Anything But That…

Ugh…So rough couple weeks topped off with a sick toddler.

Last night after I emailed my Bible study small group to cancel on account of my feverish little man, I got a call from a friend.

She started off with an apology, which is never a good sign. She went on to say that her son, about the same age as mine, had a similar fever and symptoms that culminated in… hand foot mouth disease…gross… anything but that…

I didn’t know much about it other than that it’s viral and super contagious, so I’m sure the entire 0-3 years Sunday school class has it.

Anyway, I did some research on natural treatment because I harbor ill will toward much of Western medicine. As it happens, I have growing in pots all the antiviral  herbs suggested for treatment!

• Lemon balm
• Peppermint (various varieties)
• Elderberry 

Providence!! So I snatched up some leaves, chopped them up to expose as much surface area as possible and brewed a tea for me (apparently the whole family needs treatment) and my little guy.

It was definitely tasty with some honey added in for bonus antiviral properties and a hint of sweetness. 

I also have been cleaning and sterilizing everything remotely close to reachable by my son. Heaven knows the kid puts everything in his mouth… Essential oils I’ve been using for disinfectant and antiviral treatment:

• Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
• Lavender
• Eucalyptus 
• Lemon

Those diluted in a carrier oil (I like coconut – antiviral- or grapeseed) I’ve been putting on the soles of my babe’s feet twice a day (morning and night)

They definitely perked him up as compared to yesterday, so hopefully they’ll do their thing and we’ll nip this thing in the bud and get over it fairly quickly.

I try to limit my use of children’s Tylenol for the simple fact that these are the warnings/side effects:

 so there’s the whole liver damage thing. Plus, I’d like for my child not to become dependent on pain relief. Let me clarify – we as a culture take a pill for EVERYTHING!! I was in the hospital once for female health issues and they asked what I usually took for menstrual cramps. I said, “nothing.” They persisted, “No ibuprofen, Midol, Tylenol…?” I said, “well, I do pull up my big girl pants and take cramps like a woman, but if you’re asking about NSAIDS, I don’t mess with them.” (Let the record show my maternal grandmother has ulcerated intestines, liver disease, and stage 4 kidney disease contributed to by a life of prolonged NSAID use)

So with that in mind, I’ll continue my holistic/herbal/EO route of treatment and I imagine all will be fine.

Until then, I may just need an extra helping of compassion, patience, and my big-girl pants to handle my whiny, not-feeling-well son.