(NC) A recent Ipsos Reid survey, conducted on behalf of the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) shows that Canadians are increasingly embracing a more holistic approach to health for themselves and their entire family. With the abundance of chemicals in our day-to-day products, food, and the environment, it can be difficult to figure out where and when to go natural.
For example, when we, or our kids, experience minor bumps or bruises we often rush to the medicine cabinet as a first aid solution. However, there are lots of natural approaches that you may want to consider. Here are three natural remedies that will help you and your family heal:
- Use honey to help you heal – Life with kids is full of scrapes, cuts, nicks and burns. Recent research from the University of Guelph showed that using unpasteurized (Ontario) honey to heal wounds can be superior to other modern methods. This magic mixture of vitamins, minerals, sugar and enzymes helps to disinfect and repair damaged skin tissue. Clean your little one’s scraped knee well with warm water and soap, drizzle a little honey on the absorptive pad of a bandage, cover the scrape, and let it work its healing magic.
- Use arnica to alleviate pain – Used to alleviate pain since the 1500s, arnica is still popular today. It can be applied to the skin for pain and swelling associated with bruises, aches, sprains, and arthritis. It is also applied to the skin for insect bites, muscle and cartilage pain, chapped lips, and even acne. Available as an ointment, rub, tincture or oral supplement, it is well known to help relieve sore muscles and joints.
- Use coconut oil as your all-purpose miracle maker – Organic coconut oil is a rising superstar in the culinary world, but did you know it works wonders when applied topically to the skin? The pregnant woman can use organic coconut oil to combat stretch marks. During those first newborn diaper changes, coconut oil can help protect babies’ delicate skin from sticky meconium. It can also help soothe diaper rash as well as being a great carrier oil to remove your baby’s stubborn cradle cap. At any age it makes a wonderful natural moisturizer for dry and cracked skin.
Additional natural remedies, as well as tips and tricks that will help you keep your family growing and going, can be found online at chfa.ca.
