As a Doctor of Naturopathy I feel everyone thinks our focus is supplements, herbs, and oils. While some items can certainly help in times of need which we are discussing here today, many items on the market are pushed and you are made to think you need the next thing. Soon your supplements and essential oils pile up quick, I know mine did!
—Side note, I am not a fan of over supplementation. I have seen very specific products or protocols work for temporary reasons, but your body changes and its needs change. Too many supplements is not the answer. (I also have some thoughts I would insert about pharmaceuticals but we will save those thoughts for another post…).
You can see my messy home apothecary here before I made changes:
Excuse the Just Chicken…That’s my sweet schnauzer girl Bellas 😉
This week I decided to go through every herb, supplement, and oil I had on hand in my home apothecary. I scaled it down to only the basics. I’m sharing with you a few items of what I have on hand in this blog post, but if you want the full guide of what I keep and the protocols I use, head over to my website to download in the ‘Members Only’ area. I also added a few shelves to my space to go for a more traditional herbal apothecary look and put in glass jars while I customize certain blends.
Aloe Vera: Use as a laxative, way to calm the digestive system, on the skin as a moisturizer or to sooth sunburns and scratches.
NAC/Mullein: Both have many other uses but are great when mucous needs to come up and out. Natures expectorant. Avoid being on for too long! Short term use only.
Turmeric: Anti inflammatory, antioxidant, and offers a cellular resistance to EMF exposures.
Chamomile: I usually harvest from my garden and use as a tea. Chamomile is a calming herb and can help prevent spasms, can help with sleep, inflammation and digestive health.
Castor Oil: Need to detox? Moisturize dry skin? Castor oil has so many uses I always keep on hand. I have many clients on the bedtime castor oil regimen.
Garlic/Oregano/Thyme: Nature’s Antibiotics. There are so many ways you can utilize. Create a garlic and honey tincture, oregano capsules, thyme capsules, rub on your feet at bedtime. What I do not recommend is taking oregano oil on its own (empty stomach) or for prolonged periods of time.
Raw honey: Soothes the throat, natural antibiotic, helps with digestion.
Slippery elm: Sooth the gut quickly! Helps sooth inflammation in the gut and calm the digestive system.
Calendula- soothing, muscle cramps (menstrual time), cuts/scrapes. I prefer the salve or tincture form.
Echinacea: Need an immune boost? Echinacea increases white blood cell count in the body making it a great option to help combat immune system invaders.
Lavender/Lemon/Peppermint/Frankincense Essential Oils: I love essential oils. Lavender for sleeping, frankincense in my epsom salt soaks, peppermint to soothe a headache or calm an upset stomach, or a blend to support seasonal allergies.
There are a handful of additional items I swear by and keep in my home apothecary for times of need which will be in my home apothecary guide in the ‘Members Only’ area of my site.
