Did you know that Americans spend more each year on over-the-counter remedies for coughs and colds than the combined costs of running the governments of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador?
We were up quite a bit last night nursing my sweet feverish Karis (at 101 degrees). This was the first fever I have experienced with her, so questions of whether or not it was serious were continually going through my head. I have always been hesitant to pay the doctor a visit, primarily because of our lack of health insurance, and secondarily because they often only tell me what I already now and want to just load us up with antibiotics.
To settle my fears, I dug out my two handy little natural health manuals which are simply wonderful, especially for the first time mommy! I can’t recommend these two books more highly for every mommy desiring to prepare and preserve a natural home without all the added antibiotics that can do more harm than good.
How to Raise a Healthy Child…In Spite of Your Doctor by Robert Mendelsohn, M.D. – I love Dr. Mendelsohn’s book, due to it’s thorough coverage of topics such as circumcision, vaccinations, birth, and various childhood illnesses. I will never visit the doctor before referring to this book! He explains all you need to know as to how to evaluate the seriousness of any sickness and simple natural remedies from home. He says: “Common colds and influenza do not require medical treatment, and the medications often used to treat them, will merely relieve symptoms. The effects of doing this may be counterproductive, because they interfere with the body’s efforts to cure itself.”
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis Balch, CNC – this is a huge reference guide covering everything from A-to-Z, with all drug free remedies using vitamins, minerals, herbs and food supplements. This covers every concern for adults and children.
I was assured to discover that the two best remedies for both cold and fever symptoms were the two H’s for both children and adults:
1) Hydration – keep drinking lots of liquids to replace the loss of fluids in your body through runny nose, cough, perspiring, etc. Try to drink 8 ounces every hour in whatever form they can be taken.
2) Humidifier – the use of a humidifier will greatly assist in maintaining a moist humid environment to assist in the ability to breath easier. Great for the lungs as in alleviating congestion.
For fevers, Dr. Mendelsohn assured me that I should only be concerned if her temperature rises above 106 degrees and there is presence of other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, chills, etc. Otherwise, just let it run it’s course. There is even no need for antibiotics, as they tend to slow down the process and cause other issues as well.
Save yourself a doctor bill, which is usually around $175 for us, by picking up these two books!
Praise the Lord I have been able to sleep well the last two nights, thanks to some helpful tips from some of my readers and my midwife. These are helpful suggestions for those who deal with insomnia in or outside of pregnancy. The top two suggestions are what I have been doing primarily and seeing a vast improvement!
