The recent voluntary recall of several children’s medications including several types of infant and children’s Tylenol and Motrin struck fear in the hearts of parents across North America. After all, what parent hasn’t, at one time or another, turned to infant Tylenol to help relieve their little ones’ pain, such as that from teething?

While the FDA downplayed the situation and said the chances of any serious side effects were “remote,” more than 40 affected products were involved in the recall, so it’s safe to say parents may be looking for alternative options to provide relief for their children’s aches and pains.

Unfortunately young children are pretty helpless when they’re sick and require extra attention and care (hence the reason even adults claim to want to be “babied” when they’re under the weather). And while drugs may provide temporary relief and seem like the easiest options, these medications are generic and don’t actually target specific symptoms, nor are they particularly helpful when your child has a cold. Instead of reaching for a medicine dropper the next time your little munchkin isn’t well, try a natural solution instead.

Drink up
Babies or young children may not be able to tell you if they begin to feel dehydrated. Heck, some adults may not even be able to identify what it feels like. This makes it especially important to ensure your little patient is taking in lots of clear fluids, such as water or juice. If you are breastfeeding, offer additional feedings as needed – you’ll not only be giving them helpful antibodies, but comfort as well.

Wash away teething pain
Teething can begin as early as three months and last up until around the third year. That’s a long span of time, especially since some children find the process more painful than others. To help relieve the pain and discomfort, place a wet washcloth in the freezer for 30 minutes and allow your baby to gum away on it.

Clogged noses suck
Unfortunately, blowing the nose is an art and one which most kids can’t pick up until they’re around two years of age. However any parent who’s ever had a sick baby with a clogged nose can attest to how miserable experience it is for both parent and child. Try using a nasal aspirator to clear those passageways. HydraSense makes a phenomenal one that provides a mouthpiece so an adult can suck the gunk out – don’t worry, it’s a lot less disgusting than it sounds, and completely sanitary!

You can also make your own saline nose drops by adding a half-teaspoon of salt to one cup of boiled, cooled water. Administer a few drops to each nostril before using the aspirator to loosen the mucus.

Say goodbye to dry
Nasal passages may also become extremely dry when a baby (or any human for that matter) is congested. A humidifier will release moisture into the air and can help thin the mucous in the nose to make breathing easier.

It is recommended that parents with small children use a cool mist humidifier, since the warm mist variety release hot water and steam and can cause burns or pose a burn hazard. If you do choose a cool-mist model, be sure to take proper care and clean it to avoid the gathering of bacteria and mold.

Head to bed
The amount of sleep required among children will vary greatly, however babies under six months will usually sleep a whopping 16 to 20 hours per day. By the time they reach the toddler years, those hours are reduced to 10 to 13 hours, and then 10 to 12 hours each night for preschoolers. It’s especially important for kids to get their required sleep (and more) when ill to help strengthen their immune systems and speed up the recovery process. Unfortunately when a stuffy nose makes breathing difficult or a cough continuously wakes up the child who just drifted off, it can make for a very long, restless night.

The aforementioned nasal aspirator and humidifier may help aid some of the discomfort. If baby is having difficulty breathing, you can also prop up their crib mattress so they aren’t laying flat. A pack of diapers, a rolled up town or whatever you have that is sturdy and provides good support will work.

Adequate rest is probably the most natural remedy you can provide to your child, so even if it means curling up and taking a nap with them while you stroke their hair to help them sleep, go for it. Cuddling a sick child is one of the many privileges of being a parent!

» Reuters

If you've finally managed to coax your kids off the couch and outside, there are some protective measures you may want to consider to keep their skin and hair healthy for the season. Sure sunscreen is an absolute given - absolutely non-negotiable in fact - however other activities can cause issues besides sunburn and they may be things you never even thought of.

Skin
- Wet skin leaves kids susceptible to funguses and viruses such as athlete's foot, warts and ringworm and while they are curable, are a nuisance just the same. Make sure kids wear flip flops or other sandals when by the pool. Feet can also be disinfected whey they are done for the day and in the car for the ride home.

- The use of sunscreen and bug repellent may also mean children are taking more baths or showers than usual. Even though dry skin is typically more problematic in the winter months, the additional water and soap from bathing may still cause some problems. Switch to a milder soap and use less of it. Enough to rid the body of sweat and dirt. Health experts say a buildup of sunscreen isn't such a terrible thing and will actually help add some extra protection from the sun.

- If skin is excessively dry, use lotions or creams containing shea butter or aloe immediately after bathing to add some moisture.

- When you do buy sunscreen, make sure you buy the appropriate type if your child has problematic skin, such as sensitivity or acne-prone. Rashes and clogged pores are also often the result of higher SPF levels, which tend to be thicker. Experiment to see which works best.

Hair
- Hair stylists often say the final haircuts of the summer prior to the start of school are the most brutal, likening the process to cutting straw since hair tends to be dry and brittle after a summer of swimming and lots of bathing. Conditioner should always be used after shampooing. Leave conditioner on for a few minutes if hair is overly dry.

- Exposure to water also makes encourages knots, especially in longer hair. A ponytail or loose braids are recommended when kids or active of sleeping.

- Finally, if your child will be spending much of their summer in the pool, consider using a swimmer's shampoo to prevent the unsightly green tinge that comes with overexposure to chlorine.

» MSNBC Health

Whether you’re going to grab a drink or trying to cook a dish for dinner you probably spend a considerable amount of time in the kitchen. Since I spend so much time in my kitchen I was trying to figure out how I can green it up a bit and I noticed I have a lot of plastic products from storage containers and salad forks to plastic cups and saran wrap. Should I ditch them all or are some of them an environmental blessing in disguise?

Well, to start with the tools I use to make and eat my meals like the spatulas, cups, ladles and even the handles of some knives seem to be pretty good products with tough to find alternatives. They last a long, long time and probably aren’t leaching out too many chemicals into my foods. So, provided you aren’t treating them like disposable items I’d say they’re pretty good and I think worth keeping.

No kitchen is complete without some storage containers for leftover food. We all grew up with the tupperware brand and it has definitely been around before anyone new about the dangers of BPA’s in plastic. According to several sites I’ve visited the tupperware products are on the high end and very safe but a couple of their product lines may have problems^[1]. The value they provide is simply to keep food fresh longer avoiding waste and are reusable. In order to avoid any risks associated with leaching I’ll choose to mic my food in other dishes.

What about the value of saran wrap and ziploc bags? I know if I reheat some food that has been covered with saran wrap things can look pretty droopy when they come out the other end. Saran wrap has passed federal safety requirements for humans and the environment but why take the risk^[2]. I use a plate to cover my food when reheating to be safe. The other negative here is the fact that saran wrap is tough to reuse. Instead aluminum foil is a good replacement for short term storage and can be reused over and over.

Much like aluminum foil, with the ziploc baggy you can store food in the freezer for months, then thaw it, eat it, wash the bag and reuse it. Seems like a pretty awesome product but I'd say it's very difficult to stay disciplined enough to keep washing them so tupperware is better bet for reuse.

So to sum up my kitchen greenovations I’m going to keep all my plastic kitchen tools but get rid of the wasteful saran wrap and use aluminum foil instead or better yet a tupperware container. Of course, from now on I won’t be microwaving any food in a plastic container to be on the safe side.

» Popular Science

We’ve all been there for one reason or another.  One moment you are happy and carefree, and next thing you know your skin is covered with some form of rash that has you ready to scratch like crazy.  Whether it’s a common virus like chicken pox, an allergic reaction like hives, or exposure to outdoor elements like the sun, poison ivy, stinging nettles or bugs many different things can cause a very uncomfortable situation.  Being the parent of a child who has been through chicken pox and hives this year, I have spent a great deal of time researching natural anti-itch remedies.  None of these are new original.  In fact for generations people have been making these homemade remedies to relieve itching, and they remain the most popular treatments for skin irritation today.  After all, when your dealing with overly sensitive, prone skin the last thing you want to risk is an additional allergic reaction from your rash treatment.  In this case, natural really is the best way to go.

Bath Treatments

One of the best ways to alleviate the wide spread itching associated with chicken pox, hives or sunburn is to soak in a soothing bath.  By adding simple, common ingredients you can turn a regular bath into an all over anti itch treatment. 

1. The Oatmeal Bath
 -1 cup dry oats.
 -Put into a food processor or coffee grinder and grind until they become a fine   powder.
 -put the oatmeal powder into a clean pantyhose leg and tie a knot at the top.
 -attach to the water spout on the bathtub and run a tepid bath to soak in.  This   keeps the oat powder from clumping in the bath water.

2. The Baking Soda Bath 
 -1 cup baking soda
 -pour into a running, tepid bath and let disolve.

Helpful Tips:
 -be sure not to run a hot bath, which could make the itching worse.  A tepid bath  is best.
 -try to relax and soak for 30 minutes to give the ingredients ample time to work.

Spot Treatments

To deal with smaller rash areas and bug bites, or to follow a bath treatment, try one of the following all natural spot treatments.

1. Oatmeal:  Oatmeal is a great treatment because it soothes irritation and helps to draw any moisture out of the area.
 -Cook the oatmeal as normal.  Let cool to room temperature and apply to spots.

2. Baking Soda:  Although it is a different substance, baking soda has the same properties as oatmeal when it comes to treating a rash, but tends to be less clumpy on the skin.
 -mix 3 tsp baking soda with 1 tsp water to form a thick past.  Apply where  needed.

3. Aloe Vera Gel:  Nature’s most useful houseplant.  If you have a green thumb, keep one of these plants on hand, or buy the gel at a drug store and keep in the fridge.  Especially soothing when out of the fridge for sunburns, it also helps to alleviate itching.  Just apply the gel where needed.

4. Vinegar:  Yet another use for this multi-purpose natural cleaner.  Apply straight vinegar to bug bites to relieve itching.
 
5. Tea Tree Oil:  Besides it’s wonderful antibacterial properties, tee tree oil has a numbing affect that can help relieve itching.

6. Witch Hazel:  Popular for years as an astringent, the same properties help to sooth skin and dry up excess moisture from a rash.

» Arm & Hammer

No matter how good your intentions to religiously apply sunscreen, inevitably sunburns occasionally occur. Whether it's you experiencing the discomfort of the burn or someone you live with, it can be a painful experience for all those involved (especially if you're the one who has to hear all of the ensuing whining and complaining). Besides sipping ice water and staying well-hydrated, there are natural ways to soothe sunburn and make the healing (and peeling!) process a little less traumatic.

For starters, forget about store-bought aloe vera gels and lotions; get yourself a real aloe vera plant instead for the most effective relief. If it's too time consuming to use the plant for large burned areas (ie, your legs) and the gel is a simpler option, make sure it is pure aloe vera gel with as few additives as possible.

You can also try making your own soothing lotion using one chopped cucumber, a quarter-cup glycerin and a quarter-cup rosewater. Squeeze the juice from the cucumber with a lemon-squeezer and mix well with the glycerin and rosewater. Or try a relaxing bath using two to four cups of colloidal oatmeal (not regular breakfast oatmeal), a half- to full cup baking soda, one to two cups powdered chammomile flowers and (optional) one cup of buttermilk. Add these to running bath water and soak.

And don't forget to apply that sunscreen next time. If you need refresher course on how to properly do so, check out the video tutorial with instructions!

» Chiff.com

Like many people, one of the most important beauty products I use on a regular basis is a good hair conditioner.  Whether your issue is tangles, frizz, split ends, better manageability, dry hair or oily hair, conditioners are that miracle product that make our hair look good and behave the way we want it to.  Unfortunately most of the hair conditioners commercially available contain a variety of unnatural, chemical ingredients.    Luckily for those of us who prefer natural products the solution is as easy as looking in your kitchen.  With common ingredients you can easily whip up a hair conditioning treatment that is all natural and very effective.

Step 1.  Pick a Base

There are a few different, common kitchen ingredients that provide an excellent base for a great hair conditioner.

1.    Oil:  Many common kitchen oils make a wonderful base for a homemade hot oil treatment.  I would personally choose an oil that contained the best healthy fats, such as olive oil, sunflower oil (contains vitamin E) or grape seed oil.  However even vegetable oil will do a great conditioning job.  If you would like a nice scent or a specific benefit to the treatment add a few drops of an infused oil to the base.  Simply warm up and apply to your hair and scalp.  After a few minutes, rinse off.
2.    Mayonnaise:  One of the most common home hair conditioners is mayonnaise.  Mayonnaise contains both eggs and oil, which do a fantastic job of conditioning the hair and scalp.  It is also slightly acidic, which will help to remove left over residue from your hair.  Simply add in a variety of other healthy ingredients and apply.
3.    Plain Yogurt:  Yogurt has a few benefits for skin and hair.  It contains lactic acid, which helps to make the hair shiny and smooth out tangles.  Note: *Many expensive cleansers and moisturizers on the market contain lactic acid*  Because it is acidic, it is also a gently cleanser which will help to remove residue from the hair.  For those with oily hair, yogurt is a much lighter, less oily base than the oil or mayonnaise listed above.  Again, simply add in your preferred ingredients and apply to the hair.

Pick your other ingredients:

There are many other all natural ingredients that have fantastic benefits.  If needed, run them through a blender to get to a smooth consistency that will mix well with your conditioning base.

1.    Honey:  Used in beauty products for centuries, honey contains many vitamins and minerals and is a fantastic moisturizer.  If it was good enough for Cleopatra, it must work pretty well.
2.    Cantaloupe:  Cantaloupe contains high levels of beta-carotene, potassium for soft hair and vitamin C. 
3.    Avocado:  Because if it’s super high quantity of vitamin E, vitamin K, beta-carotene and potassium, avocado is a fantastic moisturizer.
4.    Banana:  Banana is high in an amino acid called trypthophen, and also contains potassium and vitamins A, B, C and E.
5.    Mango:  As well as potassium and beta-carotene, mango contains vitamin C.
6.    Aloe Vera Gel:  Aloe is very soothing to the scalp.  This ingredient is a must if you spent too much time in the sun a proper hat!

And/Or Add in an essential oil:

There are numerous essential oils available, all with different benefits.  The combinations are only limited by your imagination and preference, but here is a list of some popular ones.

1.    Peppermint:  Besides that refreshing smell, peppermint helps to promote hair growth and can reduce itch and irritation of the scalp
2.    Avocado Oil:  Basically all of the benefits of the avocado listed above, but in oil form.
3.    Orange Oil:  If you have an oily scalp, orange oil will help to regulate oil production.
4.    Clary Sage:  Clary Sage adds shine to hair, and also helps to control dandruff.
5.    Basil Oil:  Not only does basil promote hair growth, but it also helps to sooth irritation caused by eczema or psoriasis.

Beneficial Hair Rinses:

If your hair doesn’t need a super conditioning treatment, there are also a couple of easy and wonderful hair rinses that will help make your hair shiny and manageable without the hard core moisture.

1.     Green Tea Hair Rinse:  Simply steep two green tea bags in a bowl of boiling water for approximately 15 minutes (until it is very strong).  Let cool to room temperature.  After shampooing you hair, pour the green tea over your hair and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing out.  Green tea contains high levels of antioxidants and is slightly acidic, which will leave your hair without residue and very shiny.  *Another variation is to do the same rinse with herbal peppermint tea.  As with the peppermint essential oil, it will help to reduce scalp irritation.*
2.     Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse:  Mix 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar with 1 liter of water.  After washing your hair, pour the mix onto the hair and then rinse out.  Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic, which will help to remove excess buildup from your hair.  It also helps to balance ph level.
3.    Beer:  Who would have thought!  Simply take a can or bottle of flat beer and pour over your hair after shampooing.  The malt and hops in beer contain protein, which will help repair damaged hair. 

Note: *While the thought of smelling like vinegar or beer is a turn off, not to worry.  Once these are thoroughly rinsed out of the hair and it has dried, no offensive smell remains.  After all, no great hair treatment is worth having to do into the office smelling like last night’s football party.*

» Suite 101