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Falcon Healing Arts - Providing you with knowledge and support to care for your family naturally.
Home
Blog
About Me
Testimonials
Natural Products
Work With Brandy
Contact Me
Essential Oil Classes
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Testimonials
  • Natural Products
  • Work With Brandy
  • Contact Me
  • Essential Oil Classes
Autumn, Emotional health, Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Seasons, Toxin-free living

Back to School Healthy and Strong with Essential Oils (Video)

Essential oils for back to school and other health tips

Back to school time can be both exciting and stressful.  But this year we have the added stress of Coronavirus, the policies around it, and shake ups in learning methods.  These can all challenge the whole family’s physical, mental, and emotional health.  The following natural health tips, including essential oils for back to school, can help you manage just about anything that comes up to help your family survive Fall 2020!

Check out Back to School Essential Oils and Health Tips to learn natural health tips for immune support, essential oils for digestion, how to detox naturally, mood lifting techniques, and how to keep your kids focused. I also share bits about my homeschool approach that may help build your confidence in teaching your kids at home.

Before settling in to watch this, you may want to first download my FREE Stress-Relieving Acupressure Guide for Moms which can be a huge support for you in these times! You’ll learn 6 of my favorite acupressure points to relieve physical tension and help you manage your emotions. As a result of this quick self-care routine, you’ll sleep much deeper which is so important for staying happy and healthy!

self acupressure guide

A healthy lifestyle comes down to eating right, exercising, getting plenty of sleep, managing stress, reducing your toxic load, being able to stay positive & focused, and tending to your body when it’s ill with natural medicine. Essential oils have a place in all of these lifestyle principles.

Best Essential Oils and Natural Products for Back to School

Many of the protocols I mention in this video class are from the doTERRA collection here. I use them often for my family and recommend them for yours too!

doterra wholesale account starter kit back to school
Shop for this kit here. This includes wholesale pricing for 1 year and you’re able to customize this cart to add or remove what you’d like.

This starter kit features the Kid’s Collection which are seven roller bottle blends that are completely safe, super effective, and easy enough for kids to use themselves.

doTERRA kids collection kit rollers for back to school

I’d love to hear about the schooling choices that your family has made this year. Are you trying to adjust your lifestyle to make sure your family stays healthy and happy? Please tell me if any of these essential oils for Back to School help you!

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essential oils for back to school video
Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Organic lifestyle, Toxin-free living

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar

Natural all purpose cleaner

Want a natural cleaner that is safe and effective? I have a great DIY all purpose cleaner recipe for you that doesn’t use vinegar (which is the most popular natural ingredient, but not appropriate for everyone).

This recipe is so simple to make! You can use it all over your kitchen, bathroom, on your walls, spot cleaning floors, doorknobs, etc. And it’s made with essential oils so that you’re getting the mood-boosting health benefits as you clean your house. That’s a win-win!

I think you’ll find that it’s the perfect substitute for the heavy duty cleaners you might be using in your home right now that may be harming your health more than helping it!

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Spray

Why Use Natural Cleaners?

If you read my last article on Germ Are Good For You, So Stop Over Sanitizing, then you know I’m not a fan of disinfecting your home and body. I do believe we need to live with germs in order to keep our personal microbiome healthy and immune system strong! So when I clean, my focus is just on removing stains, crumbs, handprints, and basically keeping the home tidy.

Now, essential oils do have disinfecting properties, but not to the degree where they’re going to annihilate all the microorganisms in your environment. There is no decline of gut and immune health when you use essential oils. In fact, they are known to enhance cellular health and immunity! There’s also the perk of boosting your mood, which is helpful if you don’t like to clean!

With this recipe you only need 4 things:

  • 16-oz bottle (glass is nice but not totally necessary for this purpose)
  • 12 fl. oz. distilled or filtered water
  • 20 drops of therapeutic-grade essential oils
  • 4 T Castile soap

Natural Cleaning Without Vinegar

The reason that we’re not using vinegar for this recipe is that, while it is a great natural cleaner, it will corrode stone, granite, and marble surfaces. I have granite both my kitchen and bathroom!  So it’s not the best choice for my family.

The Castile soap and essential oils are quite enough to clean your space without worrying about damaging your counters or your health!

Natural all purpose spray
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5 from 1 vote

Natural All Purpose Cleaner

Add to your green cleaning hacks with this natural homemade all purpose cleaner. Cleaning with essential oils is so easy and better for your body (and the environment) than harsh disinfectants. This recipe uses Castile soap instead of vinegar which protects your counters too!
Yield: 16 fl. oz.
Author: Brandy Falcon

Materials

  • 16 Oz. Spray Bottle glass is best
  • 4 T Castile Soap
  • 20 drops Essential Oils doTERRA CPTG suggestions: Citrus Bliss, On Guard, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Tea Tree, and all Citrus…
  • 12 Oz. Distilled or Filtered Water

Instructions

  • Add Castile soap and essential oils to spray bottle. Top off with water, leaving space for the trigger top. Shake to mix.
  • Simply spray on the surface and wipe down with a clean rag. That's it!

Video

Notes

Remember to shake the bottle before each use to make sure the essential oils remain dispersed.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  If so, please tell me about it in the comments below.

If you want more info on essential oils, consider joining my Facebook Essential Oil Lifestyle group. On there, I have many other green cleaning recipes, educational posts on how to use essential oils, information on how doTERRA is unique, and how I can help you get started using them in your home.  

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Natural All Purpose Cleaning Spray Bottle
Chronic Disease, Environmental Concerns, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Organic lifestyle, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Germs Are Good For You, So Stop Over Sanitizing!

Stop sanitizing everything

Do germs terrify you? Do you try to sterilize your home and body to prevent infections from viruses, bacteria, and fungi? What you may not realize is that our immune health depends on microbes and that your cleaning routine may actually be harming your health and contributing to chronic disease for the entire community. Germs are good for you!  

As, I’m writing this, we’re in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic so what I’m saying may seem strange.  Even with this crisis, I believe (and many scientists concur) that killing everything in the environment that has the potential to harm us through our sanitizing regimens, and sterilizing our bodies with pharmaceuticals, is not a good idea!

Unfortunately this is the message many of us hear from the medical community, from politicians, and commercials for popular cleaning products. We’ve been led to believe that if we can’t control nature, we’re at it’s mercy, and there’s nothing else we can do about it.

I’m hoping you’ll hear me out! I believe our health problems are much, much bigger than Covid-19. Our aim of sterility and fear of infectious disease is contributing to these other problems – especially with our children. 

With this information, it’s my wish you’ll become less fearful of the beautiful microbial world. You’ll see that it’s necessary for us to interact with in order for our immune systems to function well. Here’s 4 reasons why you should stop obsessively disinfecting today.

If you like what you see on my YouTube channel, consider subscribing and hit the bell so you’re notified each time I post a new wellness video!

Why We Need to Stop Sanitizing Everything

1) Over 97% of Microbes Are Benign or Beneficial

Our microbiome, the population of beneficial bacteria in our gut and on our skin, are needed to protect against possible pathogens.  We can think of them as generals of the immune system to direct it’s weapons against invaders. 

Our bodies are inoculated with these microbes as we exit the birth canal. This is one of the many reasons we need promote natural birth when possible. It’s why we shouldn’t bathe our babies so much. If we promote extended breastfeeding, babies and toddlers will continue to populate their guts with beneficial bacteria in mother’s milk.  These practices give children a head start with good health and wellness.

But that’s still not enough! We need these beneficial microorganisms throughout our lifetime through exposure in our soil, from pets and farm animals, in fermented foods that we should all be eating, and from human interaction. Hugging, kissing, and shaking hands are all necessary for our physical and emotional health!

2) Lack of Microbial Exposure Can Cause Chronic Disease

This Hygiene Hypothesis says that conditions like allergies, asthma, autoimmune disorders, and obesity are caused by lack of exposure to microbes. 

An interesting 2016 study looked at children in two traditional Christian farming groups: the Amish and the Hutterites. The Amish practice traditional farming, using hand-held tools. Hutterites, on the other hand, use modern farm equipment and have less interaction with the soil.

Researchers found that far less Amish children had asthma compared to the Hutterites. After testing their blood, they also discovered that the Amish kids had significantly more white blood cells. We know that white blood cells are necessary for fighting infections. One could guess this was because of their direct exposure to microbes, which boosted their immune system.

We have a major issue with chronic disease in this country, and it’s growing at an alarming rate with children. Many people with chronic disease have poor gut health and it directly affects immune system function.

3) Bleach & Other Disinfectants Can Damage Your Body and Increase Infections

When we use harsh cleaning chemicals indoors, they are killing ALL microorganisms – the possible pathogens as well as the beneficial ones. These products also strip our skin and gut of it’s protective microbiome. Remember that when gut health is diminished, so is our immunity, and we’re more prone to infections.

A 2015 study in the Occupational & Environmental Medicine journal looked at the effects of bleach use in the homes of more than 9,000 kids ages 6 to 12 in Spain, the Netherlands and Finland. In homes where bleach was used, there was a much greater incidence of the flu, tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

In addition to killing our beneficial microbiome, we also know that many cleaning products contain chemicals that are known or suspected carcinogens, endocrine disruptors (meaning they affect hormone balance and regulation), and increase the risk of chronic respiratory disease. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 53% of cleaning products harm the lungs and “about 22% contain chemicals reported to cause asthma to develop in otherwise healthy individuals”.

4) Sanitizing Our Bodies and Environment is Pressuring Microbes to Mutate

Anti-microbial soaps, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and ALL pharmaceutical drugs that are meant to protect us from and treat infections actually threaten the existence of microbes. 

The problem: Microbes want to live as passionately as we do! And nature is smart. Remember these words from Jeff Goldblum’s character Ian Malcom in Jurassic park?

via GIFER

Microbes will evolve and mutate in order to live. We are pressuring them to change in order to infect us better! This is a response to our interaction with them.

Antibiotics and antibacterial products are not fooling them at all. Chemicals like triclosan are so purified that it’s easy for the microbes to recognize and form resistance against them which creates superbugs that cannot be managed with standard antibiotics.

Triclosan typically ends up in nose secretions of people who use triclosan-containing products.  Methicillan Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus (MRSA) then binds to collagen and keratin proteins there since tricolosan poses zero threat to them. This creates harmful infections that don’t respond to standard medicines.

Although it was banned from handsoaps by the FDA, triclosan is still present in popular toothpastes, dish soaps, personal care products and other items on your store shelves to this day.

How Do You Stay Healthy During An Outbreak?

Let’s get back to the elephant in the room, that we’re dealing with a global pandemic. What do I hope you’ll glean from this information that will help you and your family stay healthy & well?

I’m hoping this information relaxes you to the point where you can focus on what truly matters right now. Instead of killing everything in the environment and hiding from each other, we should instead focus on wellness. How do you do that during a pandemic?

  1. Hand washing – gentle soap and water will remove potential pathogens from your hands without depleting the microbiome on your skin or in your gut. 
  2. Building your immunity – you can read more on how to do this in How to Boost Immunity Naturally with 5 Key Tips.

If you were to let go of your sanitizing efforts and instead focus on boosting your health, then you’ll continue to live your life with greater confidence, trusting your body and nature. 

We also want to think about future consequences of our actions right now. 

If we keep obsessively cleaning our environment and sanitizing our bodies, then we will no doubt see a greater increase of infections in the future. This will not be due to a lack of social distancing with fellow humans, but because pathogens are getting stronger and smarter, and we are becoming more weak.


I hope you found this information interesting. If so, please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!

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Stop Over Sanitizing

Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Kids Health, Natural pain relief, Organic lifestyle, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Why Is Everyone So Excited About Essential Oils?

excited about essential oils

There was a time in American history when essential oils were only used by traditional healers, massage therapists, and subculture flower children. But now, we have modern families, business owners, and even medical doctors using them in their homes and professions.  Why is everyone so excited about essential oils these days?

Here are 5 reasons why I believe essential oils are back to stay! After reading them, you may decide to incorporate them into your lifestyle too!

Why essential oils popular?

1. We need alternative healthcare

Essential oil knowledge was lost when modern medicine became popular in the United States. This is because people used to think Western medicine was more evolved, and therefore should have greater respect. Some innovations, like life-saving surgeries and fertility procedures are truly miraculous.  However, this standard of care is only focused on palliative measures.  It doesn’t address the root cause of health imbalances. We need and expect more.

We’re realizing that Western Medicine is not making us healthier. We are wising up and asking:

WHY is this happening to me?

WHAT does my body need to be healthier?

HOW can I maintain health?

Nature, traditional medicines, alternative health practitioners, and your own intuition are the best guides.

Essential oils are gifts from nature that help support physiological functions, improve mood, control infections, and thereby add to our health.

2. Essential oils are effective alternatives to toxic products

We are living in a toxic soup that triggers many health problems in our population. Visit EWG.org to learn more about pesticides, herbicides, antibacterial agents, and other threats in our environment. They’re still legal in the U.S., even they disrupt hormones, destroy gut flora, decrease immunity, and cause cancer. Therefore, it’s up to manufacturers to remove them from their products or up to consumers to stop buying them.

Essential oils can clean our homes and bodies. Many families make their own home and personal care products using essential oils. There’s also some trusted companies who provide ready-made products using essential oils.  These are safe and effective replacements to toxic conventional products found on grocery store shelves.

3. Essential oils have been used effectively for thousands of years

Did you know essential oils have been used from the beginning of history? Ancient Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations prized them for their beauty enhancing, spiritual, and therapeutic value. So even though they are new to Americans, that’s not so in the rest of the world.

Our culture is starting to respect older modalities like my profession of Chinese Medicine, as well as using Essential Oils. I would not call it a trend.  Americans are just now seeing what has always been around – an awakening of sorts!

4. People want to feel empowered & resourceful with health choices

Many people these days don’t believe that “doctors know best”. It’s important to have a health practitioner as a guide or for a different perspective.  However, most people have the awareness to know when they’re well or not though, and whether it’s an emergency. They know how to research and experiment with natural remedies and determine if they’re working.

Moms in particular, want to trust their instincts more.  They want to be resourceful and feel empowered with their choices, just as our ancestors were. They know their children better than anyone else! It’s easy for them to use essential oils and they’re accepted well by their children. Experience shows them that essential oils work well to manage illness in the family and to boost their health.

5. There’s tons of research to support essential oil efficacy

Each year, hundreds of research studies validate essential oil efficacy. Here are just a few that show essential oils can improve one’s health naturally:

  1. Protective essential oil attenuates influenza virus infection: An in vitro study in MDCK cells
  2. The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  3. The effects of preoperative aromatherapy massage on anxiety and sleep quality of colorectal surgery patients: A randomized controlled study

Certainly, the excitement behind essential oil use is backed by a compelling need! Do you want to try them out too? Visit my natural products page for more information on the oils I recommend. With over 20+ years of experience using them, I can help answer any questions you have as well!

Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Natural Remedies, Personal Development, Traditional Chinese Medicine

The 5 Reasons Why I’ve Chosen doTERRA As My New Business

why I chose doTERRA

In this article, I’m sharing the reasons why I chose doTERRA as my new business! 

I know many friends (and maybe you too) are wondering “why is she prioritizing network marketing of essential oils over her main profession as a Licensed Acupuncturist?!”

Good question!  It’s not because I have a failing acupuncture practice.  I’m lucky to be in a place where I’m able to follow my passions and prioritize happiness.  It turns out that my passion is not with building a big acupuncture practice, but with a business that helps me empower people to take charge of their own health.  

Why I Chose doTERRA

I was introduced to dōTERRA 2 years ago by my friend Ashley who shares similar deep-rooted values with me. I love and trust her to the core, so I knew she was sharing something special with me. That first experience with dōTERRA essential oils at Ashley’s house turned my attention toward using their oils with my family at home and with clients in my practice. 

I never intended to distribute the oils and natural products though. Obviously, I have changed my tune since then! 

Here’s the main reasons why I took the plunge to start something new…

1. I love their purity and efficacy

I’ve used essential oils for over 20 years. However, it wasn’t until I started using dōTERRA that I realized the huge difference in quality among different brands. I had no idea that a label of 100% purity on oils at the health food store means nothing, and that they can still be diluted and adulterated.

DōTERRA created their own testing standards called Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade which go beyond the requirement for the Certified Organic label here in the U.S. This purity must be why the oils have been so effective for my family’s health issues. They work well for my acupuncture clients too, and are actually preferred over Chinese herbs to sustain the acupuncture effects in between treatments.

I’ve seen first hand how these oils help clear ear infections, relieve constipation, regulate menstruation, resolve pain, promote restful sleep, and much more.

2. I love their sustainability efforts

Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic compounds derived from plant parts. For just one 15 mL bottle of lavender, about 3 pounds of lavender flowers are needed. You can see that if we’re not careful, producing essential oils can threaten plant populations.

This concern was brought the magazine, Mother Earth Living in Sourcing Sustainable Essential Oils (May/June 2018). The author talked about spikenard, sandalwood, rosewood, atlas cedarwood, and frankincense, which are all endangered species. Then, she suggested one choose brands wisely to ensure they’re using sustainable farming practices. But to my horror recommended that everyone avoid all Multi-Level Marketing oil companies (like the model dōTERRA uses).

Setting the Story Straight

I was really upset with their blanket statement to avoid MLMs because dōTERRA’s sustainable farming practices is one of the major reasons I love them so! Immediately after reading the article, I wrote to the editor, expressing my concerns and how I feel they did not do enough research. I shared the video below on how dōTERRA is managing spikenard production very well and are completely transparent with their farming practices.

I was pleased to get a response just a few days later from the Editor-in-chief, Hannah Kincaid. This is what she had to say:

“Hi Brandy,

Thank you for sharing your perspective with us.

Our intention with this article is to bring awareness around the environmental impact of essential oil production and to encourage our readers to research essential oils thoroughly before purchasing – rather through traditional avenues, MLMs, or otherwise. Young Living is the MLM that we called out by name in the article because of their direct and documented abuse of endangered plant material for profit. I agree with you that doTERRA is world’s better in their policies.

It’s always a pleasure to hear from readers like yourself who are researching their products and the companies they support and are able to bring additional, interesting information to the conversation.”

I remain secure that dōTERRA has the Earth’s back.

3. I love the impact they’re making globally

DōTERRA’s is also committed to Co-Impact Sourcing and their global humanitarian efforts. They build up impoverished communities; provide them with clean water, schools, medical needs, jobs, fair wages, and whatever they need. Much of this is done through their Healing Hands charity which partners with other organizations such as those providing feminine hygiene, micro-credit lending, and combating sex trafficking.

4. I love how they’re changing U.S. healthcare

Of all the wealthiest nations in the world, the healthcare in the U.S. is the worst. It’s a fact that no one can deny.

Beginning in 2019, dōTERRA is opening several integrative health centers across the country. They’re providing patients with individualized, proactive care, bridging the gap between modern and alternative medicine. I’m behind this initiative 100%, as I see that these are the missing links in our current approach to health. Over 41,000 people have pre-registered for care at this point. You can register here.

5. I love the business model

You probably see by now why I chose to use doTERRA’s essential oils. But why am I doing the business?

My #1 priority in life right now is raising my son. As a homeschooling mom, I need a business that is adaptable. I want to work flexible hours, have zero overhead, and the potential to make more than what I was in the acupuncture clinic.

DōTERRA provides all of that, in addition to training us how to lead a team of Wellness Advocates who sign on with us as business partners. We actually get to choose who we want to work with!

I have grown tremendously since embarking on this journey. I learned how to communicate better, to be gently persistent with those who really need these oils in their lives, and to let go of my fear of judgement.

I’m still doing acupuncture on a very part-time basis and teaching yoga, but dōTERRA is my main focus. And with both acupuncture and yoga, I integrate the oils for the client’s/student’s experiences as well.

This business fell in my lap and I’m so grateful for the opportunity! 


DōTERRA is the best business for me right now! It might fit you well too! Feel free to reach out to me if you’d like to learn about using the oils or the business opportunity. We should all be doing hat lights us up in life. I can help guide you!

Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Organic lifestyle, Toxin-free living, Whole Food Diet, Women's health

A Simple Guide To An Affordable Organic Lifestyle

organic lifestyle guide

The adoption of an organic lifestyle is not just a trend for the wealthy and naturally-minded.  It’s an important step we need to take to stay healthy, to increase the quality of our lives, to support our local economy, and to nurture the earth and the animals that roam it.  I have an organic lifestyle guide that can help you make this necessary change!

Many people are starting to understand this, especially here in California where it’s been proven that glyphosate causes cancer and that it’s everywhere in the conventional food chain.

Environmental toxins are polluting our water & soil, are obviously on the food we eat, and are being injected into us in trace amounts through vaccines. The toxic load is being passed on through generations, making children extremely vulnerable. This cumulative effect is one of the main reasons why more children are experiencing learning disabilities & behavior issues like ADD/ADHD, why chronic disease is increasing in the American population, and maybe why infertility is on the rise as well.

So what’s keeping YOU from going organic?

I’m guessing you think…

  1. It’s too expensive
  2. Going 100% organic is not possible and are confused about what you should prioritize as organic purchases.
  3. Everything on store shelves is safe because our government protects us well, this organic thing is all hype, or I simply do not care.

I can’t help much if you’re aligned with #3, but if it’s #1 or #2 that are holding you back, I have a great guide here for you!

Buying organic does not need to be expensive and you don’t need to buy ALL organic, though it is nice to support the movement (thereby decreasing the price because of demand) if you’re able to.

Organic Lifestyle Guide – 10 Simple Changes You Can Start Making Today:

1. Buy organic from EWG’s Dirty Dozen list

Become familiar with the Environmental working group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists that they publish every year. Note, this list has been pretty much the same since I started paying attention to it several years ago.

With the Clean Fifteen, feel free to buy conventional, as there is little to no pesticide residue on these foods. Note that foods with and asterisk * are often grown from genetically modified seeds, so you may want to avoid and buy them organic if GMOs are a concerning to you.

It’s handy to print out these lists and keep them on the refrigerator. You’ll have them memorized in no time!

2. Buy organic animal products and eat less meat

Buying organic animal meat, eggs, and dairy ensures that your food is pesticide, herbicide and antibiotic-free. It also means that you’re supporting better animal welfare standards (than conventional factory farms).

From Whole Food’s article Organic Meat: What Does Organic Really Mean?:

“Here are a few of the key requirements for organic poultry, cattle and pigs:

  • Must be raised organically on certified organic land
  • Must be fed certified organic feed
  • No antibiotics or added growth hormones are allowed*
  • Must have outdoor access

*Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising pork and poultry.”

My reducing your meat consumption to just a handful of times per week, you can save some money as well.

3. Buy in bulk at health food stores

For cereals, grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, buying in bulk at health food stores is the way to go. Sure, they don’t have the fancy packaging that you might see in prepackaged food, but I’ve noticed time and time again, the price is well below what you buy with prepackaged foods.

Side note here: organic prepackaged foods are often more expensive in mainstream grocery stores than in health food stores, at least in my neighborhood.

4. Buy produce at Farmer’s markets

Going to a nearby Farmer’s Market can be fun for the whole family. It’s a great way to support local farms too!

I like to go with a list of exactly what I need and budget for treats. If you’re trying to save money, you may want to try go close to closing time. You may run the risk of not having many options, but some vendors may give you a discount if they need to sell everything. Some vendors may negotiate with you too.

5. Grow your own fruits and vegetables

Starting an organic garden may sound like a huge endeavor, but it’s really not. All you need is a small spot that gets sun for at least half the day.

My family has a potted lemon tree, raspberry bush, several strawberry plants, and many herbs on our very small townhouse balcony.

We also have a 4′ x 8′ plot in our community garden. This area used to be wasted space until several of us families contacted the homeowners association with our idea to turn it into a community garden. We produce large quantities of leafy green veggies all year round and other seasonal veggies. This year we have beautiful flowers as well.

If you’re saying you want a garden but don’t have enough space, maybe you just need to get creative or go in with a few friends who have a bit more land than you. It’s fun for the family to plan the garden and even more fun when a few families get involved!

6. Find discounts in online stores, warehouses, and CSAs

There are several online resources out there that have organic products like Amazon, Thrive, and Vitacost. You can probably find coupons and occasional discounts there.

Costco Wholesale is gradually increasing their stock of organic products. It’s not my favorite choice for my 3 person family though because I’m concerned about space and overconsumption. I don’t really need to buy 4 dozen eggs at a time!

You may also want to check out Community Supported Agriculture which provides produce and products from local farms. I L-O-V-E our local CSA: Real Food Bay Area. There are some artisan products that are on the pricey side, but the meat, dairy (they have super nutritious RAW goat & cow milk!), and produce are competitively priced.

7. Make homemade meals

Unless restaurants make a point of listing organic foods on their menu, you can best that they are using low-quality, conventional produce and animal products.

So if you’re committed to eating organic, you’ll need to start cooking more at home. You’ll have complete control over your menu and food quality, and of course this can save you some money too.

Sound exhausting? Not really if you plan your meals and get the family involved!

8. Buy organic skin and hair products, or DIY

This organic lifestyle guide would not be complete unless we address personal care toxins.  Anything we put on our skin and scalp is easily absorbed into our body, so we need to look closely at the ingredients in the products we buy.

Just because a product says it’s organic, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe though. From EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database FAQs:

“It’s hard to tell which ingredients are truly “organic” or “natural” because truth-in-marketing rules for food don’t apply in the cosmetics world. An exception – products bearing the USDA organic seal contain ingredients that come from plants grown without artificial pesticides and fertilizers.”

Joining the Do It Yourself movement can make moving to the organic movement much easier when it comes to skin products. Just type in DIY skin or DIY hair on Pinterest and you’ll find recipes to make just about anything.

You can follow my DIY Skin Board too:

9. Buy Organic Cotton, at least with underwear

Did you know that conventional cotton crops use 25% of the world’s insecticides and 10% of the world’s pesticides? Read more about this and other reasons why buying organic cotton is a better idea here:

Protecting Our Planet and Protecting Ourselves: The Importance of Organic Cotton

Avoiding conventional cotton is a huge endeavor though! It might be hard to buy a whole organic cotton wardrobe and you might not like the styles out there (unless you love the bohemian look!)

You can make wiser choices though, like buying organic underwear and pajamas for your family.

Here are some online resources I love:

Hanna Andersson (underwear for kids, pjs for the whole family)

Soul Flower (yoga & boho)

Blue Canoe (yoga & professional)

You can also find used organic clothing on eBay.

10. Relax, you can always detox

Know that any effort to steer your family toward an organic lifestyle is worthwhile. So try not to worry too much when you veer off course (like the fish tacos I had yesterday when traveling – at least they were wild-caught halibut!).

There are several ways you can detoxify your body from pesticides, through diet, essential oils, baths, and other methods that we discussed in:

The Best Natural Treatments for ADD/ADHD

6 Easy Ways to Detox at Home

 

Are you ready to take the leap to living organically?  If yes, did this guide help? If no, what’s holding you back?  Let’s discuss in the comments!

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Autumn, Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Environmental Concerns, Gut Health, Kids Health, Meditation, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Seasons, Summer, Supplements, Toxin-free living, Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Best Natural Treatments For Your Child’s ADD/ADHD

 
Summer Break is halfway over, and for some children on a year-round schedule, they’re already back in school! As families anticipate the return, no doubt a myriad of emotions ranging from relief (for some parents) to excitement to anxiety are coming up. The latter may be especially true for kids with Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder.

Sitting still and listening in a classroom is challenging for most kids and is just one of the many reasons why school is not a great fit for my family (we’ve been homeschooling for a year). But for kids with ADHD, time in the classroom can be unbearable. They tend to:

  • daydream

  • fidget

  • talk out of turn

  • engage in impulsive behavior

They also tend to get in trouble for these behaviors because they distract the other kids from focusing and make it hard for the teacher to manage the whole group. As a result, these kids can start to dislike school, get lower grades, and they often lose self-esteem. It is a serious issue because if not treated, these kids have a harder time finishing school and can grow into adults who have a greater chance of:

  • Experiencing depression

  • Abusing drugs & alcohol

  • Job failure

  • Incarceration

  • Obesity

  • Divorce

  • Alzheimer’s disease

{source}

The CDC reports that as of 2012 approximately 11% of children 4-17 years of age (6.4 million) have been diagnosed with ADHD.

You can use the checklist in this link to determine if your child has a problem with inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that would fit their definition of ADHD.

What do I know about ADHD?

I know quite a lot, actually! My brother (who is 15 years younger than me) was diagnosed with ADHD when he was in high school. I tutored him quite often because homework and special projects were always a challenge for him. I was a grounding presence, constantly teaching him how to organize his thoughts and how to focus on the present moment.

He was tested for learning disabilities, but it was clear that was not the problem. Still, tests were hard for him to complete in time, his grades were low and school counselors were urging my mom to medicate him.

We just wanted him to be successful, so my mom did get a prescription filled for Ritalin, the standard medication for ADHD. He refused to take it. So instead, she focused on reducing sweets, managing his screen time, and making other lifestyle changes. It was hard and he barely made through high school, but he did make it. He is now a responsible grown man, doing great at a job he loves, while he supports his wife and 3 kids.

I learned great deal, through my brother’s experience, about how lifestyle choices can affect the brain (though I wish I knew then what I know now about natural remedies).

I also saw how easy it was to succumb to the pressure of school authorities to medicate and dampen the symptoms of the problem just to fit certain standards and make the teacher’s job easier.

Standard Treatment for ADHD

Ritalin and Adderall are the most common medications prescribed for ADHD. They are very effective in helping children focus better, but the side effects are pretty horrible for both:

Common side effects:

  • trouble sleeping
  • loss of appetite
  • dry mouth
  • anxiety
  • increased heart rate
  • irritability
  • headache
  • dizziness

Serious side effects can include:

  • addiction
  • heart rhythm problems
  • psychosis, hallucinations, or feeling like bugs are crawling on your skin
  • Raynaud’s syndrome
  • slowed growth in children

Can you imagine a young child dealing with psychosis and addiction? There are dozens of other medications doctors can prescribe too, some of them classified as non-stimulants, but they have a reputation for not working as well. Luckily, there is much you can do before considering medication!

Natural Solutions For ADHD

1. Identify The Cause And Remove Triggers

If your child has signs of developing an attention disorder, determining the triggers and addressing them should be your first step.

Known causes of ADHD include birth trauma, maternal drug use, premature birth, and low birth weight. Environmental toxins definitely have an impact as well though. The CDC cites lead exposure as being a culprit in some cases, though mercury and aluminum exposure have a strong correlation with ADHD too and are way more predominant in our culture these days (through food, dental fillings, and an increasing load of vaccines).

The CDC also states that although they haven’t been proven to cause ADHD, eating too much sugar, eating junk food, watching too much TV, playing video games, and long periods of inactivity can make symptoms worse, so are recognized as triggers.

Avoiding the causes and removing the triggers can help immensely, even if there’s a history of ADHD in the family.

2. Heavy Metal Detoxification

Purging your child’s body of heavy metals is a good idea, even if you don’t think it’s the main cause of his/her symptoms. This is a great article explaining more about the prevalence of metals in our environment, in our bodies, and how we pass on this toxic load through the generations.

Detox can be done through diet, incorporating these foods into a daily smoothie:

  • cilantro
  • wild blueberries
  • celery
  • barley grass juice
  • spirulina
  • Atlantic dulse

You can also give your child a detox bath with these ingredients:

  • 1 cup epsom salt
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 10 drops of essential oil, optional (citrus oils like wild orange, mint oils like spearmint, rosemary, clove, and myrrh are well-known for their detoxifying properties)

3. Traditional Chinese Medicine

Many of you may be puzzled as you imagine your hyperactive child laying still for several minutes with a dozen acupuncture needles. Is that even possible?! You may actually be surprised at how receptive your child is to acupuncture once they know how relaxing it can be! And with younger kids, needle retention is very brief.

But even for kids who are needle shy or cannot sit still, there are many other treatment options available: Tuina massage, cupping, cold laser, microcurrent, and shonishin (Japanese acupressure).

Side story here:

I was seeing an 8-year-old patient for his attention disorder and there was no way he would let me use needles. Even though his mom was urging me to assert my authority and do it anyway, I respected his wish and reassured her that other methods of treatment were just as effective as acupuncture.

We did Tuina massage instead. Every time, he would be squirmy and silly for the first 15 minutes and I’d engage him with jokes. But when I’d start working on his back and especially when I would massage his feet, he would fall asleep – every – single – time!

He looked forward to our treatments together and said that he could focus a little better in school, but the problem was that all the triggers for his behaviors were not being addressed.

His parents were divorced and he was constantly shuffled between the two homes. His dad was not supportive of what we were doing and the boy ate junk food, was constantly in front of the TV, and didn’t get enough sleep at his house. But his mom and I were happy that he was getting a much needed break when he was in her care and that he appreciated this natural approach to healing.

4. Balance Blood Sugar Levels

Riding the roller coaster of a sugar high and the subsequent crash can make matters much worse for a child with ADHD. To have the greatest success, decreasing the load of sugar in their diet is very important. Check out my post Have a Sweet Summer Without the Excess Sugar to learn how to balance blood sugar levels and make better choices (not just in the Summer, but for life!)

5. GAPS Diet & Rebuilding Gut Biome

The Gut and Psychology Syndrome diet is something you may want to explore for your child. Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride has had a great deal of success healing children and adults with not just A.D.D./A.D.H.D., but also autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, depression, schizophrenia, and many autoimmune disorders.

GAPS children and adults all have digestive problems – colic, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and malnourishment – to different degrees. McBride and many other researchers believe that all disease begins in the gut and these are digestive disorders, not behavior disorders.

The focus of the diet is to eliminate grains (which are abrasive to the intestines, break down to considerable amounts of sugar and contribute to poor gut flora levels) and refined sugar, and then restore gut flora with healing broths, fermented foods, and supplements.

It’s not as hard as it sounds. I’ve done it for myself and did not starve. There are a lot of yummy recipes, including many bread substitutes, that your family will enjoy.

You can Follow my Pinterest GAPS Board for ideas.

If the GAPS diet sounds too daunting, then at least try the other methods of restoring gut health that I’ve outlined here: Improve Your Family’s Gut Health to Increase General Health, Part 2.

I know it’s challenging to eat a basic diet like this when we’re so used to stimulating processed food, large amounts of sugar, and artificial ingredients that make up the Standard American Diet. But this is one of the main reasons why Americans have one of the highest rates of chronic disease in the world and why our children are suffering. It’s important to go against the grain (pun intended) and make your child’s health a priority, even if it’s inconvenient!

6. Behavior Therapies/Mindfulness Practices

Managing ADHD will be easier if your child is aware of his/her behavior and what affects it. Psychologists, licensed counselors, and social workers can all provide behavior therapy that trains both children and their parents on how to control behavior.

The CDC has a directory for behavior therapists, including online resources.

Your family can also engage in mindfulness practices on your own that will help ground your energy, teach body awareness, and to provide insight about behavior and what brings you out of balance and out of control.

Walking meditation is perfect for kids with a lot of pent up energy, and especially for those with ADHD. Here’s a simple, fun, walking mediation practice from Jaclyn Long at Mind Body Moms:

It may also be worthwhile to talk to your child’s teachers and see if they can incorporate mindfulness practices in the classroom (perhaps at the same time also making sure you’re on the same page about discipline and the way your child is treated in class).

Mindfulness meditation for ADD ADHD
Don’t be fooled by this picture. My son sat still for just a few seconds while I took it and then proceeded to run around the yard at the meditation center. But at least he knows what meditation is and why it’s valuable. That’s the first step in introducing mindfulness practices into your lifestyle…

Please reach out to me if you have any questions about treating your child’s ADD/ADHD naturally. I offer free consultations where we can discuss more about how TCM, whole food nutrition, and mindfulness can help your family. Well wishes to you…

Environmental Concerns, journaling, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Personal Development, Toxin-free living

How To Trust Your Parental Instincts

Trust your parental instincts

Do you trust your parental instincts? Does parenting in this modern age overwhelm you? It’s my hope that I can guide you just enough in this post so that you can start trusting your inner voice more.

I’ve been on a roll here, advising about environmental toxins like chlorine, harmful foods like sugar that damage gut flora & immunity, and how to heal without harmful pharmaceuticals. These are things that I think parents may want to know about as they try to keep their families well. With each discussion, I’m offering holistic alternatives and wisdom from Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s my hope that you’ll learn how to prevent or deal with these challenges in a natural and effective way.

It occurred to me today that even though my focus is on helping you find solutions, that the vibe here may still be very “doom & gloom”. This may be especially if you become easily overwhelmed with parenting and health advice.

Who’s Parenting Advice Do You Follow?

I’m reminded of an article that came out a year ago, “Excuse Me While I Lather My Child In This Toxic Death Cream” by Sarah Kallies.  Many moms can relate as she vents her frustrations with life that has “too many rules about food… hygiene… clothing… education… development… medication… sleep… playtime… friends… car seats… breastfeeding… child-wearing… and TV.” She says that “this world will make you crazy if you aren’t there already.”

Kallies has a point that focusing on all these rules about what others think you should do can make you feel bad about your parenting choices.  I see other parents who are just as frustrated. I honestly do not have the same stress about these choices though!  Learning how to keep my family happy & well is actually enjoyable for me.

Why Do Many Parents Have A Hard Time Trusting Their Instincts?

I believe the main reason we’re challenged with information these days is that we’re out of touch with how to sustain our health for ourselves and our family on a very basic level.

We are no longer responsible for foraging or growing our own food.  We don’t know how to make our own clothes.  Most people can’t  imagine living without electricity, dependent on the sun’s schedule. We don’t have generations of family helping us with childrearing. We’re expected to sit back and let government officials & intellectuals tell us how to eat, sleep, and parent. The groups that we do find solace in are usually other parents who are just as confused about making choices for their kids (not very helpful).

Why I’m So Comfortable Making My Own Choices 

I am not a perfect parent, teacher, or health practitioner, but I’m very secure in these roles.  This is because the choices I make are aligned with my deep-rooted values. I rest knowing that our species has survived thousands of years by living in harmony with nature, by listening to our instincts, and valuing traditional healing arts & ancestral wisdom.

My instincts led me to find a natural parenting approach based on attachment parenting principles.  I breast-fed my son until he was 4 1/2, co-slept as long as he needed it, wore him in a pack constantly as a baby, and let him feed himself when we introduced foods (baby-led weaning). We value natural immunity, organic whole food, and unstructured learning too.

While it has felt like I’m going against the grain socially, parenting itself has been fairly easy. I feel like I’m going with the flow as my son develops beautifully. Each day I feel validated that I’m doing what’s best for him.

I know that my husband and I are responsible for the care of my son, not the government or doctors. And my instincts say that there is something seriously wrong with the Western medical approach to wellness, the U.S. dietary guidelines, and the toxic constituents in our medications & water supply.

When I hear about things like the toxic ingredients in sunscreen, I am not surprised  because I’m aware that many products on the market have not been rigorously tested and safety is questionable.  Instead of throwing up my arms and saying “well, everyone else is using it and we’re going to die of something anyway!”, I take action to avoid it.  For again, I’ve thought long and hard about how our ancestors dealt with sunny days back on the plains. They got just the right amount of sun to stimulate vitamin D production, covered up when their skin started to burn, or found shade when it was overwhelming. 

How You Can Learn To Trust Your Parental Instincts Too

You and I probably have enough in common if you’re still with me this far into the post.  I know my values are not completely the same as yours though, and I would never want to impose mine on you.  I want everyone to feel successful in life and would encourage you to think deeply about what you care about as a parent and a human in this modern age.

To help get in touch with your instincts, I first recommend you do some journaling to answer these questions.

  • What do you value?
  • What are you concerned about?
  • Are these gut feelings?
  • What are your own gifts?
  • How do you contribute to the world?
  • Are you living authentically?
  • How do you connect with nature?
  • Can you picture yourself living long ago, capable of taking care of yourself & family?
  • How would you have dealt with not having our modern conveniences?
  • Are you vigilant about dangers in the environment or assume that everything we’re exposed to is safe?
  • Do you feel qualified to make health choices for your family, or always refer to a Medical Doctor?

By answering these questions, it should become clear whether you trust yourself or not.

If you don’t use your instincts to care for your family, but want to, I suggest finding a group that has a similar goal or a book that can help you tap into your inner wisdom.

These are the resources that helped me immensely…

Mindful Parenting Groups

Mind Body Moms

Insight Meditation Center (Redwood City, CA) Youth & Family Programs

Attachment Parenting

Attachment Parenting International

Breastfeeding

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Diane Wiessinger

KellyMom

Traditional Living & Diet

Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

Primal Connection by Mark Sisson

Concerns About Environmental Toxins

Environmental Working Group

March Against Monsanto

A Voice for Choice

I also have a free guide for you that can help you care for your child, based on ancestral wisdom:

10 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Health & Maintain Your Sanity!

I would love to hear about your experience as a parent and making choices for your family. Are you in touch with your instincts?  If you have information that can help other parents,  please let us know in the comments!

Well wishes to you all…

Chronic Disease, Environmental Concerns, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Supplements, Thyroid Health, Toxin-free living

Why Chlorine Is A Problem & How To Reduce Exposure

reduce exposure to chlorine

Now that the weather is consistently warmer here in California (you know we natives are only comfortable when it’s 75-85℉!), my family is spending more time at the pool.  I know, it’s easier to not think about things like the hazards of chlorine and just try to have fun. But the dangers extend far beyond uncomfortable red eyes, stringy green hair, and smelly swimsuits.  For your family’s health and wellbeing, you’ll want to learn how to reduce exposure to chlorine.

Continue reading

Chronic Disease, Environmental Concerns, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Supplements, Toxin-free living, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Whole Food Diet

How to Treat Your Child’s Eczema Naturally

eczema
 

Does your child have eczema? Did your medical doctor prescribe steroid creams and other immune suppressors for him/her?  Do you want to address the condition holistically instead?  I’m happy to share what worked for my son.  Read on to learn how to get to the root of the condition as you treat eczema naturally.

I believe you have strong parental instincts if you’re concerned.  Eczema’s so common here in the United States that many doctors & parents assume that it’s normal and just a symptom of “sensitive skin”.  They blame harsh detergents, soaps, or other things in the external environment.  Any natural health practitioner will tell you eczema is a symptom of a deeper disharmony in your child’s body.

When my son developed eczema as a baby, I knew that it meant his immune system was challenged. I treated him appropriately with alternative medicine to resolve it quickly. I’m eager to share what I’ve learned with you so that your child can be comfortable in their skin once again!

Standard Medical Cause & Treatment of Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an immune-mediated inflammation of the skin. It’s red, itchy, uncomfortable, sometimes oozy, and can be easily infected if scratched with dirty nails.

Merck Manual, 18th edition states that like asthma, eczema may be linked to an allergic T-cell immune response.  It says that it’s becoming more common in developed countries because of “trends toward smaller families, cleaner indoor environments, and early use of vaccinations and antibiotics deprive children of the early exposure to infections and allergens that suppress pro-allergic T cells and induce tolerance.”

Food intolerance, wool intolerance, conjunctivitis, and other features accompany eczema quite often.  Most medical doctors tell you to keep your child’s skin moist, but to decrease bathing & hand washing. They prescribe a corticosteroid creams to suppress the immune system, even though it’s already faulty.

In many cases,  mainstay steroid treatments can have harmful side effects. There’s also a strong association with eczema and developing childhood asthma later.  Therefore, it’s wise to explore holistic treatments that work with the original disharmony.

What Caused My Son’s Eczema?

My son developed eczema after his first round of vaccinations at 4 months old.  (I wanted to delay them until he was 2 years old, but was pressured into getting them by my son’s Pediatrician.) Most doctors refuse to admit that vaccines could have anything to do with it.  Just because they’re authority figures doesn’t mean they’re correct.   

It was pretty clear that after his second dose of Pediarix at 8 months old, it was most definitely the vaccines.  For both shots were done on different thighs.  The eczema rash, both times, originated at the injection site on the different thighs.

The first outbreak was delayed, so I didn’t make the connection to the shot. I gave him some Chinese herbs and it disappeared in a few weeks. But the second time the eczema appeared within a few days and spread quickly up to his torso and remained there.

How I Treated My Son’s Eczema Naturally

This was a huge awakening for me. I knew this was serious and vowed to treat the eczema naturally. I resumed the Chinese herbal therapy I gave him the first time.  It helped initially, but then the rash came back. Next, I did an elimination diet, removing the most inflammatory foods.  We quickly learned  he was intolerant to the dairy that he was consuming through my breastmilk.

When we went back for the next well-visit, he still had eczema on his thigh though most of his torso was now clear. I explained everything to his doctor.  I was prepared for her to become defensive and deny that the vaccines were the cause. Instead, she sincerely apologized. Still, I could not see her anymore.

We started seeing a new Pediatrician who respected my views and profession. She said that eczema & a dairy intolerance often arise after the DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, & Persussis) vaccine in her practice. She supported me fully with the treatment I had already started. By the time he was 2 years old, he was completely healed of eczema and his dairy intolerance.

How You Can Treat Your Child’s Eczema Naturally Too

(1) Eliminate the source of inflammation 

This is likely the most challenging part of healing your child because we’re forced to take a hard, honest look at what our child has been exposed to.  We need to question whether something we’ve been doing  “normally” (according to social norms) is contributing to the disease.  This step is important for treating eczema naturally.  Since it’s an allergic reaction, your child’s immune system needs a break.

Vaccines

Perhaps you’re not willing to stop or delay vaccinations though, even if it looks like they were the cause. If you continue vaccinating, try to implement the next few treatment options I have listed below.  Just realize that you maybe fighting an uphill battle throughout their childhood, though. If this is the strategy that works best for your family and your core beliefs, then I wish you the best of luck!

Food Intolerances

At the very least, it’s wise to place your child on an elimination diet to determine of they have a food intolerance.  Skin & blood tests for food allergies are notoriously faulty, so an elimination diet is your best bet for an accurate assessment.

This is a great post describing how to start a simple elimination diet that is great for the whole family.

I recommend the book The Elimination Diet by Alissa Segersten (of Nourishing Meals) & her husband Tom Malterre M.S., C.N.  They remove more inflammatory foods, but it’s manageable since the recipes included in the book are easy & super delicious!

If your child has a food intolerance, you’ll need to avoid that food for at least 90 days.  Then, gradually bring the food back into their diet to see if there’s an improvement. The intolerance should resolve within several months to a year if you’re diligent about the elimination diet.

(2) Improve their gut health to treat eczema naturally

People with eczema (& food intolerances) have compromised immune systems.  They also have low populations of “good” gut flora.  It’s vital to focus on improving gut health to heal the eczema & food intolerance.

I wrote about this extensively in the post Improve Your Family’s Gut Health to Increase General Health, part 1.  Please read this 2-part series to learn how to build up a good supply of beneficial microorganisms.  These organisms digest important vitamins & nutrients.  They also protect the lymphoid tissue in the gut lining that makes lymphocytes & immunoglobulins (important members of the immune system).  

(3) Include supplements to soothe inflammation

The following supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation (Read more about most of them here):

  • Fish oil (Omega-3 oils EPA & DHA – Omega-3s should be twice the amount of Omega-6 in your diet)
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins A, C, and selenium (antioxidants)
  • Quercetin
  • Curcumin
  • Bromelain
  • Reservatol
  • Flax seed oil
  • Inositol

(4) Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Eczema Naturally

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, eczema is an accumulation of “damp heat and toxins” in the body that is venting out to the skin. The Lungs, Large Intestine, and Kidney organs & channels are all involved. Basically, you need to clear the heat & toxins and strengthen these organs/channels.  This is done with herbal remedies and acupuncture/acupressure.

It’s best to work with a Chinese medicine practitioner, even if you’re eager to do it alone. I just happened to be a newly licensed and enthusiastic Acupuncturist when I was dealing with my son’s issue. I still sought advice from my son’s second pediatrician (who also does acupuncture) to validate my diagnosis & treatment plan.

Chinese medicine practitioners see the root disharmony.  They can develop a treatment plan that will heal your child from the inside. Most of them embrace whole food nutrition and help you manage your family’s diet too.

(5) Sensible sun exposure

Alternative medicine recognizes the healing power of the sun. It’s is vital for vitamin D absorption, improving mood, boosting immunity, and maintaining a balanced circadian rhythm. Your child needs to experience short periods of unprotected (that’s right, no sunscreen) time in the sun to reap these benefits.  

Even mainstream medical doctors recommend sun exposure for treating eczema naturally. Also, you can use artificial UVA & UVB treatments too, so you can ask your doctor about that.

YOU CAN help your child because YOU KNOW them better than anyone else. Trust your gut Mamma or Papa! Please ask any questions in the comments.  If you have other advice that’s worked for you to treat eczema naturally, let’s hear about that too!

Well wishes to you all…

Download my helpful list: 10 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Health & Maintain Your Sanity!

 

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Brandy Falcon, L.Ac., E-RYT

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