Stocking our Medicine Cabinets ~ A practice in self-reliance
When it comes to stocking a home medicine chest, there are a multitude of factors that come into place. However, one key factor is that it serve the needs of those in the household. If there are frequent colds, aches and pains, teething issues or any multitude of health concerns that often are addressed with OTCs (over-the-counter medicines) and prescription drugs then likely these can be supported by a robust herbal medicine chest.
Stepping up and creating a medicine chest that is stocked with herbal preparations is an expression of not just self-reliance. It is a measure of love and worthiness; it is likely to be kinder on the planet – think less plastic, fewer non-recyclables and certainly more refillables. An herbal home medicine chest is likely to contain fresher remedies as often we work season to season. An home herbal medicine chest is likely to be safer, perhaps arguably more effective and prettier or more attractive to look at.
Aesthetic appeal goes a long way when making a meal, serving cocktails, and creating a home environment that supports the types of energies that we wish to foster in our dwellings. Why wouldn’t aesthetic appeal also have a significant effect on the remedies we use to support our well-being?
Reaching for medicines that have sprung from our gardens, or nearby lands also grounds us in our environments. We call these preparations, these remedies, “bioregional” medicines. To borrow from Wikipedia, bioregional is defined as
“… a philosophy that suggests that political, cultural, and economic systems are more sustainable and just if they are organized around naturally defined areas called bioregions, similar to ecoregions”
For myself? I was born here in the States, in the northeast. Presently, I am living in Erie, Pennsylvania. The idea behind focusing on working with bioregional herbs is that herbs from our individual bioregions resonate with ourselves differently. This difference is thought to enhance herbal actions. We can even say that the body “recognizes” these plants.
If this sounds a bit too hokey-pokey, then let’s look at a practical reason to focus on bioregional herbs.
For myself? I was born here in the States, in the northeast. Presently, I am living in Erie, Pennsylvania. The idea behind focusing on working with bioregional herbs is that herbs from our individual bioregions resonate with ourselves differently. This difference is thought to enhance herbal actions. We can even say that the body “recognizes” these plants. If this sounds a bit too hokey-pokey, then let’s look at a practical reason to focus on bioregional herbs.
Another aspect of developing a reliance on a home herbal medicine chest is, quite frankly, cost. If anyone is uncertain about the amount of money invested in their medicine chest, I would encourage pricing its entire contents, or certainly the items that are used very frequently.
And then?
After making a note of the cost, I suggest we set about creating an herbal medicine chest that meets the needs of a household for less than this restocking cost.
For example, an herbal tooth powder or paste and a mouthwash could save well beyond $100 each year. OTC remedies for headaches, general aches, sore muscles, and menstrual cramps? These too can run in excess of $100 a year, even at $5 a bottle. Already, there’s a potential saving of $200 per year … and that’s simply reaching for “low-hanging fruit”.
Furthermore, herbal remedies are highly unlikely to prompt an inflammatory cascade like some OTC products, are free from synthetic chemicals, dyes that can give rise to allergies and they are far likelier to have fewer side effects.
But there’s a catch!
The catch is that a number of factors need to be in place to have a robust home medicine chest, from an understanding of the range of symptoms and conditions that we’d like to work with right through to understanding herbal delivery systems, dosing and, oh yes, choosing the herbs that best meet our needs. Then and only then can we think about creating this invaluable home resource.
The Why
If this is an appealing adventure, then the time to begin is now! Over the next several weeks or even months, begin by creating a list specific to your home of the symptoms or health concerns that prompt actually reaching for a preparation in your home medicine chest.
The Who
The next step would be to consider the “who.” If I am reaching into a medicine chest to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with an infant or toddler teething, I would likely offer a different remedy than I myself might rely on for pain. Who we’re working with is key.
The What
Yes. The what informs our herbal choices. The appropriateness of an herbal choice is absolutely key and again, how we’ll prepare this remedy not to mention its dosing and dispensing – all are important.
The when and where
When and where to plant? Will we be planting and cultivating, or foraging? Will we be planting in sunny or shady places, or foraging along the edge of a wood? Or in a sunny prairie?
Of course, there needs to be surety throughout. Certainty that we’re clear about herbal identification and about herbal properties. Sure about the integrity of the land. I was reminded of this recently by a plant afficionado. However many gardens have been planted in the neighborhood, getting soil testing for precisely where my garden thrives is key. Yours too.
Resources to undertake soil testing vary geographically. Here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, both the Department of Agriculture and the Penn State [Agricultural] Extension are great places to begin to ask for supplies, rates and what’s needed to get a baseline measure of integrity.
Indeed, there are a number of factors that need to be in place in order to create a safe, effective and appropriate herbal medicine kit for the home. Knowledge is key. I’m glad you’re here.
Self-reliance begins with a decision. The rest is easily achievable in small bites, one leaf at a time.
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