What products are essential to stock in my medicine cabinet?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:There are a few lesser known items that are essential to stock in any medicine cabinet:
Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is a natural, essential oil derived from the leaves of a plant indigenous to Australia. Traditionally tea tree oil has been used to soothe skin problems such as minor burns, athlete's foot, and insect bites. When applied directly to the skin, tea tree oil has been found to have antimicrobial activity against strong bacteria and fungi. It's a great natural alternative with a wide variety of uses.
SLS-Free Toothpaste. SLS stands for sodium lauryl sulfate, a chemical that creates foam when you brush but can also lead to mouth sores. This ingredient is unnecessary when it comes to good oral hygiene. Furthermore, SLS can damage the oral tissue lining your mouth and cause canker sores. Natural toothpaste alternatives aren't as foamy but are less harsh.
Tiger Balm. Tiger balm is a natural muscle relaxer and Chinese herbal remedy developed more than 100 years ago. The main active ingredient is camphor, which produces a sensation of warmth on your skin. This substance, when used in small amounts, releases localized muscle-relaxing heat for aches and pains. Remember it should not be ingested, so keep it away from children.
Valerian Root Capsules. If you are having trouble falling asleep at night, a valerian root capsule may help with insomnia. Several studies in adults suggest that this herb may improve quality of sleep and reduce the time to fall asleep. Valerian is a common ingredient in many mild sedatives and sleep aids but should not be mixed with other sedatives or antianxiety medications.
Bentonite. Bentonite, in the form of purified clay, is an absorbent substance that may be able to relieve diarrhea. It may also be able to absorb toxic substances in the intestines and prevent them from causing nausea or upset. You can find bentonite preparations in many health food stores.
Helpful? 2 people found this helpfulThere are a few lesser known items that are essential to stock in any medicine cabinet: Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is a natural, essential oil derived from the leaves of a plant indigenous to Australia. Traditionally tea tree oil has been used to... More -
Dr. Kevin Soden answered:This is a very difficult question to answer as what is stocked in a medicine cabinet will vary greatly depending on what underlying health problems a person might have and what medicines they are currently taking. Your own physician can advise you far better based on your specific condition.
I approach this question just as I would if a person were traveling to a foreign country without access to their corner drug store and needed to have medicines on hand that might help in an emergency. I would suggest the following:
1. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - this is a medicine that can help in an emergency allergic reaction as well as provide relief from upper respiratory cold symptoms.
2. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) - these are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines that can help relieve minor pain and reduce a fever.
3. Aspirin - not only good to use if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke but can help reduce pain and reduce a fever. Obviously, not for everyone as it may cause bleeding in some persons.
4. Hydrocortisone cream (OTC) - can be useful for bug bites, rashes and topical allergic reactions like poison ivy.
If you ask several physicians, you may get different answers but these are some that I keep in my medicine cabinet.
This is a very difficult question to answer as what is stocked in a medicine cabinet will vary greatly depending on what underlying health problems a person might have and what medicines they are currently taking. Your own physician can advise you... More

