My medicine cabinet looks a little different than most. There are no bottles of over the counter drugs, prescription medications, ointments, antibiotics, pain relievers, or sleep aids. Long ago, I left behind decongestants, and anti-inflammatories in favor of natural remedies. Now my medicine cabinet is extra space for homemade face creams, essential oils, personal care tools (nail clippers and the like), and natural supplements. In fact, can we even call it medicine anymore? In the modern sense of the word, no. But ancient wisdom tells us that medicine comes from nature; from food, herbs, minerals, etc.
A Shift Away From Drugs
With my initiation into motherhood and family care, I relied much more heavily on modern medicine. Ear infections plagued my children, and the pediatrician in his compassionate recommendations always prescribed antibiotics. Over many years of using tougher and different types of antibiotics, my daughter eventually developed resistance. Little did we know that she would then become allergic to the same drugs attempting to banish the germs.
When I made the gradual move toward natural healing, my medicine cabinet and back-up linen closet stash changed. Bottles had long expired, I discovered when I cleaned out a closet to make room for towels.
It was an awakening, of sorts, that confirmed what I was doing was a good thing. We're healthy, and are able to promote healing in a different way. We're able to teach people that we have tools available to us in a new (old) way. It's great that modern medicine is there for serious injuries I won't go into. But do they really belong in our medicine cabinets? Probably not. Could they be causing great harm in an insidious way? Maybe. Somewhere along the historical trail, a loud voice turned the heads of almost everyone, while the ones who tried to resist were overcome to some degree. I believe it's the women who remembered their roots, family wisdom, and ancestral teachings. If not remembered directly, this wisdom has been inspired to re-member and become a part once again of family care.
How Supporting the Immune System Helps
I just got off the phone with a friend here locally to me in Portland, OR, who is trying to help a friend in Florida. This second friend is in dire circumstances with an out-of-control infection made worse by medications suppressing her immune system. The antibiotics aren't working for her. As her arm swells, the condition seems to be spreading deeper into her body. Fortunately, we have a way to help her, which inspires me to share these ideas about natural remedies to ask you what you have in your medicine cabinet.
Immunosuppressants hurt by keeping your specialized cells from attacking just about anything. White blood cells are designed to identify, surround, and obliterate germs and bad cells. You want them working for you. Keeping them inactive is like numbing their senses. Wouldn't it be a better idea to teach them the difference between healthy cells and foreign invaders?
That's where medicinal mushrooms help. (Click here for an information sheet on medicinal mushrooms) The high concentration of beta-glucans in certain mushrooms, like Reishi, Cordyceps, and Agaricus, activate the immune system to work smarter. Immune cells that are able to efficiently identify and destroy bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells are your friends. Medicinal mushrooms support the immune system.
About Pain Relief
I long ago abandoned any pain medications. The truth is, they scared me. One time after a minor surgery (wouldn't do that again, either), I was given a pain medication that made me feel like I was having an out-of-body experience. I didn't like feeling ungrounded and desensitized. I can only imagine how animals feel about pain medications if they can't feel embodied. (more on that in another article).
I learned that certain homeopathic concoctions are more powerful, can be taken without side effects, and don't carry the danger of addiction. Beautiful, isn't it? Check out Plus Relief here.
The Future of Medicine Cabinets
I appreciate the historical approach to how medicine cabinets look and what their contents are. I believe we're going to see a big change as people begin to lose faith in modern medicine. This trend is, of course, heavily monitored and regulated (at least they're trying their hardest to regulate the trend), which brings me to be able to say, and what not to say in regards to the contents of a "medicine" cabinet. Imagine how people felt about their remedies when the tools and resources were in the kitchen.
That's where I'd like to see this new trend land - in the hands of women who know how to use the tools they have to heal and help their family stay healthy.
Over the years I've been dedicated to science and metaphysics, utilizing and promoting natural health care in their own homes. If we can avert emergencies, like the friend in Florida is dealing with as I write this article, and if we can teach and empower women in this new movement of personal health care and responsibility away from the thumb of medical control, I think we have a winning trend for health and the health care (not sick care) system.
It all starts with what's in the medicine cabinet. What do people reach for when there's a cut, pending infection, suspicious mole, odd lump, fatigue, pain, sleeplessness, low or high numbers in whatever medicine measures, and more?
How do we support the modern woman as a health care advocate for her family, and her furry members as well (a passion of mine)? I can help. I put together a list of what I believe should be in your emergency kit, home medicine kit, and self-care kit. Here's a hint - all kits are actually the same because the truth is that we need not do anything differently for emergencies than we would to support a healthy body - except maybe more, or faster. Aside from the huge medical traumatic injuries, good health is truly in your own hands.
Contact Rosemary for a personal assessment and consultation.