Guide to Family Wellness

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Guide To Family Wellness

Sue Frederick

 

 

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It's no fun having sick kids or a sick spouse. As a mother, my hardest days have

been spent caring for a sick child while trying to juggle career

responsibilities. Fortunately, there are many steps we can take to prevent

winter viruses.

 

Because we are human, though, our families will get sick in spite of our best

efforts. So it's wise to stock up on some handy natural remedies for mending

winter viruses. Here is a roundup of time-tested remedies to help keep your

family well.

 

1. My favorite preventive measure is vitamin C. Many years ago, scientist and

author Linus Pauling, Ph.D., documented that the human body could use up to

3,000 milligrams per day of Vitamin C simply to maintain good health and prevent

illness. I have found the powdered Calcium Ascorbate to be the most easily

tolerated in children. I give my daughter 2 grams per day of this powdered

Vitamin C mixed in water.

 

2. By now, most of us have heard of the health-enhancing effects of the herb

Echinacea, which was widely used by the Native Americans to stay well in winter.

New scientific studies continue to debate its effectiveness. However, this

number one cold-fighting herb has proved its worth many times over in my

household. I give it at the first sign of sniffles. My daughter prefers it in

the chewable tablet form, however many tasty echinacea tinctures are made just

for kids. Remember that echinacea should only be taken for 5 consecutive days

when a cold is coming on. Then your body needs a break from this powerful herb

for several days or it will begin to deplete your energy.

 

3. According to herbalist and author Daniel Gagnon, astragalus is one of the

best immune strengthening herbs available. It's believed to tonify the Qi

( " chee " ), which means essential energy. This makes astragalus useful for

frequent colds and appropriate to take when you're feeling " run-down. " This herb

also comes in many tasty liquid tinctures for children.

 

4. Schizandra is a Chinese herb that is widely recognized for increasing the

body's resistance to a broad spectrum of adverse biological, chemical or

physical effects. It also is believed to help the body handle stress. This herb

is often combined with astragalus in liquid tinctures.

 

5. Garlic contains several natural compounds that are both anti-viral and

anti-bacterial. These include allicin, which is one of the plant kingdom's most

potent, broad-spectrum antibiotics. Garlic comes in small odor-free tablets that

are small enough for children to swallow.

 

6. Elderberry has received a lot of scientific attention in recent years for its

ability to reduce flu symptoms and duration. This herb comes in a very tasty

liquid form that I keep by my bedside in winter. Whenever I feel that achy

flu-like feeling coming over me, I dose up on this elderberry syrup. It has

helped me and my daughter sail quickly through several bouts of flu that left

our friends bed-ridden for weeks.

 

7. Homeopathy shouldn't be overlooked for helping you stay well. The

scientifically proven homeopathic remedy, Oscillococcinum (also known as Anas

Barbariae or heart and liver of a duck) is the most popular flu remedy in

France. This remedy works best during the first 48 hours of the flu. I've had

good success with it many times.

 

8. Ginger is my all around favorite herb. This spicy root contains nearly a

dozen antiviral compounds that have specific effects against the most common

family of cold viruses, the rhinoviruses. Ginger can also help reduce pain and

fever. My favorite use of it, however, is for settling an upset stomach. A few

drops of the tincture over ice, or taken directly, will bring instant results.

You should always have ginger tincture and capsules in your medicine cabinet.

 

9. Peppermint is another all-around winter wellness champion. Not only can

peppermint ease indigestion, calm an upset stomach, and soothe headaches; it is

also used to reduce fever. I give it to my daughter as a cool tea when she has

fever, and I drop a few drops of the essential oil onto a wet washrag to cool

her burning head. It can also be diluted and rubbed into the soles of the feet

for fever reducing and stomach calming. There is also a wonderful tasting

tincture that combines peppermint and ginger for an upset stomach.

 

10. Zinc is another necessary nutrient for staying well in the winter. A recent

study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that zinc lozenges

substantially reduced cold length and symptoms, including cough, headache and

nasal congestion. Fortunately, zinc comes in tasty lozenges that children enjoy

sucking on. Give it at the first sign of sore throat or sniffles.

 

Most importantly, teach your family to wash their hands frequently - especially

before meals. Viruses are spread directly from person to person by hand-to-hand

contact. Hand washing may be the easiest and most often neglected step we can

take to keep our families well.

 

And, by the way, your mother was right. Hot chicken soup can help you recover

from a cold or flu - especially if is has lots of fresh garlic, onions and

ginger in it. A steaming cup of herbal tea can also help relieve congestion and

open clogged sinuses. So don't despair when a family member gets sick, just

bring out your arsenal of natural remedies, and they'll soon be on the road to

recovery.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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