Do you have a natural pharmacy?!
There are so many amazing natural remedies, nutrients, and herbal medicines that can aid in minor illnesses or injury. If you’ve been wanting to switch to more natural products, your medicine cabinet is a great place to start. Take comfort in knowing that if a mild health concern should arise, you are equipped with tools for yourself and your family!
All the specific supplements mentioned are available on my FullScript account, under the favorites category "Naturopathic Medicine Cabinet." Please create a login if you do not already have one to view and purchase these products.
Consider some common categories of over-the-counter drugs most people have on hand:
Antihistamines
Allergy season occupies more than its fair share of the year here in East Texas. If you are popping Claritins or Zyrtec all day, consider some alternatives:
Natural D Hist - with vitamin C, quercetin, nettles and NAC, this blend supports antioxidant and antihistamine pathways to provide relief.
Aller C - extra vitamin c with bioflavonoids is a major antioxidant immune system enhancer when allergies strike.
ProOmega 2000 - fish oil with a high omega 3 content like this one, supports your anti-inflammatory pathways and balances the immune system when there is a trigger like seasonal allergies.
Nettle tea - nettles are a classic antihistamine herb and a great nutrient dense tea. Choose hot or cold infusion and sip throughout the day! Mountain Rose Herbs or Lone Star Botanicals have great quality, organic loose herbs for teas and medicine making.
Anti-inflammatories/Pain relievers
Ibuprofen and Tylenol are a staple of most households, and honestly, they have a time and place! However if you are often reaching for it, (besides looking for the root cause of your inflammation), consider some natural anti-inflammatories:
BCQ or Inflammatone or Phytoprofen - whether it’s a headache, joint pain, muscle pain, menstrual pain, the herbal medicines in these options pack a serious anti-inflammatory punch. You’ve probably heard turmeric can do just about anything, and paired with complementary support, these are a seriously useful part of your natural medicine cabinet.
ProOmega 2000 - fish oil to the rescue again! Because of its support of your anti-inflammatory pathways, it’s a great tool for any inflammatory concern.
Epsom salt - muscle spasm or strain is a common reason to grab that pill bottle, but an Epsom salt soak is a wonderful way to relax and reduce musculoskeletal pain.
Castor oil packs - ladies, many of us are reaching for support during that time of the month. Castor oil applied topically to the lower abdomen with a heating of applied on top is an incredible tool for cramps!
Constipation Relief
Metamucil, Colace, and laxatives are all commonly used in many homes for occasional constitution. If you are needing these often, let’s get to the root cause! In the meantime, natural alternatives complement a healthy diet, adequate hydration and regular movement.
Magnesium citrate - the citrate form of magnesium is poorly absorbed in the colon and so draws water in and helps get the bowels moving!
Smooth Move tea - with senna leaf, a stimulating natural laxative, this tea is appropriate short term for constipation.
Therbiotic Complete Probiotics - unfavorable changes in the microbiome can set you up for constipation. Probiotics can support beneficial changes in your intestinal flora as they pass through the digestive system.
Heather's Tummy Fiber - a gentle, non-bloating fiber that acts as a great prebiotic to feed your good flora and promote regularity of bowel movements. This product is an incredible addition to your diet, and can also be useful with chronic looser stools/or IBS type symptoms.
Cuts, Scrapes, Rashes
Most of us have a topical antibiotic cream on hand to prevent infection and relieve pain should a minor cut, scrap or burn occur. However, there are natural options that can be just as effective, without unnecessary added ingredients or introducing a medication.
Active Skin Repair - hypochlorous acid is a natural anti-microbial agent that works with the body to prevent infection and heal the skin barrier. This spray can be used acutely in minor injury or daily for more chronic skin issues and rashes.
All Purpose Salve - a gentle blend of herbals to support minor irritation or rashes, and promote healthy and hydrated skin.
Wild Weed Salve - a blend of soothing herbals for skin issues that are itchy in nature.
Tea Tree Salve - a tea tree based blend that is helpful in cases of yeast or fungal imbalance.
Flu/Respiratory Illness
Stuffy nose, scratchy throat, feeling tired and sluggish, it may be a respiratory virus coming on. We have been inundated with information on natural anti-virals for the last few years, it’s high time to have a few on hand in your medicine cabinet to use at the onset of symptoms.
Vitamins A, C, D, zinc - all necessary for healthy immune function and great to start at the first sign of a cold or respiratory bug.
Elderberry - an amazing anti-viral herb and the syrup makes it extra delicious.
Immunitone - with herbals like elderberry, echinacea, andrographis, and medicinal mushrooms that support the immune response, this is a great formula to have on hand and utilize with your basic vitamins listed above.
Immune Support Packets - conveniently packaged for daily dosing of all essential vitamins, minerals, and immune support herbals.
Teas - Throat Coat and Gypsy Cold Care are two favorites from Traditional Medicinals. Grab these from your local health food store to have on hand.
Wild Cherry Bark Syrup - a natural cough syrup for soothing the respiratory passages during a dry and irritated cough.
Heartburn
If you're popping tums like candy, I’ve got options for you! Working with a practitioner to get to the root cause of your heartburn is important (many things can contribute including low stomach acid, hernia, overgrowth of unwanted species in the stomach or intestine, food sensitivity or intolerance, etc!), but in the meantime, a natural option could replace your TUMS or over the counter antacid (which is a medication class associated with HUGE risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well as GI complications).
DGL - a form of licorice that is very safe as it soothes, coats and heals irritation along the mucosal surface of the throat and stomach. Can be taken as needed. If you’ve heard licorice can raise your blood pressure, rest assured that this type of licorice has had that constituent removed from the formula and is not associated with any changes to blood pressure.
Classic Bitters - bitter herbal formulas taken 10-15 minutes before eating can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and maximize your ability to breakdown foods. Supporting meal breakdown in this way can lessen heartburn symptoms.
Digestzymes - pancreatic enzymes, stomach acid or hcl, and ox bile to help break foods down in the stomach. As with bitters, this support can lessen symptoms of heartburn. If burning sensation is worse with this supplement, it is likely a sign that your stomach acid is sufficient and no additional supplementation is necessary. Try the soothing relief mentioned below.
Aloe - aloe inner leaf juice (NOT the latex which is a laxative), is a very soothing and healing herbal preparation that is highly effective for relieving burning sensations as well as healing the affected tissues.
Supplements like GI Encap or Heartburn TX Powder combines the soothing power of aloe with licorice and other mucilaginous herbals like marshmallow root.
Tummy aches
"Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea.." We can all quote the Pepto-Bismol add and many of us have over-the-counter options we reach for when things just feel off in the digestive system. However, there are so many natural alternatives that can gently bring relief to the occasional tummy ache, by supporting digestive function rather than suppressing symptoms.
Chamomile, peppermint, ginger or fennel teas - great options for tummy aches, nausea or digestive upset. These are considered carminative herbs, which are useful in relaxing the smooth muscle of the digestive tract and relieving gas pain. Traditional Medicinals and Yogi brands offer organic teas and are available in most grocery stores, Mountain Rose Herbs or Lone Star Botanicals have great quality, organic loose herbs available online.
Tummy Glycerite - perfect to have on hand for the kiddos to relieve that tummy ache quickly and effectively. This is a sweet herbal blend with lemon balm, chamomile and fennel - delicious and easy to take as a syrup or mixed into their favorite beverage or tea.
Digestzymes - pancreatic enzymes, stomach acid or hcl, and ox bile to help break foods down in the stomach. This is a great option for stomach ache from over-eating, or eating something that feels like it is sitting heavily on your stomach.
Probiotics - best taken daily to support the overall health of the digestive tract, probiotics expose the gut to the necessary organisms for better digestion, absorption of nutrients, lowered inflammation, and a healthy gut barrier. See my favorite probiotics, Therbiotic Complete Probiotic from Klaire Labs on my FullScript account.
Sleep aids
If you are reaching for the Benadryl to help you sleep night after night, there is a better way! First, ensure that you are allowing for a nice wind down period before bed, avoiding electronics and blue light which suppresses our natural release of melatonin, and avoiding stressful conversations, media, or stimulating work. Daily exercise or movement is also hugely important for good sleep! If you are snoring, dealing with significant daytime fatigue, please see your doctor for an evaluation for sleep apnea which is on the rise. If you have your bases covered but are still struggling to obtain good sleep, consider some natural, non-habit forming support.
Magnesium glycinate - magnesium combined with glycine works to calm and relax the nervous system in preparation for sleep. This is a good option if you struggle with nighttime anxiousness or commonly lay awake worrying.
Melatonin - at a dose anywhere between 1-5mg, a melatonin supplement can gently support your own sleep/wake cycle and particularly signal the brain that it is time to sleep. This is typically taken 30-60 minutes prior to bed, or can be taken at dusk to mimic our own natural release of melatonin as it gets dark outside. Ensure that you are lowering the lights in your home as it gets dark as well, which further promotes melatonin release.
Sleep and Relax tea - a blend of herbs that support relaxation of the nervous system and gentle sedation. You can find lots of sleep supportive tea options widely available in stores or choose this option from FullScript. Ensure that you are drinking teas at least 1 hour prior to bedtime, to allow for a visit to the bathroom before you lay down!
Sleep Factors - a blend of calming amino acids, melatonin and sleepy time herbs makes this option a comprehensive sleep support option with a little bit of everything.
REM Maintenance - if your struggle is more with staying asleep at night, this is a great option. This blend promotes quality sleep and may decrease your nighttime wake ups.
I hope you find this guide helpful as you begin or expand your natural medicine cabinet. Having natural options on hand builds confidence and autonomy when it comes to your health. Should a minor health concern arise for you or a family member, you will be prepared and empowered!
Again, all the specific supplements mentioned are available on my FullScript account, under the favorites category "Naturopathic Medicine Cabinet." Please create a login if you do not already have one to view and purchase these products.
***And as a reminder, it is important to ensure that any new supplements are safe and indicated for you by working with a qualified practitioner. Please schedule time with me, or ask your natural/functional medicine doctor before including these into your regimen, especially if you are on any medications or have significant past medical history.