Natural Prevention and Relief from Winter Crud

I hope this blog post finds you in good health.  Unfortunately, this is the time of year when many are succumbing to the viruses that invade entire communities.   There are some things you can do to find relief while you fight communicable illnesses like the common cold or flu.

An ounce of prevention . . .

There are signs posted in every medical facility reminding patients to cover their coughs, wash hands, etc., etc.  What about the people who aren't sick?  What can be done to prevent "catching" the crud?  

Coconut oil is anti-microbial and anti-viral.  Try taking it internally to attack viruses that make it into your GI tract.  Put some on a Q-tip and swab the inside of your nose, liberally, to put an anti-viral coating where viruses find easy entrance into the body.  Not only does it prevent illness, but it also soothes dry nasal passages during the heating months of the year.  Finally, use coconut oil to moisturize your skin . . . and provide another layer of anti-viral protection.  Those little viruses are pretty clever and can find their way into your body from every angle.

Eat raw garlic.  Take 1-2 cloves of minced garlic in a small amount of water.  If you like the experience of something hot, then chew your clove of garlic.  Now that will clear your sinuses!  Raw garlic is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.  It packs a punch and will curb many oncoming illnesses.  Bonus point: raw garlic is at the top of the list of cancer fighting foods.

Eat a plate full of raw green salad everyday.  It's full of antioxidants, friendly bacteria, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that boost your body's immune system.  You can't fight the crud if your body is starved of good nutrition.

Don't eat sugar.  It makes the gut acidic which reduces healthy gut flora and results in lowered immunity.  You lose ground in fighting off germs when you eat sugar - weakening your body for up to 6 hours after consumption.

  

When you feel it coming on . . .   

Take vitamin C.  This sounds rather cliche, but there is evidence that, when the dosage is correct for you, illness can be completely avoided.  The trick is to take doses every 30 minutes until bowel tolerance is achieved.    This website - chrisbeatcancer.com - has a well written article on how to use vitamin C to treat illness from the common cold to cancer and more.  Click here to see Chris Wark's article.  He includes a chart that identifies the proper dosage for each illness that will respond to vitamin C.  Check it out!

When you are hanging on by a thread . . .

Some people may feel that it's just too late and there seems little to do but give in and be sick. 

 I still think it is worth doing the vitamin C thing.

  

The quality of nutrition is important, too.  Avoiding sugar is paramount! 

Try some home remedies for relief . . .

White Pine needle tea could help, especially with upper respiratory flu.  I posted on this last year, so if you are interested click here.

Another remedy, told to me by a friend with native American heritage, is mullein tea.  I always called this plant "nature's toilet paper" because it has soft leaves and grows in abundance in my part of the country.  The leaves have some powerful herbal benefits.  Five leaves can be steeped in boiling water for 5-10 minutes.  It tastes like green tea.  The benefits are quite numerous: anti-nausea, anti-diarrhea, and expectorant to name the most important.  Of course, the plants are under a few feet of snow this time of year, but if you plan ahead and harvest leaves during the summer, you can dry them and have them ready for such an unfortunate event as the flu.  If you want mullein leaf, it is available online at  Mountain Rose Herbs.

Steaming with a few drops of camphor essential oils can relieve sinus pressure and soothe a nagging cough.  Boil some water and pour it into a wide and shallow pan or bowl.  Drop any, a combination or all of the following into the water: peppermint oil, rosemary oil, thyme oil, cinnamon oil.  Be ready with a towel over your head to take in the first vapors as soon as you drop them in.  You will have to lift your head and take a break from time to time.  These essential oils not only provide a soothing camphor but also benefit in being anti-inflammatory to help with swollen sinus passages.

May God bless you and give you health!