Natural Products to Replace Unnatural Medicine Cabinet Basics

Maybe you're not an herbalist or maybe you just want to go natural, but do not have the time to put herbs together to create a natural remedy, to replace your oh so easy, already prepared, drug from the local drug store. Don't worry, because many companies have done the work for you, making it easier than ever to go natural and replace everyday drugs in your medicine cabinet.

All of these products are natural and best of all, contain no animal products, all vegan ingredients, including the capsules. Plus, they cost the same or not much more than the mainstream brands.

Cough (Robitussin syrup, Halls cough drops)

Coughs are miserable, but the symptoms can easily be treated naturally while boosting your immune system. These alternatives can replace many mainstream cough medicines.

NatraBio, Cough Syrup - A homeopathic cough syrup, NatraBio Cough Syrup will help you relieve your cough, expel mucous and relieve your sore throat.

Source Naturals, Wellness Cough Syrup - Also a homeopathic formula, this cough syrup will help soothe your throat, clear congestion and stop your cough.

Ricola Cough Drops - All natural and herbal cough drops, that have been used for many years, to relieve a cough and sore throat. Available in many different flavors and sugar free (sugar free one contain artificial sweeteners.)

Zand, Menthol, Herbalozenge Cough Drops - These cough drops do not use cane sugar, but use brown rice syrup as their sweetener. Effective, natural cough suppressant.

Sore throat (Cepacol, Vicks Chloraseptic )

These alternatives are great replacements for the average sore throat drugs. Available in the same sprays and drops that you are use to, just without the un-natural ingredients.

NatraBio, Sore Throat Pain Relief - A homeopathic spray, containing zinc, echinacea an various other effective homeopathic dilutions, NatraBio Sore Throat Pain Relief does just as it says. It relieves pain, irritation and helps with trouble swallowing.

Thayer's slippery Elm Lozenges - A bit like candy, with the assorted flavor choices, Thayer's Slippery Elm Lozenges have been around for years, loved be many and a favorite among singers. With the main herbal ingredient of slippery elm bark, these lozenges coat and soothe your throat. Also, available in sugar-free.

Ricola Throat Drops - Probably the most readily available, Ricola throat drops come in different flavors and are often found in any drug store. A 100% natural Swiss herbal formula, helps relieve sore throats. Sugar free flavors are also available, but do contain an artificial sweetener.

Hemorrhoids (Preparation H)

Believe it or not Preparation H is 3% Shark Liver Oil, in addition to the chemical to shrink hemorrhoids. You can be sure that these products do not contain any animal products or chemicals, but can effectively relieve your symptoms.

Heel BHI, Hemorrhoid Relief, Homeopathic Ointment - This is an effective homeopathic cream formula. Reduces hemorrhoids and the very uncomfortable burning and itching that go with them.

T.N. Dickinson's, Witch Hazel Hemorrhoidal Pads with Aloe - These witch hazel hemorrhoidal pads cool and soothe sensitive inflamed tissue, while relieving uncomfortable symptoms.

Thayer's Witch Hazel Astringent Pads - Made for many uses, Thayer's Witch Hazel Pads, can soothe the pain and swelling from hemorrhoids.

Heartburn, Indigestion (TUMS, Pepcid AC)

These are great replacements for drugs, such as TUMS and Pepcid AC. These replacements help your stomach lining and are very effective alternatives. These products all contain licorice root, but they contain the deglycyrrhizinated version. Meaning, the glycyrrhizinic, a component in licorice root known to raise blood pressure, has been removed. So, these products are safe to use with people who have high blood pressure. They can be used as a daily supplement or taken as needed.

Now Foods, DGL with L-Glycine - A chewable form of licorice root, NOW Foods DGL with Glycine helps heal your stomach and prevent or correct heartburn, ingestion and various stomach maladies.

Planetary Herbals, DGL - Containing only deglycyrrhizinated licorice, Planetary Herbal DGL, is effective at fixing almost any stomach issue.

Enzymatic Therapy, DGL Ultra, German Chocolate Flavored - This one adds a different flavor to suit other taste. Just as effective, but designed for those who do not like the taste of normal chewable tablets.

Menstrual Cramps (Midol, Pamprin, etc.)

Vitanica Crampbark Extra- Probably the best thing since sliced bread, for menstrual cramps. This formula of ingredients like, crampbark, valerian and magnesium, will relax you from head to toe, but it will not make you sleepy. The herbal and vitamin formula helps reduce muscle spasms and inflamation allowing you to not hate "the curse."

Stuffed sinus, breathing (Vicks vapor rub)

Not being able to breathe through your nose is probably the worst. You may remember your mom or dad rubbing Vicks vapor rub on your chest as a child and breathing in those soothing vapors. You can still relive those memories and pass them on to your child, with a more natural version.

Olbas Therapeutic, Analgesic Salve - This is a good alternative to Vicks vapor rub. It has the menthol vapor action to help open up your breathing and can also be used for various aches and pains like those of your joints or back.

Olbas Aromatherapy Inhaler - This is a handy little inhaler that can be taken with you anywhere. Whether you are battling a cold, allergies or just need to clear your breathing, inhaling the powerful essential oil vapors in this little inhaler will help open up your nasal passages. I, personally, always keep one in my purse. It is essential.

Headache (Motrin, Ibuprofen)

Gaia Herbs Migra-profen - Migra-profen is an all herbal vegetarian liquid gel capsule formula. It help relax you and relieve tension.

Planetary Formulas Feverfew Head Aid - A combination of Feverfew, White Willow bark and Chinese herbs, to create natural headache pain relief.

Allergies (Claratin, Sudafed)

These are prepared formulas to help your seasonal allergies. Choose one that best suits you, to stay natural, while being allergy free and replacing your mainstream over the counter allergy drug.

Source Naturals, Aller-Response - Featuring natural ingredients like, quercetin and MSM, Source Naturals Aller Response helps seasonal allergies by inhibiting the release of histamines and supporting the immune system.

Country Life, BioChem, Aller-Max - Preservative free, Biochem Aller Max, by Countrylife is a comprehensive formula that includes N-Acetyl Cysteine, Quercetin and vitamin C. Together these ingredients work with your body to control histamine.

Gaia Herbs Aller Leaf- An all herbal formula, Gaia Herbs, Aller Leaf, supports your respiratory system and sinus cavity. It uses herbs, such as, tumeric, nettle and bayberry.

Most of these products cannot be found at an average drugstore, but they can be found at most large natural food markets and are available at most online health shops, like iherb. Just do a little quick shopping and you will have your medicine cabinet stocked with your natural alternative and ready