hazelwood necklaces: natural eczema relief

My preschooler and toddler wear jewelry.  We're not making a fashion statement; believe it or not, their necklaces are medicinal.

Bear with me, I promise we're not crazy-town!

James went through a biting phase at around seven months, which made breastfeeding extremely frustrating--until i bought a baltic amber teething necklace from Inspired by Finn.  He stopped biting right away, and teething never seemed to bother him again.  We didn't even notice that his molars had come in!

Babies do not chew on the necklaces.  Instead, the succinic acid in the amber supposedly is absorbed transdermally as skin warms, and its analgesic properties help to numb local teething pain.

I know--it sounds like voodoo.  And I don't care because it works on my kid.

I actually just bought one for myself to wear when I have headaches or mouth pain.  I haven't tested it out yet, but it is pretty:)

When I read that Inspired by Finn also makes hazelwood necklaces for eczema relief, I figured it was worth a shot, too.  Dry winter heat made Dylan's eczema come back, and her little wrists were scaly and itchy.

The hazelwood is supposed to neutralize acidity in the body, and they claim that they can improve reflux, heartburn, and ulcers as well as skin problems, including eczema, acne, and rashes.  They even suggest that they help with morning sickness in pregnancy--something I definitely will keep in mind for the future.

We ordered the necklace, it came in the mail--quickly--and I put in around Dylan's neck.

I kid you not, within 24 hours the skin on her wrists had almost completely cleared. 

She didn't itch or anything.  Seriously, this thing was like magic.

Granted, her eczema outbreak was on the milder side.  It was localized and not bleeding, but it was still very uncomfortable for her, and she's usually pretty tough about pain.  The necklace seemed to clear it up as well as prevent further breakouts or worsening.  Our home is still heated daily yet her skin remains healthy.

Dylan has been wearing her necklace for almost two months.  It fell off once, and she didn't wear it for about two weeks, and sure enough, her wrists began to dry again with those tell-tale patches.

It should be worn in the bath, because getting the wooden beads wet is supposed to hasten the body's absorption.  It should not be worn in the pool, which we've forgotten at least once.

Unlike the amber necklaces, whose benefits last forever, the hazelwood necklaces eventually expire, in 4-12 months, depending upon the body's acidity, according to the website.  I would definitely buy another should her eczema return.

Plus, they're pretty cute.  My hippie babes:

If your child is teething or suffers from eczema--or if you want a necklace for for adult-sized troubles--Inspired by Finn is offering the coupon code POST for 15% off orders; just enter it at check out.

I purchased all my necklaces myself, the hazelwood one at a discount available to reviewers.  The opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.  I just love sharing natural remedies that actual work (and supporting handmade, natural businesses.)

real food / holistic health book sale

stephanie over at Keeper of the Home is running a great book sale featuring titles from a number of real food bloggers.  25% of the proceeds are earmarked for a filipino orphanage and another 25% is going toward the stephanie's fundraising to adopt a child.

from making whole foods affordable to recipes for healthful snacks and herbal healing, there is so much great information available in these books.  you can learn natural ways to care for your family and take care of needy kids at the same time.  it's a double win:)

sale ends monday night, november 1st.

Natural Teething Relief from Boiron {and Giveaway}

After months of gnawing everything in sight, my nine month-old finally has little teeth poking through--six at once!

James is a pretty pleasant, easygoing kid, so when he seems cranky, I assume his gums are bothering him.  I've been giving him Boiron Camilia, and it seems to offer him quick relief.  When he's uncomfortable, it can be hard to get him to nurse.  He's restless and flairs around wildly, but soon after a dose of Camilia, James stops fussing, nurses, and is able to sleep better. 

I love homeopathic medicine, especially for my kids.  Camilia is natural and contains no dyes, no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, no side effects, no recalls(!), and it works.  Camilia also has no sugar or alcohol, and there is no risk of overdosing.

Boiron's Camilia liquid doses come in sterile, pre-measured plastic.  (Another homeopathic teething brand, Hyland, sells tablets.)  Although I'm not a huge fan of the extra packaging, I do appreciate the ease of use and the way their product travels easily.  (Hyland's product works similarly, but their packaging is not baby safe:  my toddler got into a bottle!)

James never refused or spit out a Camilia dose, which I consider a triumph, considering he'd never had anything other than breast milk the first time I offered it.

After Tylenol and Motrin recalled nearly their entire stock of infant and children's products earlier this year, it is a relief to find a trustworthy, natural alternative that works for teething pain and discomfort.

Boiron is giving away a box of Camilia for one {so much reviews} reader to try.  For a chance to win, just leave a comment saying how you handle teething troubles with a way to get in touch (if you're not a blogger.)  Good luck!  (Winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday August 11.)

-----
If you're visiting here for the first time, welcome!  I hope you'll subscribe to {so much reviews} and never miss a giveaway, coupon code, or green review.  You can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter.

Boiron provided me with a sample but I was not otherwise compensated (or compelled) to write this review.  As a mama, I just wanted to share something that works for our family and keeps our babe happy:)

Natural Eczema Relief and a Giveaway

**Closed.  Congrats to the winner, care-in!**

When Ancient Minerals contacted me about their Magnesium Bath Flakes, I wasn't quite sure what to think.  It seemed a little New Age-y, but when when I read that these all-natual flakes were gentle enough to use on children's eczema, I was interested in giving it a shot.

Dylan has had a persistent patch of eczema on the back of her knee for a while.  When it flares up, it bothers her quite a bit, and nothing truly stopped the itching.  I posted about the luck we had with emu oil, but that only helped to heal the red, broken skin, and it didn't actually heal the itching that made her scratch it raw.

I didn't exactly have high hopes, but I was willing to try anything non-chemical and non-prescription to get relief for my little girl, and mineral salts fit the bill.

The verdict?  Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes are AMAZING. 

According to the website:

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes dissolved in warm water provide the user with a medicinal bath of cell restoring magnesium chloride...Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes are also highly effective for healing skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Soaking in magnesium salts has been shown to markedly improve skin hydration, speed wound healing, enhance skin barrier function, and decrease inflammation.

The flakes come in a big, 6.5 lb tub, and the instructions say to dissolve 1-3 cups in warm water and soak for 30 minutes.  (We use 1 cup.)  After the first soak, the back of Dylan's knee began to heal, and she hasn't scratched it raw since!

Another cool thing is that, beyond working topically, the magnesium flakes appear to work from the inside out.  (According to Ancient Minerals, the beneficial properties of magnesium are absorbed by the body better through the skin than through dietary supplements.)  Just as we got the flakes in the mail, we noticed the eczema spreading in an itchy red patch under Dylan's arm, and it completely disappeared, even though Dylan sat upright in the tub and didn't actually soak her little underarm.

Similarly, two milder patches of eczema on her cheeks also disappeared. The patch behind her knee, though significantly diminished, stubbornly remains, but her skin is much smoother and has not itched or flared up since we started soaking with magnesium bath flakes.

Jim and I also used the flakes as a relaxing foot soak, and that is pretty nice, too.  In addition to helping with skin inflammation, magnesium is supposed to be good for tired muscles.  I've worked out twice this week (first time in a long time!), and I'm barely sore at all; it's possible that the magnesium is the cause. 

I would wholeheartedly recommend Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes to anyone struggling with eczema.  It works gently and fast, and the results have been long lasting. 

A large 6.5 lb tub sells for $55, and Ancient Minerals also sells a smaller 1.65 lb size for $9.75, but they are giving away a large tub to one lucky {so much: reviews} reader!

To enter, just leave a comment saying something that you've found that works (or doesn't) for eczema, or share any favorite natural health product or remedy.  Please make sure to include a way to get in touch if you're not a blogger. 

Want a second entry?  Follow this blog or subscribe and leave another comment telling me that you do.  Get a third entry by following or subscribing to my main blog, so much shouting, so much laughter, leaving a comment here saying you do. 

The last day to enter is Tuesday June 1, and I will announce a winner on Wednesday June 2.  Good luck!

-----
I received Magnesium Bath Flakes but was not otherwise compensated (or compelled) to write this review.  Eczema is awful, and I wanted to share something that helped my child.

looking for a baby or new-mama gift?

sage creek organics has beautiful organic baby clothes, kids clothes, and bedding, and if you are in need of a shower gift, check them out.  they have lovely things on sale, and the coupon code EARTH4U is good through the end of the month for 15% off.

earth mama angel baby is another great organic brand for babies, mamas, and mamas-to-be.  you can get 20% off at their site right main with the code HugsFromMama.

every recovering mom should have their new mama bottom spray.  seriously, i wish they passed it out at hospitals:  it made ALL the difference to me after my second delivery.  they also carry all-natural, soothing items for pregnancy comfort, c-section healing, and breastfeeding.

i don't have any kind of relationship with either of these companies, but i like me some coupon codes and thought you might, too:)

Boiron Children's Homeopathy

Children's cold meds have been in the news, and the general consensus from doctors is that we should not give over-the-counter antihistamines, cough suppressants, or decongestants to children under four and perhaps older.   They are not medically demonstrated to work and have been linked to health risks, including several deaths.

So what's a mama to do?  Running a humidifier and using those awful nasal aspirators never feels like enough when your little one is miserable.  Having sick kids has made me understand why parents sometimes demand unnecessary scripts from doctors:  we want to be able to do something other than helplessly watch our child suffer.

Boiron sent me their natural cough, cold, and flu medicines that contain none of the ingredients concerning the FDA.  Thankfully, Dylan has not had a flu since H1NI in the fall, so we have not tried their Oscillococcinum medicine for flu symptoms.  Coldcalm Pellets are for children 3 and up, so we didn't try them with the kids, but Jim used them with good result.  (Homeopathic medicine isn't based on weight, so as I understand it, they can be used similarly by children or adults.) 

Over the course of a long winter with lots of coughing, Dylan took the Chestal homeopathic cough syrup with honey quite a bit.  It suppressed her cough and soothed her throat with a pleasant taste, unlike the chemical cocktails that I remember from my youth.

The active ingredients listed were a mystery to me, but a little searching revealed that they are natural and mostly plant-derived, (although not entirely, for all you vegetarians.)  Homeopathy is different that natural remedies or herbal medicine, as homeopathic medicines are regulated by the FDA.  Boiron's website explains:

Being regulated as a drug, as opposed to a food or dietary supplement, ensures that homeopathic medicines adhere to drug labeling specifications. Like packaging for conventional over-the-counter drugs, packaging for homeopathic medicines must state specific diseases, ailments or symptoms for which the product is to be used, the concentration of active substance or substances contained therein, the recommended dosage and the mode of application. These clear specifications make choices easier for consumers and guidance easier for retailers.

I'd never heard of Boiron until I received them in the mail, but I've since noticed them stocked at the drugstore.  I'd like to try Boiron's teething medicine.  Recent concerns have been raised about giving kids Acetaminophen (Tylenol) after vaccines and otherwise, and I like the idea of using homeopathic alternatives.

-----
I received products from Boiron but was not otherwise compensated for this review.