Health in a Pill

Holistic and homeopathic home redemies from Dr. Hauschka, Boiron and Hyland

Featured item: MAR 19, 2008

Got stress? Cramps, a cold, or stage fright? Holistic remedies can cure what ails you. Each of these companies were started by a pharmacist or doctor who wished to cure patients with healthy holistic or homeopathic ingredients (usually listed in their Latin names).

When we get a headache or toothache, our first instinct is to hit the bottle of acetaminophen, the chemical ingredient found in common over-the-counter painkillers (and can be hard on your liver), when sometimes arnica, made from a plant from the daisy family, is a healthier, gentler alternative. Same with scrapes and burns: You can avoid strong chemicals like benzocaine, on which you can actually overdose, and try calendula, derived from the marigold-like plant of the same name. With other healing qualities originating from ingredients like chamomile, white birch, and charcoal, holistic remedies are made up of about eighty percent plant derivatives, about fifteen percent minerals and the rest from other natural sources. Sans harsh chemicals, homeopathic remedies are a great alternative to over the counter meds.

For years, I've been popping pills—homeopathic pills, that is. I love these remedies. I swear by them. I would OD on them if I could. I relish a good high-heel blister so I can soak the open wound in calendula cream when I get my aching feet home. I can feel the relief. I actually perversely yearn for, say, a bruise from a tennis rally gone awry, just so I can apply arnica cream and watch it heal at light speed. I'm forever popping into Flower Power on 9th Street in the East Village or Urban Roots on Avenue A to grab a tincture or pellet or two. I have been using them forever on my 14-year-old bulldog Owen Meany, too. Years ago, he modeled for a Harper's Bazaar spread on pets and holistic remedies, photographed by world-renowned photographer Elliot Erwitt. I proudly display that picture of him taking his arnica pellet in my apartment. So you see, I do cherish this stuff.

The big news on campus is top-notch skin-care man Dr. Hauschka's new spring line of holistic home remedies, for everything from a scrape to a head cold to a sore throat. I am also a fan of Hyland and Boiron. Hyland has remedies for cramps, grief, bites, stings, and swellings. Boiron originated in France, has some great kits with combo-remedies to help with stress, jet lag, smoking habits. Sure, Advil is great but let's face it: It's not natural. It's all chemical-based. I may not be able to live without Advil, but I would be truly lost without my sulphur for that pesky rash or oscillococcinum during flu season.—Allison Reynolds

Note: Click on the above ailments to find the holistic cure-all.