Dr. Heather Friedman’s Home Remedies
This past weekend, my daughter Edith’s typically buoyant energy was down, and over the course of a few hours, her cheeks grew rosy and the temperature on the thermometer increased. As I write, her energy is back and she’s on the mend. We spent days cuddled up with hot water bottles, books, and podcasts. After a telehealth consultation with our Naturopathic pediatrician (ND), I learned that she was running the course of a virus. She reminded me how to manage fevers and we talked about febrile seizures. I employed a treatment plan that I’m here to share; some Edith was willing to try and others not so much.
Fresh Juice. This was our number one treatment because Edith willingly drank it. I purchased bags of organic oranges, got my juicer out and would juice three oranges twice a day for her. For myself, I included veggies like carrots, celery, and cucumber.
Herbal Teas. I love a good herbal tea concoction and took full advantage of the opportunity. Edith’s cough, fever, and tummy were the most prominent symptoms so our formula taylored to this. Our ND recommended a respiratory and tummy tea formula and I was able to formulate a unique recipe with what I had on hand:echinacea root, fennel seed, marshmallow root, ginger, elderberry, hyssop, and melissa. I brought the roots, fruits, and seeds to boil in a pot full of filtered water, simmered for thirty minutes adding fresh water along the way, adding the leaves and flowers for another twenty and complete! The roots are more fibrous so require more time in the water to access their medicine as compared to the leaves and flowers. Another option would be to purchase teas like Breathe Easy, immune support, and tummy support. I added honey for Edith, and she would reluctantly take spoonfuls as I enjoyed many cupfulls.
Bone Broth. When I was sick as a kid, chicken noodle soup was medicine and the tradition lives on. I get a package of boney chicken parts like the wings, and per my mom, I ask the butcher to chop it up for me. In a large pot, I sauté an onion, three garlic cloves, two carrots and two celery stalks, add in the washed chicken, cover completely with water, add a handful of herbs including mostly parsley, and also rosemary, dill, and oregano. Bring this to a boil, then simmer for a couple of hours, adding water along the way. I always look at a recipe first for guidance. Edith wasn’t much of a taker, but I was able to doctor it with noodles enough to get a little in her. Our ND suggested congee which is four-six parts broth (or water) to one part rice, over cooked and I thought it was delicious but Edith, not so much.
Lung & Throat Golden Lotus drops which can be purchased online or at New Seasons here in PDX. My ND pediatrician, Dr. Liz Collins, reports that “these are MAGIC. They are absolutely the best. You can give it to her straight to suck on or you can melt one in hot water and add it to her tea. I’m not kidding: MAGIC.“ Edith wasn’t a taker.
Warming Socks Treatment acts to increase circulation and decrease congestion. It has a sedating action and many report better sleep during treatment. It’s also effective for pain relief and increases the healing response during acute infection. Best results when repeated three nights in a row. Link for instruction. Edith has never liked this one.
Life offers few opportunities to just be at home doing home things. I took advantage of this time with Edith, reading chapter books and getting creative in the kitchen with tinctures, teas, and juices. It’s amazing to watch the body heal; my job was to support this process, keeping her warm and rested.
Link here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heather Friedman.