My Blog

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I hope the information contacted in this writing heightens your awareness to the need for caution and a review of side effects of all medications, prescribed and over-the-counter, PRIOR to consumption, 

Always discuss in detail any questions you may have with your pharmacist or doctor.

Now about those “old wives”, the good news…some healthier alternatives…

Just as with “Crime Prevention”, I prefer “Illness Prevention”. There are effective measures you can take as a matter of lifestyle that will leave you in healthier condition, ie a stronger immune system and more balanced energy for greater protection against colds and flu with little or no side effects.

In a brief summary of a research article, “Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections” (Philip C. Calder,1 Anitra C. Carr,2 Adrian F. Gombart,3 and Manfred Eggersdorfer4 ), from the National Institute on Health, April 2020 states that 

“The role nutrition plays in supporting the immune system is well-established.  A wealth of mechanistic and clinical data show that vitamins, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate; trace elements, including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid play important and complementary roles in supporting the immune system. Inadequate intake and status of these nutrients are widespread, leading to a decrease in resistance to infections and as a consequence an increase in disease burden”

And they offered the following conclusions: (1) supplementation with the above micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids is a safe, effective, and low-cost strategy to help support optimal immune function; (2) supplementation above the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but within recommended upper safety limits, for specific nutrients such as vitamins C and D is warranted; and (3) public health officials are encouraged to include nutritional strategies in their recommendations to improve public health.

Though to me this is obvious, this is HUGE, as I believe they are acknowledging and publishing the effectiveness of nutritional supplementation on our health.  This is a welcomed but rare find. Using high-quality nutritional supplementation to support our immune health makes perfect sense because our bodies are 

· made up of 6 BASIC ELEMENTS hydrogen, oxygen (h2o- +90% of our body is water) carbon, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus 

· AND 20 additional small & trace MINERALS vital to our physiology.

· Many life factors can deplete our body elements and minerals, including aging and stress.

However, not all nutritional supplements are created equal…

The Food and Drug Administration requires only that dietary supplement manufacturers follow food Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). I recommend you look for a product that follows the more stringent GMP for pharmaceuticals, which regulates virtually every aspect of manufacturing, and I believe, provides higher quality products.

In the interest of brevity here, please contact me for more information about nutritional supplements and recommendations for personalized health plans by emailing me at TammyD@SupremeHealingEnergy.com 

While writing this article, my daughter reminded me of one of my favorite natural remedy-A Latin Onion Tea from the mother of one of her co-workers. The core ingredients are purple onions, garlic and ginger. This recipe uses oranges and limes.  An internet search shows many variations for choice such as apples, cinnamon and/or cloves. 

Note: ingredients should be organic when possible.

¼ purple onion

3 cloves of garlic cut up

1 piece of ginger

1 cut up orange

1 cut up lime

1 tsp Honey 

Combine all ingredients, except the honey, in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil for atleast 30 minutes. Pour into a glass and add honey to coat your throat. Sip 3 glasses per day. 

Speaking of onions, they are anti-bacterial and can be cut in half and placed on a night stand. They are said to pull bacteria from respiratory system and many people report feeling better after this practice.   Try it as an experiment, even if you are not sick The black you see collecting is bacteria.

I love the tips offered by webmd.com on natural or alternative treatments to help or relieve cold or flu symptoms. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/12-tips-prevent-colds-flu-1 

As with all healing care, consider your options, and choose what you feel might work best for you.

you're experiencing are part of the natural healing process -- evidence that the immune system is battling illness. For instance, a fever is your body's way of trying to kill viruses by creating a hotter-than-normal environment. Also, a fever's hot environment makes germ-killing proteins in your blood circulate more quickly and effectively. Thus, if you endure a moderate fever for a day or two, you may actually get well faster. Coughing is another productive symptom; it clears your breathing passages of thick mucus that can carry germs to your lungsand the rest of your body. Even that stuffy nose is best treated mildly or not at all. A decongestant, like Sudafed, restricts flow to the bloodvessels in yincrease blood flow because it warms the infected area and helps secretions carry germs out of you.  

It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can carry germ-carrying phlegm back into your ear passages, causing earache. The best way to blow your nose: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gentlyto clear the other.

Salt-water rinsing helps break nasal congestion, while also removing virus particles and bacteria from your nose. Here's a popular recipe:

Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking sodain 8 ounces of distilled, sterile or previously boiled water. Use a bulb syringe or nasal irrigationkit to squirt water into the nose. Hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure while squirting the salt mixture into the other nostril. Let it drain. Repeat two to three times, then treat the other nostril.

Staying warm and resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by resting.

Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Gargle with half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8 ounces warm water, four times daily. 

To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle -- such as tea that contains tannin -- to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey or honey and apple cider vinegar. Seep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water; mix with one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling.

Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. If you're so congested that you can't sleep at night, try a hot toddy, an age-old remedy. Make a cup of hot herbal tea. Add one teaspoon of honey and one small shot (about 1 ounce) of whiskey or bourbon. Limit yourself to one. Too much alcohol will inflame the membranes and make you feel worse.

Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and may help you relax. If you're dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath.

A small dab of mentholated salve under your nose can help to open breathing passages and restore the irritated skinat the base of the nose. Menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor all have mild numbing ingredients that may help relieve the pain of a nose rubbed raw. However, only put it on the outside, under your nose, not inside your nose.

Either temperature works. You can buy reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore or make your own. You can apply heat by taking a damp washcloth and heating it for 55 seconds in a microwave (test the temperature first to make sure it's not too hot.) A small bag of frozen peas works well as a cold pack.

Elevating your head will help relieve congested nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.

There's no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that's what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with cold or flu congestion can temporarily damage your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing. If you must fly, use a decongestant and carry a nasal spray with you to use just before takeoff and landing. Chewing gum and swallowing frequently can also help relieve pressure.

Here are some good foods to eat when you're battling a cold or flu:

• Bananas and rice to soothe an      upset      stomach and curb diarrhea
• Vitamin      C-containing foods like bell peppers
• Blueberries curb diarrhea and      are high in natural aspirin,      which may lower fevers     and help with aches and pains
• Carrots, which contain      beta-carotene
• Chili peppers may open sinuses,      and help break up mucus in the lungs
• Cranberries may help prevent      bacteria from sticking to cells lining the bladder     and urinary tract
• Mustard or horseradish may      helps break up mucus in air passages
• Onions contain phytochemicals      purported to help the body clear bronchitis     and other infections
• Black and green tea contain      catechin, a phytochemical purported to have natural antibiotic and anti-diarrhea      effects

Remember, serious conditions, such as sinusinfections, bronchitis, meningitis, strep throat, and asthma, can look like the common cold. If you have severe symptoms, or don't seem to be getting better, call your doctor.

I have also found that 

VITAMIN D has come to the forefront and is now recognized as being instrumental in strengthening our immune system.

Research has also shown that PROBIOTICS can help protect the immune system against flu viruses. In a controlled trial, there were fewer instances of colds in people who were taking probiotics than in those who were not.

Probiotics are present in many foods, including:

• yogurt
• sauerkraut
• miso
• tempeh
• Probiotic supplement products can be  purchased. 

  A cold or flu virus can last for up to 2 weeks, with symptoms usually at their worst for about 2 or 3 days.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, people should see a doctor if their cold or flu symptoms last longer than 10 days with no signs of improvement.

People who have any unusual symptoms or their symptoms are very severe, or who may have a higher risk (pregnant, aged 65 or older, other medical conditions) of complications should contact their doctor.

If an infant less than 3 months of age has a fever, a parent or caregiver should contact a doctor straight away.

•  Wash your hands frequently
• Drink plenty of pure water
• Movement-light exercise  
• Dose of Sunshine-Vitamin D, 10 minutes per day is helpful
• Eat colorful fruits and vegetables. 
• Minimize Sugar intake- sugar lowers the immune system.
• Get 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep.
• Use Stress coping mechanisms-movement, meditation, breathing, comedy
• Schedule time for relaxation,      TIME FOR YOU!
• Consider High-quality science  based nutrition supplements-I have lots of resources.  I can help.
• Reminder: Keep holiday food safe…serve and refrigerate promptly.

Of course I cant finish this topic about health and wellness with out highly recommending Reiki as it provides deep relaxation and energetic balance to support optimal health and wellness of the mind, body and spirit.

There are lots of resources for natural healing modalities that support the body to heal itself.  Ask your social circles for referrals to HOLISTIC or NATUROPATHIC practitioners.  

Always feel free to contact me for more information about this article or other questions you may have.