Natural Remedies

I have a lot of information on my site, www.bellysprout.com. I have a natural mothering store in Fullerton and we have natural care practitioners who lecture and do workshops. In our blog we have a host of information regarding organic foods, natural remedies, parenting, etc. Here is what we do in my family:
1. eat organic, non-processed home-cooked meals. Lots of fresh juices and loads of vegetables. Lots of quinoa and legumes.
2. I am not a fan of too many supplements as I prefer to heal with whole foods (there is an excellent book with that title!!)For the kids I like Child Life Vitamins and their First Defense is great!
3. We don't eat cows milk products, except for real butter and instead use Goats milk yogurt and milk.
4. For sweetners we use stevia first and occassionally honey and agave.
5. I swearr by Dr. Feders boook, Natural Baby and Childcare for remedies. She is a homeopathic M.D. from L.A., an expert on vaccianations and does this lecture in our shop. The next one is this Saturday. I LOVE THIS BOOK.
6. I use Boirons homeopaths for all health-related issues!
7. Oregano Oil works! Go to www.herballiferemedies and get a ton of information there!!
8. I only use Young Living Essential oils and Prmiavera as they are truly safe! Arromatherpay works, but is useless if you use the oils from the health food stores; they carry petro-chemicals! Peppermint rubbed on the bottoms of feet and up the spine can cut a fever!
* Other resources; www.healthychild.org, Holistic Moms network

I could go on and on, but I think it's great you want to go healthier! Good luck and check out my site: www.bellysprout.com

4 moms found this helpful

Well, without knowing what type of medication you are hoping to avoid, that's kinda a loaded question. If you are asking what can you do to ensure your child has a strong immune system I can answer that. It would be helpful to know how old your child is. That said, I am a big proponent of chiropratic adjustments. Everything emanates off the spine. No child is too young. Infants can be adjusted. Regular adjustments assist with ADHD, asthma, sinus problems, digestive problems. Whatever. Hand in hand with that is yoga. Yoga keeps one flexible. Backwards bends boost the immune system. Deep breathing boosts the immune system. Yoga helps one focus. Yoga can boost one's self esteem. It does not promote competitiveness. Yoga tones the organs as well as toning the muscles and ligaments. It will help prevent sports injuries by keeping the body flexible and by the balance achieved. It is an exercise one can do for life. Incorporate meditation in your practice, and yes, children can do this also.

You are what you eat is an old adage with a lot of truth in it. Nothing brings the immune system down faster than sugar. Watch out for the not so obvious sources of sugar in simple carbohydrates like pasta, white breads, potatos, white rice. Better choices are brown rice, whole wheat pasta, hearty whole grain breads. Check the labels. Remember that the most nutritious part of a potato is the skin. If you make mashed potatos, don't peel them.
You should aim for a colorful plate of food. The more color on your plate, generally the more anti-oxidants you get. Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables. If you can't get fresh, used frozen. If at all possible buy organic. An apple a day really will keep the doctor away. An apple a day boosts the lung function and helps with regularity another key component to good health.

Avoid soda. There's nothing good about it. The carbonation leaches calcium from the bones. Don't be fooled by sugar-free sodas/gum/candy. Aspartame was on the way to being banned by the FDA when the maker hired Donald Rumsfeld to lobby for them using his Washington connections. Aspartame has been linked to brain tumors, diabetes, fibromyalgia, ADD, migraines, MS. Here's a link for further information.
http://www.newswithviews.com/NWVexclusive/exclusive15.html

I strongly recommend superfood. You can find it at any health food store. It is dehydrated greens-wheatgrass, ryegrass, spirulina, etc. Mix it with juice. Sprinkle it on salad. We use Dr Schulze's superfood from the Natural Botanical Pharmacy in the Marina del Rey, You can order from them online, but as I said, you can find them readily available from a number of makers.

Oil of Oregano is a great natural anti-biotic. You can get it in capsule form and if someone is coming down with something I recommend taking one 3x/day with meals. It can repeat on you. People tell me that they feel as if they've been eating pizza. Bee products are also great. Royal jelly, propolis and bee pollen all build up the immune system and can act as natural antibiotics. Local bee pollen can eradicate allergies. Pound it down for a month or so until relief is found. The beauty of all of these items is that since they are foodstuffs, they won't interact negatively with meds and you can't take too much.

Get a juicer. Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables are a great way to get an incredible amount of nutrients down. Add your superfood to your juice. Add bee pollen. Throw in some garlic when you juice. Garlic is another natural antibiotic and immune builder.

Avoid dairy. It clogs the respiratory system and digestive system with mucous. Many of us are allergic to it and don't even realize it. It is touted as a great source of calcium but the truth of the matter is we don't absorb it well from milk. Better sources of calcium are dark leafy vegetables. Goats milk is better digested and is available from Trader Joes.

Get your kids outside. We need sunshine for vitamin D. We need to run, walk, move. We need fresh air. Limit TV and computer games. TV is hypnotic.

Buy a book on reflexology. You can educate yourself on some basics that can help with a host of conditions. It is easy and pleasant. Applying light pressure on the toes and the pad under the toes can ease congestion from a cold or any respiratory problem.

Stay hydrated with lots of water. Herbal teas are fine.

Dental health is being more and more connected with one's general health. It can affect your heart. It has been connected with pancreatic cancer.

This may be more information than you were asking for, but the bottom line your lifestyle, your diet, your mental outlook all contribute to a healthier you. If you have a more specific question please don't hesitate to contact me.

1 mom found this helpful

This website has been a good source for me: www.herbalremedies.com

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K.,

I might be able to help with some suggestions but need to know why you need them. Go in and edit your original question so others can help:o)

Hi K.,
You received a great message from another mom, so I won't repeat that. I see, however, that the category this falls under is ADHD. If this is the case, I've got something I'm happy to share: a kid-friendly Omega-3/DHA supplement. This is known to have a positive affect on kids with ADHD. If I'm off base, no problem, but, if not, I'm a teacher with a lot of experience with kids with ADHD and am happy to talk with you further, as well as send you this sample (made by the #1 Nutritional supplement company in the world, certified organic....).
If I am off base and you are willing to give a bit more detail on the ages of your kids and what, specifically, you are looking for, please let me know that, too, and I'm happy to help if I can.
By the way, I am in constant awe of single parents; you are strong and courageous.
L.

Hi,
I am a Health Executive with Isagenix International, the fastest growing health and wellness company in history.The products offered by the company are phenominal and are having amazing impacts on children to adults, helping them gain and maintain optimal health and wellness and transform their lives! The focus of our formulators, medical and scientific teams are to help unlock the miracle of the human body; when healthy, the body has the ability to heal itself! The company offers nutritional rich super foods and supplements all made from organic and natural, non-compromising ingredients. You may visit my web site at www.livehappyhealthyandfree.com (Live Happy Healthy and Free, all lowercase)Once there, click on IsaVideos; then watch "Are You Toxic". Please feel free to contact me at ###-###-#### with any questions and so that I may follow up with you.

My partners and I have shared these products with other parents that did not wish to medicate their children. Testimonials from parents about their children include the benefits of increased concentration, greater mental focus, balanced moods, a balanced level of energy, improved academic and athletic performance and a greater sense of happiness.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best regards,
C. Bell
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Hi
You could try this diet, I have heard that it is effective in most cases:
http://www.feingold.org/pg-overview.html
GOod luck

Hi K.,

There's a great book all about this issue called the New Childhood Epidemics by Dr. Kenneth Bock. Something you can do right away, while you are waiting to get the book, is take out all foods containing artificial colors in them because they are believed to trigger ADHD symptoms in children. In fact, whatever you can do to make sure that your child is eating whole unprocessed foods as often as possible (fruits and vegetables vs. fruit chews and goldfish crackers), the better off your child will be for it.

Wishing you the best of luck from one ADHD mom to another.

L.

I second the feingold diet. I have a friend that did that with her son and she did not have to medicate him. Another friend didn't do feingold 100% but she removed all the junk in their home. They had a lot of processed foods, candy, sugary cereal, etc.. A well balanced diet does amazing things for both kids and adults. Also, make sure he is getting a DHA omega 3 and 6 supplement if he isn't already eating enough fish (most of us don't). You can find these just about anywhere these days but I usually buy Nordic Naturals or Dr. Sears brand which you can find at Sprouts and Henry's or online. These oils are very important for brain development.

Best wishes,
M.

Hi K., We use all home remidies, for your child you need to be a little more spacific, because there are different home remidies for different things. J. L.

Hi K.,

I guess it depends on the age of your children and what their symtoms are.

Beyond 1 year I believe you can give your child honey, but look it up or ask the doctor. So for cough I would suggested warm water and honey or apple cider vinegar.

For sore throat honey and lemon in hotish water.

For chest congestion a vaporizer, Baby Vicks on chest and back, rub some eycalptus oil on the sheets and/or pillow cases, and try boiling a pot of hot water and then have the child stand over the pot with a towel.

For fever, rub alchol on the child's feet (yes, it does work I used on myself and my 3 mos old) and stand him/her in a bowl of ice water applying ice water wash cloths to forehad and head.

For itchy/rashy skin, grind up oatmeal into a fine powder or buy Aveno oatmeal bath and soak child in tepid water as hot promotes itchy skin. Also, use almond or or olive oil to reduce the rash on skin.

For teething Hymans teething pills, bioron teething liquid, and an amber necklas (take off when child/baby is alseep).
Upset stoamache from teething and too much acid, 2 fingertips full of prune puree works like a charm.

Constipation I would try olive oil or mashed avocado.

Hope this was helpful.

L.

For what? Fever? teething? Vitamin supplements?

well theres Mothers Market, they have loads of natural medications, plus if you google search "home remedies" you can find tons of good ideas for whatever is ailing you or your child

Hi! I have a lot of information on alternatives to meds for children. I just listened to a call last night about children's health. You can contact me privately, if you like. What is the problem? Is it ADHD?

J.
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Hello K.. I'm confused as to what the problem, lack of problem, or problem you are trying to avoid is. Can you elaborate and be more specific please? There are so many choices, but without knowing what it is you intend to do with the information, it makes it difficult for one to give clear and concise advice :) I can only guess (presume) that by supplements, you mean vitamins. Is that correct? If so, then a diet rich in dark green leafy veggies, accompanied by plenty of fresh fruits, whole grains and fiber is best. Good luck to you :)

Juice Plus is THE BEST! It is fruits and vegetables in capsules, chewables, or gummies. It is researched and proven to be the best.
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Hi K.,

A wonderful website for natural health and healing is www.mercola.com. I just type in what topic I want to learn about and there is always some great thing I learn. My 7yr old son was diagnosed with adhd. I am taking it one day at a time, and getting support where I can while trying to find balance. I hope this helps.