Crunchy Hot Mama Alternative methods to being a mama while being gluten & grain free ©

Since it’s technically winter, though I think it has skipped over Big D and I’m not complaining one bit, I thought it would be a good idea to let you in on a few of my medicinal alternatives.

While I was still prego with ‘Baby J’, a friend of mine told me about her daughter’s pediatrician, who had holistic approaches and happened to live close to our home.  She thought I’d be interested since she is crunchy like me and knew I would appreciate someone who used alternate methods in her practice.  I admit that being a first time mama, I never thought to interview any potential doctors to see if I liked their practice or not so I jumped right in and was instantly blessed.  I have to say that not only do I like the doc’s philosophy but I like the fact that she has opened my eyes to a new world of health and wellness for our daughter.  In fact, while I was in the hospital after having Emma one our friends asked if she could be her doctor!  Sorry, just children.

My intent is to share with you some of the methods I learned from Healthy Kids Pediatrics in hopes we can keep our little ones healthy without pumping them full of meds unnecessarily.

This is my stash that I keep in my arsenal for when Emma gets sick or just for daily maintenance: (Note: I am not a doctor nor pretend to play one-this just happens to work for my family.)

Allow me to elaborate from left to right.

Vitamin D3: Kids ≤ 7 years old Spring/Summer 400 I.U., Fall/Winter (well) 800 I.U., Fall/Winter (sick) 1,200-1,600 I.U. *Maximum safe dose for kids is 10,000 I.U.

Elderberry or Echinacea/Astragalus: to cure colds/use as an immune booster 5-8 drops

Briar Rose: Immune booster 5-8 drops, 2-3 times daily during acute illness, 2 times weekly for immune support *I live for this stuff & use it on Emma daily!*

Lithy Tree (think L for lungs): 5-8 drops, 2-3 times daily during acute illness (for cough)

Influenza Multi-Strain Flu Medicine (alternative to the flu shot): this spray can be used on infants, children, and adults.

These different products have helped us get through some crazy weather even while picking up sickness at daycare.  I found the majority of these items at Sprouts or Market Street but I’m sure they can be found online with a little searching.  I like having multiple alternatives since I myself don’t get the flu shot and never intended to get one for Emma.  Lucky for me I don’t have to fight the pediatrician on my beliefs/practices and she just lets me do my thang.

I started typing this post the other night only to find Emma waking up night with the ole reliable croupy cough, so I have yet more ‘goodies’ to share with you!  She first got croup when she was in daycare from the sitter’s kid and seems to get it at least twice a year.  I have her daddy to thank for that one because he had it multiple times for the first three years of his life.  Hooray for me-that means I still have a year and a half to go!

For new mamas, the clear sign is a barking-type cough that usually creeps up at nighttime and is kept at bay during the day.  When I first took Emma into see the doctor she sent me home with this laundry list to help her get through it.  Saline & suction/blow nose often, Briar rose, humidifier (cool mist recommended), Vitamin D3, steam showers, and Vicks VapoRub®.  If you haven’t discovered the beauty of Vicks, or hate it like my hubby, you don’t know what you are missing.  I know it’s not for everyone but I remember growing up and my parents would put Vicks on our feet and chest whenever we got sick.  Man I love that smell.  Apparently they learned that trick when my dad was stationed in Germany for a good number of years and my got my sister hooked-she would sit there and huff those little Vicks sticks when she had a cold. Ha!

So besides the aforementioned remedies, I put Vicks on Emma’s chest with 2 shirts to keep it warm in there as well as some on her feet covered with socks.  I recently discovered these spongia tosta pellets that are for croupy cough (also found at Sprouts) and think she has since become addicted.  I will say that I have both the warm and cool mist humidifier and I personally like the warm mist and not just because you can put the Vicks liquid in there.  Riiight.

I recently discovered yet another medicine to stock in my cabinet for Emma called chestal honey.  It’s a cough syrup good for dry and productive cough and is more homeopathic than those sweet flavored brands.  It says for 2 years and up but my doctor told me to give her half the recommended dose and she is doing fine.  Man I love natural stuff!

I would also like to add that as a good rule of thumb, every single person including little ones should be taking a probiotic.  If you haven’t heard of them they are definitely vital especially if you are on antibiotics.  Since antibiotics kill the good flora in our bodies taking a probiotic will put that good stuff back in.  I recently picked up a bottle where I sprinkle ¼ teaspoon on Emma’s food or put in her smoothie.  You can buy all sorts of different ones, but the more strains the better for adults and no more than 10 billion 3x a week for little ones.  Check with your doc on exact amounts.

Phew! I think that wraps up the alternate meds for now.  I will leave you with the photo of Emma, um, wanting more of her Briar rose…I think I’ve created a monster.

What about you?  Does your family have any crunchy methods that you do in this crazy pill-popping, Rx-writing world?