“Deb's How-Not-to-Get-Sick Kit” and What to Do if You Do Guide

         It's that time of year when variations of airborne flus, viruses and colds are floating rampant, and it seems that each year the strains are getting trickier. What follows are preventative guidelines/measures that may help keep you healthy. If you do get sick, rest as much as possible, take your time to fully recuperate, and sample any or all of the "what to do if you do" suggestions. (Hard as it is, I highly recommend informing anyone you've been in proximity to prior to your getting sick that you are.)

          The thing about being exposed to an illness is that, if it is spread by air, often the person who is contagious doesn't even know it; they "come down with" whatever they come down with after-the-fact. Steering clear of airborne germs is challenging, to say the least.

          I, for one, cannot afford to be exposed to anybody that is sick because my immune system is already compromised, so when anyone, especially one of my personal care attendants, tells me they feel sick, I ask them not to come to work or visit, and if absolutely necessary (however briefly), to wear a mask when in my home. (I like the masks they sell at CVS that allow some closure over the nose and fit more snugly than the lighter and cheaper ones you can buy in bulk)

          I truly believe that the "fear factor" influences whether or not we actually "catch" something. There's nothing like creating your own reality; if you lower your vibration by being in fear (as opposed to love), I believe you're more apt to get sick. (This is especially applicable when visiting hospital settings, FYI.)

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

          If you cough or sneeze, make a habit to do so into your arm/shoulder, then wash your hands.

          Wash your hands a lot. ESPECIALLY when out in public and handling shopping carts, door handles and touching things that other people that might be sick have touched (like the pen they use to have you sign for prescription at CVS, or the bank) Use your own pen!

          Use a hand sanitizer frequently; they are sold everywhere.

Breathing, Visualizations, Meditation and Prayer

          Sit with your palms face up in your lap.  Make yourself comfortable and focus inwardly on your breathing.  At first, just observe your breath.  Then, knowing that the in-breath brings energy, breathe in slowly to the count of four.  Gently contain your breath for a count of four (hold your breath, but not with tension).  Slowly exhale, releasing negativity, to the count of six, then pause for a count of two.  Repeat this for a while, then breathe “normally.”

          Visualize yourself as strong and healthy. (Fake it until you make it, if necessary!)

          Imagine yourself surrounded by white light.  Ask for Healing Angels and Archangels, specifically Michael and Raphael, to fill, surround, and protect you.  Ask for only that which is for the highest good to transpire.  Send the light to all your friends, loved ones, and especially other people that are sick.

          My understanding is that healing angels don’t do anything unless they are asked to. They get VERY excited when given a job to do; they are here to be of service. I also imagine them to be rather small and cherubic, and that they giggle while working.

          It never ceases to amaze me when someone tells me they are "drinking lots of

orange juice," thinking that that is actually helping. It's actually not, and here's why:

          Orange juice is loaded with sugar, doesn't have a lot of vitamin C in it, is cold, and causes the body to be even more acidic. What we WANT to do is make our bodies more alkaline, which means staying away from sweets, processed foods, dairy products and anything white.

WHY YOU WANT YOUR BODY TO BE ALKALINE

         

          Your body’s pH level impacts every biochemical process in your body.  The typical Western diet lends itself very well to having an acidic pH.  Having an acidic pH makes you more prone to have a lower-functioning immune system.

                                                                                        

          "But I love my sweets," is a common retort. I'm not a nutritionist, but I know enough to know that craving sweets is an indication that someone has a yeast infection. Yeast begets yeast; when one eats a lot of sugar, it creates an excess amount of yeast in our bodies, which then feeds off the sugar. It becomes a vicious cycle, but it can be broken if one chooses to do so. We do better when we know better.

          Sometimes it's enough to just go "cold turkey" off sugar, sometimes we need help because if we do have a yeast infection, the craving for sugar can be INTENSE.     There is a product from a company called Biotics (800-231-5777) called ADP that is oil of oregano. Oregano will kill yeast and STOP the craving for sweets. They probably sell some variation on it at stores like Whole Foods. My experience is that it works immediately in terms of stopping the craving for sugar; it can be as simple as that! (The usual dosage is one capsule four times a day; breakfast, lunch, dinner and at bedtime)

          Biotics also sells a product called Ultra-Virex that helps if you have a virus. The usual dosage is three capsules three times a day; morning, afternoon, and before bed.

Vitamin C

         

          It's a fact that the body doesn't create vitamin C, and when we are sick, our bodies leech it from us. Taking vitamin C as a supplement on a regular basis as a preventive measure is a good idea. Taking LOTS of vitamin C (500 mg every couple of hours until you get diarrhea = when you know you've had enough) at the onset and for the duration of feeling sick, can be tremendously beneficial.

          Emergen-C is a powder that has not only one thousand milligrams of vitamin C, but is full of electrolytes. It goes directly into the bloodstream and is extremely beneficial for replacing electrolytes and giving us an immediate boost. I recommend the "light" because it has the lowest sugar content. (Why it has any sugar in it remains mystery to me!)

          Zinc

          I take 50 mg three times a day as a preventative measure for a few weeks at the beginning of the flu season. Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in every cell in our body. It stimulates the activity of about 100 enzymes, substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body. Among its many functions, zinc helps maintain a healthy immune system, is needed for wound healing, helps maintain your sense of taste and smell, and is needed for DNA synthesis. When taken, it can give you a little flush of color momentarily.

Echinacea

          is an herb that strengthens the immune system and fights off infections; it can be taken as a tincture in liquid form or in tablet form, and is great at the onset of symptoms. It is not as effective if taken after symptoms have taken hold.

          Echinacea strengthens your immune system by stimulating the production of T-cells. It also increases the ability of your white cells to fend off pathogenic invaders.

A compound known as echinacein, found in echinacea, helps keep germs from penetrating healthy cells, so that viruses and bacteria don’t take hold in your body.

Keep up the hot fluid intake

          Drink hot liquids (or at least at room temperature)… There is a plethora to choose from; adding fresh lemon helps the body become alkaline.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DO GET SICK

Miso

          is fermented soy, comes in the form of a paste that, when added to hot hot water, makes a delicious somewhat salty beverage that makes the body more alkaline. It is highly recommended. In general, and is especially beneficial when you have cold and/or flu.

          Chicken soup is good for when you’re sick, with lots of vegetables.

HOMEOPATHY

          Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy for the flu that has become so popular and accepted in the mainstream.  It can even be found at places like CVS. (Boiron, the company that makes it, also has a wide assortment of other remedies applicable for allergies, sinus infections etc.)

NOTE:  Stay away from peppermint when taking homeopathic remedies as it counter-acts the effect of the homeopathy.

FLU SHOTS

          Getting a flu shot may be helpful, but it may also make you feel like SHIT and not be the strain that you are exposed to.

ANTIBIOTICS

          If you are given an antibiotic by the doctor, make sure you take pro-biotics because anti-biotics kill all the bacteria in your body… good and bad! (Taking them on a regular pay it basis helps keep the good flora as well as promotes healthy bowel movements) You can get decent probiotic at Whole Foods, or through a company like Biotics, but even CVS carries them these days!

          There is some debate about whether to take probiotics while taking an antibiotic; this is the best I could come up with online research:

During antibiotic therapy, a good dose of probiotics is between 6 and 25 billion total viable probiotic cells per day. They should be taken as far away from the antibiotics as possible (for instance, if the antibiotics are to be taken every eight hours, the probiotic supplements should be taken four hours after the antibiotics). Probiotic therapy should be continued a week to a month beyond the antibiotic treatment period to replenish any beneficial bacteria lost during antibiotic use. Probiotic use should not interfere with the effectiveness of antibiotics. Source

ESSENTIAL OILS

          There are lots of essential oils on the market, but the top shelf /highest vibration ones come from a company called Young Living (800-371-3515) [Yes, it’s a MLM and yes I am a distributor]. My top choices for dealing with the flu, sore throats, coughs, (etc) are:

          R.C. = In addition to many other oils, It has three kinds of Eucalyptus oils in it. When applied externally to the throat, coughs get nipped in the bud.

          Thieves derived its name from a group of thieves who, once apprehended back in the 1300’s in Europe, gave up the recipe of the herbs they were taking to not get the plague. (They were robbing graves and removing gold out of peoples’ mouths, going into the homes, etc.)

          You can put a drop on your tooth-brush, use the mouthwash to gargle with. (And swallow the gargle; it cleans your digestive system).  Diffuse it in the air, use it as a hand soap, hand sanitizer and household cleaner. You can massage it into the soles of your feet, especially at night, if you're feeling the onset of something. It is one of the most effective ways to destroy mold and smells delicious. (There are over 101 ways to use Thieves)

          Peppermint: Rub a drop of peppermint under your belly button to reduce fevers. Put a drop in water and drink at room temperature… good for digestion.

         

NETTY POT:          For sinus congestion/ infections and allergies/postnasal drip

          The netty pot looks like a small Aladdin’s lamp and is used for cleaning the sinuses. (A little weird at first, but definitely worth pursuing). I boil water, add about a quarter cup of it to three-quarter cups of cool filtered water, stir in maybe a quarter teaspoon of sea salt, pour that into the Netty pot. Then I grab a large supply of tissues.

          I place an empty bowl in front of me, tilt my head, pour the water in one nostril and wait for it to come out the other nostril, whereupon I snort and blow my nose into the bowl. I repeat it on the other side, and go back and forth until I feel clear. I usually do this at night before retiring.

          Keep your feet warm, keep your body warm, wear a scarf.

          Keep a hot water bottle on hand and snuggle with it.

BATHS

          You can take hot baths (Epsom salts will help draw out toxins, and putting in a drop of the essential oil of lavender can help you calm your nervous system… Or you can put the essential oil blend Thieves in the bath.  

          If you take a really hot bath, it's a good idea to keep cold washcloth on your forehead to keep from passing out!

         

FOLK REMEDIES

          I have personal experience with everything I've written about above with the exception of this "old-fashioned" remedy:  Mix together a batch of rubbing alcohol, peppermint leaves and olive oil. After letting it steep for a while, strain it, and apply the oil to your body, especially her chest. Wear warm flannel pajamas to bed, and SWEAT it out… The "it" being a high fever.

SLEEP

          It goes without saying that getting enough sleep is imperative to heal.  I know from personal experience that I so want to feel better, think I do, do too much and end up having to sleep again.  And again.  And again.  It’s a pattern that those of use with type-A personalities (especially) seem to experience.  Surrendering and accepting the healing process and the other end of the journey is equally as important as the prevention.

          So there you have it! Be vigilant, take precautions, and if push comes to shove, allow yourself to heal as slowly as your body needs.

 Best of health to you and yours and all of us!