Immune Pushups for the Winter
After being sick for six weeks with the flu and then bronchitis and then a sinus infection, I've been gathering lots of information about healing and prevention that I wanted to share. Especially since when I went to the doctor he said that the flu season has not yet officially begun; its cycle is December/January, and this is only the first wave!
The best thing we can do to avoid the flu is simple prevention measures, as outlined below. And I also added good support for if you do get a virus this winter.
One thing I loved about being sick is that is helped me slow down, and I got to see that illness no longer makes me suffer (okay, just a bit of whining here and there!) My body was tired and icky, but I stayed happy most of the way through.
And I got to connect with so many people sending me healing wishes, their stories, and remedies... What a great web we are all weaving on the internet.
ELDEBERRY
From a friend of a friend:
I'm not sure how much flu concern is in your world, but there's plenty happening here in Austin. I just received this information today, so i thought I'd pass it along in case any of you are immersed in germs or the public or exposed to flu. Apparently elderberry is an excellent natural flu preventative and if used for flu treatment, can reduce the intensity and length of the related symptoms significantly...and its not hard to find.
...from the last sentence of the study: "The H1N1 inhibition activities of the elderberry flavonoids compare favorably to the known anti-influenza activities of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu; 0.32 microM) and Amantadine (27 microM)."
A former classmate of mine now studying at bastyr passed this along today (please) - http://bastyrcenter.org/content/view/1146/
Here is a link to diff brands: http://www.iherb.com/Elderberry-Sambucus -
Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
H1N1 AND ALL FLU PREVENTION
From Gini Gentry:
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc..
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications). Carry hand sanitizer with you when you go out into the world and use after all interactions.
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (except to eat or bathe).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected o ne. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at using a Neti pot to clean nasal cavities, but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5.. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
ESSENTIAL OILS
From Robin Karlstedt via facebook
"i am way into aromatic botanical medicine and peppermint oil clove oil cinnamon oil tea tree are all great to inhale mix in a little lemon or rosemary to protect your liver .mix a few drops of each and rub them on the soles of your feet and palms then inhale / every three hours blessings"
And from Celena Kuhlman
Rub together juniper and lavender? and inhale deeply. I think Celena said lavender, I'll check and get back to you! Rhonda recommended rosemary oil as well...
MASTER CLEANSE
A great way to clear out your system.... lots of information on the internet, just google "master cleanse:
To make a gallon (recommend amount to drink per day while fasting...)
1 make 10 oz of lemon juice and pour that into a empty 1 gallon jug.
then i measure out 10 oz of maple syrup and pour that in..
far as cayenne pepper goes i mix it in per glass as i find it i put it directly into the 1 gallon jug it just all settles to the bottom anyway.
Feel free to send in more ideas!
I have a friend who gargles daily and rubs a little vaseline on the inside of her nose each morning. THis keeps the nasal passage moist and traps stuff before it makes it into the lungs. SHe says she hasn't had a cold in 8 years, which is how long she's been doing this practice.
ReplyDeleteA note about the gargling: my friend's doctor told her to gargle the tune to a song once each day - like the star-spangled banner - to keep the throat in shape. He (the doctor) sees so many people who have difficulty swallowing later in life who could help themselves with this simple conditioning exercise.
- Suzanne McBride