets and laundering a complete set of bedding every night, you hope there is something to stop the cycle.

There is a lot of literature out there about the effectiveness of using Homeopathics and Bach Flower remedies to stop bed wetting and we found the homeopathic Pulsatilla to be invaluable in helping our son quickly get over his issue with bed-wetting. He completely fit the profile for Pulsatilla and it wasn't long after giving him Pulsatilla that we finally had some dry nights. I stopped giving him the Pulsatilla as a test and found that the problem re-occurred soon after. It seemed like forever, but probably after a month or two of no wetting we again stopped giving him the Pulsatilla and he was able to stay dry at night. What a relief. I still believe to this day that he wouldn't have gotten through that stage as quickly without homeopathics.

Unlike traditional medicine where there is a one size fits all approach, when you use homeopathics and Bach flower remedies you must find the right remedy for the person you are treating. I can't count the number of times I've heard people say - "Oh, I tried XYZ remedy for teething, homeopathy doesn't work." There are half a dozen remedies to try for teething and each one fits a particular personality and situation. It's not always easy to see yourself or child in a remedy, but a little investigation and perseverance usually pays off.

Homeopathics for Night-Time Bed wetting

• Belladonna - helps the child who sleeps so deeply he cannot wake up.


• Causticum - helps the child who wets the bed in the first sleep and is worse in dry, clear weather.


• Equisetum - helps the child who had dreams or nightmares when urinating


• Kreosotum - helps the child who sleeps so deeply he cannot wake and often has dreams or nightmares involving fire or of being pursued.


• Pulsatilla - helps the child who is shy, sensitive, weepy and affectionate.


• Sepia - also helps the child who wets in their first sleep. This child generally loves vigorous exercise and dancing, and is sensitive to cold air.

Bach Flower Remedies for Night-Time Bed Wetting

• Chicory: due to lack of attention - reduces the child's dependence on the parents at night.


• Crab Apple: helps overcome a feeling of uncleanliness. When a child is ashamed of his own weaknesses, it becomes harder for him to overcome them.


• Mimulus: alleviates the anxiety induced by anticipation.


• Pine: relieves guilt feelings


• Willow: due to contrariness, resentment, or bitterness

Any of the Bach flower remedies can be mixed and taken together. Use a combination of Bach flower remedies and homeopathics to suit your child's needs. You can find Bach flower remedies and homeopathics at your local health store. I also purchase a few homeopathics at 1800homeopathy.com.

For those of you going through this stage: Good Luck and remember "This too shall pass"!

Karla

Those Pesky Ear Infections

Do any of your children suffer from frequent ear infections? My little guy is quite prone to them in the winter season. It's completely genetic as I can recall frequent ear infections and the "purple medicine" that tasted like grapes my mother gave me to cure them.

I'm hoping that as he is turning 4 that maybe he will outgrow some of hisear infections, but if not I'm going to arm myself with some good natural remedies to try to fight them naturally.

Here are some ideas:

1. Fresh raw garlic juice applied directly to the ear. (I hear it also keeps the vampires away this time of year!) :)


2. A few drops of lobelia extract applied into the infected ear.


3. Wash the affected ear with colloidal silver. It's a natural antibiotic.


4. Oil of Mullein applied to the ear numbs the pain and has an antibiotic effect. This can be purchased in a store or made at home. Check out my post on mullein for more ideas.

Do any of you have a child that suffers from frequent ear infections? What have you tried that works?

Karla

Great Read: Healthy Child Healthy World

I just finished a really great read. It's a book called Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home by Christopher Gavigan. I loved this book. It's the kind of book that no matter where you are on the organic, green learning curve, you will learn something invaluable. Every chapter has great information and quick tips to get you started.

I couldn't begin to tell you everything this book has to offer, but let me highlight a few of the chapters to whet your appetite. Then you will just have to get your own copy!

• Chapter 1 is cutely named "Doing the Bump" and is all about preparing for the birth of a child. It gives great tips on eating, products to avoid, a great natural body butter recipe, and finding safe nursery and baby stuff.



• Chapter 2 is all about cleaning supplies including what to avoid and great natural replacements for the dangerous stuff. That is one thing I really appreciated about this book. All through the book Mr. Gavigan informed you about the danger of a product and then recommended a safe, inexpensive, natural alternative.



• Chapter 6 talks about safe gardening and lawn care. There are so many great tips here. He talks about simple ways to improve the health of your lawn without pesticides and fertilizer; how to fertilize naturally; and some helpful tips on bug and mosquito control.



• Chapter 8 gives great tips on raising a "green pet". Our only pets are two adorable guinea pigs, but I appreciated the great info on natural flea control; recipes for good dog food; and a nontoxic pet cleanser.

I could seriously go on and on, but really, you should just get this book and take a read. If you are a star-watcher, there are also great tips from celebrity supporters as well as leading medical and public-health experts. A few of these included Jenna Elfman, Laura Dern, Noah Wylie, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson to name a few.

At the end of the book is a GREAT chapter of resources giving you contacts for things like diapers, bedding, bottles, clothing, cleaning products, snacks, garden and lawn products, and etc. I plan to work my way through this list in the coming months and educate myself more on what is out there. I will defininitely pass along great finds to all of you!

The organization Healthy Child Healthy World was started by James and Nancy Chuda in 1991 after their beloved daughter Colette died from Wilms' tumor a rare form of nonhereditary cancer. They are a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to "educates parents, support protective policies, and engage communities to make responsible decisions, simple everyday choices, and well-informed lifestyle improvements to create healthy environments where children and families can flourish." Their site offers more great tips and resources for anyone trying to make their home and life a safer, greener environment.

Thanks Janelle Sorenson from Healthy Child Healthy World for the great opportunity to review this fantastic book! I definitely recommend adding this one to your must read list.

Karla

Homeopathy Basics

I had a really interesting and refreshing week last week. A bunch of small things came together and inspired me on my journey to living more holistically. The first exciting thing was a visit to my OB where we (the kids and I) got to see a little glimpse of the newest member of the family. It's always breathtaking to see that new little life that is so small that I'm not always even aware he or she is there - except for the constant nausea and tiredness. I tried to scan the picture to share with all of you, it's a little dark. L. my daughter wrote the little message on the bottom. Priceless.

The next cool thing was meeting my new doctor who is an MD but also trained in many alternative health fields. She has a background in Homeopathy and is currently training in Acupuncture. We had such a great discussion on nutrition and she thoroughly checked my hormones. I shared with her that I'm not a fan of medication and even supplementation - that I would really like to eat better and heal my body nutritionally when possible. She was very supportive of that. I'm going to have her follow me from now on prenatally as I really would love to tap her expertise in nutrition and alternative health throughout this pregnancy. For those of you who live in Michigan. Her name is Dr. Caroline King. She works through the Briarwood Family Medicine Integrative Health and Wellness Clinic.

Next I found a new cookbook that I'm really loving and can't wait to start sharing some new recipes. It's called The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook: Whole Foods to Nourish Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women - and Their Families by Cathe Olson. This book isn't just for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or even just for vegetarians. There are so many great nourishing, simple recipes for people of all ages. I'll share some favorites next week!

Then to end the week I attended a great Holistic Mom's Network meeting on the topic of Homeopathy. (If you read often, you know I'm a huge fan of using homeopathics for healing). Kathleen Slonager, a certified homeopath, gave a wonderful, informative talk on basic homeopathy and how to use various remedies. At the end there was a drawing for a donated basket of homeopathics and I WON! I was so excited to take my beautiful basket of goodies home. These were all donated by Boiron and I'm very excited to have them. I thought I would share the contents of the basket with you. I'm not sure if any of you are interested in using homeopathy for healing, but having a basic kit with the following items is a good place to start. Many purists in homeopathy believe that there is one remedy for every person and the multiple remedy kits you find in the drug store shouldn't be used. I was happy to hear Kathleen tell us that for basic, acute conditions these remedy kits are fine and very successful. If you are suffering from something that is more chronic it's better to call a homeopath like Kathleen and get some professional help to find just the right remedy. For at home use, here are some great things to have around.

• Calendula Lotion and Calendula Ointment: This is a great natural healing lotion for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.


• Bitecare Gel: Soothes and heals insect bites.


• Arnica Gel: Great for quick healing and relief from minor injuries and bruising. Also good for tired and sore muscles.


• Optique 1: Relieves minor eye irritation due to fatigue or airborne irritants such as ragweed, other pollens or dust.


• Summer First Aid Kit: Contains Apis for insect bites; Arnica for minor injuries and bruises; and Nux Vomica for indigestion.


• Sportenine: This a great one for all of you athletes. It is a remedy designed to help with muscle fatigue and cramps after intense workouts. I love it!


• Allergy Care Kit: For all you allergy sufferers, this kit contains Apis for itchy allergies; Galphimia for hay fever; and Histaminum for allergies in general.


• Sabadil: These tabs are also for relief of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, itchy yes and watery eyes.
• Easy Guide To Homeopathy With Therapeutic Index: I would also recommend having this pamphlet by Boiron around for reference. For only $1.50, it's very helpful when quickly searching for what to use.

Remember Homeopathy is a therapeutic method that uses natural substances in micro-doses to relieve symptoms. They stimulate your body to heal itself naturally without suppressing symptoms.

Leave me a comment in the comments section letting me know which homeopathic remedies are your favorites.

Hope you are all having a great week!

Karla

Colloidal Silver: Nature's Disinfectant

I came across another helpful natural remedy not long ago and wanted to write about it today. Colloidal silver is an inexpensive healing agent and disinfectant. It is a liquid composed of 99.9 percent pure silver particles that are suspended in water. The basic premise is that bacteria can't grow in the presence of silver and this makes colloidal silver a great internal and external disinfectant. In fact it has been shown to be effective agains more than 650 disease-causing bacteria, including such organisms as Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. It even works agains viruses.

Colloidal silver has been used for years in homeopathic, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It's completely safe when used as directed, even for infants and children. (I know, someone is about to mention the "blue man." A man who purportedly used colloidal silver and turned his skin permanently blue. I looked into that story and apparently he was trying to make his own funky colloidal silver at home. Don't try that.) Back before antibiotics, refrigeration, and pasteurization people used to put silver coins in milk to keep bacteria from growing. You've heard the "born with a silver spoon in her/his mouth" phrase - well, apparently, the wealthy of the time would have their eating utensils made of silver in order to prevent bacteria growth on their food. Silver coins would even be thrown down into water wells to keep stagnant water drinkable.

Here are some ways that colloidal silver can benefit you and your family.

Colloidal Silver...

• is effective externally on burns, abrasions, and cuts - it fights infection and helps to heal skin damaged tissue.


• can be applied directly to the ears for an ear infection or used in a neti pot for sinus infections.


• can help get over the cold and flu virus


• can be used to treat drinking water. It is recommended to use some in travel and camping trips as you can add one ounce of colloidal silver in a quart of water and get the germicidal benefits from it.


• can be used pretty much any time when bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections are suspected. Note: for serious or life threatening conditions one should always consult their physician.

Safe Doses: It's important to use this product as recommended. The bottle you purchase will give you the correct amount to take daily and do not take for more than 2 weeks at a time with a two week rest window in between the next round. Do not take if you are currently on thryroxin, quinolones, penacillamines and tetracyclines as the silver has a definte reaction with these pharmaceuticals.

This is a great addition to your medicine cabinet - check your local health food store or email me and I can give you some other options.

Karla

Bye-bye Bedtime

Tomorrow is our last day of preschool. That means that summer vacation officially starts for my family. Some of you have already left the school year behind and are experiencing the joys of summer.

With all that summer brings - picnics, playing at the park, running in the sprinklers, it also brings with it a lack of routine and therefore, a later bedtime. Around our neighborhood it is not unusual for the kids to play until dark, running from house to house, playing tag, riding bikes or shooting baskets.

For some reason the lack of an official bedtime in the summer makes me a little anxious. I try to keep my kids on some sort of schedule, but it just seems mean of me to make them come in while everyone else is hanging out having fun. And, if you have younger children as I do (5 yrs.) you know that a later to bed does not necessarily mean later to rise.

So how much sleep do kids really need? According to WebMD.com, kids between the ages of 3 and 6 need 10 1/2 to 12 hours of sleep a night. This means going to bed between 7 and 9 p.m. and waking between 6 and 8 a.m. That sounds about right to me. Children up to the age of 12 need at least 10 hours of sleep per night.

Your child's sleep helps:

• manage daily stresses



• promotes growth of bones, muscles and other body tissue



• rejuvenate the immune system



• promote mental alertness the next day



• prevent depression (long term sleep deprivation can cause serious depression)



• prevent psychological problems and disorders like anxiety, attention disorders, bed-wetting and post-traumatic stress disorder. (all possible results of prolonged sleep deprivation)

So, although the freedom and fun of summer are a nice break, try not to lose track of the importance of bedtime. I know I won't.

- Shannan

What's In Your Medicine Cabinet?? Arnica Montana

Summer is now officially on it's way here in Michigan. The days are getting longer, sunnier and much warmer. My kids already have a fresh batch of skinned knees. Ah yes...Summer. Something I think every household should stock up on for summer is a wonderful little homeopathic called Arnica. Summer is usually full of scrapes, bruises, sore muscles, overexertion and other various injuries. Arnica is a great natural remedy for all of the above.

Some might be unfamiliar with the use of homeopathics. The basic principles of homeopathy are that the natural state of the human body is one of health and that we possess the natural ability to heal ourselves. What we describe as symptoms are actually the body's efforts to protect itself against disease. Therefore, to effect a cure, we should not suppress the symptoms, but seek to stimulate the body's own natural healing processes.

Arnica is made from an herb called Leopard’s Bane that grows in the mountains. German peasants observed that if a sheep or goat fell down on a hillside and hurt itself, it would nibble the leaves of this plant. Arnica is priceless to keep around the house for the aftereffects of a fall, overexertion, injury from a blunt object, shock from an injury, soreness, healing of bruised tissue, and to control bleeding. To sum it up the person who needs Arnica is the one who feels bruised and sore.

One should take Arnica every three to four hours. Place the tablet or pellet (depending on the type you purchase) on or under the tongue and allow to dissolve in the mouth. Discontinue as soon as improvement is noted. If pain is especially intense take Arnica every fifteen minutes until pain subsides. Children can safely take half of the adult dose recommended on the packaging.

As an added aid, apply Arnica externally to the bruised area. A topical lotion or cream will help speed healing and relief. A word of caution, do not apply Arnica directly to broken skin as it will irritate open tissues.

Arnica also works great for those who are undergoing surgery. Take two tablets of Arnica before and afer surgery then repeat as often as needed. This will help reduce pain and minimize the need for narcotic medications.

Now off to enjoy the beautiful day!

Karla

Help for Teething Babies

Recently, I have been approached by three different friends who are mothers of infants/toddlers who are teething. They want to know if there is a safe, effective natural remedy they can give their little one to ease the pain and help their little one sleep at night. Although it's been a couple of years since my two were teething, I can distinctly remember the nights and days of no sleep, crabby babies, and praying that the tooth would just come in already. Sadly, I have to admit that during that time I hadn't been exposed yet to naturopathy so we mostly suffered through it or gave a dose of Motrin as recommended by my pediatrician at the time. When you know better though, you do better and I've come to appreciate that there are other alternatives that are much safer. I've found that homeopathy has many herbal remedies that will help whatever ails you and in teething children homeopathy can usually help to ease the pain.

There are several different teething remedies and the important thing is to find the one that is just right for your child. Even if you have two children, the remedy you used on your first may not be the one that works for your second. Each child is different and needs different remedies. Here are a few that are recommended for teething and their definitions.

• Chamomilla: This baby is cross, whiny, obstinate, and difficult to satisfy. They cry when denied something that they want and throw themselves to the floor if it is proffered. When touched or even looked at, the child manifests its resentment by shrieks, whining, or angry cries. The child is quiet only when carried about.


• Belladonna: This baby will be irritable, delirious, and may strike out or bite. They are usually flushed, restless, and feverish.


• Calcarea carbonica for the baby who has delayed teething, and delayed closure of fontanelles. This baby may actually have difficulty assimilating calcium and calcarea carbonica will help with that, thus facilitating teeth coming in. This baby is often fair, plump, with a sweaty head.


• Calcarea phosphorica has similar symptoms with delayed teething, delayed closure of fontanels, but this baby is usually thin, with dark hair and eyes.


• Silica: this baby has fine-textured skin, fine sandy hair, sweats in the head and neck as well as feet and hands, and has an intolerance to milk. This baby is extremely bright but can be difficult.

I know the definitions above are fairly vague and you may find it difficult to see which one might benefit your teething baby. There are combination remedies that combine a few remedies to make it easier on sleepless parents. I like to order homeopathics from a company called 1-800-Homeopathy. They sell a product called Teething Tabs that contain calcarea phosphorica, Ferrum Phosphoricum, Belladonna, and Chamomilla all in one tab. They also carry Hyland's Teething Gel which contains no benzocaine, sugar, artificial flavoring, dyes, or coloring agents. It has Calcarea Phos, Chamomilla, Coffea Cruda, and Belladonna in it for homeopathics and can be applied right to the teething baby's sore gums.

Another option to relieve the pain of teething is to head to your health food store and pick up a bottle of clove oil. Clove oil is a natural anesthetic and a drop can be massaged into the baby's gums. A combination of homeopathics and clove oil may work really well together to help relieve teething pain and let everyone get some rest!

Best of luck and a little sleep to all of you wonderful mothers of teething babies. I can hear Darius Rucker in my head right now "It won't be like this for long". Trust me, that's a good thing and a bad thing! :)

Karla

What's In Your Medicine Cabinet??

Tea Tree Oil

A really great natural remedy to keep on hand for home emergencies is a small bottle of Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is a pale essential oil taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia which is native to the northeast cost of New South Wales, Australia. Tea tree oil undiluted has a very strong camphoraceous odor (or as my husband described it "like gasoline"). No really it's not that strong. This oil has several very helpful uses around the house.

• It's an antiseptic for wound disinfection, insect or spider bites;


• It's an anti fungal that can be used to treat athlete's foot and fungal nail infections;


• Shampoos with 5% tea tree oil effectively treat dandruff and even kill lice;


• It's a great treatment for acne and general skin care. Add it to your bottle of oil when doing the oil cleansing method for even greater results;


• It's a great topical anti-viral treatment, especially when used for the herpes virus, cold sores, chicken pox, shingles blisters, and warts; and


• tea tree oil can be used in mouth wash for dental and oral health; or as a gargle for colds, and sore throats. It's important to remember not to swallow the gargle as tea tree oil is harmful when swallowed;

Pick yourself up a bottle of this wonderful home remedy. You can add it to your shampoo; dilute with distilled water, or cold pressed vegetable oil to make a rinse or salve. You can add a teaspoon of tea tree oil to a cup of water or natural soap for a wonderful disinfectant spray or wash that will even kill mold or mildew around the house.

One word of caution, tea tree oil is harmful when swallowed. It has been reported to cause drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, blood cell abnormalities, and severe rashes. It should be kept away from pets and children.

Karla

What's in Your Medicine Cabinet??

I was reading through a variety of things on my desk this weekend (trying yet again to get organized) and thought I would share a few of the things I found. I don't know about you, but as holistic as the rest of my life is, when one of the kids get hurt or sick many times I'm tempted to reach back for the over the counter things I've used for years instead of trying holistic remedies that would be better for us. I thought it might be good to share some ideas of common home remedies and then start stocking our medicine cabinets with good things to prepare for those times when we need them.

• Did you know that grapes are one of the most effective home remedies for treatment of a cough? Grapes tone up the lungs and act as an expectorant. How easy is that. A cup of raw (not pasteurized) grape juice mixed with a teaspoon of honey is a great natural cough syrup.



• For burns (I have many kitchen accidents), run the affected area under cold water or ice for 15-30 minutes. then apply honey to the area. The honey will prevent infection and start the wound healing.



• As I've started to eat more raw fruits and veggies, and started juicing, my body has been detoxing, and it started to show up on my skin as acne. It's always nice to go back to those teenage years! Something I've found affective is to use lemon juice as an astringent and for healing.



• And how about this one...Carrot soup is an effective home remedy for diarrhea. Who knew? It supplies water to combat dehydration; replenishes sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, and magnesium; supplies pectin; and coats the intestine to allay inflammation. It also checks the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria and prevents vomiting. Wow!

So, on your next shopping trip you should include grapes, honey, lemons, and carrots and you will have the beginnings of a few fantastic remedies for those occasional times when we are not at our best! Amazing!

We will revisit this topic often, but in the meantime, what are your favorite home remedies?? Please share!

Karla

P.S. Make sure to check back tomorrow morning...Shannan and I have a great surprise for you!

Children's Vitamins

As much as we would all love it if our kids ate perfectly, it just doesn't happen so a children's vitamin is my way of making sure my girls get what they need. We recently ran out of vitamins so I started looking around for something new and different. I still remember our pediatrician recommending Flintstone vitamins when the girls were toddlers. I knew there had to be something better.


After reading all of the bottles at Whole Foods, I decided on the Rainbow Light Kid's One MultiStars. It has a wide range of vitamins and minerals as well as herbs to prevent stomach upset and Vegetable Juice - Kale, Spinach, Dandelion Greens and Beet, equivalent to 50 mg vegetable powder. (another example of 'Sneaky Nutrition') They also contain no lactose, gluten or allergenic yeast.

Rainbow Light has been around for 25 years and prides themselves on being the creator of the first ever food-based one-per-day multivitamin. They describe how they formulate as:

Rainbow Light supplements deliver maximum absorption & are customized to effectively meet a wide range of nutritional needs!

Science-based potencies & ratios
Bioavailable nutrient forms
Absorption-activating co-nutrients
Plant-source enzymes
Energizing whole foods
Clinically-proven botanicals

Now the real scoop. The Kid's One Multi-Stars are sort of grayish in color and shaped like stars with sungalsses. The girls think they taste fine. They don't rave about the taste, but they certainly don't fight me in regard to eating them.

I can't help but feel better knowing that they are getting all of their vitamins and minerals plus some greens from food-based sources without all of the sugar, artificial flavors and colors that many of the more mainstream children's vitamins contain.

- Shannan

Winter Health Survival Guide: 10 Easy Steps

I found this post on Healthy Child Healthy World and thought it was great. So I am sharing...
- Shannan

Posted by Janelle Sorensen November 24, 2008 on the Healthy Child Healthy World blog.

‘Tis the season of sniffles, sneezes, fevers, and flu. At my house, we’re in the midst of virus cycle number one and I just pulled out the vaporizer for the first time of the season. As my daughter and I waited for the little engine to warm up after months of sitting idly in the basement, we spoke glumly about how much we despise the string of illness and misery winter inevitably brings. Then a thought emerged from the cloud of congestion that had taken over my cognition, “Why is every winter so filled with illness and why do we just hopelessly accept that fate?” This winter we are fighting back, and you can too. Keep your family in tip-top shape by following these easy tips.

1. Get plenty of Zzzzz
Studies show that sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to illness by reducing the number of cells in your body dedicated to fighting things like microbes. The average adult needs about 6-8 hours of sleep. A newborn may need up to 18 hours a day, toddlers require 12 to 13 hours, and preschoolers need about 10 hours. If your child doesn’t nap, try putting him or her to bed earlier.

2. Bust a family move
Exercising increases your sickness-fighting cells. Get the whole family in the habit of exercising together to improve your health and to enjoy some quality time together. Try walking, hiking, biking, yoga, or just crank up some fun music and have a dance-off.

3. Engage in germ warfare
• Make sure everyone washes their hands often with soap. Ditch the antibacterials because research shows plain soap is just as effective. Sing the ABC’s while vigorously lathering palms, between fingers, around nail beds, and the backs of hands. Pay particular attention to hand hygiene before and after each meal, after playing outside, using the bathroom, handling pets, blowing noses, and after being anywhere in public. • When you're out and about, carry non-toxic wipes or hand sanitizer with you for quick cleanups. Check out CleanWell’s plant-based, biodegradable products, All Terrain Hand Sanz Fragrance Free Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer, or EO Hand Sanitizer. • If someone in the family gets sick, keep his toothbrush separate from everyone else’s. Give it a good soak in boiling water or run it through the dishwasher after the illness isn’t contagious anymore to get rid of any lingering germs or viruses. • Wash your hand towels in hot water every three or four days during cold and flu season.• Sneeze and cough into your arm or a tissue. Coughing into your hands puts the germs right where you can spread them to any object (or person) you touch.

4. Drink up
You have probably heard how important it is to drink plenty of fluids when you are ill, but it’s just as important for preventing illness. Adequate hydration keeps the tissues of the respiratory system moist, which prevents microbes from settling in. Hydration also helps the immune system work properly. Opt for fresh, filtered water.

5. Air out
Open a window or two in your home just a crack for a few minutes each day. You’ll let out indoor air pollutants that may be stressing your immune systems as well as chase away germs.

6. Keep it cool
An overheated home promotes dry air, the perfect environment for viruses to thrive. And when your mucous membranes (i.e., nose, mouth, and tonsils) dry out, they can't trap those germs very well. Lowering the heat in your house 5 degrees and using a room humidifier helps maintain a healthier level of humidity in the winter. Buy a hygrometer to measure humidity and keep your home at around 50 percent.

7. Relax
Declare a family time out each day. During these few minutes have everyone close their eyes, breathe deep, and think happy. Meditation reduces stress. Reduced stress means less susceptibility to illness.

8. Pump up with produce
Carrots, kiwis, raisins, green beans, oranges, strawberries: they all contain such immunity-boosting phytonutrients as vitamin C and carotenoids. Cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, are good sources of betacarotene and help protect against free-radical damage. They also contain vitamin C and calcium. Try to get your child to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day. Eat at least half of them raw and when you do cook them, be careful not to overcook. Overcooking destroys the immune enhancing properties. Learn more about feeding your immune system.

9. Go easy on the sweets
Sugar makes the body acidic, just the way pathogens like it (they thrive on sugar). So especially during cold and flu season, reduce sugar intake (that includes corn syrup and HFCS, as well).

10. Take a supplement
According to Dr. Alan Greene, “most kids today do NOT get the micronutrients they need from what they eat. Not by a long shot. By some estimates, only 2% of kids regularly eat the recommended number of servings of different food groups.
 A daily multivitamin/mineral is more than just a safety net for occasional nutritional shortages, it is an important tool to support healthy growth and a healthy life for your child.” Talk to your physician about your child’s specific nutritional needs and check out Dr. Greene’s Nutritional Supplements.