Elders and moms choose home remedies over mainstream medicine

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Did you know you could treat an ear infection with an onion or use eucalyptus leaves to treat a cold? Local mothers and elder members of family often advise safe and natural remedies in place of western medicine for many illnesses.

"Being holistic is about understanding how things are connected," said Nancy Massotto, founder and executive director of Holistic Moms Network. "It's all interconnected — the choices we make, the foods we eat — it all makes an impact on our bodies. The choices you make have an impact on you."

For chapter co-president Marissa Bunker of Rockville, living a holistic lifestyle means eating organic foods and buying local. She also uses safe, all-natural household cleaners that are environmentally friendly. For Joy Hawk, co-president of the group, living holistically means using cloth diapers on her children and practicing homeopathy, a form of alternative medicine that uses medicines and remedies found in nature.

"What brings us together are natural solutions," Massotto said. "There are some basic, simple natural things to surround our family with that's good for their health."

Some people don't agree with the holistic philosophy. There are pediatricians that refuse to accept patients that are not vaccinated, Bunker said. Others do not support the group's stance on extended breastfeeding, but it's nothing holistic mothers have not heard before.

"There's always going to be critics. When you go off the mainstream, you get criticized," Massotto said.

Anyone interested, visit www.holisticmoms.org