Home Pharmacy and Global Care

One of the basic tools that we wish to develop for our Global Care Clients is how to stock, maintain, and use a successful home pharmacy. The value of this tool cannot be overestimated. Many times crises or emergencies hit when you least expect them.... and the last thing you want to do at that time of stress is scramble for what you need.

Learning to use basic healing tools with the support of a physician walking you through a crisis is a very effective teaching tool. The most effective home pharmacies build slowly over time, a few versatile and multi use products or modalities at a time. Mastery of these tools is coupled with an understanding of how an injury or illness progresses; and how it is impacted by being supported or confronted at various stages.

In order to get the most out of your time with us, consider Global Care a class on healing. I hope the following tips will help:

1. take advantage of being able to text as needed and text often with updates, questions, observations.
2. set up a home pharmacy and master basic skills by attending our educational classes and texting with minor ailments or early in the course of an illness.
3. study Naturopathic Principles and learn to apply them.
4. practice, practice, practice.

Making Simple Ear Oil

There are many ways to prepare ear oil. Here I will describe simple garlic ear oil you can make in a pinch....

To make a small amount of oil, use 3-5 cloves and a few tablespoons of olive oil. You can also make larger batches with a large head of garlic and a cup of oil.

Chop garlic coarsely - no need to peel.... it's okay to keep on the outer husk. This can also be done with a garlic press or a food processor. The finer the garlic is chopped, the more quickly it is incorporated into the oil but more careful straining is needed.

Place the garlic in a non aluminum pan (stainless, enamel, cast iron) on the lowest possible heat and add olive oil. Other liquid oils can be used but olive is preferred. No coconut please. The longer the better but simmer softly for at least an hour. If no rush leave the oil to simmer longer or turn off the heat and let garlic sit over night (I use cast iron and make this in the oven. Then it sits warm all night and is protected from dust.)

When done strain and squeeze out garlic by filtering it through a cloth. Pre-moisten cloth with oil if you make only a tiny batch to maximize your yield. Pour it into a dropper bottle ( if you strain directly into a measuring cup its easy to pour).

You may add other oils (hypericum, calendula) or essential oils (thuja, lavender, tea tree - just a drop).

Store in refrigerator when not in use and it will last over a year. To use place bottle in a mug of hot water shaking periodically to warm. Test on your arm as you would a baby bottle prior to use. It should be warm not hot. Lie the head of the patient down with ear facing up. Place 1-3 drops in ear being careful not to touch dropper to ear. You can plug with cotton if desired after letting it sit in the ear a few minutes. Treat both ears even if only one hurts.

Note: NEVER place anything in ear if you see blood, pus, discharge or suspect rupture.

Other uses (besides salads): place in ears prior to swimming to avoid swimmers ear or water in ears; or use on cuts or scrapes.