homeopathy.
Emily calls the pills "magic pills." Science guys and gals would call them placebos. Others might call them quackery or a waste of money. The camps are pretty well divided. Not to well known in this country, but in France, Denmark, Israel, India, Brazil homeopathy is popular enough to be considered a "norm." It's not weirdo science like it is here.
I love homeopathy. It's one of the main medicines that we use. My children have grown up on it.
Examples: sore throats, fever (high), flu (Thanksgiving), baby Sidney, earaches, upset stomachs, stress, insomnia.
Check out Healthy Solutions for a bunch more ideas. Holistic Parenting has a chapter delving into the controversy.