I grew up thinking doctors had all the answers, at least when it comes to health.
That’s because they had medical degrees. These degrees were earned after an enormous amount of study.
At a certain point, though, I became very frustrated with Western medicine. This was nearly 20 years ago, during a devastating time in my life. Both of my children had health problems. Mainstream medicine didn’t help.
I began to pray. I’m Catholic, so I asked one of the saints for her help.
Things started happening. So many moving parts fell into place so perfectly, and so quickly, that I knew the hand of God was guiding us.
Information that just a few years earlier wasn’t readily available was now at our fingertips. Soon, I realized our entire lifestyle needed an overhaul. This included putting both of my children on special restricted diets that removed allergens and skirted around their food sensitivities.
We also used herbs and homeopathy. It took a few years of hard work. But the results were worth it. My children outgrew their problems, and they’re healthy once again.
Alternative Medicine vs Prescription Drugs
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase anything I receive a referral fee, at no extra cost to you.)
We met homeopaths, chiropractors, integrative physicians and other alternative healers. Some helped a little, others a great deal. All tried to get to the root of the problem, instead of prescribing potentially dangerous drugs. The focus was not on a specific diagnosis. Instead, the goal involved improving my children’s health.
Needless to say, this was a huge learning experience. I began to view things in a new light.
My eyes became opened as to how commercialized medicine has become. I began thinking of mainstream doctors in a new light. They are trained to write prescriptions. So the health solutions they arrive at are usually drug based.
Natural Remedies Instead of Prescription Drugs
After that experience, I’ve decided that I like to treat my own health problems naturally, as much as possible. Only if these didn’t work would I consider conventional care.
Now, whenever I need medical help, the first one I call is my homeopath. So far, she’s been able to solve most of our problems. My children are now young adults, and doing well. But I have chronic nerve inflammation. This would be painful and debilitating if I didn’t keep it under control. Once again, natural remedies are allowing me to live pretty much symptom free.
Please don’t get the impression I’ve sworn off doctors altogether though. If I was in a serious accident, I’d want to head straight to the nearest ER. Emergency room physicians have saved countless lives.
Also, please understand that I don’t have a medical degree. So I’m writing this only from the perspective of someone who likes natural solutions, rather than drugs. Everything is presented for discussion only, and should not be regarded as medical advice. I also can’t promise that any natural remedy will solve your health problems.
If you have any health concerns, please discuss them with your doctor. And never attempt to stop taking a prescription medication on your own, without your doctor’s approval. Also, I need to stress that it’s important to never neglect getting medical help because of anything you read here.
Bottom line: Work closely with your own doctor.
Natural Solutions for Medicine Cabinet
As you can probably guess, we don’t have a traditional medicine cabinet in our house. Instead, it’s stocked with herbs, essential oils and homeopathic remedies. We’ve acquired these through the years.
Although there’s an initial outlay, we’ve recouped our expenses many times over. We’re no longer so dependent upon doctors and prescription medication. And we never buy over-the-counter pain relievers.
For instance, this morning I had a headache. Instead of reaching for a bottle of Tylenol or ibuprofen, I got rid of it in seconds with a few drops of essential oil. Here is the blend I’ve often used when I’m dealing with mild to moderate aches and pains.
Plant Therapy Rapid Relief Blend
&
Peppermint Oil to Help Headaches
Before I purchased Plant Therapy Rapid Relief, the home remedy I used for my headaches was natural peppermint oil, sometimes mixed with clove oil. However, now I just use Rapid Relief Synergy Blend because it contains these two aromatics, as well as a number of others, such as ginger and black pepper essential oils.
Now, when a headache hits, I mix a drop or two of Rapid Relief with about a half teaspoon of carrier oil. Then I rub it into my forehead and temple. I can repeat this if needed. But I find that I usually don’t have to use the remedy twice, because of how well it works for me. If you need a carrier oil, you can use olive oil, or you can use fractionated coconut oil, which is often used in aromatherapy.
Update: I really like Rapid Relief but I’ve found another blend that works even better for my body type. I think it’s because Natures Fusions Cooling Waters anti-inflammatory formula is designed for cooling.
Your Natural Medicine Cabinet Book
If you’re wondering what other natural remedies to have on hand, I highly recommend this book written by a professional homeopathy and herbalist named Burke Lennihan. Just as the title suggests, it contains her recommendations for building your own natural medicine cabinet. This is really one of the best books I’ve ever read for people who’d like to explore holistic healing. It contains non-toxic solutions for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
&
Good Diet for Good Health
Holistic health experts are well aware of the need for good nutrition. A few years ago, when I got serious about regaining my health, I realized I had to start cooking our family meals from scratch. There was a learning curve. But, fortunately, I had a friend to help. (She’d been feeding her kids organic food for years.) So she told me how to shop, and gave me some recipes.
If you’re determined to eat right, and you think you use some help getting started, I highly recommend Real Plans. This is a budget meal planning service that can save you time and money. You’ll receive a week’s worth of recipes, plus a shopping list, so you can get all your groceries in one weekly trip. Since you buy only what you need, there’s less opportunity for food waste. If you’d like more information, click on the picture below.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
Your story sounds so very much like my mine! It seems that a lot of people are starting to see the light with the current medical model. I am primarily focused on dietary choices (LCHF) and organic, where reasonably possible. I have seems such a change in my health (both physical and emotional) as a result of my taking ownership of my health. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tara, thank you for sharing your story. I’m convinced that every story of natural healing has the potential to help someone else. We’re all different and we need to find our own healing path. But hopefully reading about other people’s success with diet changes and natural remedies will encourage people to take better care of themselves. Our bodies are designed to heal. Also, thanks so much for reading my blog.
Hello!
I must say, I am so I inspired by this! I have Fibromyalgia, Lupus and MS. After my accident my dr put me on so many opiods I literally ended up in the ER because my respiratory system was failing. After that I made a decision, pain or a clear head/Life. I like you thought Dr’s had all the answers BECAUSE they had a degree. Well 5 years later I’m NOT taking all those medications they had me on, and my drs say IM LITERALLY a MEDICAL MIRACLE! Dont get me wrong I still have my docs, but they are ON BOARD with my natural path, I currently use Kratom for pain, and EO too! I have pretty much eliminated everything that is absolutely NOT needed. But what people don’t understand is its a lifestyle, diet, midset, exercise (within my limits of course) but I’m doing SO MUCH better than I EVER WAS. And I’m happy! Being off all that medication is freeing! I know that taking that plung is scary, but for me it was life or death. And once you learn how to control you pain through natural ways IT CAN BE DONE! I’m not saying its for everyone either, and I agree you should definitely talk with your dr. I had to find a few drs before I found on that was on board with my plan. So many drs want to push unnecessary medications, and I just feel all around better! Thanks again!
Hi Marie, your story is so inspiring. As you know, the drugs prescribed for chronic pain do not lead to healing or greater wellness. Lifestyle changes and natural remedies do. I’m so happy you found a good holistic healer to work with. These practitioners are literally worth their weight in gold. Feel free to drop into my Facebook group. Go to the “About” section of my site to find it.
I had taken diet pills for years I thought they helped with energy and since I have always had a tendency to be heavy I tried keeping weight off with them. I recently felt that they were doing more harm than good. Any advice for a natural remedy?
Hi Vickie, thank you so much for reading my blog. I can’t give medical advice because I’m not a doctor, but I would not take diet pills myself. I think the only way to deal with extra weight in a healthy manner is to eat real food meals that appeal to us so we don’t feel deprived and to try to exercise. I wish there were shortcuts. Also, I’d probably see a good holistic healer to see if my thyroid or adrenals needed more support. I hope this helps.
I love this! My story isn’t anything extreme, but I had gotten a really bad sinus infection a few years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter. I really didn’t want to take the antibiotics that my doctor prescribed because of the undesirable side effects, and so I asked a friend who I knew was very into holistic health. She gave me a neti pot, grapefruit seed extract, and told me to add some warm salt water (purified). It had my sinuses cleared up within a day and a half and I didn’t have to take ONE of those antibiotics! It’s truly amazing, the doors that experience opened for me. I’m so glad to not have to rely on doctors and prescriptions for every little health ailment!
Hi Gabby, thanks so much for reading and for sharing your story. Our bodies are designed to heal and we have so many natural remedies to help the process along.
Hi, can you share what you use to relieve your nerve pain? I hope I didn’t miss that if you already have. Thanks!
Hi Maggie, I have used so many treatments and healing methods to relieve my nerve pain that I don’t have time or space to list them all. I do have a private Facebook group for dealing with fibro naturally. The details are in the About section on the homepage of this site. I’ve also listed everything I did in an online course. You can find it in the sidebar of the site. It’s not meant as medical advice. Instead, it just gives people a lot of information about different healing methods so they can work with their regular doctor or an holistic healer to find what’s right for them.
Hello.
I have to disagree with this article. Commercial medicine is what makes our generation one of the healthiest ever. Our lifespan has been prolonged so much, thanks to vaccines and other important medicinal discoveries. Natural remedies makes people feel that they are in control. And yes, not every single little problem needs to be medicated. But if you have been prescribed something, it is for a reason. Don’t put your health at risk.
You are free to disagree. Modern medicine is best for certain conditions, no doubt about it. I’m glad we have it. But people should also feel free to seek advice from well-trained holistic-minded professionals as well.
Hi Peggy, I’m not anti-doctor either. Although I believe some of the best medicines are made by God. Clinical depression can be serious, so it’s good that you’re seeking help. I wish there were more good holistic doctors available and insurance plans covered the treatments. One thing I’ve found as a Catholic is that some practitioners can stray very far into spirituality I don’t want. So I have to make sure this isn’t going to happen at the outset. Thanks so much for reading. Feel free to check back any time.
I live with this horrible cough. Doctors have said it is because I have asthma so I am prescribed antibiotic and prednisone. I do not like taking that medication. Is there something natural that I can try to get rid of cough PLEASE!
Hi Fran, as much as I’d like to help you or give you advice I can’t because I’m not a doctor. All I can do is encourage you to work with your own doctor as much as possible and discuss any natural remedies with him or her. Asthma is tough because it’s potentially serious. So oftentimes the conventional medical approach is needed. For your overall health it can’t hurt to eat good nutritious food and to try and reduce stress. I wish I could be more helpful.