I now have a few staples that cover lots of things and no longer need much of the 'old' stuff such as lip balm, but still need a few things for my children: as you say, coconut oil is fantastic for minor ailments, dry skin, hair conditioner etc, I have also used butter and lard in the past ;) I have on hand chicory root coffee as a laxative, bee pollen as an anti-histamine in summer (plus honey comb) and propolis for burns and bee-stings, mouth ulcers and other general skin hurts. Honey is wonderful for all manner of things, and so comforting too.
I make pine needle syrup in the spring to use as cough syrup the following winter. I also make walnut husk liquor in the autumn to use as sun tan lotion in the summer (coconut oil is fantastic for sunburn, although we rarely have that nowadays). Another syrup I have on hand is made of rose hips, which is good for vit C. in the winter.
The best all rounder for fevers, flus and colds is chicken/bone stock made into soup. That can be found in the freezer in our house.
Believe it or not, ground egg shells are great as a poultice, but I also use whatever fresh herbs are to hand in the garden in a real emergency, even as bandages when I have nothing else to hand. But I have to say, in almost every first aid case I have with my children a very regular sticking plaster does the job 99% of the time as a placebo and even better if it has a Mickey Mouse or Buzz Light Year picture on it (much more satisfying than a leaf). Dr. Bach's rescue remedy is also another great 'magic remedy' that I believe has more of a placebo effect on the children, but they love it and it really calms then down.
I have given up using much in the way of cosmetics but use Weleda for deodorant, (rose absolute) toothpaste and hair care, having tried no 'poo with not much success. I have used green clay for all manner of things such as toothpaste, deodorant, dry shampoo and for diarrhea and internal cleansing. I dye my grey hair with henna and indigo plants.
The big question is pain-killers - I have yet to find a replacement, but always use them as a last resort, doing whatever I can to alleviate the hurting before turning to Anadin etc. Anyone found an alternative ?
I really enjoy finding stuff as a replacement for chemical/petroleum based products. Firstly it is through the necessity of having not much money and secondly, I think it is important to be as resourceful as I can with what I have around me, after all, it is all just waiting there to be used - it is the knowledge (and confidence) of what to use and how to use it that is the important thing.
