It’s the simple things that beat cold and flu. The key is to do these things well through consistency. I am at the latter part of a virus that has gone through my family. There’s coughing, congestion, sore throats, losing your voice, green goop coming out of my son’s eyes, and even feeling sick to your stomach (which my husband had). It’s a mixed bag of sickness, and it is really, really annoying. I was reminded of one very important thing as we’ve been toughing out this crap with a 4 year old and a 4 month old; sleep is the ultimate medicine.
I Never Learn My Lesson
My biggest vice in life is that as soon as I feel a little bit of energy after an illness or major event, I overdo it. I was starting to feel better because I was taking silver, and so I started doing all kinds of stuff around the house. I then stayed up late a couple nights to try to catch up from what I didn’t get to do while I was sick. What do you know? I started feeling sick again, and I felt worse than I did early on! I was so frustrated with myself, but it’s made me prioritize rest…again.
Choose Natural Solutions
Sleep is the number one thing we need when we are sick. Resting and keeping everyone home from school or work is incredibly important. Besides those things, it’s becoming more evident that we need to let illness run its course and support our bodies in the process.
Running to the doctor for every illness you get is not the best idea. Why? Antibiotics, steroid solutions, and other medications may be bandaids in that moment, but in the long-term they are not good for you. We have also entered a time when there are antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the infections containing this bacteria cause great sickness and even death. From overusing antibiotics for many years, we are now paying a price.
Conventional drugs (even over the counter) degrade the gut by reducing beneficial bacteria in your digestive system. Beneficial bacteria are necessary in assisting your immune system (which is mainly in your gut) to fight off illness. When we repeatedly take antibiotics and other medication, we are setting ourselves up for a weakened immune system that’s just going to become dependent on the wrong things. The right things you want to use to support your immune system include things like powerful whole foods, herbal teas, bone broth, essential oils, and one of my favorites, colloidal silver.
What’s All the Hype on Colloidal Silver?
Years ago, I was in a local health food store and bought silver for the first time in bumping up my immune system. After using colloidal silver for an entire cold/flu season, I didn’t get sick once. Fast-forward to just a week or so ago. After not using it for a while, I decided to buy some. Thankfully, I did because we’ve been using it throughout this virus. I’ve consistently used it on myself and my son. We’ve both had reduced runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and congestion. Other than my son’s eyes, he’s doing well. I did get eye drops for him. Silver can be used for the eyes (pink eye), but I discovered that after the fact.
Additionally, rather than the normal 7-10 days, we’ve experienced the beginning of the end of this after a good 3-4 days. I’d say by day 5, we should be feeling pretty good.
So, silver is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and even effective on ear infections and pink eye. It also assists healing for colds, flus, sinus infections, and lung infections like bronchitis. I really recommend adding this to your supplements for the winter.
Have a Little Faith and Eat Some Pineapple
The most popular challenge I have with clients is that they have difficulty believing that the body can heal on its own. By giving it good food, rest, and using natural solutions, the body responds. I understand the fear that it won’t because I’ve experienced that. Having been afraid to try solutions to my thyroid problems that were “outside of the box,” I completely get it. The bottom line is that you have to trust your body. It was perfectly created to heal when given the proper fuel, and it will!
Focus on quality vegetables and fruits during the fall and winter. Make sure to include plenty of vitamin C foods and drinks; especially pineapple. Pineapple contains bromelain, which fights infections and kills bacteria. Bromelain helps the body get rid of mucus, and helps calm down coughing. I did buy some already cut at the store yesterday. It seemed to help my throat. Kids love it because it’s sweet and juicy.
Probiotics to the Rescue
Children need beneficial bacteria in their bellies to assist their immune system. If your child is frequently sick, has had rounds of antibiotics several times, and has tummy trouble, a probiotic is in need. An easy way to get high quality probiotics into your kids is to mix a powder probiotic into their favorite apple sauce, oatmeal, juice, or other drink. The probiotic powder in the image below has a fruity flavor, so it’s best with juice, apple sauce, or even yogurt. You can also use a flavorless probiotic powder like this one that can be easily blended with any food or drink.
Bone Broth Made Simple
I mention bone broth above, and what I hear from many busy moms is that they don’t have time to make bone broth from scratch. I’m with you. An easy solution is to get a bone broth concentrate that can dissolve into a mug of hot water. As you can see in the image below, I take a mug of hot water and add my bone broth concentrate, garlic powder, turmeric, pink salt, and a drop of doTerra lemon essential oil. The lemon really gives it a great pop of flavor, adds an additional dose of antioxidants, and has a cleansing effect.
Sleep and Rest Trump Everything
In the end, plenty of sleep and rest are most important. Our bodies cannot heal without being in a calm, rested state. Working through illness, or not giving yourself a proper break will bite you! I learned my lesson this time, and on that note, I’m going to bed!
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