see my cute toes? remember a time when we didn't have to wear boots? sigh.
so, it's that time of year.
cold crunchy snow, dirty garage floors, and. . .
cold and flu.
i'm going to pass along a few whole living tips this week for some natural treatment and prevention.
tips from aviva romm, a master herbalist AND md. i've listened to a few online lectures of hers through my at home herbal mentor program.
in summary:
1. frequent hand washing with non-antibacterial soap and hugs rather than handshakes:).
2. make food your best medicine.
3. take vitamin d3, zinc and probiotics.
4. stay well hydrated.
5. take herbs. for example, ashwaganda and elderberry.
6. rest and stress reduction.
AND a post from amy jones' "a world of wisdom" facebook page (i'm including it in full--because i am always sad to go back to my blog and find 'dead' links).
"Yes, you can get through the winter without one person throwing up from the flu....even babies.
Is it a new miracle drug, you ask? Nope. The new "triple protection" flu vaccine? Nope. Staying inside and not interacting with anyone? No (in fact, this may actually make you more susceptible).
I've gone through two winters in the past 5 years where none of us - that's my entire family - have not gotten sick. Not even the sniffles. Was it luck? Doubtful, since I worked really hard those two winters. The other winters, I was either pregnant and too tired to even do what little I needed to, or too poor to afford anything. Let me tell you, I wish I done what I needed to in order to avoid the flu those other 3 winters!
A Puke Free Winter
In this post I want to impart my tips and tricks to keeping your family puke free this winter.
My approach to keeping my family healthy has morphed and improved over my 14+ years of parenting, and my present protocol is a result of trial and error, experience, study, meditation and prayer. This is what has worked for my family, and I hope this can give you some hope and ideas.
First of all, you need to form and build the foundation for health which includes:
1. A clean diet. No soda, fast and junk food, artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners. Limited refined sugars and flours. Organic and fresh as possible, plenty of fruits and veggies and real whole grains. Limit and eliminate OTC medications, including tylenol, (and especially) antibiotics and vaccines. Eat little animal products.
2. Adhere to a low stress lifestyle and laugh as much as possible.
3. Massage doesn't hurt at all.
4. Address and balance any yeast overgrowth issues with Cand-e-cleanse or Yeast Beaters (or make your own - instructions to follow), probiotic and greens.
If you do not build the foundation, all the pills and potions in the world won't do hardly a bit of good - long term anyway.
The Protocol
Now here is my daily protocol from mid September to the end of February (keeping in mind that I have my days when I forget, but this happens 5 days a week at minimum):
1. Infection Fighter dose (or *make your own - instructions to follow)
2. Probiotic dose. (see past WOW article here)
3. Vitamin D. I do a dose of Barlean's Fish Oil (which tastes like candy) as well as **20 minutes of sun.
4. Thieves spray. One squirt in the mouth or on the bottom of the feet. [Brook says--or try Doterra's Onguard or Butterfly Express' Deliverance or SpiceC].
Yep, that's it. With my brood of 5, I end of spending about $165 to keep us all well. I do make my own herbal remedies, which saves me about $105 over the winter. If I made my own probiotic and blended my own essential oils, I'd save even more.
*Making Your Own
Like I said, I make my own herbal remedies. You can do the Infection Fighter blend in capsules or tincture (liquid). It is equal parts:
Echinacea Angustofolia
Goldenseal Root
Licorice Root
Ginger Root
You can go here for instructions for tinctures. Here for instructions on capsules.
I buy all my bulk herbs from MountainRoseHerbs.com and my glycerin (which you can sub for the vodka) from EssentialWholesale.com and my other supplies from IndustrialContainer.com."