Healing Remedies Every Household Needs
Most people cling to the aspirin, tums and vaseline as their remedy for common concerns. However, what if there were more natural healing remedies for everyday use that are actually good for you? The other day I ate something bad and after a few hours of worsening symptoms, I thought to myself…. where is my activated charcoal?! I took it and within 10 minutes felt perfectly fine. It was in that moment that I realized there are lots of remedies I have learned over the years to help with all kinds of issues. Hopefully this list helps you in the future. I would highly recommend keeping all these tricks on hand in case you end up sick in the middle of the night, or have an unexpected toothache, or are traveling and need some GI support. All of these remedies listed are ones that I use on a regular basis when necessary, so I stand by them that they work! I would love to know if you have ever tried any of these as well and if there are others that have worked for you too.
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Activated Charcoal for a Sick Stomach
Having worked at Whole Foods Market in the supplement department, it seemed like a lot of people knew that there were incredible uses for activated charcoal in helping to bind and draw out toxins as a natural healing remedy. I take one or two of these anytime my stomach feels off or I feel like I ate something bad, and it goes away within minutes.
Baking Soda for Acid Reflux
Do you or someone you know pop Tums like it’s candy? I am a very experienced acid-reflux-fighter due to a hiatal hernia. Yes, tums works, but what if you don’t have tums? Try putting 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in water. Mix well and drink it and your stomach will settle down. You might burp a little though, and that’s okay. Your stomach acid will temporarily neutralize and you’ll feel better in no time.
Digestive Essential Oil Roll-on for Stomach Pain
I know essential oils get a bad rap occasionally but man do these save the day! I originally used to use Young living’s digestive essential oil blend called Digize, and it worked wonders. Well I recently was in a pinch and needed a quick remedy with short shipping time, so I took to the Amazon and found a really good but cheaper alternative. It still works the same and helps calm a bloated belly quite nicely.
Ginger for Nausea
I usually keep crystallized ginger candies or crystallized ginger (with a little sugar on it) on hand for the times when I feel nauseous for whatever reason, or if I am really bloated. It helps to expel the gas, tastes good (but kind of zingy) and is an anti-inflammatory that also helps break down your food.
Saccharomyces Boulardii for Diarrhea or Traveler’s Diarrhea
Yet another supplement that is CRUCIAL to have on hand. If you have ever had diarrhea and nothing seems to work, or you wish you had a more natural way to get back to normal than peptobismol-chalk, this probiotic is it. It’s actually a natural good yeast that is already found in our bodies. Plus, it really helps to naturally help you normalize back to baseline. I take 1 pill daily, but for the times when I am feeling sick, I might take 2 or even 3 throughout the day.
3 Prunes, Decaf Coffee and Spectra Fiber for constipation
This combo is super helpful for constipation as a natural healing remedy. If you do well with regular coffee then great! I find decaf works just as well even without as much caffeine. SpectraFiber is a brand of concentrated, easy-to-take capsules that include prune, carrot, celery, glucomannan, apple pectin, citrus pectin, slippery elm, sodium alginate from brown seaweeds, and fennel. It excellent for overall gut health.
Molasses for Hemorrhoids… Eat a Spoonful a Day
I actually heard this from a pelvic floor specialist. Oftentimes hemorrhoids happen because of either bad straining habits, or mineral imbalances. Thankfully molasses can help with the mineral imbalances as it contains high amounts of minerals and tastes pretty good too. Take a spoonful of blackstrap molasses and it really helps to get rid of hemorrhoids within a day or two, even if you have them as a result of having taken antibiotics.
Peppermint Roll-on for Migraines & Headaches
In addition to painkillers and ice packs, peppermint roll-on essential oils brings a very soothing effect to an otherwise miserable experience of migraines. I roll them on my temples and sometimes on the back of my head. Within minutes, the mint sufficiently distracts me from the some of the head pain and feels weirdly refreshing.
Ashwagandha for Anxiety or a Racing Mind
I had always heard raving reviews from friends about using ashwagandha for a busy mind or for anxiety. I had tried it occasionally in the past but I honestly didn’t notice a difference. But after my beloved grandpa passed away, my mind wouldn’t stop and I noticed my body reacting negatively to the grief with erratic heart rhythms. So I decided to drink Organic India’s Tulsi Ashwagandha tea, and I was shocked! My mind instantly quieted and it felt like someone just gave me a little cup of peace. And yes I’m being totally serious. Now I take ashwagandha regularly and swear by it on days where I am feeling extra stressed or nervous for any given reason. I also have the ashwagandha capsules that I take with me when I’m out and about as well. Additionally, it’s great for balancing blood sugar!
Essential Oxygen Brush Rinse for Toothaches, Gingivitis & Cold Sores
I cannot sing enough praises for this brush rinse in particular. It is very important not to use mouthwash on a regular basis because we have enzymes in our mouths that initiate the digestion process. But this brush rinse, from food-grade hydrogen peroxide and not alcohol, is incredible. It is all natural, using essential oils to give you a very fresh feeling. My husband and I love this stuff. It’s one of the healing remedies I use in addition to oil pulling that helps keep my oral hygiene in balance.
Coconut oil for Dryness and Women’s Care
Coconut oil can be used for SO many things because it is antimicrobial and antibacterial and has anti-inflammatory effects. That being said, it can help balance pH, fights off candida, and helps with dryness. I always keep coconut oil on hand instead of using expensive lotions or other products.
Castor oil for Hair Growth & Long Lashes
I love using castor oil because it’s a natural way to make my eye lashes longer. It’s VERY sticky so apply it lightly onto the eyelids/lashes without getting any in your eye. If you do get it in your eyes on accident, just wash it out. It can also be used as a compress for PMS cramps and many other healing remedies.
Zinc, Vitamin C, D, and K for Cold Care
These are my go-to’s whenever a cold is coming on. Because I can’t take immune boosters like echinacea and elderberry, I use these vitamins and they help fight off colds very well. I’ll usually take these for the week that I am sick and even afterwards. You can of course sources these vitamins from foods (which should be our primary healing remedies!) such as pastured eggs, bone broth, oysters, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Garlic as a Natural Antibiotic
Okay so full disclosure is that I don’t actually use garlic because I’m allergic to it. But my husband uses it whenever he is starting to feel a cold come on and it helps tremendously! If you don’t like garlic cloves straight, you might want to try it with honey. There are lots of recipes online with fermenting garlic in honey and eating spoonfuls. This is one of the many natural healing remedies that traditional grandmas and households have used for generations.
B-complex for Energy
Methylated B-complex is almost always one of the first supplements functional medicine doctors will recommend. It’s like having the whole football team (rather than just the quarterback aka vitamin B12) for energy. Not all supplements are created equal though. Make sure to get a methylated version because a good majority of the general population may have a genetic disposition that disables them from properly utilizing B vitamins.
Harmless Harvest Coconut Water for electrolytes and Hydration
Man this stuff is magic. It’s so refreshing and, while I don’t like the taste of pretty much any other coconut water, this one is AWESOME! It’s refrigerated and you can usually buy it at Walmart, Whole Foods market, or Target and other places too. Coconut water is full of electrolytes so it is an excellent alternative to gatorade or sugar-packed drinks.
Magnesium for Overall Wellbeing
Did you know magnesium has over 300 functions in the human body? Most Americans are deficient in it. I love magnesium capsules or chewables for muscle pain, and then I also sometimes rub on magnesium lotion and magnesium oil. I even take epsom salt baths with it.
Essential oils for Everything Else
Essential oils may be a craze to some and a fluke to others. But I will say that having these four essential oils on hand have been game-changers for entirely different reasons: Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus and Tea tree. I use peppermint for everything from migraines to muscle pain relief to warding off spiders. Lavender I rub on my wrists and neck to help me relax. Eucalyptus and tea tree are used when I am sick. I usually either rub eucalyptus on my chest or I will boil a few drops in water and soak in the steam to help me breathe better. Each one has powerful healing remedies due to its potent concentration.
Oils as Face Moisturizer
For a long time now I have stopped using expensive serums and creams. Instead, I am currently using chia seed oil because I have really dry skin, but in the past I also have made blends of almond oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil. They all have worked great. If I do need a pre-made product, I’ll use Good Common Sense from my hometown in California.
And that’s it! Of course there are more I could go on about. But this is a good starting point for most of your common issues and the healing remedies I use for them.
We are a pretty natural household, too. This is my kind of content. Love it.
This is so helpful! Pinning for later! I have used activated charcoal so many times for an upset stomach & it’s amazing!
These are wonderful options. Thank you for sharing! I’ll need to start stocking my medicine cabinet with these soon.
So many wonderful remedies! Love this info, thank you so much for sharing!
We use natural remedies, too, and love them. Thank you for sharing this super helpful information.