If one of your yoga resolutions was to get organised inside and out, you need to consider a natural medicine cabinet makeover.
As a seasoned yogi looking to continue the journey to a balanced mind and body, to me, a natural medicine cabinet is the next step to achieve pure health. Trade in traditional medicines for natural alternatives, and see the difference!
Everything from minor cuts to anxiety can benefit from the use of all-natural herbs, oils, and supplements. What you put into your body is just as important as perfecting those asanas.
I talked to Alexa Zigman, a certified herbalist, to get the inside scoop on the must-haves for a natural medicine cabinet makeover. Here’s what she recommended.
An inside joke with herbalists is that sometimes you just need to pour coconut oil over your entire life. This paleo-friendly gem of an oil can be used to treat everything from dry skin to brittle nails, and can be used as a mouth rinse for pearly white teeth. I keep a huge jar of coconut oil on hand for moisturising my hair and lips. Coconut oil should be one of the first oils to go into your natural medicine cabinet.
Calendula oil is great for treating minor scrapes and shallow cuts. Originally from Italy, calendula has antibacterial and immunostimulant properties. Translation: it’s great for healing your skin. Use it on everything skin-related, like acne or diaper rash if you have a newborn. You can also gargle calendula to help cure a sore throat.
Many yoga teachers love to end our savasanas with a little aromatherapy from our essential oil collection. Essential oils all contain different properties and will have varying effects. Lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus are a great threesome if you’re just starting out. I use lavender to feel calm and peppermint to feel energised. There are thousands of essential oils out there, and the different fragrances all do different things. Experiment with your favourite smells and enjoy the relaxing aromatherapy.
Echinacea is a wonderful herb for overall immune support. It grows naturally near the Rocky Mountains, and has been used for centuries by Great Plains Indian tribes. Echinacea is widely used to fight infections, especially the common cold, the flu, and other upper respiratory infections. Taking a capsule of echinacea supports your body’s natural response to bacteria, as well as other invaders.
Apple cider vinegar is great for restoring your beauty from the inside out. It’s been shown to help weight loss by slowing fat accumulation and lowering cholesterol. There’s also a correlation between apple cider vinegar and low blood sugar. I also love using apple cider vinegar as a part of a holistic detox, because it clears out the lymph nodes.
Yes, those roses you got for Valentine’s Day have positive health effects. In aromatherapy, rose oil will enhance your mood and relieve mental fatigue. Plus, the aphrodisiac qualities can give you a nice boost, since much of our energy is based in our sexual centres.
If you have a fever, you might want to try out yarrow. Like echinacea, it has been used by indigenous cultures for centuries. Achilles even used yarrow to make himself invincible during the Battle of Troy. It can shorten the duration of colds and the flu. Yarrow also can improve relaxation and relieve cramps associated with hormones or illness. Also, if applied topically, it is helpful with skin itching or rashes.
The healing combination of chamomile, skullcap, and motherwort works wonders for anxiety and high stress levels. Drinking chamomile tea is a great way relax and unwind after a long day in the office. Complement that with skullcap and motherwort, and you’ll relieve yourself of all of life’s anxieties that keep you awake at night.
This medicine is all-natural and manufactured by mother Earth, so you know it’ll treat you and your family right.
Starting a natural medicine cabinet can be an investment at first, but these feel-good herbs and oils will leave you feeling happier, more centered, and healthier. Plus, you’ll benefit by avoiding the side effects of over the counter pharmaceutical-derived pills.
A cabinet like this will help you fight colds, lose weight, and have glowing skin. Now, go tell your friends from the yoga studio that you’re about to start building your natural medicine cabinet – they’ll quickly become jealous of your healthy glow!
Now that’s something to om about.
