Are you new to the realm of holistic remedies and therapies? It can be overwhelming. Learning what is safe and appropriate is not an easy task. I receive questions every day about what is safe, what is accurate, and what works. Due to the volume of questions I receive, I think that there may be some tips I can share with you to help you get into the fold. If you are ready to get your feet wet, I am ready to help. Find Your Footing Using Natural Remedies.
Just Do It?
Just do it? Well, maybe to a certain extent. Generally speaking, when looking at herbs such as lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, and elderberry to name a few….these herbs are others are gentle, safe and effective for all ages (This does not include babies exclusively breastfeeding).
One thing I do not recommend….is making Dr. Google an integral part of your research. Googling every symptom you or your child has is going to cause undue stress. Like, a lot of it!
By starting with herbs in the form of tea, for example, you will begin to build confidence, like a muscle, strengthening it with use.
A-ha moments are fabulous for confidence building. I remember a moment 20 years ago when I had an a-ha moment. I had suffered my first miscarriage and was young and confused. A coworker asked me to inhale lavender essential oil when I felt overwhelmed, as it had helped her. What an a-ha moment! What was this absolutely gorgeous heavenly scent in a small little bottle? How was it having such an effect on me? Even in the depths of despair and loss, sitting with the bottle under my nose, curled up in a ball……I was able to feel peaceful. That was the absolute beginning of my path using natural remedies. I was sold….hook, line, and sinker.
A few other great starters would be arnica gel for bumps and bruises, you can purchase it at Target! Elderberry syrup is another first that I recommend to my clients. It is great at the first sign of a cold or flu and is also effective for a cough. You can purchase it OTC at your local pharmacy.
Replace the popular OTC cough drops with Ricola herbal cough drops or reach for local honey (over 1 year of age) for allergy symptoms. These are just a few ways in which you can experiment and find an a-ha moment of your own.k
Start small like I did, just start.
Great Minds Think Alike
Surround yourself with those that share your views, or your curiosities. When you talk to friends who have had success utilizing natural remedies, trying them for yourself seems a bit more attainable. Just be cautious of “this worked great for me” kind of testimonials, especially when it comes to essential oils. There are a couple reasons for this. Essential oils are not always a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. Safe use is also something that needs great consideration. Listen, be inquisitive and hear what others are saying. Essential oils are not (in most cases) strictly placebo. They work, but they need a basic understanding in how to properly use them, as they are potent!
Complementary therapies are steadily becoming more popular. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “in the United States, approximately 38 percent of adults (about 4 in 10) and approximately 12 percent of children (about 1 in 9) are using some form of complementary alternative medicine” [1].
The numbers are steadily growing, and woohoo is it exciting!!!!!
Ask For Help
You can find solid information on some of the very basics online, but reaching out to someone that is well versed in holistic remedies is really important. I see misinformation (well-meaning) every single day online. If you are really, really lucky…you may have found an allopathic doctor that supports your wishes to begin using more natural remedies in the home. Unfortunately, this is a bit rare…although I do feel they are out there.
Great Chiropractors can also be a great find, but also a rare gem when they know CAM in all it’s beautiful and many facets, able to assist you with all of your questions. Unfortunately, we are not there yet, so it is important to find out the true qualifications of those that you are asking for help. Even if they recommend essential oils, have them sitting on the shelves, or are diffusing them in the office, it does not automatically mean they understand safety surrounding their use. You will want to find someone that is honest and will refer you to someone that can help answer your questions if they can’t.
As a practitioner with a degree in CAM, I understand the importance of working within your scope of practice. All professionals need to do the same, but this is not the current reality across the board of CAM practices.
Where herbs and essential oils are concerned, the laymen can learn quite a lot through self-exploration and home study, but I am a firm believer that if you are not ready to seek your own education in the practice, finding a mentor is needed to moving into the true therapeutic practices of any CAM modality.
Are you in the market for a mentor? I will do everything that I can to provide you with just that. There will be many opportunities in the second half of 2018 and beyond to invest in your health and the health of your children/family with more than just one of my typical blogs. Exciting times are ahead!
To your healthy explorations.
Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the Internet. You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them. Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of the website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should is be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical health condition. If you have, or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
References
[1] The use of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/research/statistics/2007/camsurvey_fs1.htm
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