The Nature’s Medicine Cabinet: 5 Natural Remedies Every Mom Should Have

(Originally Published For Gladly Wellness)

The Nature’s Medicine Cabinet: 5 Natural Remedies Every Mom Should Have

When it comes to sick children, we’ll go to the ends of the earth to make them feel better. Before there was the local pharmacy, we had the “farmacy”, natural remedies to help with common ailments that don’t have mystery ingredients or scary side effects.

Mothers have been using their gardens as medicine cabinets for thousands of years. It is estimated that up 80% of South Africans will use a traditional remedy at some stage in their life. Natural remedies have been passed from generation to generation leading to a rich history of using the earth’s purest medicines to heal our children.

Top 5 Natural Remedies Every Mom Should Know

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is an all-around life saver for mothers. The natural “heal-all” is made by fermenting apple juice into a living liquid capable of aiding a number of ailments for infants and children.

Great Source Of:

• Probiotics

• Antioxidants

• Enzymes

• Minerals

• Organic Acids

Health Benefit: The probiotic element of apple cider vinegar is a great way to support overall digestive health. It is also a great disinfectant capable of aiding the healing of minor wounds. In addition, Apple Cider Vinegar has an antioxidative effect that supports cellular health with has a positive effect on immunity in children.

Use: For children, the tangy and sour taste of Apple Cider Vinegar might not be the most appealing. It can easily be incorporated, one to two teaspoons at a time (5-10ml) at a time to water, juice, smoothie, or even soup.

1. Honey

Honey is a great resource for creating a natural remedy toolkit. Being naturally sweet due to the hard work of honey bees, it is especially easy to get this type of “natural medicine” into children over the age of 2. Honey also makes a tremendous healing salve for topical use.

Great Source Of:

• Healthy acids

• Trace minerals; calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc

• Phytonutrients

Health Benefit: Honey is naturally antifungal, and antibacterial making it a great wound healer and works best when it is a raw variety. Phytonutrients such as phenolic acids, polyphenols, and flavonoids give honey immunity-boosting power that can prevent and aid common flu and colds.

Use: Whenever possible, seek out organic honey that won’t have traces of pesticides, chemicals, or other sugary additives. Honey can be added a teaspoon at a time to warm water, smoothies, or even popsicles.

1. Elderberry

The elder tree is native to Northern Africa and also grows wild in some parts of South Africa. The black elderberry it produces is packed with antioxidants. The berries themselves are high in flavonoids, which can help protect healthy cells. Elderberry syrup is both an excellent preventative and helpful aid to the common cold and flu.

Great Source Of:

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin C

• Potassium

• Antioxidants

Health Benefit:

• Immunity support; a spoonful of elderberry syrup can ease cold and flu symptoms.

• Anti-inflammatory; can help with skin inflammation.

• Insect repellent; back in the day, farmers would put a sprig of fresh elderberry in their hat to prevent getting bit!

Use: Elderberry syrup can easily be made or purchased from a health food store. Cooking the elderberries down is essential, as eating them raw can lead to nausea. They can also be purchased as lozenges.

1. Cape Aloe

While Aloe Vera is prized in the food and cosmetics industry, the Cape Aloe or Bitter Aloe, native to Southern Africa, is most renowned for its healing benefits. It is one of 30,000 flowering medicinal plants in South Africa that indigenous healers have used to treat their families.

The tall leaves are wild harvested, and the sap drained and saved for its many health benefits. Indigenous cultures in South Africa have used Cape Aloe to accelerate healing and eventually science supported that finding. Scientists found that the aloe gel sped up the production of cells responsible for replacing collagen and thus made it a great healing salve.

For children, external use is the safest way to use Cape Aloe as it has a powerful laxative effect if ingested.

Great Source Of:

• Cell regeneration

• Accelerating the healing of skin

• Pain relief of burns

Health Benefit: Cape Aloe, like other aloe vera plants, has a mild and cooling sap that is a great topical antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory that can be used to treat mild burns,

Use: If you are lucky enough to have a Cape Aloe plant growing nearby, you can snap off a spear to drain the sap and rub it directly on an affected skin area. Otherwise, it can be purchased commercially at most health stores regionally.

1. Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea, or “African red tea,” has been consumed as a medicinal plant that also happens to be full of delicious flavor for over 300 years by the indigenous community in the rugged mountains of South Africa. The tea has a wealth of holistic properties that can help prevent and aid the effects of illness in children. Every mom loves a natural remedy that tastes good for the kids! In addition, the tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it an excellent go-to remedy for children.

Great Source Of:

• Antioxidants

• Micronutrients: zinc, copper, manganese, calcium, and iron

Health Benefit: Rooibos tea has long been known to African mothers to help babies with colic, provide hydration, act as an antihistamine for allergies, and help teeth pain.

Use: Rooibos tea can be prepared with a bit of milk daily for children over six months old at the discretion of your pediatrician. Adding a tea break into your children's day is a great way to avoid sugary and fizzy unhealthy drinks.