In Naturopathic medicine,  illnesses are treated with natural remedies whenever possible. There are instances where prescription medications or surgery are necessary, and in these cases Naturopathic medicine can be used as a complementary treatment to these interventions. Your body can heal itself naturally in unthinkable ways, if we give it the tools it needs. Naturopathic medicine works with the body to promote healing while assisting in identifying the root cause of health concerns.

Many natural remedies used in Naturopathic practice are found in your pantry, refrigerator or local grocery store. These ingredients come from the earth and naturally support the healing of our bodies.

Ginger

Ginger is an amazing natural remedy that is best known for relieving nausea and motion sickness. Chewing or making tea from raw ginger is a delightful method to heal your nausea.

It's also effective to eat if you're fighting a cold or flu - it helps fight off the viruses, and reduces inflammation. Ginger doesn't have any side effects, so it is safe to eat during pregnancy to relieve nausea expectant mothers oftentimes experience.

Garlic

Garlic is a multi-functional naturopathic remedy too.

• Garlic is known to help maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels

• Boosts the immune system when you're sick

• Contains antioxidants that helps to protect the body

• Has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties

Eating raw garlic is great for preventative maintenance too . You can dice it up and add it to food, take it in capsule form, add it to hot drinks, or try garlic oil.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a green succulent plant with fleshy leaves that have sharp edges that run along the long, triangular sides. Inside the plants leaves is a clear, jelly-like substance that has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. The aloe gel soothes the skin when it is burnt, by forming a second skin to protect the burn from the air. 

Look for 100% aloe vera gel at any grocery store, health food store or pharmacy to have on hand for small burns, sunburns, skin irritations or cuts.

Honey

Honey, like garlic, is another ingredient that is multi-functional and extremely helpful to the human body in many ways. Here are just a few.

• It's a natural disinfectant- helping to heal wounds

• Mixing honey and ginger together relieves nausea

• Natural skin healer (manuka honey in particular) - helps with dry, inflamed, eczema like skin

• Taking a spoonful of honey while you have a sore throat, can relieve the soreness and heal your throat

Be aware, though - most commercially bought honey has had most of the pollen removed. Bee pollen is incredibly nutritious, so instead of going with the major labels, look for local raw honey, which is unprocessed and unpasteurized with all its nutrients intact.

Tumeric

Fun Fact --> Did you know that Tumeric is in the same family as ginger? This is why it has so many health benefits and has been used extensively in natural medicine for centuries. This spice is most commonly used in Indian culture as a cure-everything remedy. But modern medicine also recognizes it's benefits and uses it widely.

Tumeric is used in culinary dishes around the world for its vibrant colour and earthy flavour it brings to dishes. This amazing spice has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is commonly used to treat joint and gut inflammation, prevent cognitive decline, and improve heart health. 

Adding Tumeric to teas, warm milk, smoothies or to home meals will help you reap the benefits!

To book an appointment with a Naturopath at Juniper Family Health please contact the clinic at 778-265-8340 or info@juniperfamilyhealth.com or click here to book online.