| First Aid In Your Kitchen |
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First Aid In Your Kitchen
“Let thy kitchen be thy apothecary; and, Let foods be your medicine”. --Hippocrates.
Parents want only the best for their children. When a child is sick, many parents feel helpless to administer any
care. However, most illnesses are self- limiting and will eventually heal on their own if given the right environment.
Many parents reach for over the counter drugs, which only suppress the symptoms as opposed to building up
the body’s natural immune system. For most childhood illnesses the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Because
they are over prescribed and poorly administered quite a number of organisms are becoming immune to
antibiotics.
The word Antibiotic is of Greek origin with Anti = against and Bio = Life, Against Life. Penicillin was one of
the first antibiotics ever used and was mass marketed by pharmaceutical company’s beginning in 1943.
However, in 1947 there were already microbes being uncovered, which were immune to penicillin. According to
a report in the April 28, 1994, New England Journal of Medicine, researchers have identified bacteria in
patient samples that resist all currently available antibiotic drugs.
When antibiotics are prescribed for illnesses such as colds, which are actually viral infections, they are
absolutely useless and often do more harm than good. Most ear infections will actually clear just as quickly on
their own as they would with the use of antibiotics. While antibiotics do kill bad bacteria in the body they also
kill good bacteria. Contrary to popular belief bacteria is actually beneficial to the body. Bacteria helps us
digest food, eliminate waste and helps us produce vital nutrients such as vitamin K. Without the good bacteria
to balance out the bad bacteria the body develops yeast or Candida Albicans. There are occasions when
antibiotics may be necessary. However, if you do choose to use antibiotics consider supplementing with
probiotics and vitamin C to help replenish the good bacteria and support the immune system.
Natural Alternatives
To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an
interest in life. --William London.
For thousands of years parents have been treating their children with natural remedies that include no
chemicals, preservatives, fillers or binders. These remedies come from nature and many of them can be found
in your own kitchen. Herbs are merely food, have very few if any side effects, and are completely safe to use
with children. Parents should empower themselves and try some of these remedies at home before they reach
for chemical drugs or antibiotics.
When dealing with an ill child just keep in mind what is normal for that child. How does the child normally look,
are they more pale than usual, what sort of temperatures do they normally run. Check the feel of the skin, is it
dry, clammy, moist, etc. If the pulse were fast it would indicate heat, and if it were slow it would indicate a cold
condition. A bright red tongue also indicates heat, while a white or yellow-coated tongue usually indicates
congestion. Temperature over the body should be consistent. In other words, if the head is warm the arms,
legs, chest, and back should be warm.
What follows are some suggestions for simple home remedies you can administer yourself with confidence.
These remedies should be supported by proper nutrition, which includes plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits
and vegetables. Be advised that there are conditions that definitely require the attention of a health care
practitioner. When in doubt leave it to the professionals.
List of items to have on hand:
Folk Remedies for Common Ailments:
Acne:
Allergies:
Bedwetting:
Bites and Stings:
Bleeding:
Boils:
Burns:
Colic:
Colds/Chest Congestion:
Cough:
Diarrhea:
Ear Infection:
(Never put anything into the ear until you confirm that the eardrum has not been ruptured. This can be
accomplished by examination with an ear scope.)
Fever:
(Fever is actually the body’s way of fighting off invaders. Unless the child’s fever becomes extremely high, it is
often better to not try to lower the temperature and let the fever do its job. If the fever continues for an
extended period of time or climbs above 103 degrees seek professional help.)
Upset Stomach:
These are only a few simple remedies that you can try at home to help comfort your child. Over time you will
begin to feel much more confident in administering care and your family will be healthier for it.
***Warning: Never use honey internally with children under one year of age.
“Let thy kitchen be thy apothecary; and, Let foods be your medicine”. --Hippocrates.
Parents want only the best for their children. When a child is sick, many parents feel helpless to administer any
care. However, most illnesses are self- limiting and will eventually heal on their own if given the right environment.
Many parents reach for over the counter drugs, which only suppress the symptoms as opposed to building up
the body’s natural immune system. For most childhood illnesses the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Because
they are over prescribed and poorly administered quite a number of organisms are becoming immune to
antibiotics.
The word Antibiotic is of Greek origin with Anti = against and Bio = Life, Against Life. Penicillin was one of
the first antibiotics ever used and was mass marketed by pharmaceutical company’s beginning in 1943.
However, in 1947 there were already microbes being uncovered, which were immune to penicillin. According to
a report in the April 28, 1994, New England Journal of Medicine, researchers have identified bacteria in
patient samples that resist all currently available antibiotic drugs.
When antibiotics are prescribed for illnesses such as colds, which are actually viral infections, they are
absolutely useless and often do more harm than good. Most ear infections will actually clear just as quickly on
their own as they would with the use of antibiotics. While antibiotics do kill bad bacteria in the body they also
kill good bacteria. Contrary to popular belief bacteria is actually beneficial to the body. Bacteria helps us
digest food, eliminate waste and helps us produce vital nutrients such as vitamin K. Without the good bacteria
to balance out the bad bacteria the body develops yeast or Candida Albicans. There are occasions when
antibiotics may be necessary. However, if you do choose to use antibiotics consider supplementing with
probiotics and vitamin C to help replenish the good bacteria and support the immune system.
Natural Alternatives
To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an
interest in life. --William London.
For thousands of years parents have been treating their children with natural remedies that include no
chemicals, preservatives, fillers or binders. These remedies come from nature and many of them can be found
in your own kitchen. Herbs are merely food, have very few if any side effects, and are completely safe to use
with children. Parents should empower themselves and try some of these remedies at home before they reach
for chemical drugs or antibiotics.
When dealing with an ill child just keep in mind what is normal for that child. How does the child normally look,
are they more pale than usual, what sort of temperatures do they normally run. Check the feel of the skin, is it
dry, clammy, moist, etc. If the pulse were fast it would indicate heat, and if it were slow it would indicate a cold
condition. A bright red tongue also indicates heat, while a white or yellow-coated tongue usually indicates
congestion. Temperature over the body should be consistent. In other words, if the head is warm the arms,
legs, chest, and back should be warm.
What follows are some suggestions for simple home remedies you can administer yourself with confidence.
These remedies should be supported by proper nutrition, which includes plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits
and vegetables. Be advised that there are conditions that definitely require the attention of a health care
practitioner. When in doubt leave it to the professionals.
List of items to have on hand:
- Baking Soda
- Honey
- Lemon Juice (Fresh or Concentrated)
- Various herbs and spices: Cayenne, cinnamon, clove, dill, fennel seed, garlic, ginger, oregano, peppermint,
rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, - Epson Salt
- Apple cider vinegar
- Onions
Folk Remedies for Common Ailments:
Acne:
- Dap lemon juice on the affected area. Avoid the eye area.
- Keep the skin as clean as possible.
- Use a warm washcloth to clean pores.
- Garlic is excellent for the immune system and helps remove toxins by promoting perspiration.
Allergies:
- Add fiber to the diet.
- Gradually add honey to the diet. Honey contains pollen which may help build up resistance to
hayfever. - A tea made with either fresh ginger or ginger powder helps with digestion.
Bedwetting:
- Parsley is a diuretic and can help improve bladder muscle tone. Make a tea, sweeten with honey and
have the child drink 2-3 cups per day. - Unsweetened or naturally sweetened cranberry or cherry juice can help to strengthen the urinary tract.
- Avoid sugar, caffeine, dairy, and chocolate.
Bites and Stings:
- Make a paste out of baking soda by adding a few drops of water. Immediately apply to the bite or
sting and hold in place until the irritation subsides. - Apply ice to sooth the area.
- Eating garlic and onion may help to deter insects from biting.
- Wet some raw tobacco and apply to the area until pain subsides. This will ease the pain and bring
out the stinger. - Bruise fresh basil leaves and apply to a bee sting.
- Apply fresh crushed parsley to a bite. Parsley will neutralize the poison in the bite.
Bleeding:
- Apply Cayenne pepper directly to the wound. This will definitely sting, but it will stop the bleeding.
Boils:
- Apply a warm compress to bring the boil to a head
- Honey has natural antibacterial properties and can be applied to sooth and disinfect the area.
- A ginger tea compress can help draw out toxins
- Garlic can be given to avoid infection
Burns:
- Pour or run cold water over the area
- Keep the area dry and clean
- Do not break blisters.
- Apply cucumber juice to help sooth the burn.
- Coat the area with honey to deter infection.
Colic:
- Mix 2 tablespoons each of dill seed, fennel seed, and anise seed. Add 2 tablespoons each of catnip
and chamomile as a relaxant. Add 1 tsp of the mixture to 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep covered, for
15 minutes. Strain well and dilute with same amount of water. Give to the child between feedings from a
bottle.
Colds/Chest Congestion:
- Macerate 2 cloves of garlic with olive oil and strain. Apply the oil of garlic to the child’s feet and apply
socks. Also apply some of the oil to the child’s lymph and chest. This will also help to reduce fever. - Ginger tea can help increase perspiration and reduce fever.
- A tea made with lemon and honey.
- Peppermint tea will help with chest congestion.
- One traditional Indian remedy for chest congestion is to lightly fry onions and place in a flannel cloth.
Lightly grease the child’s chest with oil and apply the poultice to the chest. Cover to keep warm and
leave on over night. - Pour 1 gallon of water in a large pan, adding 1/3 cup of softened ginger root, 3 cups of honey, and 1-
cup seedless raisins. Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour. The top will have to be skimmed
every once in a while. Cool, strain, and place in a tightly closed container overnight in the refrigerator.
The next day squeeze 6 lemons and 4 oranges and add the juice to the mixture. Mix well and drink 2-3
glasses per day. - At the onset of a cold, add ½ tsp each of cinnamon and ginger to 1 cup scalded milk. Add 1 tbsp of
honey and drink while warm. - Mix together 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (capsicum), 4 tablespoons of cinnamon, and 6
tablespoons powdered ginger. Add enough olive oil to form a paste. Apply the mixture to a warm
flannel cloth. Grease the chest area with olive oil and apply the flannel cloth. Cover to keep the area
warm and leave on overnight. These ingredients are stimulants and will promote perspiration.
Cough:
- Simmer 3 tsps of black currants in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Strain and add 2 tbsp of honey.
Use as needed for cough. - Place 2 cups of cherries in a pan and add just enough water to cover. Add several lemon slices and 2
cups of honey. Simmer the mixture until cherries are soft. Remove from heat. Simmer the mixture until
cherries are soft. Remove from heat. Remove the lemon slices and the cherry pits from the mixture.
Refrigerate and take several tbsps as needed for coughing. - Slice 2 ½ cups of fresh garlic into 4 cups of water. Bruise 2 tbsp caraway and fennel seeds. Add to
garlic water. Boil this mixture until garlic is soft. Let stand 12-14 hours in a very tightly closed container.
Measure the mixture at the end of 14 hours and add an equal amount of apple cider vinegar. Bring to
boil, adding enough sugar to make a syrup. For coughing, take 1 tsp as needed. - Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 2 tbsp of dried thyme. Cool to room temperature. Strain and add
1 cup of honey. Shake to mix. Keep refrigerated. Take 1 tbsp several times a day for sore throats,
colds and coughing.
Diarrhea:
- Boil 2/3 cup of white or brown rice in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Strain and sip the liquid.
Should stop diarrhea within a few hours. - Heat 1 cup milk. Add 1 tsp nutmeg. Stir well and drink warm. Do this every hour until relief is
obtained. May add honey if desired. - 1 tsp of cinnamon steeped in boiling water for 15 - 20 minutes. Drink as needed. May sweeten with
honey.
Ear Infection:
(Never put anything into the ear until you confirm that the eardrum has not been ruptured. This can be
accomplished by examination with an ear scope.)
- Macerate or blend several cloves of garlic with olive oil and strain. Warm the oil to body temperature
and put several drops in the ear. - Bake an onion and let it cool. Place the warm (not hot) onion on the child’s ear and cover with a flannel
cloth. Have the child lay quietly for about 20-30 minutes.
Fever:
(Fever is actually the body’s way of fighting off invaders. Unless the child’s fever becomes extremely high, it is
often better to not try to lower the temperature and let the fever do its job. If the fever continues for an
extended period of time or climbs above 103 degrees seek professional help.)
- Never immerse the child in cold water as this drops the temperature too quickly. If you wish to lower
the child’s temperature place a cool rag on the forehead and the fever should begin to come down within
30 minutes. - Do not over heat the child with too many blankets or cloths.
- A garlic enema will help to bring down a fever. This can be done by squeezing the oil from the garlic
into the water and administering. Often times just getting the bowels to move will help reduce fevers. - Bath the child in tepid water with ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar.
Upset Stomach:
- Tea made with equal parts of dill seed and peppermint, or sage or thyme. Give a half a cup before
every meal. - Make a tea using 2 cups of fresh parsley to 4 cups boiling water. Let sit, covered until. Strain and
reheat as needed. Sweeten with honey. - A tea made of 1 tsp of cinnamon and 3-4 cloves and steeped covered about 30 minutes will help with
nausea. Sweeten with honey if needed.
These are only a few simple remedies that you can try at home to help comfort your child. Over time you will
begin to feel much more confident in administering care and your family will be healthier for it.
***Warning: Never use honey internally with children under one year of age.
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