Summer is Here!

And Dr. Guaraldi (Kitt) has had her baby!  WELCOME Lucy Ellis Wynn born on June 17th at 3:33 pm, 8 pounds, 3 ounces, 21 inches long and 36 cm "around the noggin".  A ginger headed noggin at that! We couldn't be more excited for her and her family!! Yay Kitt! We love you.  
What a wonderful time of the year to have a baby.  Warm days, flowers blooming, vegetables and fruits are plentiful. We wish her a restful, relaxing, and sweet recovery time with her little Lucy and look forward to seeing her again in the fall!

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Upcoming Events:

The Catamount Ultra Trail running event is being held this coming Saturday, June 28th, at the Trapp Family Lodge. There will be festivities and fun.  If you've ever thought you might want to run a 1/2 marathon or a longer full marathon in the woods, this is the race to run! Beautiful trails and great race support.  Already in its first year, this race sold out!  If you are interested in working towards a running goal next year, come check it out or just stop over to say hello as Stowe Natural Family Wellness will be running the recovery/medical station at the race.

Office News:

As some of you know, our wonderful front office manager, Amanda, has left her position to seek employment closer to her home and daughter's school.  We are sad to see her go, but she will still be in touch as she will continue to do the insurance billing for the practice. And yes, she is my sister :-)!!  In her stead, welcome Tami Quinn!! Tami has joined our team at SNFW and will be available for your needs, in the office Monday-Friday.  Tami has quite a varied background, most recently, however, has worked as a manager for a physical therapy office. Her skills were an easy transfer to our medical office, but most of all, her kindness and enthusiasm for the job is what sealed the deal.  In the two weeks that Tami has been in the office, she has been most impressed by how warm and welcoming everyone has been.  You all are great!  

Naturopathic First Aid Kit

With summer now here, we have had a multitude of calls about scrapes and stings and bites, and all sorts of summertime childhood injuries.  Take time to spruce up your own home first aid kit so these injuries can quickly be addressed and you can be prepared for the inevitable next one to come.  Below are a few injuries with remedies that are nice to have on hand in a Naturopathic First Aid Kit.

• Cuts/ Scrapes:  Most of these injuries will heal just fine on their own. However, it is helpful to initially wash off the area with soap and water. Then some options are a plantain poultice (yes, the weed growing in your backyard), Wise Woman Herbal all purpose salve or Boo Boo spray for analgesic and antimicrobial action.  The plantain poultice is made by picking a couple leaves, chewing them until pulpy and applying to cuts. You can put a bandage over top if desired. This is a great first aid trick to introduce children to the healing qualities of plants. And it works wonderfully!! Such a common weed with such a healing force; one of my favorite medicinals for sure. 
• Burns: Whether on the grill or at the campfire, burns are a very painful injury to receive. By running the burn under cool water for a long time will minimize the injury to the tissue and aid recovery. You may also use homeopathic Cantharis 30C taken orally to help soothe the pain and promote healing. 
• Sunburns: Prevention is the best medicine here. I have gotten a lot of questions from parents regarding healthy and safe sunscreens for their children. I have been referring folks to the Environmental Working Group website for up to date evaluations of current products on the market. Click here to check out their up to date list of products that meet the grade! But if prevention fails, aloe vera macerate straight from the leaves of the plant, lavender, or hypericum oil may also be helpful to speed healing and provide relief. 
• Insect Bites/ Stings:  Too common in Vermont. We just get through a long, cold winter to step outside and bask in the warm sunshine when suddenly, bzzzzzzz reminds you that the challenges of nature are not yet over!!  Rescue Remedy cream is helpful to relieve the itch of bites.  If the bites are very swollen and red, homeopathic Apis 30C is very effective. Homeopathic Ledum 30C is helpful for bites and stings when the skin is punctured and the affected area feels cold. If you have an allergy to bees do not delay treatment, seek healthcare immediately.  
• Dehydration: General rule of thumb is 1/2 your body weight in ounces of filtered, clean water daily.  To help kids stay hydrated on hot sunny days, try homemade popsicles with fresh fruit/juice and tea or "fruit water" which is simply water with slices of fruit inside to add a fun flavor. And take regular rest and rehydrate breaks during especially hot days. 
• Sprains and Strains: First apply RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) to any sprain/strain. For further support, Arnica 30C is very useful for any kind of traumatic injury. Other helpful homeopathic remedies are: Bryonia when the slightest movement causes pain; Ruta graveolens which is indicated for more severe strains and sprains; and Rhus tox for sprains and joint aches with stiff, painful restless feeling that is better with continued motion and heat.
  
• Poison Ivy/Oak: Go hiking and backpacking! But, be familiar with what these plants look like and watch where you step to avoid the uncomfortable rash that comes from their oils. Some people are more sensitive to these plants than others, so if you do end up with an itchy rash, try homeopathic Anacardium 30C. If the rash continues with no reduction, switch to Rhus Tox 30C. 

Whatever outdoor activities you have planned this summer, be prepared by creating your own homeopathic first aid kit to take along with you on outings. In addition to band-aids and other basics, consider some or all of the homeopathic remedies mentioned in this newsletter for your kit. Keep it simple with a few remedies and straightforward instructions. Enjoy your outdoor activities knowing you are ready for whatever summertime may bring!

In Health,
SNFW Staff

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