A Safe and Healthy Home: Herbal Remedies

As a mother of five, grandmother of two, and educator for sixteen years, I've had more than my fair share of opportunities to deal with sick children. For years, my response was the same as almost anyone's would be. I would bundle up the ailing child and rush off to the nearest MD so that they could poke and prod and "hmm" and "ha" and finally prescribe some pill or syrup that may or may not clear up the problem, but would likely bring with it a few worrisome side effects that I'd have to be watchful for.

As you might have guessed, I don't do that anymore.

About three years ago, I began to look closer at homeopathic remedies. Initially, I was extremely skeptical. In fact, I tried the first remedy more out of necessity than desire. I have suffered for years from debilitating migraines. If any of you share this problem, you know that the medications to alleviate the symptoms are expensive, they're not always effective, and their side effects can be as problematic as the migraines themselves, ranging from tremors, confusion, pain or pressure in your neck and throat, weakness, dizziness, and even sleeplessness. And those, mind you, are just the "mild" side effects! One evening, I was out of medication, I didn't have the money to refill them or anyone to go get them even if I did, and I could not bear to miss my youngest daughter's school play the next morning. At my wits end, I turned to a friend for help. She was always going on and on about "alternative therapies". A strong cup of "Migraine Tea" later, and I was feeling much better. Here's the recipe for the tea she gave me:

Migraine Tea
1 2/3 oz dried St Johns Wort
1 oz Valerian
1 oz Linden flowers
1/4 oz Juniper berries
Use 1 tsp of mixture per 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10 minutes & strain.

Since then, I've stocked up my herbal and essential oil cabinet and compiled a huge tome of safe and effective home remedies to use for myself and my family, and we've only been healthier for it.