Natural Summer Medicine Chest

When enjoying the outdoors this season, be prepared to protect yourself against common summer ailments. I have found the following to be naturally effective in preventing and treating a variety of summer culprits:

1. Ginger: This may prevent motion sickness or other nausea.
2. Stinging Nettles: By far the best remedy I know for hay fever.
3. Arnica: The tincture of this plant can help relieve the pain and tenderness of sprains and sore muscles.
4. Bromelain: Promotes the healing of soft-tissue injuries, such as sprains and bruises.
5. Geraniol: Products made with this oil are an effective way to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
6. Tecnu: Helps prevent rashes from poison oak, ivy, and sumac.
7. Aloe Vera: For sunburn, thermal burns and any areas of skin irritation or inflammation.

Learn more about aloe and arnica.

Comments

[Patrece McCrary]

I use bromelain and quercetin mixed with vitamin C in a supplement called QBC-Plex. It is great for allergy flare-ups of almost any kind. I originally began using it for a severe sinus allergy attack during the spring. It not only cleared up my sinuses but also my severe poison ivy reaction that meds and over the counter remedies had failed to phase. I also soon noticed that it calmed mosquito bites as well. Now I take it once daily for control of allergies and if I know I have touched or come near poison oak and ivy, or if I have been attacked by mosquitoes (they are very attracted to me) I take it immediately and all reactions subside within minutes! I have not had a poison ivy attack in over 8 years and I know I have been exposed to it many times as I cannot get rid of it in one of my flower beds. I have only had two sinus infections in that time and both began as allergy attacks when I had failed to refill my supply of QBC-Plex.

[Kareema]

I use Ginger to soothe stomach pain and motion sickness. I also add ginger into my soy and protein drinks; It's also pretty nice as a warm tea.

[Lucia Peduzi]

I have used ginger for many years to prevent motion sickness, whether traveling by highway or air, on amusement park rides or snorkeling in the surf. It is the only thing that works consistently and dependably. Another hint: HOT wet compresses or bathing with HOT water removes the itch of poison ivy / oak for hours at a time. It costs nothing and does a better job than calamine lotion without the mess.

[claire bangasser]

Dr. Weil, How do you use stinging nettles for hay fever? I have lots of stinging nettles in my garden and my daughter and one grandson have hay fever?
Thank you in advance.

[Suzan Blackman]

Fractured my sacrum following a cycling accident - Refused the anti inflammatory prescriptions.
Have been using WOBENZYM N (Bromelain, papain and healing enzymes) lots of positvie thinking and
surrounded by love.

[Amy Austin]

Hi Dr. Weil

Oil of oregano is also an AMAZING product to have around. My children (x4) all got into poison ivy very early in the season this spring. Putting OoO diluted with olive oil on once a day cleared up the poison ivy within a week. I mean CLEARED...totally healed no evidence it was ever there. Last summer when they had it lasted almost a month! Truly amazing stuff. It is also really good for allergies if taken in small doses 1-2 drops a day during the hay fever season!