Holistic Kids First Aid Kit
Holistic Kids First Aid Kit
CALENDULA CREAM - for soothing any irritated skin, great for diaper rashes and fire
ant bites
TEA TREE OIL - great for dabbing on cuts and scrapes, fungal infections, acne, burns, insect bites and warts. It's an antiseptic, so it can prevent infection and promote healing. A few drops can be added to the bath when your child has a cough and cold as well.
POWDERED ACIDOPHILUS FOR KIDS - for diarrhea/gas/constipation, for yeast infections, to alternate with antibiotics to preserve friendly gut bacteria, and for kids who have allergies or have been on multiple courses of antibiotics in the past. Taking too much gives you belly cramps, no other side effects.
VITAMIN C - for use at the first sign of an infection, comes in liquid, chewables and tablets. It's best to give 100-250mg every 2-3 hours up to "bowel tolerance" (i.e. a loose stool) - just below that level is the correct daily dose for the child.
HERBS:
ECHINACEA - for use at the first sign of an infection. Not studied in babies under one year, and only to be used for a maximum of 10-14 days straight. I like the Herbs for Kids brand, plain "Sweet Echinacea"
GARLIC OIL EAR DROPS - for ear pain; put the bottle in a ziploc bag in a bowl of very warm water to warm them up. Do not use if the ear is draining fluid.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES: (in melt-under-the-tongue tabs or liquid, safe for all ages)
TEETHING TABLETS OR CHAMOMILLA - for teething pain, ear pain, and cranky or clingy kids
ALLIUM CEPA - for watery runny nose and eyes, sneezy
PULSATILLA - for creamy runny nose/congestion
NUX VOMICA - for nausea/vomiting
APIS MELLIFICA - for insect bites and stings
ARNICA - for bumps, bruises and sore muscles; available in oral form and in creams and ointments to rub directly on the sore spots.
ESSENTIAL OILS:
EUCALYPTUS - 1-2 drops in the humidifier/vaporizer water and bathtub for colds and coughs, may also mix with 1-2 ounces of non-fragrant lotion or oil to massage downward on the neck to help drain congestion (do not put directly on the skin)
LAVENDAR - 1-2 drops in humidifier/vaporizer and bathtub water, and/or one drop behind each ear for calming and relaxing.