Do you have a list of what you'd consider to be "everyone should have these things in their natural remedy medicine cabinet"? If you do, I'd really love to hear about them. I completely agree that there should be a balance between the 2. I believe the body was designed to take care of itself, for the most part, and we need to both help and allow it do it's "thang". I learned some basics of probiotics with my fructose baby after going to a Ped G.I. Turns out he is pretty old school, and gave me the name of a probiotic for Maddie. Unfortunately, it gave her horrible gas (this was as an infant), so we stopped using it. I'm a huge believer in chiropractic, too. Been going to one of those since before I was married. And I swear - I've been 10x healthier since starting. It has never made sense to me when doctors give someone with chronic pain a high dose pain meds, and send them on their way. Pain meds will mask the pain, but do nothing to change the problem. On a lighter note, I love how you snuck "undescended testicles" in your list. Also, my grandma's cure all was Rosebud salve.

We also can't forget about our bodies own defense system. In my family we just ride out most illnesses, and our bodies do the job for us. We seek medical help when necessary of course.

I think we can't forget our bodies own fighting powers to fend illnesses. In most cases my children will fight off colds with just good ol' fashioned sleep and fluids, it has worked the same with ear infections for the most part. We seek medicine of course when needed.

couldn't agree more...I'm one of those hippy leftist vegetarians, and I don't believe in homeopathy, but I sure try it first before going to Clorox for answers. Gripe water never worked for us, but those chamomilla teething tablets do. I say whatever works, but try the mildest first. I love the "can't hurt might help" stuff because it really *might* help.

This is so common sense and smart. Use what works, but don't be militant about the One True Path to health. And, most importantly, think big picture.

Great blog! I think it does a nice job of introducing people to some alternative methods! So funny on the timing....Just before I came over to read this article, I recommended garlic and honey to a friend who's boys have a virus. :)) AFA as eating it (in the comments) YIKES!! Camphor is toxic if ingested! That's nuts! Well meaning, but nuts! ;)

In our family, we use both Hmong homeopathic and modern medicine and enjoy the benefits of both. Although I see the benefits of both, I hate to think that some people will only sway one way or another. I totally agree with you that one should try the more natural, homeopathy, before modern medicine; yet don't forget that the other is there if needed. There are many in my culture who are very anti-modern medicine, and, unfortunately, have hurt themselves because of it. Great post, Naomi!

This is a great post, and I completely agree with you! I think finding a balance between the two forms of medicine can be completely positive - and healing! I think it's great that you are so open minded and knowledgeable.

Great post! Yes, I was raised on Vicks too -- but no eating it here. My grandparents were immigrants and they too had many natural ways of curing various illnesses. They worked too. Too bad much of the info didn't get passed down. But you're right, a combination of all approaches seems to be the best medicine.

Kys- She made you eat it! Holy poop! I might have to do that! J/K My ped did tell me to squirt cloraseptic in Matt's mouth then he would blow rasberries while I was feeding him. I didnt do that either. Now I hear that is what he tells people to do if their kid bites. Umm not gonna do that one either.

i have to say, generally i prefer homeopathy too, but you do all need to remember that some all natural things DO cause harm to the body. there are a lot of herbs, for example, that are really bad when you're pregnant (or nursing, or an infant, etc), because they mes with your blood pressure (or milk supply, or they just get into the milk, and can be too much for baby--ie, there are some moms that can't even have chocolate while nursing because it gives baby really bad gas, you know if you've seen it) or whatever. true that a lot of natural remidies really are no harm no foul, but it CAN be extremely dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. that being said... you didn't mention reflexology, and that's my current favorite :)

I could go on and on about this topic. No, Western medicine certainly does not look at the body as a whole. Anymore whenever I need to go to a doctor, they just throw some random pharmaceuticals at me which do nothing to address the real problem. But I do agree with using a combination of Western medine and homeopathic approaches. I was raised for the most part with homeopathy b/c my mom is really into that and also we just couldn't afford doctors really. But my kids have a history of food allergies (many of which they have outgrown thankfully), and Benadryl and epi-pens are certainly a must around here. I didn't have C-sections but THANK GOD for them, as well as antibiotics. I've rarely ever needed them, but when you do you just do. I'm really interested in the homeopathic remedies that you mentioned. I wrote them down. I hope to hear more at some point. I DO love the fact that you can try them first and if the don't work, no harm no foul. Great post!

I think what I relate to most in this post is the fact the most western medicine does not look at the body as a whole. They treat symptoms and then look at you a little crazy when you ask, "Um yeah, but what is causing all these symptoms?" It often takes soemeone getting to a critical stage of a disease before it is correctly diagnosed and treated because doctors write a quick perscription rather than seek out the underlying problem. This is one of my biggest gripes with the medical industry.

First of all, I am glad you posted. I was giving you one more day before I called out the troops. IDK exactly what I proposed to do, but you were gonna be in big trouble! LOL Sounds like "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". I totally dig that. I must admit I am a person that has generally went to conventional methods as soon as my kiddies had a sniffle. Did this hurt them. Well, they do act kinda crazy sometimes! LOL Oh wait, they have my DNA. In recent years I have became more interested in exactly what we are putting in our bodies. How can this effect us in the long run? I have to say I have made changes. I ask more questions. I research things now, where prior I would have jumped at the prescription pad. The fact is that modern medicine is a double edged sword. It is killing us and keeping us alive at the same time. We take meds when we are younger not truly knowing if that is what will causing us issues when we are older. Which in turn, modern medicine has little magic pills for whatever the issue. I love this post for new mother especially. I have walked 10 miles in new mom shoes that pinched my feet. My pediatricians office knew my voice. I called for every single reason. I wanted them to fix every single thing. I was "hooked on antibiotics" like a junkie that needed a fix. If my son had the slightest runny nose I wanted the pink stuff, bad! When I had my daughter almost 2 years later, they started reining in the rx pad and really treating antibiotics like crack. This junkie was POed! However, she never got sick. I focused on the prevention, and if she got a sniffle I treated her with more old fashion remedies. She has had very little illness in her life. With LC I followed the same path. I took her for her 9 month check up today and she is fit as a fiddle. Never has been to the doctor other then a well child check. Never been sick more then a sniffle (which I treated with saline and a snot sucker). So, I have to admit...less is more. Do not get excited my hippy friend. I am sucking down red dye #5 super dooper high fructose cherry like kool aid as I type this (not really, it is diet Pepsi)...but there is hope for me yet! :)

I was raised on Vicks. My mom would make me eat it if my throat was really sore. I've been kicking around the idea of doing a post of my family's hillbilly cures.

Wonderful stuff!!!! Yes, yes... I just bought my hubby a Homeopathy book for his birthday. We are really getting into this again. =) And I am all for your approach- have everything and start with the natural. Makes sense! I love your blog, Naomi!!! =)

Leave a Comment

Name:  * Required

Email:  * Required, hidden

Website URL:  

Please type the three letter word of the icon below:  
  * Required For Verification

Comments: 

Character Count: