My Favorite Holistic Remedies
When I first started venturing in to the holistic health world, I used to turn to Google all the time for remedies. It's funny now how often I don't have to do that (although trust me I still do!), and I didn't realize until someone close to me pointed out that I always had a "witch craft" remedy for everything!
With that lighthearted spirit in mind, here are some of my favorite remedies for everyday ailments. You'll also notice as you read that many of the remedies include essential oils. I choose quality oils from Doterra and Vibrant Blue Oils. Quality is always key, especially if you plan on ingesting the ones that can be ingested!!
1. Cuts, Burns, Sunburn, and Wounds on the Skin
After cleaning the wound (which comes first obviously), I like to apply lavender, frankincense, or tea tree oil mixed with a carrier oil (like fractionated coconut oil) to the skin. These oils are super healing and soothing to the skin. Last summer, I had burns on my chest from going to the shooting range that were gone in record time thanks to daily use of lavender and frankincense!
2. Headaches
Drinking more water is usually my go-to here, but rubbing peppermint oil on my temples also helps. If I don't have access to peppermint, I'll just rub my temples anyway to try and relieve some of the tension.
3. Bloating & Other Digestive Issues
I like to use lemon water (with real lemon juice!) to help with digestion (also helps with constipation), as well as a digestive blend from Doterra essential oils called DigestZen. Digestive enzymes like those from Enzymedica or Source Naturals also work too! Taking a drop or two of peppermint oil in a veggie capsule often works too. Lemon ginger tea from Yogi Tea is another one of my favorites for helping with digestion. Lastly, if I have eaten something accidentally or eat out at a restaurant where I don't know exactly what was in my food (I have a very sensitive stomach), I'll take an activated charcoal capsule to help my clear out whatever it is I ate that likely won't sit well!
4. Stuffy Nose
Whenever my nose is stuffed up, I bring water to a boil and add 1 drop each of oregano, lemon, peppermint, and tea tree oil. Then, I'll cover my head with a towel and inhale the mixture (careful - it's potent!). I'll do this for as long and as many times a day as needed to help clear out the sinuses. Taking OnGuard from Doterra is another one of my favorite ways to ward off a cold, as well as rubbing their Breathe blend around my sinuses.
5. Sore Throat
Again, Doterra's OnGuard blend is what I ingest at the moment I feel a sore throat coming on. I also like to drink tons of tea (ginger tea is my favorite). My family swears by gargling whiskey which I have yet to try!
6. Anxiety & Depression
Vibrant Blue Oils has a parasympathetic blend I like to inhale and use behind my ears when I'm anxious or stressed. Doterra has a ton of blends too like Balance or Peace (Balance is my favorite). I also have been turning to certain amino acids to help as well. 5-HTP is best for depression and GABA (I like True Calm from NOW Foods) is great for anxiety. HOWEVER, please consult a doctor or pharmacist before trying either of these supplements if you are on anti-anxiety or depression meds or any other medications.
7. Sleep
If you struggle with sleep, I've found that chamomile tea before bed can be super helpful, as well as diffusing lavender essential oil (or Doterra's Serenity blend) before bed. You might also rub a bit of lavender oil with a carrier oil on your skin before bed to help you relax too! Plus, the other sleep tips I always share like avoiding electronics before bed and wearing blue light blocking glasses before bed work too!
8, Razor Burn
Again, lavender and frankincense to the rescue! They are so soothing to the skin for so many reasons.
I'm sure there are more remedies that I'm not even thinking of at the moment, but that's what has helped me so far in my holistic health journey! What remedies do you have to share?
xoxo Olivia
