Colds and flu are a normal and natural part of life.  Here are some things we can do to lessen the severity, shorten the duration and increase our immuntiy.

I implement the concept of muscle testing to insure that I am taking the right thing for my body and the right amount. This is a failry simple skill to learn; I have found it invaluable. (See book Emotion Code)

IMMUNE BOOSTERS TO CONSIDER

Vitamin C:   For adults, think: at least 1000 mg. per day, can take as much as 4-6 thousand as your body asks. I use Liposomal Vit C as it is absorbed much better. And I currently take 4,000 daily.

Vitd3+K2: the K helps the absorbtion. At least 5,000 per day for adults . You may need more than you think. Double this amount is not too much.

Unrefined salt, i.e. "Real Salt", to maintain good electrolyte balance and aid in removing toxic chemicals.

Selenium - 100-200ug/day. This is an element we are missing out on in our modern diet. 

Potassium Iodide - Lugols 2%.   Potassium Iodide's is potentiated when used in conjunction with unrefined salt, selenium and Vitamin C.  Potassium iodide increases your metabolism, is a detoxing, chemical neutralizing agent-especially against bromine, flouride and chlorine. It helps prevent and treat fibrocystic breast discease, among many other things.  (I currently take 1-2 drops of the 2%) 1 drop = 2.5 mg.  You want to keep a supply of potassium iodide on hand as you will remember it treats radiation sickness. (Do no confuse  potassium iodide in a tincture form, with radioactive iodine!!!)

Flax Seed Oil - very heart healthy and great for the digestion.  I also use organic ground flax seed meal to sprinkle into my baking, including sour dough bread. It is an excellent prebiotic.

Fish oil - A premiuim supplement for boosting omega 6. Don't cheat your body by omitting this, but make sure it's quality. Not all fish oils are pure, so test them out to be sure you've got a good one.

Turmeric - an extremely powerful antioxidant and anticancer spice and supplement. Everyone is saying you need to take it with black pepper or Peperine to increase absorbtion.  

Zinc 50-100 mg.

ESSENTIAL OILS 

As a general rule, use essential oils together with Fractionated Coconut Oil, on the bottoms of feet or directly on the area of concern.

Antivirals: Tea tree, Onguard, Lavender,  Frankincense  

Bacterial infection: Oregano, Frankincense and the above. 

Tummy upset, nausea, vomiting: Peppermint over tummy and middle of feet. Also  try Digestzen and Ginger.

Sinus troubles: Peppermint on roof of mouth, on back of neck, across forehead. Also Breathe blend. Put a couple drops in a bowl of hot water. Put face over bowl and cover head with towel. Lemon also a decongestant; mix with peppermint. Ideas: Drink as a tea, use topically on area of concern, (toes and base of toes for sinuses); diffuse. I consider a sinus infection to be bacterial, so use all the above oils on and below the toes. Doug consistently get sinus infections. Essential oils used this way is the only way I have successfully kept his sinuses in check; antibiotics may work for a few days, but will never fully take care of it; plus consider the havoc they create on your gut, which is significant and difficult to restore again.

Chest congestion: Breathe blend, or any of the above with fco, rubbed on chest. Apply warm, wet compress. VIX Vaporub over chest; cover with clean cloth.

Fevers: Peppermint is cooling. Rub with fco over limbs and tummy. 

Allergies: Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint in equal portions, mixed together in a roller bottle with FCO. Apply to areas of concern or over bottoms of feet. I use this mixure for insect and mosquito bites for the grandkids in summertime. Apply oregano or tea tree to bites that are looking infected or inflammed.

GRANDMA'S HOMESPUN REMEDIES

I remember my mother and grandma had rememdies they practiced on me and my siblings, things we generally don't think of nowadays.  These were the "basics" back in the good old days and I'm sure were passed down from their grandmothers. Thank heavens we can research these things on YouTube, because as it turns out, they were very healing. Think about "back to basics" and your mind will find the truth of what helps most. Now that I'm the "Grandma", some of these suggestions come from me!

A few basics:

Honey: More effective than antibiotics?  Possessing antimicrobial properties, honey is particularly beneficial to alleviate symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, especially coughs. For a dry cough: mix honey with water to preferred concentration; drink . OR: take 1 tablespoon honey, let it slowly dissolve in your mouth. OR: Slice pears and dip in honey. For a mild cough with slight phlegm, mix honey and lemon juice.

Other uses for Honey:  Warm honey water for constipation, boosting energy, strengthening the body post surgery and promoting tissue regeneration. Honey also enhances immuntity, flushes toxins (i.e. after chemotherapy), helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Honey can delay toxic reactions to poisons, pesticides, snake bites, etc.  Honey contains glucose, vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, which can soothe nerves and promote sleep. Directions: simmer honey and water over low heat. (not microwave). Honey moisturizes and protects dry, cracked skin. 

Clear liquids: Bone Broth. Nourishing and simple to make, this clear liquid should top the list of where to start on replenishing fluids, electrolyes and protein. See the section on Bone Broth.

Rice water: my mom used to make and feed this to us  when we couldn't eat solids! She would bring to boil the rice and water, turn to low, then before the rice is cooked, take off the water and drink.  You can add more water to make more rice water. Recently, I read an article about fermented rice water and its incredible ability to heal and repair the gut microbiome from bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as detox the body from heavy toxins.(Causing bloating, indigestion, gas and weakened immunity) Helps with chronic inflammation,  is antibacterial and anti-cancer. Lactic acid in the fermented rice water improves the bioavailability to micronutrients, i.e. iron, potassium, and calcium.  

Ingredients: 1 cup rice (brown or white), 2 cups water. Rinse, wash and cook rice. Place rice in a nonmetal bowl; cover with 2 cups fresh water. Allow this mixture to ferment at room temp for 12 to 48 hours. Strain. Take one teaspoon to one tablespoon of the liquid on an empty stomach. You can make more by saving 1/4 cup fermented rice water to make another batch without rice.

Poultices: Mix milk and bread together to a mushy consistency, without being runny; place in a plastic  bread bag. The poultice was generally placed over an area that was inflamed or needed to be softened or detoxified. Like a sliver or piece of glass that wouldn't come out, or a red, angry sore that was looking infected. (Think spider bites) Put the infected area of the body into the bag, or pack the poulice around the sore spot; tie a tea towel around it to secure. Mom would leave it there all night, or for several hours.

Tea: peppermint, chamomile for tummy troubles; Good Earth Tea, a good restorative.

Nebulizer with potassium iodide drops (Lugols):  I learned this game-changing trick back when Doug and I got Covid-19 for the first time.  Nothing, and I mean nothing worked as well for loosening tight bronchials, opening airways and loosening things up in general. (That includes steroid aerosols)  This is what you want to have ready for children with asthma, croupy wheezing, or tight coughs that won't give.  Look to buy a nebulizer on "Amazon", and perhaps go with the best sellers. They are a little pricey, but you can save money "passing" on a trip to the ER. Directions:  Fill small recepticle with distilled water and put in 2 drops of 2% potassium iodide drops.( 1 drop for small children)  You can use it with the face mask or mouth piece. When it first hits the tissues, it will cause some irritation but this soon passes. Use until recepticle is empty, or for 10-15 minutes. I found that after a few uses, my nebulizer would  only work plugged in. (It has batteries).  Rinse thoroughly when finished.

Mustard Plaster: for non productive, painful cough, chest and bronchial tightness, wheeziness. Try to do this at first indication of a deep cough or tightness to open up your airways. This will open airways very quickly, but must be attended to carefully as it can cause blisters. 

     Mix together in small bowl:

     1/3 cup white or whole wheat flour (to hold in the moisture of the plaster)

      1/3 cup mustard powder

      Now: Pour in enough water to make a consistency of thick pancake batter, not too runny.

Take a soft,( old) cotton tea towel; spread ingredients onto one side of the flat towel, spreading in an area about the size of the chest it will be placed on. Fold the towel over in half, then in quarters, arranging the fold so as nothing drips out.  

     Next:

Coat the skin with olive oil (chest area)

Put mustard plaster in place

Cover with another light towel

Cover with a warm rice bag

     Important:

Check every couple minutes for young children. The area will redden up; so remove the plaster or move around to another area of the chest to be worked on. For an adult, think about 15-20 minutes. Repeat on your back to get good lung coverage.

 References:

Iodine, Why you Need It, Why you can't live without it. David Brownstein, MD

Hope for Cancer, Antonio Jimenez, MDZ

The Homestead Family; YouTube

Honey Unleashed: Powerful Methods for Cough Relief and 16 Ways to Boost Your Health. Zhang Weijun (5th generatiion Taiwanese traditional Chinese medicine)

Ancient Use of Rice Has Unexpected Gut Benefits. Epoch Times health reporter, Amy Denney

Colds and flu are a normal and natural part of life.  However, there are things we can do to lessen the severity, shorten the duration and increase our immuntiy.

Immune Boosters 

Vitamin C:   For adults, think: at least 1000 mg. per day

Vitd3+K2: the K helps the absorbtion. At least 5,000 per day for adults 

Unrefined salt, i.e. "Real Salt", to maintain good electrolyte balance and help to remove toxic chemicals 

Selenium - potent antioxidant; our food supply is low. Take 100-200ug/day (micrograms)

Potassium Iodide - Lugols 2%  (drops) in distilled water.  Used in conjunction with the unrefined salt, selenium and Vitamin C, potassium iodide increases your metabolism, is a powerful detoxing agent, prevents and treats fibrocystic breast disease (which often turns into breast cancer like mine did). Not to be confused with "radioactive iodine", potassium iodide aids and prevents illness that stem from our toxic environment. Also, you want a supply of potassium iodide because it is used to treat exposure to radiation. Muscle test to see how much you need. (I currently take 5 drops of the 2%)  1 drop of 2% = 1.5 mg. Much more iodine is recommended with ongoing disease, anywhere from 12mg.-50mg. per day. But obey what your body recommends.

Curcurmin - powerful antioxidant and one of the most powerful anti-cancer supplements known. You need to take it with "Perperine" for best absorption, or "black pepper".  I take turmeric essential oil drops, only 3 per day, as this is what my body is asking for.

Flax Seed oil - healthy fat plus a powerful prebiotic.  Great for the digestion and for the heart. I take one per day and buy organic ground flax seed meal to sprinkle into my baked goods, including sour dough bread.

Cod Liver Oil - I used to buy this constantly, but have heard so many negative stories about fish oils not being pure.  In the past year, my own muscle tests refuse the fish oil.  So be careful when buying it.  I, for one, have moved over to flax seed oil.

Essential Oils

Antivirals: Tea tree, Onguard, Lavender,  Frankincense applied with fractionated coconut oil, (FCO).  

Bacterial infection: Oregano, Frankincense and the above. 

Tummy upset, nausea, vomiting: Peppermint with fco over tummy or bottoms of feet. Also can try Digestzen and Ginger.

Sinus troubles: Peppermint on roof of mouth, on back of neck, across forehead. Also Breathe blend. Put a couple drops in a bowl of hot water. Put face over bowl and cover head with towel. Lemon also a decongestant; mix with peppermint. Ideas: Drink as a tea, use topically on area of concern, (toes and base of toes for sinuses); diffuse. I consider a sinus infection to be bacterial, so use all the above oils on and below the toes.

Chest congestion: Breathe blend, or any of the above with fco, rubbed on chest. Apply warm, wet compress. VIX Vaporub over chest; cover with clean cloth.

Fevers: Peppermint is cooling. Rub with fco over limbs and tummy. Don't overdo it.

Good Healing Practices

I remember my mother and grandma had rememdies they practiced on me and my siblings, things we generally don't think of nowaday.  These were the "basics" back in the good old days and I'm sure were passed down from their grandmothers. Thank heavens we can research these things on YouTube, because as it turns out, they were very healing. Just think "back to basics" and your mind will find the truth of what helps most.

Here are a few basic