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Jessica February 12, 2021

Preparing Your Medicine Chest for Cold Weatherhealthreachcares.org/best-medicine-for-coldweather

Cold weather brings with it a new assortment of maladies and potential ailments.

Preparing your medicine chest ahead of time prevents emergency runs to the drug

store.

Use the following tips and ideas to help get ready for whatever comes your way this

winter.

Cold and Flu Medicines

Winter usually means it’s cold and flu season. Whether you get a flu shot or not, it’s good

to be prepared for a multitude of cold symptoms. Instead of purchasing a one-pill-does-it-

all type of solution, aim to buy or make products that treat one symptom.

For example, you don’t need to take cold medicine if you only have a stuffy nose. Cold

medicine usually contains cough medicine, fever reducers and even antihistamines. All

you really need for a stuffy nose is a decongestant.

Stomach Distress

In most cases, a simple antacid can do the trick for stomach issues. However, if you have

the stomach flu or food poisoning then Bismuth subsalicylate, the ingredient found in

Kaopectate, can help.

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Activated charcoal is also a natural remedy that works for upset stomachs and food

poisoning in particular. It’s good to have on hand. Loperamide, the ingredient in

Imodium, helps with diarrhea and a natural laxative is good on hand if anyone is

constipated.

First Aid

Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a fully stocked first aid kit in your medicine

cabinet. Bumps, bruises, and injuries happen year round and during the winter you may

not want to run out to the pharmacy to grab something, especially if the roads are bad.

A well-stocked first aid kit will include:

Antibacterial creams – (You can easily make your own by using antibacterial herbs

and oils)

Antiseptic – (here’s a great recipe for a natural antiseptic for first-aid)

Bandages in a variety of sizes

Tweezers

Wraps, gauze, and pads

Anti-itch creams – (Itch Dr is also good to have on hand)

Anti-fungal creams and powders – (Here’s recipes for: Anti-Fungal Salve and an

Anti-Fungal Blend – and here is a listing of anti-fungal oils)

Muscle ache creams – (arnica is a natural treatment for sprains, strains, and

bruises. Here is a great diy recipe for muscle aches and pains)

Epsom salts

Thermometer

Scissors

The Red Cross recommends checking your first aid kit on a regular basis. Once you’ve

stocked it for the winter, consider placing a notice on your calendar to check it again in

the spring. You just can never tell what the winter months have in store for you and your

family.

By preparing your medicine chest in advance for the possibilities, it means you can get a

head start treating any illness or emergency.