Table 3.
Categories and reason for use of NHPs
| PRODUCT | NO. OF TIMES MENTIONED | STATED REASONS FOR USE |
|---|---|---|
| Folk or home remedies* | ||
| • Boric acid in water | 1 | Eye infection |
| • Bread poultice | 1 | To help with infections |
| • Burnt flour† | 2 | Diaper rash |
| • Chamomile tea | 2 | To calm child before bed or when he or she cannot sleep |
| • Flax seed | 1 | Constipation |
| • Mineral oil or apricot oil | 1 | Dry skin |
| • Molasses | 1 | Cough |
| • Oatmeal | 1 | Eczema |
| • Olive oil | 1 | Waxy ears |
| • Raisins | 1 | Sore throat |
| • Salt nasal spray | 1 | Sinusitis |
| • Turn a saucer over to stop hiccups | 1 | Hiccups |
| • Vaseline‡ | 2 | Chapped lips, sores or diaper rash, wetness protection |
| • Vicks VapoDrops and Vicks VapoRub‡ | 2 | Ward off colds; cough, congestion |
| • Vinegar | 1 | To get rid of dandruff |
| Over-the-counter products with DINs | ||
| • Advil (children’s formulation) | 1 | Teething or ear infection |
| • Benadryl | 2 | Teething |
| • Inless paste§ | 1 | Diaper rash |
| • Ovol Drops | 1 | Gas or stomach upset |
| Homeopathic or tissue salt preparations|| | ||
| • Arnica¶ | 1 | Bumps and bruises |
| • Calcium fluoratum | 1 | Emotions |
| • Camilia | 4 | Teething |
| • Kali phos tissue salt | 1 | Night fears |
| • Linde 39 | 1 | Colon |
| • Pancreatinum 4CH | 1 | Not specified (but noted for symptoms associated with GI tract) |
| • Silicea MK | 1 | Emotions |
| • Unda 3 | 3 | Liver |
| Products designated by Health Canada as NHPs | ||
| • Acidophilus | 1 | To build back bacteria after antibiotic use. |
| • Berry DHA (fish oil, etc, flavoured for children) | 1 | Not specified (promoted as source of omega-3 fatty acids for the maintenance of good health and particular support, eg, “development of brain”) |
| • Calcium supplement | 1 | To promote strong bones. |
| • Echinacea | 3 | Colds, build immune system |
| • Goji or wolf berries | 1 | Blood building |
| • Gripe water | 3 | Gas, pain, stomach upset |
| • Ivy extract cough medicine | 1 | Congestion |
| • Omega-6 fatty acid; omega-3-6-9 capsules | 13 | General health; to help ADHD; good for brain development |
| • Oragel | 1 | Teething |
| • Skin lotion oil | 1 | No use listed for this unnamed brand# |
ADHD—attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, DHA—docosahexaenoic acid, DIN—drug identification number, GI—gastrointestinal, HM—homeopathic medicine, NHP—natural health product, NPN—natural product number, OTC—over the counter.
Folk and traditional home remedies include remedies prepared at home, some with ingredients purchased as groceries (once called kitchen remedies), as well as a few OTC preparations that, by dint of generations of use, are widely viewed as home medicines and not NHPs.
We assumed that the respondent listing Robin Hood Flour, albeit without a use given, likely intended it for this purpose—a relatively well-known practice in Newfoundland.
Vicks products have Health Canada NPNs, while Vaseline has a DIN.
This was not identified but was likely zinc paste (some zinc oxide products for diaper rash have NPNs).
Categorized as NHPs (designated DIN-HM) by Health Canada. These are apparently OTC preparations, not prescribed according to classical homeopathic principles.
Also marketed as a non-homeopathic preparation.
Although this is unlikely to have been an NHP, many toothpastes, antiperspirants, shampoos, facial products, and other products are classified as NHPs.