Natural Alternatives to Over-the-Counter Medicine

At some point, you’ve probably turned to a home remedy—whether it was a soothing cup of tea for a sore throat or a splash of honey on a cut. No matter where you land on the “crunchy” spectrum, natural solutions have been around for generations, offering simple yet effective ways to support your family’s health. The best part? Many of these remedies are likely already in your kitchen or pantry! Building your own “natural medicine cabinet” doesn’t have to happen overnight—start small, experiment, and discover what works best for you.

Headaches

• Essential Oils (both topical and breathing) like peppermint, rosemary, lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus.

• Lacrosse or tennis ball rubbed on the shoulders.

• Ice pack over the eyes or heating pack on the back.

• Pressure points, especially the Hegu which is at the base of the thumb, between it and the index finger.

• Turmeric extract – we love Leefy Organics or Mary Ruth’s .

• Hydration

• Electrolytes like colored salt or Redmond's Re-Lyte.

Allergies

• Nettles Tea (reduces histamine loads)

• Quercetin- prevents immune cells from releasing histamine and can reduce symptoms

• Vitamin C

• HEPA Filters – We love our LEVOIT

• Breathe Rite nose strips- open up airways in the nasal passages

• Sinus Rinse

Swelling

• Lymphatic massage– helps clear out lymph pathways and promotes immune health

• Magnesium

• Potassium rich foods

• Movement

• Hydration

• Parsley

Immune Boosting

• Whole foods vitamin C –Camu Camu or Acerola Cherry Powder

• Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Throat Spray

• Elderberry syrup or tea – Video tutorial on making your own

• Echinacea tincture, tea or capsules (herb farm makes an orange flavored one great for kids)

• We also love Mary Ruth’s tinctures: echinacea, elderberry, respiratory health, lymphatic support

• Probiotics and fermented foods

Cough/Cold

• Elderberry tea

• Wellness Mama has a cough syrup recipe that really helps! It is made with chamomile  and marshmallow root.

• Manuka honey

• Ginger

• Clear broth like bone broth or magic mineral broth

• Steam (shower steam or you can boil water, remove from burner and make a tent with a towel, can use essential oil like eucalyptus; just use extreme caution not to burn yourself)

• Sinus Rinse

• Rest

Sore Throat

• Tea – Some favorites for this are elderberry, chamomile, echinacea, peppermint or throat coat tea. Works to thin the mucus.

• Honey and lemon- the honey soothes and coats the throat while the lemon works to kill bacteria.

• Herb Pharm Soothing Throat Spray

• Salt water gargle

General Aches and Pains/Stress

• Epsom salt baths

• Curcumin/ Turmeric

• Microwaveable heat pack

• Movement
  

  • A gentle walk – shown to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) more than run or intense exercise

  • Stretches

  • Yoga

Sleep

• Tart cherry juice - check out our recipe for tart cherry gummies!

• Lavender

• Melatonin

• Valerian Root – Valerian root supplements have been found to help people fall asleep faster, improve their sleep quality, and spend more time in a deep sleep stage.

Personal Care/First Aid

• Paw Paw– Papaya based “Vaseline”. Great for wound care, bug bites, rashes, dry chaffed skin.

• Coconut Oil- Lotions, sexual lubricant, rashes, yeast infections

• Decolorized Iodine- Topical anti-fungal

• Soaps and Shampoos- African black soap, Dr. Bronners, Viori shampoo/conditioner bar

• Manuka honey ointment

• Active Skin Repair

• Activated charcoal – great remedy to have on hand to help an upset stomach, apply to bug bites, or even whiten teeth!

Health Care Providers

• Acupuncturist- If local, Cedar at Float Euphoria is wonderful.

• Chiropractor

• Naturopath

• Massage Therapy

Do you have any favorite natural alternatives to over-the-counter medicine?

What are some of your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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The information provided on Nielsen Nutrition is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. This is at no additional cost to you and helps to support the maintenance and growth of the blog.