Is it ironic that the eldest of two medical doctors believes in non-Western medicine therapies? My mom is a typical MD who doubts (and even despises) alternative medicine. Herbal meds? Oh, don’t get her started on that!!! :P So obviously, growing up, my concept of “medicine” was bottled vitamins and medicines from the big pharmaceutical companies.

Then I got married, gave birth and became accountable to two other human beings. This had me studying more about health as I slowly realized how truly, hugely, indescribably IMPORTANT it is. My “research” led me to the side effects of chemicals in Western meds. It. Was. Scary.  I didn’t want any of that, so I explored natural and organic remedies, and those that are not as invasive as antibiotics. Recently, I’ve started asking how people do it in the province, too. My househelp is a mom to 8  smart and healthy kids. I’ve been listening to her wisdom lately. I think it’s important to have an open mind about these things. I admit it’s so easy to judge other methods as “backward” or “not scientific”, but hey, they work somehow, right?

To be clear, I’m not rebelling against Western medicine. I remain adherent to it. It’s just that now, I like complementing it with other forms of therapy. Like, apart from vitamins, I also give Jaden honey/bee propolis to boost his immune system. When he had fever, I treated him with Tempra, but I also let my househelp administer “hilot” for infants (she’s not a real manghihilot; she just knows a few strokes from observing). May I just say, I think the hilot was quite effective — Jaden looked like he felt better after his massage. I also refuse to give him medicated diaper creams. I scour the net for all-natural remedies for his rashes. For this, I highly recommend By Nature Baby Salve and Indigo Jar of Hope. And a good diaper like Mamy Poko or cloth diapers!

In the same way, Jaden’s food is quite varied too. I tried to give him all-organic, all-natural meals before (thank God for Healthy Options and Saladmaster cookware!). But after a few months, I had to accept that his system will have to take in regular food… unless we all changed to an organic diet. So now, my boy eats whatever is on the table. As much as possible, I buy organic veggies for him. All his snacks (save his Marie biscuits) are organic too. But everything else is regular food. Again, it’s a mix and I hope it’s a healthy balance somehow…

jaden at 9 months here: eating organic biscuit

What’s your take on health and health remedies?