6 minute read
Create a home HEALING KIT
Lara Potgieter
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Empower yourself with an arsenal of remedies for some of the most common household ailments with our natural first aid kit essentials…
COLDS & FLU
The common cold and seasonal flu are caused by viruses, and are best approached with rest and symptom alleviation. Body aches, headaches, fevers, chills and fatigue can accompany a cold or flu. Boiron’s Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy that helps to temporarily relieve these symptoms.
STRESS
Stress is one of the most common causes of dis-ease in today’s fastpaced world. Thank goodness for Bach’s famous Rescue Remedy – a blend of five Bach flower remedies (including impatiens, star of Bethlehem, cherry plum, rock rose and clematis) designed to help lower stress, ease the symptoms of shock and trauma, calm a racing mind and ease fear and anxiety.
WOUNDS
Wounds can heal faster with the help of antiseptic and painrelieving topical formulas. Buchu is a South African herb traditionally used as a natural healer since ancient times. Cape Floral Kingdom’s Buchulife First Aid Gel contains organic buchu oil for the relief and healing of wounds as well as burns, bites, eczema, bruising and joint pain.
FATIGUE
B 12 is one of eight B vitamins that help the body convert the food you eat into glucose, which gives you energy. BetterYou’s Vitamin B12 Boost Spray contains an absorbable form of B12 in an oral spray formula that’s specially formulated to absorb directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It works quickly and effectively to increase energy as well as support concentration, memory and overall brain function.
INDIGESTION
Indigestion can be caused by poor eating habits or chronic digestive problems. It’s characterised by stomach pain, bloating, excessive gas and a burning sensation in the stomach. Evidence suggests that peppermint can help relieve the symptoms of indigestion, as well as those caused by irritable bowl syndrome and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. Try the Wellness Herbal Peppermint Tea for a natural, organic and fragrant stomach soothing sip.
RASHES
A rash is any noticeable change in the texture or colour of the skin, and may include bumps, itchiness and irritation. It can be caused by allergies, medication, cosmetics and certain diseases. Aloe vera is a tropical plant with powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties great for reducing skin redness, inflammation, itching and discomfort. Curaloe’s Soothing Aloe Vera Gel contains 97% aloe vera extract and is great for hydrating, nurturing and calming irritated, dry and chapped skin.
SKIN INFECTIONS
Septic, bacterial and fungal skin conditions can be caused by everything from bites, stings and abrasions to infections like Athlete’s foot, ringworm and candida. Tea tree oil is a wonderful natural antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal that can help with all of these. Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Oil is naturally sourced and produced from 100% pure Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), and can be applied as a powerful topical skin healer.
SLEEPLESSNESS
You could be struggling to fall asleep due to stress, disrupted circadian (natural body clock) rhythms, poor sleeping habits, (like irregular bedtimes or time spent on electronic devices before bed), medication or stimulants, to name a few culprits. Camomile is an age-old herbal calming remedy made from a European daisy-like flower renowned for its soothing properties. Sip on some Wellness Herbal Camomile Tea before bed for a fragrant organic infusion to help calm the mind and support a good night’s sleep.
JOINT PAIN
Painful joints can be caused by everything from osteoarthritis and spondylitis to gout, frozen shoulder and sprains. Himalaya Herbal Healthcare’s Rumalaya Gel is a safe phytopharmaceutical formulation of natural anti-inflammatory ingredients that help alleviate joint and muscular pain.
INSECT BITES
Mosquitos, bed bugs and fleas are the most common biting insects in South African households. Bee and wasp stings are also fairly common in summer. Unless you’re allergic, the worst part of insect bites is generally the skin itching, irritation and swelling they can cause. Similasan’s Insect Bites Roll-On contains a homeopathic formula that stimulates the body’s natural ability to soothe skin irritation caused by insect bites and stings.
DEHYDRATION
If you’re feeling depleted and experiencing a dry mouth and rapid heart rate (especially after vigorous exercise), you could be dehydrated. Dehydration can affect the body’s concentration of electrolytes – tiny electronically charged particles that are lost particularly via sweat during exercise. The four main electrolytes that play a vital role in hydration are sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Nuun Active contains all of these in a lightly flavoured effervescent electrolyte supplement with clean natural ingredients.
EYE IRRITATION
Pollen, dust mites, pet fur, feathers and other indoor or outdoor allergens can all cause itching, burning, watering, redness and hypersensitivity in the eyes. Similasan’s Allergy Eye Relief drops contain a sting-free formula to help relieve these symptoms.
MUSCLE STIFFNESS
Muscle pain and stiffness is usually caused by a build-up of lactic acid from vigorous exercise. However it can also be caused by injury, infection, autoimmune disorders or thyroid problems. Boiron’s Arnigel is a homeopathic solution helpful in relieving the symptoms and accelerating healing pain and stiffness caused by minor injuries and muscle fatigue.
SUNBURN
Sunburn is your skin’s response to UV damage. The redness is caused by extra blood in the capillaries, and is a sign that UV radiation has damaged the genetic material in your skin cells. While it’s best to avoid sunburn altogether with a good quality sunscreen, if you do find yourself nursing a burn after too much sun, a good after sun gel can help relieve the symptoms and aid the body’s natural healing action. Silverlab’s Sport After Sun Liqui-Gel contains ionic colloidal silver, which helps to reduce the pain and redness of sunburn as well as accelerate the skin’s healing mechanisms with its antiinflammatory and anti-bacterial actions.
