The kids are going back to school just as the flu season kicks off. Now that all the kids are in close quarters, that slight cough or cold becomes harder for little bodies to defend against because they are so exhausted and stressed - illness is never preferable, and it always seems to hit at the worst times. Who wants to miss the big field trip or stay home sniffling when their friends are back at school playing with each other? As parents of more than one child, you know that means the sickness will make the rounds to the entire family.

Thankfully, we have lots of healthy herbs to build and strengthen our kids' immune systems as they go back to school so they can stay as healthy as possible even if they've been exposed to bacteria and viruses.

When the inevitable happens and a summer day ends with sunkissed cheeks – or, worse, uncomfortable sunburns, have a remedy on hand! Gels, salves, and sprays can all be soothing. You want a good sunburn remedy to sooth the pain, reduce inflammation, and moisten skin that will eventually dry out and peel.

Oh, sweet summertime! How I love you! The sun rises early and sets late. I get to spend more time in the garden and on long mountain hikes. Honestly, though, summertime in Arkansas is both beautiful and brutal! We have so many bugs, ticks, mosquitos, and chiggers. Fortunately, we also have fireflies! No seriously, during the summer, my whole family is riddled with itchy bug bites and insect stings for months.  

Today I'm going to share one of my favorite summertime herbs with you. Plantain is one of the best natural anti-itch bug bite relief remedy known to humankind! Stick around if you can relate to loving summer and needing relief from all the itchy bug bites.  

I combined calendula with other herbs in our postpartum herb bath to help aid in rapid perineal recovery and soothe hemorrhoids after giving birth. Calendula is also in our Nipple Salve, Diaper Salve and Healing Salve because it helps repair sore nipples, inflamed skin caused by diaper rash and it works as first aid skin care.  Calendula is why our Wound Recovery Spray cools a burn and Cesarean Recovery Spray leaves your incision feeling fresh and clean as your body heals.

Let me tell you a little more about this delightful plant and why you might want to grow some yourself...

In this popular Apothecary Wisdom video, Maria will be sharing all about the benefits of Mullein leaves and flowers. Mullein is an excellent herbal remedy when experiencing painful, earaches, or upper respiratory congestion.

Mullein is a powerful decongestant and expectorant that makes coughs more productive. Since it effectively relieves lung congestion, we blended the soft Mullein leaves into our Lung Support Tea, helping you breathe more clearly and deeply.

Mullein's cheerful and bright flowers have pain-relieving analgesic properties that help soothe the discomfort of hot, inflamed earaches. Our Ear Ache Relief Oil is blended with mullein and other anti-microbic herbs that combat ear infections quickly and safely.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) pronounced Sin-sish-ul is a common viral infection.  It can be mild with cold like symptoms lasting 1-2 weeks, or it may require hospitalization.  In fact, RSV is the number 1 reason babies are hospitalized each year. There are outbreaks every fall through spring. The vast majority of babies under 2 years old will get RSV.  Fortunately only 2% of babies with RSV will need a high level of care.

Learn about how to manage mild to moderate RSV symptoms at home with naturally with herbal remedies. Also learn about high risk infants that may require hospitalization.

Sleep is one of the hardest adjustments when bringing a baby into the family. Not only do newborns have more demanding sleep expectations than we do, but each baby has their own needs, and they often change with growth spurts and stages of life. But with a basic understanding of baby’s sleep needs and a willingness to listen to your mama and papa instincts, you can make it through the sleep challenges of baby and toddlerhood. 

After you watch this 6 part video series about fevers you will be equipped with the facts and practical knowledge about fevers. You can watch Video 1 is the primary video that covers causes, symptoms, types, and treatments of fevers. Or you can watch the other shorter videos that cover the portion you are the most interested in.

Video 2 What is a fever? What are high and low-grade fevers in children and adults? Video 3 covers the causes of fevers. Video 4 teaches how to take care of a fever with herbs. Video 5 demonstrates how to manage a fever with hydrotherapy. Video 6 covers when to seek medical attention for a fever.