28/07/2025
I’d like to share with you my “desert island” (holiday) remedies:
*Tea tree essential oil -
antibacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic and anti-fungal. Great for insect bites, spots, skin irritation, athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections and thrush (put 1 drop on a tampon and insert).
*Lavender essential oil -
soothes irritated skin (eg spots, insect bites or sunburn) calms the mind, aids sleep, and can even ameliorate the effects of the Black Widow spider bite, until medical help is sought!
*Peppermint essential oil -
relieves hot flushes (a drop rubbed into the nape of the neck cools you within seconds. It got me through the menopausal hot flushes without killing my husband!) and instantly repels wasps, ants and spiders. Can also be mixed with lemon essential oil to deter spiders; rub around windows, doors and any gaps in woodwork etc. Massaged into the stomach (use a carrier oil) it can help with bloating and abdominal distress.
*Eucalyptus essential oil -
clears the sinuses, aids asthma symptoms and calms a cough (steam inhalation).
Lemon Eucalyptus repels mosquitoes , midges, flies (can be added to suncream or aftersun cream).
Australian Aborigines traditionally used Eucalyptus to treat wounds and prevent infection. You can buy ointments and creams that contain Eucalyptus oil to treat minor wounds and burns.
Research shows it may help diabetics control blood sugar levels.
*Grapefruit essential oil
helps with jet lag, helping you to remain alert whilst you adjust to a new time zone.
Can be used in a carrier oil to combat cellulite.
*Geranium oil
Along with Lavender oil, Geranium oil helps you to relax and unwind at the end of a long, stressful day.
Geranium oil is also an excellent additive to face creams/oils for mature skins as it softens lines and wrinkles.
*Ginger essential oil
helps with nausea and travel sickness (along with Peppermint oil).
Place a few drops on a tissue and slowly inhale.
You can also use either oil in a carrier oil to massage the tummy for travel sickness or in cases of upset stomachs.
*Citronella essential oil
Keeps flying bugs like mosquitoes at bay. You can add this, or Lemon Eucalyptus (above) to water in a spray bottle to keep them at a distance. Lightly spraying curtains or blinds may help (but test for staining first).
*Lemon essential oil.
I find this helps to combat the afternoon slump, making me more alert and able to concentrate. It also lifts the mood, when diffused in the air, helping with depression and anxiety.
*Magnesium -
as a supplement, Epsom Salt Bath/foot soak or magnesium oil.
- Massage magnesium oil into arms, legs, back etc before bed to bypass the digestive system. It will tingle for a few minutes but don’t wash it off. Do wash your hands however, so you don’t get the oil in your eyes if you rub them.
- 2 mugfuls of Epsom Salts in the bath or 2-3 tablespoons in a foot soak. Soak for 20 minutes minimum.
Magnesium is a muscle relaxant so
is great for after unaccustomed exercise, gardening etc.
Magnesium deficiency is increasingly common due to poor dietary habits, such as increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods.
Deficiency symptoms are many and varied, and include:
insomnia
muscle tightness/aches and pains
cramp
muscle twitches
eye ‘tics’
heart arrhythmia
anxiety and depression
migraines and headaches.
*Lugol’s Iodine.
The body needs iodine for many of its functions. If you are hypothyroid and low in energy, rub iodine onto your thighs before bed, using cotton wool, covering as much skin as you can.
It stains terribly which is why the thighs are suggested! Allow it to dry.
In the morning you may find the staining has disappeared. That’s your body soaking it up with a big thank-you! It will give you an energy boost. You may need to repeat for a few nights but once the staining is still there in the morning, you know you’ve increased your iodine levels.
Repeat whenever you feel you need more energy, whether you are hypothyroid or not.
*Zambuk is an old remedy for spots and boils, but I keep a tin of this ointment on hand, in case of splinters or ingrowing hairs.
Put a dab of Zambuk on the splinter/ingrown hair and cover with a plaster for a few days. The Zambuk will draw the splinter or hair out. Repeat if necessary.
*Colloidal Silver.
Before we had antibiotics, we relied on Colloidal Silver. It is basically silver particles suspended in water, and is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic. As infections have started to become resistant to antibiotics, silver has become popular once more.
Use on open wounds (pets too) spray on sore throats, gargle with it, drop into eyes for conjunctivitis, drip into ears (and work it through into the inner ear) and sniff up the nose for sinus infections. If you buy good quality silver, you can take internally in water, too.
It’s good for cleaning around the home too, with no nasties in it to harm the environment, unlike bleach.
Its antifungal action helps with Athlete’s Foot and fungal nail infections.
And as it is antiviral, it can kill viruses like colds, flu, and Covid, something antibiotics cannot.
*Bicarbonate of Soda.
Aside from cooking, bicarbonate has many health benefits:
- It can treat heartburn by neutralising stomach acid (though not everyone with heartburn or acid reflux has HIGH stomach acid - see Digestive enzymes, below).
Take 1/4 teaspoon in a tall glass of water and sip slowly.
- It can be used as a mouthwash, neutralising enamel-damaging acid, providing antibacterial and antimicrobal benefits, and freshening the breath. Add 1/2 teaspoon to half a glass of warm water and swish around the mouth as usual.
It can also be used in place of your usual toothpaste to whiten the teeth. Studies have found it removes dental plaque more effectively than normal toothpaste. Be aware though that it does all this because it is mildly abrasive.
- Deodorises.
Human sweat is actually odourless and only gains odour once it is broken down by bacteria. Bicarbonate can be patted into the armpits to neutralise any smell.
- Exercise
Bicarbonate is a popular supplement among athletes. Studies show it can help you perform at your peak for longer, by delaying fatigue, especially during anaerobic exercises or high intensity training and sprinting.
One study recommends taking 300mg of bicarbonate per a litre of water 1-2 hours before exercising.
Another added that taking it 3 hours before exercise results in less gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Relieves itchy skin and sunburn.
Add 1-2 cups of bicarbonate to a lukewarm bath, making sure the affected area is thoroughly immersed.
You can also create a paste with a little water and apply a thick layer to the affected area.
- Chronic kidney disease.
People with CKD slowly lose the function of their kidneys, which are vital organs involved in the removal of excess waste and water from the blood, and also balance important mineral levels in the body. A study showed that taking bicarbonate supplements were 36% less likely to experience rapid disease progression than those not taking the supplements. Talk to your doctor before ingesting bicarbonate of soda.
- Cancer.
Bicarbonate of soda is an important adjunct to chemotherapy and has been used in hospitals. Bicarbonate can make the chemotherapy drugs work more effectively by making the environment for tumours less acidic.
- Soothes canker sores.
Canker sores are small, painful sores which can form inside the mouth. Unlike cold sores, they don’t form on the lips, and aren’t contagious.
A bicarbonate mouthwash (see above) can soothe and heal the sores. Rinse once or twice a day until the canker sore heals.
*Digestive Enzymes.
With ageing comes a decrease in the stomach enzymes necessary for breaking down different elements of our food - protein, vegetable cellulose, lactose in dairy etc.
A digestive enzyme taken with each meal helps digestion, especially if combined with HCl (hydrochloric acid) as our stomach acid, also vital for breaking down our food, decreases as we get older. So many people take antacids for indigestion and acid reflux, but the problem isn’t too MUCH acid, but not enough. And taking antacids further reduces the amount of acid available in the digestive tract. ACV (apple cider vinegar) in water also helps to create the right environment in the stomach for healthy digestion.
*Probiotics.
Physical, mental and emotional health, as well as the immune system, are all helped by taking probiotics 1-3 times a day (more if you feel you’re coming down with an illness, or have a stomach upset). Look for one that contains as many beneficial strains of bacteria as possible, and billions per dose, rather than millions. Remember that the gut and the brain talk to each other (it’s why we say things like “I had a gut feeling”).
The gut contains over 80% of our immune cells, so gut health is key to ALL health.
*Amber
Amber is sold in crystal shops but strictly speaking it is fossilised tree resin.
It has been used by ancient tribes and cultures for centuries to relieve tooth pain in adults and babies. You can buy amber bead necklaces for a teething baby to wear, but they mustn’t sleep in them, and care must be taken to avoid strangulation. A bead bracelet is also a good idea but again, to prevent baby from chewing on it and possibly swallowing a bead, remove it when sleeping or if left alone for any length of time.
Amber is also very effective in getting rid of stubborn UTIS. Wear next to the skin as a necklace, bracelet, or relax with a piece over the bladder area of the body (or keep a piece next to your skin, tucked in your pants or bra!). Cleanse the energy frequency of amber (and any non-water soluble crystals) frequently under cold running water, rubbing it briskly with your thumb until any “stickiness” is gone and your thumb can move smoothly over its surface. This helps to refresh its healing qualities.
*Uva Ursi tincture
This also helps with UTIS, and strengthens the entire urinary tract. Take drops in water.
*Sudacrem
An old favourite ointment for spots and grazes.
*Bee Propolis
This truly therapeutic substance not only guards beehives against intruders, but it can also help fend off and treat all kinds of unwanted health conditions.
It has actually been used medicinally by humans since ancient times. This isn’t surprising once you know that bee propolis has antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-ulcer and anti-tumor properties.
Helps boost immunity and soothes sore throats. Can be bought as throat lozenges, powder (for smoothies) or as a spray or liquid.
*Gua Sha blades
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to help circulation.
Gua sha is generally performed on the back, buttocks, arms, and legs. A gentle version of it is used on the face and neck for a lifting, smoothing, cosmetic effect.
Start by applying an oil or serum to the area you want to work on. This helps the tool glide across the skin as you scrape in an upward or downward motion.
The practice is believed to break up stagnant energy, called qi (chi) which practitioners believe may be responsible for inflammation in the body.
Gua Sha increases blood flow to an area, making it pink or red, decreasing pain. In TCM we say “where the blood flows, energy (qi) goes”, so reducing pain and detoxifying the body.
Special Gua Sha blades can be bought, but the same results can be achieved using any flat edged “tool”. To access a difficult to reach area on yourself, such as the back of the shoulders or back, you can use a long-handled kitchen serving spoon.
*Milk Thistle tincture or tablets
Milk thistle has traditionally been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, promote breast milk production, prevent and treat cancer and even protect the liver from snake bites, alcohol and other environmental poisons. It helps support the liver during a detox. It’s regularly used as a complementary therapy by people who have liver damage due to conditions like alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis and even liver cancer.
*Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be used as ear drops to help soften and remove earwax buildup. It works by releasing oxygen, which bubbles and breaks down the wax, making it easier to clear from the ear.
Over-the-counter (OTC) cerumenolytic solutions typically contain 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Here’s a general approach to using hydrogen peroxide ear drops:
1. Lie on your side with the affected ear facing the ceiling.
2. Administer the instructed number of drops into your ear canal. It’s common to hear a crinkling, fizzling, or bubbling sound when the liquid solution enters your ear canal.
3. Keep still for 5 minutes or as long as the ear drops’ guidelines state.
4. Sit up and lean over a sink to allow any liquid to leak out or use a tissue to blot the outer ear.
5. Repeat this process for your other ear if necessary.
*Bach Flower Remedies.
The Bach Flower Remedies are 38 flower essences discovered in the 1930s and are made from a variety of wild plants, trees and bushes, and each essence relates to a specific negative emotion or feeling that everyone might experience from time to time, eg grief, fear, envy, hopelessness, hatred, lack of energy, inability to switch off and relax, despair, etc.
They do not interfere with medication and are suitable for babies and young children, and even pets and struggling plants! When my cat became clingy and upset whenever I was going on holiday, I’d put a drop or two of Willow BFR in his water bowl. He very quickly became relaxed and didn’t even notice me leaving! Books can be bought on the remedies, including using them for children and pets.
You may have heard of Rescue Remedy, a combination of 5 of the individual remedies, which is great for emergencies and for aiding sleep.
I try to have one of each of the 38 in my stock, but ones I always make sure I have in are:
- Larch for lack of self-confidence.
- White Chestnut to relax a busy, racing mind and close off those repeated mental arguments that prevent us switching off and sleeping.
- Chestnut Bud to break unhealthy patterns of behaviour (eg poor food choices, repeating relationship mistakes, etc).
- Star of Bethlehem for shock, grief, loss, bereavement. This is also helpful during menopause as we grieve for our lost fertile years when we felt useful and needed. Sadly, our society doesn’t seem to value older people in general, and older women in particular. Also helps post-surgery after a hysterectomy, or loss of a limb.
*S. Boulardii “probiotic”
Strictly speaking, Saccharomyces boulardii
is not a probiotic, but a form of brewer’s yeast. It’s very effective in treating diarrhoea, and is reportedly helpful in cases of IBS and other digestive or bowel-related illnesses.
🙋🏼♀️
