The Holistic Medicine Cabinet That Could Save You Thousands
- Alex Kelly
- Jan 2
- 7 min read
I’m not anti-doctor. I’m anti paying thousands for things we can safely support at home. There are certainly times where medical care is necessary, but 9/10 these things can easily be managed (and prevented) at home...if you’re prepared.
This is coming from a mom (me 🙋♀️), who once took her 2 month old to the ER...for...a...cold. Most expensive cold of my life 🫠 And I’ve vowed to be prepared, not scared, from here on out.
Thank you Natalie Wescott, an ER nurse and mom of 2, for helping me out with this guide!
*This is NOT medical advice, and does not take place of necessary medical care/your doctors recommendations.
NEBULIZER + SALINE
Nebulizing delivers a fine mist directly into the airways, helping loosen thick mucus, and soothe irritated tissues.
For kids especially, early airway support is very important. When congestion and inflammation build up, nebulized saline can help calm the lungs, thin mucus, and reduce the work of breathing before symptoms escalate.
Nebulizing can often times prevent worsening breathing and infections like pneumonia. Safe for any age; 5-6x a day
Look for 0.9% saline that contains sodium chloride only - no added minerals. View my full FAQ nebulizing guide here.
PULSE OX
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
How to Read a Pulse Ox
When you put the pulse ox on the finger and turn It on, you will see wave lengths bobbing up and down. You want to wait and watch for an even waveform (looks like a jigsaw). It may take a while for kids, because they move. Don’t take the first number you see. You want an even waveform before you trust the number.
OTOSCOPE
An otoscope is a small device with a light and magnifier that lets you look inside the ear canal and view the eardrum. For parents, it can be helpful when a child has ear pain or symptoms after a cold, allowing you to spot a possible ear infection.
GARLIC OIL for ear infection prevention
Colds/congestion and respiratory infections are one of the top causes of ear infections in kids. We always start garlic drops in our kids as soon as congestion begins, as an ear infection preventative.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and antiviral. One study showed that naturopathic ear drops containing garlic was just as effective in managing ear pain as OTC ear drops. Another found that allicin and s-allyl cysteine (SAC), two derivatives of garlic, were effective at killing certain microorganisms that cause ear infections. However, these treatments were found to be less effective than ciprofloxacin or fluconazole.
Great for any age as long as the ear isn’t perforated.
NASAL IRRIGATION
When the nose is congested, the mucus can drip back or be inhaled into the lower airways, especially in babies and young kids. Saline nasal rinses clear germs and mucus from the nose and upper airways before they can travel down into the lungs and settle into an infection.
It’s typically recommended to only nasal rinse up to 3 times a day. Exceeding this can potentially cause irritation, so it's best to start with once or twice a day and see how your body responds. Compliance will be best with older kids - adults
NASAL ASPIRATORS + SALINE
Nasal aspirators are designed primarily for babies because infants can’t blow their noses on their own. For older children who can usually blow their noses effectively, aspirators aren’t typically needed. For babies, put in a few drops or spray of saline, then suction. Or suction after a steam shower/nebulizer when mucus is already loose.
HUMIDIFER
Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which helps keep both the nasal passages and lower airways from drying out during illness. When the air is moist, mucus in the nose, sinuses, and lungs stays thinner and easier to move, allowing the body to clear congestion more effectively.
Maintaining humidity in the range of 40-60% can also reduce transmission of pathogens. Safe for any age!
It’s also a good idea to keep a hygrometer in rooms, otherwise there’s no way to know what the humidity % is. You don’t want It to dip below 40% and you don’t want It to rise above 60%.
Even if you aren’t sick, if you notice rooms getting dry it’s a good Idea to go ahead and turn on humidifiers as a preventative.
IMMUNE SUPPORT
Don’t overlook the ways you can support your immune system that have nothing to do with supplements. Things like staying well-hydrated, prioritizing quality sleep, and nourishing your body with whole, healing foods.
When it comes to supplements, the options can feel endless and what’s helpful will vary from person to person. That said, there are a few foundational choices that are a safe place to start for most people, especially during illness: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium
Vitamin C - The Front Line Fighter
A powerful antioxidant that protects immune cells from damage caused by free radicals, and enhances the function of white blood cells responsible for attacking pathogens.
I love this Vitamin C for kids when sick because It includes Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Bee Propolis, and Elderberry
Vitamin D - The Immune Regulator
Prevents excess inflammation and supports the activation of T-cells, the immune cells that target infected cells.
Zinc - Infection Fighter & Repair Specialist
Zing possesses direct antiviral Properties. It helps wound healing, enzyme function, and supports the production and activation of immune cells.
I like this Zinc, because the way it’s dosed is super easy to customize for any age.
Magnesium - Inflammation Modulator
Magnesium helps regulate inflammation and supports the activity of natural killer cells and white blood cells. It is estimated that between 48-60% of Americans are magnesium deficient.
Magnesium lotion or epsom salt baths are a great way to get in that extra immune support without having to add another oral supplement
What to Expect if You Bring a Child With a Fever to the ER
If you bring your child to the ER for a fever, the first step is triage. A nurse will check vital signs, including temperature. In children under 2, this is often done with a rectal thermometer for accuracy.
You’ll be asked when your child last received fever medication and which one was used (acetaminophen or ibuprofen).
Under 6 months: acetaminophen is the first-line medication.
6 months and older: ibuprofen is commonly used.
If one medication was given recently and the fever remains high, the ER may give the other to safely bring the fever down.
After that, the provider will assess your child’s overall appearance, breathing, hydration, and other symptoms. Many well-appearing children do not need extensive testing.
For newborns and young infants (typically under 6–8 weeks), a fever is taken very seriously and may require a more thorough workup to rule out serious infection. In some cases, identifying a clear viral cause can limit testing, but this depends on age, symptoms, and hospital protocol.
When Might a Parent Consider Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen?
Neither ibuprofen nor acetaminophen is ideal, and fever-reducing medications should not be early-line tools. Acetaminophen in particular should be a last-last resort, as it depletes glutathione, a key antioxidant needed for liver detoxification and immune balance.
Ibuprofen may be considered in children over 6 months only after consistent natural fever support (homeopathy, baths, wet socks, hydration, rest, etc). If a fever remains high and a child is too uncomfortable to sleep, a single dose may be reasonable, though natural approaches often work when used properly and consistently. LOOK FOR DYE FREE.
Acetaminophen is rarely appropriate. We would only consider it for a baby under 6 months if fever is causing extreme lethargy, inability to sleep, or refusal to drink and other supports are not helping.
Genexa is the best option, inactive ingredient wise. But remember, it still contains the active ingredient acetaminophen.
While we don’t routinely recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen, we also avoid fear-based messaging. If a single dose is what could keep you from an unnecessary ER visit, where these medications will be the first-line anyways, this may be a reasonable choice. *Emergency symptoms always override this guidance.
What the ER Will Do for a Child With a Respiratory Illness
When a child comes to the ER for a respiratory illness, the first priority is breathing. During triage, the nurse will check vital signs, including breathing rate and oxygen levels, and closely observe how the child is breathing.
They look for signs such as labored breathing, retractions, abnormal breath sounds (wheezing or stridor), grunting, and changes in skin color like pale or bluish tones.
If vital signs and breathing are normal, the provider may do a viral swab (RSV, flu, COVID) and treatment is usually supportive, focused on symptom relief.
If breathing or oxygen levels are abnormal, the team will act quickly. This may include supplemental oxygen, breathing treatments (like albuterol), and sometimes steroids. More severe cases may require hospital admission for monitoring.
Care is always based on the child’s age, symptoms, and overall condition - not a one-size-fits-all approach.
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