Natural Remedies for Common Symptoms

As we continue to move through this crisis, it is critical not to panic and instead take each day at a time. As we self quarantine ourselves and find almost everything has been purchased in stores from essentials to seemingly outlandish items, it is important to remember we can make some items ourselves with things we already have at home. There are also many herbs and oils we can use to aid us with common ailments.

Coughs… 

There are many home remedies for the common cough. A tea with dark honey has been shown to help with suppressing the cough, just like dextromethorphan medication. Try adding two teaspoons with warm water or try adding it to ginger tea. Make sure you are buying “real” honey, not commercial honey which is solely used as a sweetener. ***Please do not give honey to children under one year of age***.

Ginger is a known anti-inflammatory that aids in relaxing membranes of the airway and could also help reduce coughing spells. Creating a ginger tea (20-40g of ginger) with honey and lemon can aid is a great way to open up airways when feeling congested. Adding a drop of clove essential oil can help in soothing a sore throat as well.

If you have a wet-productive cough, it may improve with steam or a humidifier and warm fluids. Warm fluids such as tea, water, broths, or juices.

Marshmallow root is another herb that has been used throughout history to aid with digestive, respiratory, and skin issues. You can create your own cough syrup with raw honey, marshmallow root, cinnamon, lemon juice, ginger, and chamomile. You can also add it to your tea.

Creating a broth with thyme is another remedy for sore throats, bronchitis, cough, and digestive issues. You can also mix thyme with ivy leaves to make a cough syrup that aids with also decreasing inflammation. Create a tea by steeping leaves in hot water with honey and lemon.

Fever… If you don’t have access to Tylenol or ibuprofen or homeopathic fever-reducing medication, there are natural remedies to help keep it controlled, or you can do in conjunction. Taking a lukewarm bath, taking turmeric, drinking plenty of fluids, ice packs, rubbing peppermint over your body, and drinking warm broth.

Goldenseal… 

Goldenseal is an herb my friend introduced me to but is not new to the herbal community. Goldenseal has been used throughout history by the Native Americans to treat skin disorders, digestive problems, liver conditions, diarrhea, and eye problems. Today goldenseal is used by the herbal community as a powerful natural antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal. It is also currently used to aid with boosting the immune system, the common cold, upper respiratory tract infections, congestion, fever, peptic ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, stomach pain, and intestinal gas…

You can create a tea by adding a teaspoon of goldenseal powder or leaves to steep in hot water. You can add raw honey and lemon to taste and enjoy. You can also add goldenseal to skin creams to aid in healing dry patches and scars. In my research, I found you should not use goldenseal longer than two weeks at a time while some others showed you should not use it longer than 6 weeks. Extended use of this herb can cause diarrhea, constipation, anxiety, and even hallucinations. It is essential to take a break for several weeks if you decide to add this to your herbal cabinet.

***Goldenseal can interact with antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, cyclosporines, anticoagulants,

Diffusers… 

Diffusing quality essential oils does more than just provide your home with aromatherapy benefits, but also is a great way to not only cleanse the air in your home but also boost the immune system of the family. Due to the recent outbreak, I have been diffusing at different times and in various blends OnGuard, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, and Peppermint essential oils. I also have been adding lemon, sage, and citronella to my cleaning products. Not only because I have a little one on the floor, but it not only disinfects but keeps insects out of the home.

I can’t stress enough, plants have tremendous power. There are so many different kinds that have some of the same effects at their core. Find some that work with your body, we are all different. From a spiritual standpoint, I am touched every time I research about plants. God indeed did provide us with everything we needed; we have just forgotten how to use them. From a medical standpoint, scientists get their drugs from plants. Medicines are created to mimic how plants example the poppy- used to soothe or relax, or even garlic- anticoagulant. If you are healthy, you can use plants to aid in maintaining your mind, body, and spiritual health. Sometimes you need medication.

Creating Your Own Hand Sanitizer with Essential Oils… 

You can create your own hand sanitizer. Try combining 1/3 cup of witch hazel, 2-4TBS of rubbing alcohol,  1/2 cup of aloe vera gel, and 15- 30 drops of your desired essential oil (try combining, lemon, clove, eucalyptus, and rosemary or Lavender) with a few drops of vitamin E oil.  Place contents into either a small glass spray bottle or bottle and uses as desired.

Different Herbs I keep in my home at all times (of course, my herbal cabinet is not limited to these items):

• Elderberry

• Garlic

• Ginger

• Tumeric

• Honey

• Echinacea

• Oregano oil

• Zinc

• Vitamin D

• Mushroom tincture

Common Essential Oils I use daily (of course, I have tons more):

• Peppermint

• Spearmint

• Sage

• Lemon

• Wild Orange

• OnGuard

• Eucalyptus

• Lemongrass

• Tea Tree

• Frankincense

As we take this pandemic one day at a time, remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. For those who can drink at least 50oz of water every day ( I drink 80 to 100oz every day, not including the tea I drink). This helps flush your system and keeps your kidneys continue to remove toxins from your body. Adding a drop of essential oil to your water is a great way to boost your immune system and lift spirits.

Reconnect with family by playing a board game, go for an outside walk bike ride (remembering to stay at least 6ft away from others), discuss a book, create a volcano, plant some plants, reconnect with God, and get a head start on some spring cleaning. There will be a brighter day again.

I hope this information helps motivate you to begin new habits, empowers you to take charge of your health, and renews your hope in knowing everything will be alright. I will continue to pray for healing, comfort, and peace during this time. And don’t forget to wash your hands.

Jasmine Hutchinson PHN, BSN, RN

• My Doterra Member Number: 6339913; More information about Doterra

• My Young Living Member Number: 11817538; More information about Young Living

• Feel free to email or comment; I am here to help you on your journey.

DISCLAIMER…THIS BLOG IS INTENDED SOLELY TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE TO HEALTH INFORMATION AND TO PROVIDE YOU WITH BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS, CAUTIONS, SAFETY CONCERNS, NATURAL REMEDIES, DIY RECIPES, AND NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS RELATED TO ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTH. THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLANATION OF ALL ASPECTS OF ANY HEALTH CONDITION OR CONCERN OR EVEN THOSE ASPECTS THAT ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS BLOG. THIS BLOG IS NOT INTENDED TO BE–AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT AS–A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE OR HEALTH CARE GIVEN BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. BE SURE TO SEE A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO HELP ENSURE YOUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR FAMILY.