On any given day, you would need more than two hands to count the number of bruises on my kids' legs. This summer is no exception. When they're not at tennis camp or inside avoiding the rain, you can be guaranteed to find them playing with their neighbourhood friends riding their bikes, playing tag or running about having fun. As much as I would love to shield them from potential cuts and bruises, my kids are just that - kids. Minor injuries are inevitable. But when they do happen, mommy is here to kiss it all better. Plus, I can rely on Arnicare by Boiron to help them recover from soreness, bumps and bruises. 

Boiron, which has long since been my go-to for natural cough and cold remedies, is a bit of an Arnica expert. With 80 years of expertise, they have developed the Arnicare line of gel, cream and tablets by using Arnica Montana, a little flower from the mountainous region of Europe discovered in the 16th century. Thanks to its analgesic properties, Arnicare products help to relieve muscle aches, swelling and bruising. I like to use Arnicare Cream on bruises since it is light and fragrance free. Plus, it's fun to hear my son giggle, since he's so ticklish. For my daughter, I have been trying out Arnicare Gel since it is water-based, absorbs quickly and offers a cooling effect on her sore muscles. We recently used it when she complained of a minor backache and also noticed almost immediate relief after applying it to her sore ankle.

Both Arnicare Cream and Gel can be used for both adults and children 3 years of age and older. We haven't tried Arnicare Tablets yet but I have a couple of friends who have found they worked quite well. I like that they are quick-dissolving. The tablets can be taken by adults and children 2 years of age and older. Arnicare Sport tablets, which are chewable and lemon-flavoured, help ease cramps, aches and muscular fatigue in adults and children 6 years of age and older.

For those who suffer from nasal and skin irritations such as dry patches, sunburns, chapped lips, cracked heels and ravaged cuticles (the latter being my arch nemesis), Boiron has created Homeoplasmine/Cicadermine, an ointment for soothing skin irritations that just so happens to be recommended by Stylist magazine & Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop.com. 

For more information on Boiron homeopathic remedies, visit Boiron.ca or download their Homeopathic Medicine Finder. These homeopathic medicines may not be right for everyone. Always read and follow the label.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

You know what I love most about being a teacher? I love those moments when my primary students greet me with a great big smile, followed by sneezing and perhaps a cough or two. Of course, I'm kidding around with that last pair of references. But seriously, it's like that Robert Munsch book where, in kindergarten, we share... we share EVERYthing! And yes, we even share germs. The daily routine of reminding my younger students to wash their hands after sneezing or blowing their nose is a good way to help prevent the spread of germs but the reality is that it is next to impossible to avoid. In any given week, it seems that at least one of the nearly 200 students I teach is sick and I just know that, sooner or later, it will be my turn. And with two kids of my own, I know all too well that they will surely catch one of those nasty bugs, too. Luckily, our family has a fresh stock of our favourite homeopathic cough, cold and flu remedies from Boiron.

Ever since my daughter was a baby, we have used a variety of Boiron's products ranging from Camilia to help sooth teething symptoms and Quiétude to help ease restlessness at night, to Boiron's cough and cold remedies. We have been using these products for roughly eight years and still use them today. Coryzalia is our go-to remedy when the kids develop systems such as nasal congestion, runny nose or sneezing. I find that using the product at the very onset of these symptoms proves to be much more effective than waiting until they are full blown. Plus, I have noticed it has a very long shelf life so I don't have to worry about them expiring if I don't use all of the 30 doses included in each package. And it is safe for use in children under the age of six.

For coughs, we often use Stodal cough syrup. There are now two varieties available: Stodal Honey and the new Stodal Sugar-Free. The sugar-free syrup has a neutral taste but my daughter loves the honey variety. Just like Coryzalia, it has no side effects and there is no risk of overdose. Each package includes a pre-measured cup and you only need to administer 5 ml three times a day and gradually reduce the dosage with improvement. Children's Stodal is suitable for kids between the ages of 1 and 11 years. The adult variety has three additional ingredients but can still be administered to children. The only other difference is a dosage of 15 ml for those age 12 and older.

When flu symptoms appear, we sometimes use Oscillococcinum to help relieve chills and body aches. One tube is a single dose, the contents of which need to be dissolved in the mouth. Dosage depends on how early on it is being administered or on the instructions given by your health care practitioner. Boiron also makes Sinusalia which helps relieve nasal congestion and pain due to sinus inflammation. They also make a tablet version of Coryzalia which is suitable for all members of the family as young as five.