Building a Holistic Medicine Cabinet: What I'm Prioritizing
I honestly feel like a “holistic” medicine cabinet can be as simple or as stacked as you want, and it can still function either way. Ours started off pretty small - like I could fit everything in a medium size makeup bag. It has expanded over the years to a diaper caddy and clasroom caddy, and just recently has started spilling over both of those 😆
Perfection shouldn't be the goal. I'm constantly running into new illnesses and ailments that I'm not prepared for and adding new things as I go. And there are a billion herbs, tinctures, supplements, products, etc. that “could be” useful (and certainly are). But honestly and truly, I still tend to reach for the same things every time.
If you're just starting out, it can feel overwhelming. These are the things I tend to reach for the most, and (IMO) would be a great starting point.
First Priority - Have on Hand
These are things I would make a priority because they’re nice to have RIGHT when you need them, without having to wait for Amazon to ship or scramble to find options in stores (especially since these can be harder to find).
Nebulizer + Saline
Anytime we are dealing with respiratory junk, nebulizing 0.9% saline is our golden standard. Mucus is GOOD, because it traps the nasty pathogens and helps moves them out of the respiratory tract and body. When it becomes problematic is when it becomes so thick that it can't do it's job, and then puts you at a higher risk for complications like sinus infections, pneumonia, etc. This is why I often say a nebulizer can often times save you a trip to the doctor or even the ER!
Saline (you want 0.9%)
Humidifier
Cool mist humidifiers add moisture to the air which helps keep the airways from drying out. Moist air keeps mucus thinner and easier to cough up, which makes it less likely to settle deep into the lungs where complications can arise. It also helps to soothe irritated tissues and supports the lungs' natural cleaning system.
Our humidifier - I love this thing. We have two, and it holds so much water! Lasts us all night, and then some.
Hygrometer
It’s also a good idea to keep a hygrometer in your rooms, otherwise there’s no way to know what the humidity % is - too much humidity puts you at risk for mold, bacteria, and dust mites, while too little can dry out and irritate your airways and may make you more susceptible to respiratory infection.
Ideally you want to keep the humidity between 40-60%. There's actually research showing that maintaining humidty In this range can reduce the transmission of pathogens. During the winter months, especially, I keep a close eye on our hygrometers. If I see them dip below 40% I'll start running our humidifiers even if we aren't sick (I keep one in each bedroom and one in the living room).
Wool Socks
I would prioritize the items above over these. However, wool socks can be hard to find in person, especially in kids’ sizes, so I’m putting them in this category.
One of the tried and true fever supports is the wet sock trick. Cold wet socks work with the body’s natural circulation and temperature regulation. Cold, damp cotton socks are placed on warm feet and covered with thick, dry wool socks. The initial cold briefly constricts blood vessels, followed by a warming response that increases circulation to the feet. This supports temperature regulation and relaxation without suppressing the fever.
Dip cotton socks in ice water and wring them out. They shouldn’t be soaked and dripping.
you can also add some ACV to the water and/or wet potato slices to the bottom of the feet for extra toxin pulling properties
Put the damp socks on and cover with a pair of thick wool socks.
The cotton sock will most likely be dry in about 30 minutes
This cycle should continue throughout the night (or day) as needed and helps boost the immune system and reduce body temperature.
Most fevers I don't feel like we need this, honestly. But for those really high, restless fevers this can be a game changer. So we always keep wool socks on hand "just in case."
Pulse Ox
I'm putting this in the first priority list because they can be find in person, but at the bottom because we rarely need ours. However, when you do need one it's ideal to have on hand immediately because odds are you may be making a quick decision on contiuing to treat at home or heading to the ER.
Pulse oximeters are small devices that clip onto a finger or toe and measure how much oxygen is circulating in the blood (along with heart rate). They’re a great tool to have on hand, especially with kids, because they give parents quick, objective insight into how well a child is breathing at home.
During illnesses, symptoms like cough or congestion can look alarming, but a pulse ox helps confirm whether oxygen levels are staying in a healthy range. This can offer reassurance when numbers are normal to help prevent unnecessary doctor trips or help catch early signs that medical care may be needed, allowing parents to make informed decisions instead of guessing based on symptoms alone.
*Signs of respiratory distress still require evaluation, even if the pulse ox is normal
The pulse ox we have for our kids (you want one that shows the little wavelengths)
Usnea - for anyone prone to strep throat
Usnea is the go-to herbal biofilm buster when it comes to strep. It's known to be directly antimicrobial against Streptococcus, even antibiotic resistant strains. If you test positive for strep, and are attempting to treat without antibiotics, it’s very important you start RIGHT AWAY. You don’t really have the time to waste waiting on things to be delivered, so it’s important you’re prepared. You really only have 24-48 hours max before antibiotics should be considered. Even if you do treat with antibiotics, a biofilm buster is beneficial.
Read my full strep guide before attempting to treat strep naturally
Second Priority - Easy to Grab
I have usually never had a problem finding these in-store. However, once you cross off the first list, I would go ahead and start working on these so you aren't having to scramble or leave the house last minute when you have a sick kiddo.
Nasal Irrigator - for older kids/adults
Along similar lines as the nebulizer, nasal irrigators (aspirators for babies) help thin out thick mucus so it’s easier for the body to clear. They also help flush out excess mucus, allergens, and irritants to relieve congestion, improve airflow, and soothe irritated nasal tissues.
Nasal Aspirator - for babies
Since babies can't use irrigators, you can use manual tube aspirators, electric aspirators, or bulb syringes. We always favored electric aspirators. With all of these, make sure you're using saline drops first!! Do not aspirate dry!!!
Epsom Salt
Epsom salts (magnesium + sulfur) are great for sickness, swelling, inflammation, detox baths, constipation, infections, and anything that needs “pulling out.” Anytime my kids are icky I get them Into an epsom salt bath with 1/2-1 c epsom salts.
*If my kids have a fever, I prefer magnesium flakes (magnesium + chloride) or a combo of both. Epsom salts "pull out" (why so great for detoxing), while mag flakes soak in...making it a great choice for replenishing last magnesium when fevering. Epsom salts can typically be found at any grocery store or pharmacy, but magnesium flakes may be a bit more difficult.
Great post by my friend Becca on the differences between the two
Xylitol Nasal Spray
I prefer xylitol saline spray vs plain saline spray when dealing with respiratory issues. You get the hydrating, soothing, loosening of mucus benefits of saline. Plus with xylitol you reduce how strongly certain bacteria can adhere to the nasal lining and can disrupt biofilm formation.
Xylitol nasal spray for adults - my favorite (can usually find this at Target)
Xylitol nasal spray for kids - any age
Third Priority - Buy As Needed
The following, again, I think are great to have on hand so you’re not having to scramble when you need them. However, they’re a bit more illness-specific vs. general, so you may not reach for them as often. Most of these can also be found in stores (minus the herbal biofilm busters - those can be a little trickier).
Garlic/Mullein Oil
Garlic and mullein ear drops are one of the “go to” ear infection support recommendations to relieve ear pain and discomfort. Mullein is traditionally used for its soothing and astringent properties, while garlic contains compounds with antimicrobial activity.
One study found that herbal ear drops containing garlic provided similar pain relief to OTC anesthetic ear drops, and laboratory studies have shown that compounds in garlic can act against some microorganisms associated with ear infections.
You can usually find Wally's ear oil at CVS, Walgreens, and sometimes Walmart/Target.Sprouts
Florastor - for Antibiotic/Gut Health
If you are needing to take an antibiotioc the first thing you want to get is a Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic. This is a probiotic yeast (not a bacterium), which allows it to survive antibiotic treatment and prevent antibiotic-assocaited diarrhea, gut dysbiosis, and C. diff. It helps protect the gut microbiota and supports immune function.
You can get Florastor at pretty much any pharmacy or grocery storey
NAC - Biofilm Buster
Anytime you're dealing with a bacterial infection (whether taking antibiotics or not) I like to start a biofilm buster.
Biofilms are slimy protective layers bacteria and fungi can build around themselves, making it harder for the immune system (and sometimes treatments like antibiotics) to fully reach them. This can contribute to infections that linger or keep coming back. If you struggle with recurrent infections despite treatment, biofilms may be one piece of the puzzle.
Biofilm busters are exactly what they sound like. They help breakdown the protective film so the immune system and/or treatment can better reach the microbes that are contributing to the infection.
Based on research and clinicial use N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is widely recognized as the most thoroughly studied and understood biofilm buster. NAC is a compound derived from the amino acid cysteine that helps thin mucus and support the body’s production of glutathione. In biofilm research, NAC is thought to help break apart the sticky protective matrix that holds biofilms together, making it harder for microbes to stay protected and hidden.
You should be able to find NAC at Sprouts or Whole Foods no problem
Biofilm busting guide with doing
Herbal Biofilm Buster
Whenever we are dealing with a bacterial infection, I like to throw everything I have at it. This includes an herbal biofilm buster on top of NAC. My go to's are either Scutellaria (chinese skullcap) and/or Usnea.
Scutellaria: Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap), is one of the more researched herbs when it comes to biofilms and antibiotic resistance. Some studies suggest its active compounds may help break down biofilms, weaken certain bacterial defense systems, and help antibiotics work more effectively against stubborn bacteria.
Usnea: Usnea (also called old man’s beard) is a lichen traditionally used for respiratory and throat support because of its natural antimicrobial compounds, especially usnic acid. In lab research, it has shown activity against certain bacteria and may help disrupt biofilms, It’s especially popular for strep throat support since some research suggests activity against Streptococcus bacteria commonly associated with strep infections.
Biofilm busting guide on dosing and which one best to choose
Fourth Priority - Investment
Red Light: I debated putting this as a first priority since you can't really find good options in person, but I think I would rather you have all of the above first. However, our red light is probably one of the THE most grabbed items in our medicine cabinet. It comes out for almost everything.
Red light therapy (RLT) is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to support the body’s natural healing processes. When this light is absorbed by the mitochondria it boosts cellular energy, which can help reduce inflammation, promote collagen production, speed up healing, improve circulation, support hormonal balance and mood, and more.
We have the LUMEBOX. This link should give you 40% off.
Red light therapy is generally considered very safe when used properly, even for kids or during pregnancy. *This is not medical advice.
This is what we've used ours for just within the last year:
Lacerations
Coughs
Sore throat
Bruises
Nervous system
Circadian Rhythm
Twisted ankle
Carpal Tunnel
Headaches
C-section scar
Knee pain
Canker sore
Ear infection
Invisalign pain
Teething
Cold sore
Congestion
TMJ pain
Growing pain
Tummy ache
Breakouts
Energy boost
Toenail fungus
Sinus pressure
Bug bites
Constipation
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