Tag: natural remedies

  • College Packing List

    Whether it’s your son or daughter, or its YOU who’s headed off for college life, we’ve got suggestions that will cover every base.

    We’ve put together a list of everything we showed you in the video. Click the link below for a printable PDF!

    College Dorm Essentials PDF

  • Stocking Remedies for Kids

    Stocking Remedies for Kids

    Bumps, bruises, scrapes, sore throats, tummy aches- every kids comes with them! Here are 10 of our favorite natural products to address your little ones’ needs in a flash. Stock up now and save on tears later 😉

     

    #1: Elderberry Syrup

     

    You’ve heard it by now, Elderberry Syrup is a serious contender in the world of cold and flu remedies. Even held up against pharmaceuticals, Elderberry stands tall. The best part is, it tastes GREAT, so it goes down easy. Just a teaspoon a day during cold and flu season can ward off viruses of all kinds, and bumping that dosage if they get sick can help shorten the duration of the cold.

     

    Be sure to read the labels on Elderberry syrup- notice the sugar content and the additives- we love our brand because it contains neither!

    #2: Mullein Garlic Ear Oil

    Earaches hurt, and ear infections are one of the biggest culprits for the over-prescription of antibiotics out there. Try soothing the ear canal at first signs of symptoms with this time-tested remedy. Mullein is a flower that you’ve likely ignored or pulled out in your yard- but it’s potent antibacterial qualities can help it heal an irritated ear canal. Garlic is one of nature’s “antibiotics” for the same reason. Together, the two (suspended in olive oil) are a fantastic way to soothe and heal troubled ears.

     

    Be sure to warm the oil first. Do this by placing the whole bottle in a mug of hot water for a few moments,  then shake to ensure an even temperature.

     

    #3: Arnica Gel & Tablets

    A healthy, active child will definitely encounter some bumps and bruises! Treat minor aches and pains with arnica gel applied to the area affected. It will help take the edge off the discomfort after a fall off a swing or a bruised shin. Tablets can be used internally – taken through the mouth – to do the same and work especially well with less localized discomfort.

    #4: Wiley’s Wild Alaskan Fish Oil

    Focus is important for kids- and sometimes it seems impossible to get it. Without enough quality omega fatty acids in the diet, focus can be severely impeded. Fish oil is an easy way to achieve healthy levels and is easy to take nowadays- even tasty! We like Wiley’s in Mango-Peach flavor. It delivers a good dose of both EPA and DHA needed for brain health and mood health and comes from wild-caught Alaskan Fish that you can trust.

    #5: Redmond Clay First Aid Cream

    This is one of the simplest and most useful products! Bentonite clay is extremely absorbent- this makes it useful for drying out rashes from poison ivy or shallow scrapes from falling off a bike. This super-hero clay will take the sting out of a wasp bite or minor burns. The best part? ZERO chemicals. Two ingredients: just pure, clean clay and purified water. You can also make it yourself out of the dry powder- but having it in this tube form is worth it!

     

    #6: Rescue Remedy

    Anxiety can strike kids just as often as it can strike adults. Pressures of school and sports and friends can compound into a full blown meltdown. Soothe worries with Rescue Remedy! Rescue Remedy is not a sedative- it’s a simple, homeopathic remedy that helps calm the nervous system. Here’s one way we’ve heard it described by a 13-year-old, “It’s like a everything is wrinkled, but then…after a few minutes…it’s smooth again.”

     

    #7: Olbas Oil

    This icy-cold essential oil blend is strong stuff- but when blended with any carrier oil, it becomes a magic tool for slowing coughs! Slather it on the feet and cover with socks to stop a nagging nighttime cough. Dilute it further and massage onto the chest to help open up stuffy noses! In the summertime, it can make a cooling rub for hot car rides or in the car after a sweaty sports game.

    #8: Amazing Grass Kidz Superfood

    We love kale! You probably like it- at least in a smoothie! Kids, though, might struggle to get the benefits of eating lots of greens without a little help. Amazing Grass makes it easy with these packets. They pick a wallop of fruits, vegetables and probiotics that will fill in the cracks of a kid’s diet and make them feel, well,…amazing!

     

    #9: Nux Vomica

    Homeopathy can seem like another language sometimes. Some of the remedies sound like Harry Potter spells! Nux Vomica works like a charm 😉 Nausea can have a myriad of causes, and stopping it involves asking a lot of questions. In the meantime, you have a miserable little person. Nux Vomica can take the edge off nausea and bring comfort until the larger picture becomes clear.

    #10: Calm Child by Planetary Herbals

    Maybe you’ve tried the Fish Oil and you still have an issue with a fidgety or anxious kiddo. This herbal syrup uses soothing botanicals like chamomile, hawthorn, lemon balm, and catnip. All of these combine to help calm over-stimulated little people without the use of chemicals.

     

     

  • Putting Together Your On-The-Go Essentials

    Putting Together Your On-The-Go Essentials

    Everyday Natural Essentials

    These are a few of our favorite must-haves for your purse, pocket, car or office: natural solutions to help you cope with common colds and more. Read on to see how keeping these products handy can help you conquer any day, no matter where you are.

     

    1. Xyloburst Gum

     

    Everyone needs gum, right? It freshens breath and cleans your palate after a meal on the run. Chances are you have some in your car, purse or pocket right now. But take a look at what’s in it. Read the fine print. Check out what’s making it sweet. Some gums contain sugar – a brilliant idea for cleaning your teeth (NOT!). Other gums contain aspartame or other synthetic alternative sweeteners that we don’t love for many reasons. Try swapping your old gum in for some gym with Xylitol. A sugar alcohol derived from corn or birch trees, xylitol kills bacteria that cause bad breath and cavities. Chewing gum with xylitol after meals can help ensure fresh breath AND a healthy smile.  

     

    2. Urban Moonshine Digestive Bitters

     

    Our bodies are designed to break down the foods we eat and absorb nutrients from them, but our poor modern diets tend to interfere with this. Digestive bitters are a group of herbs that have the power to stimulate digestive function gently and effectively by encouraging the production of healthy enzymes. Bitters can help receive heartburn, gas, bloating and even decrease sugar cravings, according to our friends at Urban Moonshine. We especially love their handy portable spray bottle. If you’re on-the-go and experiencing discomfort, a few sprays are all you need to be on your way!

    3. Ultima Replenisher

     

    These little packets will put you back on course when you are feeling thirsty, tired or dehydrated. Full of electrolytes and minerals, this powder will mix right into your water bottle when shaken and works fast to bring balance to your body! Great for hot days, stressful days, or days when you are recovering from being sick. And they taste amazing, too 😉 Don’t leave home without a packet!

     

    4. Activated Charcoal

     

    Going out to eat can be an adventure- especially for our stomach. This is when activated charcoal can be your best friend. Charcoal can capture unwanted material that can wreak havoc on your body, carrying it through your digestive system and potentially saving you an emergency trip to the restroom. Keep it on hand to relieve gas and bloating and even safeguard against food poisoning!

     

    5. Aura Cacia Peppermint Oil

     

    Peppermint essential oil is a superhero. The cooling effect it has on the senses makes it super useful for so many things. It can provide relief for nausea, hot flashes, fever, sinus congestion, stress, migraines and more. Apply a drop to a tissue and inhale, or dilute with a carrier oil in a roller ball applicator to apply to your skin (such as the back of your neck and temples) to bring calm to what’s bothering you.  The oil can also extinguish the itch of a bug bite and cool the irritation of a hot rash.

     

    6.Bachs Rescue Pastilles

     

    You’re late and that clock is just bearing down on you- this is going to be a long day. You know that pit in your stomach you get from this sort of stress? That’s what Rescue Remedy is all about. Using the power of homeopathic flower essences, this remedy works with your body to bring about a natural sense of calm when you need it most. These pastilles are discreet and easy to take- just pop one in your mouth and let it dissolve. Before long you’ll realize everything is just fine.

    7. Amazing Trio by Amazing Grass

     

    It’s 3:00pm and you need a pick-me-up. But if you reach for that cup of coffee, you know you’re going to be up half the night. This is no longer a predicament when you’ve got a packet of greens handy! This powder mixes quickly with water to provide an instant boost for your system. It oxygenates, alkalizes and detoxifies with nutrient-rich superfoods. These little packets pack a punch of Wheat Grass, Barley Grass and Alfalfa. They fill in nutritional gaps and bring you up to your best potential!

     

    8. Everyday Throat Spray

     

    This soothing throat spray provides instant relief to a dry mouth, a scratchy throat, or a nagging cough. It freshens your breath with peppermint and cools your throat too. The additional of colloidal silver in this formula allows the spray to attack bacteria that cause these problems. It also uses osha root as a trusted herbal cough remedy, and licorice root to soothe irritated mucous membranes. A dash of ginger within helps to calm congestion and reduces nausea. This is a must-have in everyone’s bag!

     

    Click Here to download our

    On-the-go Essentials shopping list! 

     

    Works Cited

    Steinberg, LM; Odusola, F; Mandel, ID (Sep–Oct 1992). “Remineralizing potential, antiplaque and antigingivitis effects of xylitol and sorbitol sweetened chewing gum.”. Clinical preventive dentistry. 14 (5): 31–4. PMID 1291185.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0008816/?report=details

    http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/peppermint-oil.aspx

    Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

  • Summer Camp Week 4: Bites and Rashes

    Summer Camp Week 4: Bites and Rashes

    A true summer camp would not be complete without some chatter about those flying pesky creatures that sting and bite. Bugs are a welcomed part of our ecosystem, but we like them better when they keep a fair distance from our bodies.
    Bites, stings and poison ivy rashes can be both painful and irritating. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to prevent and treat these nasty nuisances naturally that are more problematic during summer months.

    Prevention

    Most traditional bug deterrent products use N, N-Diethyl-m-toluamide, or “DEET” as an active ingredient. Unfortunately, DEET is also an eye irritant and an allergen to sensitive skin. It has been linked to possible neurological problems in humans and toxic effects on birds and aquatic life, according to the National Institutes of Health.
    At Basil Bandwagon, we carry many essential oil-based bug sprays that are equally as effective in deterring bugs, without any of these potentially dangerous side effects. And if you’re feeling particularly creative, you can even make your own using essential oils from the assortment we sell. Geranium, cedarwood, citronella and peppermint are just a few options that are both effective and pleasant to the nose!
    Come visit us to speak to one of our team members about the bug sprays we carry or how to make your own!

    Click here to watch a DIY video tutorial by natural blogger, Honeysuckle.

    Treatment

    You may not know that your pantry likely has some solutions to soothe your irritated skin. In addition, there are many simple, cost-effective items to add to your first aid kit for times of need. Here’s a list of our top 10 favorite natural treatments to soothe bug bites, bee stings and rashes: (click to download PDF)

    Top 10 Bite and Rash Remedies

    If your aren’t signed up for our Online Summer Camp, you are missing out on extras that go along with these weekly posts! Sign up here.