I am amazed at not only the amount of sickness around Encinitas lately but the severity of it. It is the age of the Superbug! The overuse of antibiotics has made these pesky viruses and infections so much stronger and harder to kick, IMO.
As a food healing chef and longevity coach, I am not immune. I have 2 little ones under 5 who bring home everything in town. Going to the doctor is no longer my first choice. Often, we go to not have much relief or we pick up something new from just being there. Also a 10-14 day commitment to the cycle of antibiotics is sometimes hard to keep which will just make things worse if we don't complete the cycle. Over the years, I have tried so many natural remedies out there and many are effective.
Here is a list of my top 5 for ease, price, and effectiveness.
5. Goji Berries (in a Smoothie)---these powerful little berries have been used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. There are stories of Buddhist monks living to be over 200 years old by incorporating these in their diet each day. The macronutrients in them include iron, fiber, protein, beta carotene, 18 amino acids, Vitamins A, C, E, phosphorus, zinc and more! That is quite a bit from such a little fruit. I like to put a handful or two in my smoothie so I completely absorb all of nutrients on a cellular level.
4. Echinacea---So I bet there are a lot of you reading this saying, I have tried this and it did nothing! Well, so have I. And over the years, I have learned something. With many natural and homeopathic remedies, you need to practice "loading". This means the dosage on the bottle is for maintenance. At the first sign of a cold, start with 4 times the dose on day 1 and 3 times on day 2, etc. Once you are feeling better, you can take the normal dosage. If practiced this way, it is much more effective.
3. Neti Pot-- Nasal rinsing is a very effective way to wash out all the gunk! It will not stop a sickness in it's tracks but it does alleviate congestion, and facial pain and pressure. To prevent infection, always use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water. Also, it's important to properly care for your nasal irrigation device. Either wash the device thoroughly by hand, or put it in the dishwasher if it's dishwasher-safe. Follow by drying the device completely after each use.
2. Oil of Oregano--As long as you don't mind having oregano breath, this is a powerhouse for curative needs. Oregano is nature's antibiotic. It may be one reason why people who eat a Mediterranean diet tend to live longer and healthier lives. The wild oregano plant has been shown to kill unwanted bacteria, fungus, yeast, parasites and viruses. It's also an antihistamine. New research is finding that oil of oregano is as effective against colitis as prescription drugs without the harmful side effects. It is also able to regenerate liver cells. Pretty good for something you thought was just good on pizza!
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1. Collodial Silver--When nothing else works, I turn to collodial silver. When used as directed, this is as effective as an antibiotic. This is not something you want to practice "loading" with as you do not need to, it is usually quite effective at it's regular dose but also the risk of argyria. While true silver colloids do not cause argyria, silver proteins in lower quality products cause a large buildup of silver. This buildup of silver can lead to a side effect called argyria, a grayish or bluish discoloration of the skin. For safe use of colloidal silver, check http://www.silversafety.org/ I follow the instructions from silversafety.org, not the directions on the bottle.
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Come to our next event on March 1st A Full Day of Healing at The California Center for Creative Renewal in Encinitas! We will have all sorts of healing therapies including yoga, food healing workshops, Reiki, body work, meditation, medical nutrition, self nurturing, Feng Shui, and more! Admission includes a sophisticated lunch and dinner from local area organic farms.
