How Viruses Work and How to Prevent and Eliminate Them Naturally

Nature’s Zombies

We have identified more than 2,000 viruses, though only 10% infect humans. Scientists used to think human viruses do not affect animals and animal viruses do not affect humans, but we now know that viruses not only jump species, sometimes they combine to create new strains. New strains can present a clear threat to human survival.

In 1918 the Spanish flu pandemic was a global killer. Estimates of the dead range from 20-100 million, up to 5% of the population–all within one year. Unlike previous flu pandemics and epidemics, this flu strain killed healthy adults, whereas most flu strains targeted children, the elderly, and the infirmed. More people died in this one-year pandemic than the four years of the bubonic plague.

We often hear that many dangerous strains of influenza begin in China. This belief is based on the dense population of humans living in close proximity to high populations of animals. Many dangerous viral strains have been found to originate in China jumping from birds or pigs to the human population. Birds alone have been found to carry as many as 15 viral strains.

Contents

What is a Virus?

A virus is a pathogenic, parasitic organism that isn’t classified as being alive, since a cell is an essential to our definition of life. A virus has no cell membrane, no metabolism, no respiration and cannot replicate outside of a living cell. A virus is a creepy half-live, single strand or double strand of DNA or RNA or both, looking for a cell to invade. Once inside, it reprograms the cell with its DNA or RNA and multiplies on mass, bursting through the cell with a thousand or more new virus strands seeking new cells to invade. RNA viruses mutate more easily than DNA viruses. (SARS, bird flu, West Nile virus, swine flu, hepatitis, measles, polio, yellow fever, and Ebola are among the many RNA viruses).

If two viruses invade the same cell (a bird virus and a human virus, for instance) their DNA can combine to form a new virus, a potentially virulent one. The same is true if two animal viruses combine and jump species to humans.

Viruses have two life cycles: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle.

Lytic Cycle

In the lytic cycle, the virus focuses on reproduction. It invades a cell, inserts its DNA and creates thousands of copies of itself, bursts through the cell membrane, killing the cell, and each new viral strand invades new cells replicating the process.

Lysogenic Cycle

In the lysogenic cycle, viruses remain dormant within its host cells. The virus may remain dormant for years. Herpes and chickenpox are good examples. (Chicken pox can cause shingles in later life when the dormant virus reactivates.)

How Does the Body Fight a Virus?

Our bodies fight off invading organisms, including viruses, all the time. Our first line of defense is the skin, mucous, and stomach acid. If we inhale a virus, mucous traps it and tries to expel it. If it is swallowed, stomach acid may kill it. If the virus gets past the first line of defense, the innate immune system comes into play. The phagocytes wage war and release interferon to protect surrounding cells. If they cannot destroy the invading force, the phagocytes call the lymphocytes into play.

Our lymphocytes, T cells and B cells, retain a memory of any previous infection that was serious enough to bring them into the battle. Antibodies were formed and the body knows how to fight any infection it recognizes. (This is how vaccinations work. The body has fought a similar infection). But viruses can mutate, sometimes so much that they body cannot recognize them as a similar infection they fought in the past. They can also be so fast acting, they can kill before the lymphocytes are brought into play.

How Does Conventional Medicine Treat a Virus?

Antiviral medications do not directly kill the virus; they trap it within the cell, keeping it from reproducing. The only catch is that the anti-viral has to be taken with 48 hours of symptom onset or it doesn’t work.

Antibiotics don’t kill viruses. They kill bacteria, not viruses. And they kill good bacteria that we need to keep our gut in balance. Taking antibiotics when you have a viral infection can cause an immediate overgrowth of Candida, giving the immune system an additional system-wide infection to deal with when it needs all of its resources to fight a viral infection.

Conventional treatment is supportive treatment–fluids, medications for symptoms (such as asthma medication), but no medications have ever been developed to kill the virus itself.

How Can You Treat a Virus Naturally?

Trillions Upon Trillions of Viruses Fall From the Sky Each Day” – NY Times

Don’t panic. Most viruses don’t affect us. But still, it brings up a point. Viral infections are a symptom of a weak immune system. Your immune system is wholly dependant on your gut health. A sick gut has an abundance of fungi and other pathogens, and a healthy gut has a wide variety of beneficial bacteria. The supplements listed below are a half measure. A healthy nutrient dense diet, a healthy lifestyle, and a body void of as many toxins as possible is the first and foremost defense. If you want to skip the shortcuts and truly fortify your immune system, read the following articles:

A healthy immune system begins in the gut with a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria. For far too many Americans, Candida overgrowth compromises the immune system, as it is constantly fighting the battle to keep Candida in control.

If you do become ill, DO NOT feed the virus or the Candida with sugar. Yes, you need to drink a lot of fluids, but don’t drink sodas and sugary juices at this time. Cranberry lemonade sweetened with stevia is a good choice. Try it warm or cold.

Gargle. Gargle. Gargle. Gargling lowers the viral load, leaving your body with fewer invaders to replicate. Gargle with organic apple cider vinegar. Even better, sip on this Mother Earth Organic Root Cider. Cold’s and flu often start in the throat or the nasal cavities. At the first sign of a sore throat or sinus infection, sip on the root cider! If you don’t have it, use apple cider vinegar.

Also, remember that a fever is one of nature’s means to fight infection. Of course, you don’t want it to get too high (higher than 102) and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Herbs, Vitamins, and Natural Anti-virals

Vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin C are all vital nutrients for the immune system. If you take high doses of vitamin C to fight a virus, remember that you should not abruptly stop taking vitamin C. You should titrate down. Vitamin C is needed by the immune system to make interferon, which the immune system produces to protect healthy cells from viral invasion.

Zinc and Selenium

Zinc has been proven to be effective against the common cold and to be effective as a topical treatment for herpes sores. It is believed to be effective due to preventing replication of the virus. The immune system needs selenium to work properly and to build up the white blood cell count.

Berberine

Berberine is an alkaloid compound found in several different plants, including European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, Phellodendron, and Coptis chinensis. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-parasitic, and immune-enhancing properties. It’s been proven effective against a vast array of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. It can be used topically on cuts and other wounds, and it’s perhaps most commonly used to treat gastrointestinal issues.

Probiotics

Probiotics are always helpful in maintaining gut health, especially when the body is under a viral attack that involves the digestive system. Probiotic foods and drinks without added sugar can help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria.

Garlic

Garlic is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial. You can take garlic in a tonic or if you can handle it, chew raw garlic. It not only will help fight the virus, it will help kill any secondary infections trying to take root.

Echinacea

Echinacea not only supports the immune system, it also has been proven to reduce the severity and duration of viral infections.

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is believed to interfere with the enzymes that allow viruses (bacteria and fungi as well) to utilize oxygen.

Elderberry

A double-blind trail showed elderberry extract’s ability to reduce symptoms of influenza and speed recovery. It also showed elderberry’s ability to enhance immune response with higher levels of antibodies in the blood. It is believed to inhibit a virus’s ability to penetrate healthy cells and protect cells with powerful antioxidant S. Elderberry has also been shown to inhibit replication in four strains of herpes viruses and reduce infectivity of HIV strains.

Green Tea

The flavonoids in green tea are believed to fight viral infections by preventing the virus from entering host cells and by inhibiting replication.

Olive Leaf Extract

Though double-blind clinical trials are needed, olive leaf extract has been shown to inhibit replication of viruses. In one study, 115 of 119 patients had a full and rapid recovery from respiratory tract infections while 120 of 172 had a full and rapid recovery from viral skin infections such as herpes.

Pau d’Arco

Pau d’arco has been used in indigenous medicine for generations. One of its compounds, lapachol, has proven effective against various viruses, including influenza, herpes simplex types I and II and poliovirus. It is believed to inhibit replication.

Licorice Root

Studies have shown that glycyrrhizin, a compound found in licorice root was more effective in fighting samples of coronavirus from SARS patients than four antiviral drugs. It reduces viral replication, cell absorption, and the virus’s ability to penetrate cells. It is also being used to treat HIV.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort has been proven effective against influenza, herpes simplex, and HIV.

Protocol For Not Getting Sick

If you’re prone to viral infections or are dealing with a chronic infection like HIV, as mentioned above, the first step is to get your gut in shape. This is absolutely imperative. The best article to do that with is Best Supplements To Kill Candida and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Fungal Infections & Gut Health. Everyone who is chronically ill has an abundance of Candida. Yes, everyone.

Provided your gut is healthy, or if you just feel the need to skip that part, here are the supplements to take in order to make sure your immune system is able to fight off viruses:

While there are most supplements listed above, the combination of these listed here is more than enough to balance out the body and ward off viral infection.

Further Reading:
Sources:


Hidden Dangers of Hand Sanitizers

(NaturalNews – Zach C. Miller) Lately, it seems that every supermarket has a hand-sanitizing station prominently displayed near the doors. In fact, the trend of using hand sanitizers has really ramped up in recent years, with more people carrying around their own personal-size versions of the stuff around with them.

And why not? Hand sanitizers seem like the perfect way to stay clean and disinfect on the go and don’t seem to have any downside. Unfortunately, there are some hidden down sides lurking in supposedly “clean” hand sanitizers that could lead to trouble with regular and repeated use. As you’ll see below, finding out the real truth about products we use daily is vital, especially when matters of health and well-being are concerned.

Triclosan

Triclosan is antibacterial chemical agent added mainly to soaps and personal care and cleaning products. Strangely, it’s also found in clothing, cookware, furniture and toys in an attempt to reduce bacteria levels. Research on triclosan has raised questions about potential hazards to human health. Triclosan has been shown to disrupt hormone regulation, disrupt immune system function and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (i.e. superbugs). Indeed, the use of triclosan is contributing to an epidemic of antibiotic resistance. This happens when bacteria are regularly exposed to antibacterial agents; the bacteria adapt and grow stronger, more resistant and more immune.

Parabens

Parabens are ubiquitously found in many personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soaps, hand sanitizers and lotions for the purpose of discouraging the growth of microbes. If you look at the label of personal care products, you’ll see one or more of these names: ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben. Unfortunately, parabens are linked to endocrine disruption, skin irritation, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity and cancer. Parabens also mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors on cells, and they increase the expression of genes regulated by estradiol, a natural form of estrogen. Because parabens are used to kill microbes in water-based products, they inherently contain toxicity for cells in general.

Chemically synthesized artificial fragrances

Most hand sanitizers have a fragrance, and that means that they are very likely to be full of toxic chemicals. Because fragrances are considered to be “trade secrets,” companies aren’t required to disclose what ingredients they contain. That means that they can be created from just about anything — including hundreds of dangerous chemical compounds. Artificial and chemical fragrances have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, hormone disruption and potentially negative effects on the reproductive system. The solution here is to look for unscented hand sanitizers to avoid chemically synthesized fragrances. But even unscented hand sanitizers may still contain triclosan and parabens; if you look at the label and see the word antibacterial, it means that your hand sanitizer likely contains triclosan and you should inspect the ingredients label to make sure.

Better options and solutions

While not as convenient or trendy, getting back to basics and just using soap and water is really a better, time-tested way to clean your hands. But there are also natural hand sanitizers appearing on the market which don’t contain yucky chemicals. It’s always nice to support companies that create products that have ingredients in them that you can actually pronounce…

Sources:
http://www.thealternativedaily.com
http://www.organicauthority.com
http://www.mayoclinic.org
http://safecosmetics.org
http://science.naturalnews.com



How Candida Causes Junkfood Cravings

You make a resolution. You are going to eat healthy every day. No more junk food. And then it hits–those cravings. You have to have chocolate. You’ll die without chocolate!

There is no doubt that your blood sugar has a lot to do with sugar cravings, but blood sugar is not the only metabolic process driving you. If you are living with an overabundance of Candida in your system, it wants to be fed. And it’s preferred food is sugar.

Our bodies contain 10 times as many microbes as human cells. Many of these microbes are beneficial. We actually enjoy a symbiotic relationship with many of the bacteria (they help digest food, create serotonin, create B vitamins and more), but other microbes can cause disease, especially when they are out of balance.

In today’s bacteria phobic world, we use antibacterial soaps, we pasteurize milk and juice, and we kill as many bacteria as possible in an attempt to create an antiseptic environment with no regard to the healthy bacteria we destroy. In addition, we take antibiotics without considering the indiscriminate destruction of the healthy bacteria we need for optimum health.

Related: Best Supplements To Kill Candida and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Fungal Infections

Candida is opportunistic. Whenever it sees an opening, like when we consume refined foods, Candida increases its numbers. It flourishes. And when it does, it wreaks havoc on its host. It doesn’t just live inside of us, it feeds off of us. It changes from a one-celled yeast to grow filaments that bore through our tissues–not only in the gut but in other organs as well. Enzymes are released from these filaments that digest our tissues. Then the Candida soaks up nutrition from the cells it destroys as well as the food we eat.

The balance of Candida to beneficial flora is ever changing. Beneficial bacteria vie for dominance in the gut. As the balance shifts (like when we aren’t eating foods that feed it) and Candida die off, the dying Candida releases 79 different toxins into our system. These toxins make us feel ill. As it continues to attack us from the inside, we eat a little sugar (or a lot of sugar) and we feel better because we have just fed the Candida and ended the die-off process. Candida flourishes again (along with bad bacteria, which also likes sugar). You eat a little better, Candida dies off. You feel bad. You eat sugar. The cycle continues.

When the level of Candida rises to the point it causes ear infections, gum infections, sinus infections, vaginal infections, tooth infections, or skin infections, we may put two and two together and realize there is a cause and effect every time we eat sugar because we feel the negative results almost immediately. This is due to a low level of chronic infection that flares every time we feed the Candida.

Foods that feed Candida include concentrated sugars (corn syrup, sugar, agave, fruit juice, etc.). and other refined foods (sugars, flours, bread, pasta, white rice, etc.). Alcohol also indirectly promotes Candida growth. For those with particularly bad Candida, even a lack of sleep and other things that weaken the immune system actually can feed Candida (they feed off of our weakest cells, sleep deprivation depletes individual cell health).

You can rid your body of Candida naturally and get off the sugar roller coaster ride, but it will take time and discipline. You

There are a number of herbs and supplements that will boost your immune system, kill off the Candida, and increase your beneficial bacteria.

Once that’s over, you’ll have no excuses. If you eat that chocolate, it’s on you. Unless of course, it’s raw unsweetened chocolate. That’s good for you. It’s the milk and sugar they put in it that feed Candida.

Check out How To Heal Your Gut. If you’re consuming sweets and other refined foods over the holidays, be sure to have a good probiotic a couple of other items on hand to kill excess yeast.

Fungal Supplement Stack – Knock Out Yeast, Candida, Mold, Fungus

The first three should be plenty for most people, but for really prominent fungal issues or for impatient people with a bigger budget I’d recommend all of these:

I recommend taking the SF722, Berberine, MycoCeutics, and Microdefense with meals, and the Abzorb and Syntol separately, on an empty stomach (like in the morning and before bed). The Abzorb and the Syntol are a bit redundant, but I find good results using both if the budget can afford it. If money is really tight, just get the SF722 and put your money into your diet.

Further Reading:


Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Toothpaste Recipes Included

Dentists will tell you that genetics and “proper” dental care and fluoride treatments will result in healthy teeth and gums. However, we know that indigenous tribes who ate healthy diets enjoyed remarkably good dental health. When indigenous tribes were introduced to the Western diet, disease, including oral disease, followed.

The truth is, the most important action you can take to maintain oral health is to eat a healthy diet.  Avoid all artificial additives (flavors, colors, preservatives), GMOs, pasteurized dairy, and refined sugars. Do not consume foods laden with herbicides and preservatives (especially the “dirty dozen”) or animal protein (meat or dairy) from factory raised animals or farm raised fish. The healthiest diet consists of whole unadulterated foods, 80% of which are raw, organic vegetables and fruits (and eat more vegetables than fruit).

It is possible, through a truly healthy diet and proper oral care, to whiten and re-mineralize your teeth, to re-build your enamel, and to heal your gums.

If you have dental problems, oil pulling is a good practice to incorporate into your daily routine. In the morning, before you eat or drink anything, take a spoonful of coconut oil or sesame oil and swish it through your mouth and teeth for 15-20 minutes. Keep squeezing it through your teeth with your tongue, swishing it back and forth. This is an ancient Ayurvedic practice (from Hindu traditional medicine) that is catching on in the West with wonderful reports of how it heals and aids teeth and gums. It is also claimed that this practice pulls toxins out of the body, healing all manner of illness.

We’ve been raised to believe that eating candy creates cavities. While it is true that refined sugar will feed the bacteria in your mouth, the greater risk is the fact that the body leeches minerals such as calcium out of our bones and teeth and draws it into the bloodstream to stabilize the pH in our blood, a pH the sugar has altered.

If you are not healthy, you need to brush gently. Hard brushing will tear up your gums and strip the enamel from your teeth. If you are in good health, a more rigorous brushing will stimulate blood flow and re-mineralization.  Regardless of your health, a good, soft toothbrush is a must. Proper technique is important as well. Use a circular motion to brush teeth and gums, and don’t forget to brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue.

But what will you use on your toothbrush? Commercial toothpaste is toxic.  Fluoride is not the only ingredient to avoid. Many commercial toothpastes include saccharine or aspartame, artificial dyes, sodium lauryl sufate, and/or triclosan.

You can avoid most of these ingredients by using a ridiculously expensive natural toothpaste. But many still contain sodium laureth sulfate or other questionable ingredients such as glycerin, which prevents re-mineralization.

As I read the label on my all natural, fluoride free, SLS-free toothpaste, I saw that it did not have any of the other horrific ingredients in commercial toothpastes. It says: no sodium laurel/ laureth sulfates, no preservatives, no artificial colors, no artificial sweeteners, no saccharin, no propylene glycol.  Though the tube told me a lot about what it didn’t have, I had to go online to find the actual ingredients.  And I sure did want to know what the ingredients were because I had never noticed this warning: “Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidently swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional assistance or contact Poison Control Center immediately.”  I am happy to say that I called and confirmed that the government requires toothpaste companies to place this warning on toothpaste tubes since it is not made for consumption, regardless of whether there are poisonous materials contained.

The only one ingredient that concerned me was carrageenan, which is known to promote inflammation.  The bottom line is the price. Six to seven dollars for toothpaste is just too much.

I decided it was time to make my own toothpaste.

The age-old simple homemade tooth powder is an equal amount of baking soda to salt. While this scrapes plaque off the teeth, it isn’t very tasty, and kids hate it.  I wanted something better.

Most of the online recipes start with a base of coconut oil and baking soda.  Baking soda whitens the teeth and is alkaline, a good thing, while coconut oil serves as an anti-bacterial agent (remember we use it for oil pulling) and it binds the ingredients together and makes the toothpaste creamy.

The basic recipe for homemade toothpaste is equal parts of coconut oil and baking soda. Make sure both are organic . From here, you can add other ingredients and adjust ratios if necessary.

Simple Natural Toothpaste Recipe:

  • Equal parts of coconut oil and baking soda
  • Add essential oil to taste
  • Add stevia (if desired) to taste

For 6 tablespoons of oil to 6 tablespoons of baking soda, add 10-15 drops of essential oil. Try peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, lemon, orange, rosemary or any others or any combination that sound good to you. Each essential oil provides more than taste; each adds its own benefit.  Add drops of one, or experiment with combinations. Be sure to buy your essential oils from a reputable source and be sure you are getting the right genus species. Many oils come from different species and contain different properties.

  • Peppermint— a powerful anti-oxidant
  • Eucalyptus—antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory
  • Cinnamon—antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
  • Clove—antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and an amazing antioxidant, the highest antioxidant essential oil. It is approved by the Dental Association for use as a dental anesthetic.   It’s great for killing Candida.
  • Lemon—antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
  • Orange—antiseptic and antioxidant
  • Rosemary—antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral
  • Neem oil and tea tree oil could also be used for antibacterial qualities. Try 6-8 drops but know that neither one is a flavor enhancer.  They may help tighten up gum tissue, however.
  • Your basic recipe can be changed in a variety of ways. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, sesame oil is not. You can replace as much coconut oil with sesame oil as desired to reach the consistency you prefer. But realize this will also change the taste and the color.

Your dry ingredients can also be altered. Try adding trace minerals, calcium magnesium powder, bentonite clay, and/or diatomaceous earth to the mix, removing an equal amount of baking soda and adjusting for consistency.

Trace minerals, calcium magnesium powder, and diatomaceous earth will all aid in re-mineralization, while bentonite clay will aid in drawing out impurities as it, like the aforementioned dry ingredients, adds grit.

Hydrogen peroxide is added to many home toothpastes, especially those formulated for whitening. But hydrogen peroxide is one of those ingredients you are not supposed to swallow and it can irritate the gums. It is not a good idea for kids or for anyone with sensitive, damaged, or diseased gums.

Dr. Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula

There is a third step in dental care for anyone who is struggling with gingivitis or wants to use a preventative treatment. Dr. Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula can be used as a mouthwash (one dropperful to a cup of water), on your toothbrush (8-12 drops on your toothbrush after brushing your teeth), or with a water pick (2-4 dropperful, but rinse out after use so the tee tree oil does not shorten the life of the rubber seals). After each of these methods, do not rinse; allow the ingredients to continue working.

Dr. Shillington writes, “The Echinacea in the formula deadens pain, kills germs, kicks the immune system into action, and starts working against bacteria that is deep down in the gum pockets. Bayberry and Oak Bark will tighten up the gum tissue right before your eyes.  Peppermint is a very strong disinfectant, reduces inflammation, and also increases blood circulation to carry off toxins, bring in nutrition, and generally cleanse the mouth.  Clove Oil is a great pain reducer for toothache.”

You can make your own Tooth and Gum Formula with Dr. Shillington’s recipe or purchase the Tooth and Gum Formula through Green Lifestyle Market. If you purchase and don’t like it Green Lifestyle Market will refund.

Dr. Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula Recipe

(Use Organic or wild-crafted ingredients whenever possible). Or you can also purchase here.

A ‘part’ is a measurement by volume.  Blend all ingredients together and make into a tincture using a 50 – 50 Blend of Alcohol and distilled water. For more, see How to Make a Tincture.

A Dropperful is considered to be about 1/2 way up the dropper from a two-ounce bottle.

Be sure to shake well before each use.

Gum disease is not only avoidable, it is, contrary to conventional opinion, completely reversible. If you try one of the recipes above, or have your own recipe, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Be sure to see the “Further Reading” section below.

My Protocol (as of Feb 2016)

Typically, I floss and brush twice a day with just with about a half a dropper full of the Tooth and Gum formula with a tiny bit of Earthpaste. I also chew on garlic for about 30 seconds three times a day. I used to make my own toothpaste, typically just with salt and baking soda and a squirt of the Tooth and Gum, all thrown into the mouth together, but now I’m spoiled. I work at Green Lifestyle Market. I like the Earthpaste and it’s just sitting there, waiting for my employee discount. It works well. Last but not least, your mouth health emulates your gut health, so if there are serious problems in the mouth, it’s time to address the gut.

Recommended Products:
Further Reading:
Sources:

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Natural Medicine Cabinet – My Organic Pharmacy

In our family, we haven’t taken antibiotics for more than twenty years. We no longer catch annual or biannual colds and flu. The years of chronic sinus infections and ear infections are long gone. The young children in our family are well, year round. Once a year or so, one may run a mild fever or catch a mild respiratory infection that their immune system handles quickly.

Our first line of defense is diet. No supplement or treatment will take the place of a healthy diet. Raise a child with a truly healthy diet and reap the benefits. Illnesses will be rare or non-existent. No midnight runs to the emergency room. No miserable children struggling to breathe through an asthma attack or croup.

A healthy diet consists of 80% raw produce–fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. All meat should be organic. When we eat at the top of the food chain, we need to be aware of the animal’s diet. Conventionally raised beef, poultry, and pork have been fed antibiotics and GMO foods in addition to being fed an unnatural diet and being raised in diseased, overcrowded conditions. Do not eat conventional dairy; it is tainted with antibiotics and growth hormones. We occasionally eat goat or sheep cheese. We drink and cook with almond and hemp milk.

At the first sign of infection, we use natural herbs, supplements, or foods to give the body what it needs to fight any pathogen. We support the immune system, helping it to do its job.

My home medicine cabinet includes the following items from the kitchen:

  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Garlic
  • Coconut oil
  • Aloe Vera
  • Ginger

And the following tinctures, herbs, and supplements:

  • Shillington’s Total Tonic
  • Echinacea
  • Thorne Research Formula SF722
  • Spanish Black Radish
  • L-Lysine
  • B-complex vitamins
  • Vitamin C

Raw, organic apple cider vinegar is amazing. Many people swear by it as a preventative, taking shots each day. It is a probiotic, therefore it helps keep the gut healthy. It’s other uses include:

  • Ear infections. At the first sign of an ear infection, lay on your side and use a dropper to fill the ear canal with apple cider vinegar. Catch it early enough, and one dose is all you need. Apple cider vinegar kills bacteria and yeast infections. Some people mix it half and half with alcohol. I use it straight.
  • In addition to ears, apple cider vinegar applied directly will kill fungal infections on the skin, including athlete’s foot. I had not had athlete’s foot in years. When it did pop up, one dose of straight apple cider vinegar and it was gone. Yes, it burned like crazy, but I knew that was yeast giving off toxins as it died screaming.
  • Sore throats. When I first started gargling with apple cider vinegar, it was difficult. If you inhale the fumes, they burn your lungs. I had to practice the art of gargle, spit, and breathe through the nose, not the mouth. Many will tell you to dilute it with water. I use it full strength. Though it burns at first, I have used it with the worst sore throat imaginable. Moments later, the pain is gone. Gargling a few times has always completely cured a sore throat. And as I became healthier through diet, the years of sore throats and respiratory infections were left behind. I haven’t had a serious sore throat in 15 years. If you think you are coming down with a cold or flu, gargle every hour on the hour. You will cut the viral load and aid your immune system in fighting off the pathogen before it gets a good hold on you.
  • Bug bites. Apple cider vinegar is a time honored cure for mosquito bites and bee stings.
  • Take a shot if you have heartburn. It works!
  • Vaginal yeast infections. Use in a douche. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 8 ounces of filtered water. Personally, I have never used this because I haven’t had the problem since I stopped taking antibiotics. But vaginal yeast infections are Candida, so this makes sense.
  • Dab on pimples and acne to kill bacteria and restore proper pH to the skin.

Garlic is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic. Who needs antibiotics when we have garlic? At the first sign of illness, chew garlic. It’s not for the faint of heart, I agree. But practice helps. One of my first attempts at natural medicine was to place a sliver of garlic in my ear to treat an ear infection. Don’t do this. It got stuck. When you use garlic, slice it and let it sit for 10 minutes. This is true for cooking as well as medicinal uses. Letting it sit helps to release the allicin, which is the health benefit.

  • Chew garlic for any systemic infection. Better yet, use raw garlic often and abundantly in your diet for preventative care.
  • Garlic can be diced up and used to treat fungal skin infections.
  • Vaginal infections. Insert a garlic clove into the vagina at night. For easier retrieval, sew a string through the core.

Aloe Vera

Few things are as soothing to the skin as aloe vera. You can use it straight from the plant, juice from the bottle, or gel from the jar.

  • Break open a piece of aloe vera and rub over a burn.
  • Spread aloe vera over affected skin.
  • Cuts, scrapes, bug bites, acne. Spread aloe vera over affected area.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is antibacterial and antifungal and it is soothing for any skin issues. You can add essential oils to treat nail fungus or to make bug repellent.

  • Use for oil pulling. Coconut oil is good for the teeth and gums and is reported to whiten the teeth. It can be used as a toothpaste alone or used as a base with other ingredients.
  • Irritated skin. Every variety of irritated skin will benefit from coconut oil. Great for baby bottoms and adult nether regions as well.
  • For more see Health Benefits of Coconut Oil.

Ginger

One of ginger’s claims to fame is its ability to cure nausea. While garlic is miraculous for cleansing the body of parasites, viruses, and bacteria, it can cause severe nausea. Follow garlic with ginger to calm the stomach.

  • If fresh ginger is taken at the first sign of a migraine, it will stop a migraine before it can take hold. Juice fresh ginger with apples and carrots. Personally, I have never had a migraine, but I have had several friends who suffer from them. Ginger has worked for them every time.
  • Chew ginger or juice it for a ginger shot.
  • For more see The Amazing Power of Ginger.

Spanish Black Radish

  • This is my go to supplement for any suspected bacterial infection. According to printed information, it helps detox the liver and intestines and helps with Candida. But for me, it also knocks any bad bacteria on its ass.

Thorne Research Formula SF722

  • This supplement is Candida’s worst enemy. It works great. Enough said.

Dr. Shillington’s Total Tonic

  • At the first sign of a cold, sore throat, sniffles, etc. two droppers of total tonic stops the progression. Sometimes a second day is necessary to eradicate all symptoms. My grandson, today, said his nose was stopped up and he thought he might be getting sick. One dose and all symptoms were gone. One of the main ingredients is garlic. I have to admit, I would rather take a dropper or two than chew on garlic.

Echinacea

  • I hate the taste and I hate the way echinacea makes my tongue feel. But I love the way it boosts the immune system. I hate it enough, though, that I always have it on hand…

L-Lysine

  • L-lysine is the go-to supplement for anything wrong in the mouth. Blisters, raw spots, sore tongue–gone in minutes.

B-complex vitamins

  • Grouchy? Trouble sleeping? Moody? Hormonal? Behavioral problems? B complex is a wonder.

Vitamin C

  • I am more likely to take vitamin C at the first sign of a viral infection than anything else. For me, it is an instant fix. It is important to remember that high doses of vitamin C may stop or slow down a virus, but you should never abruptly stop taking it if you have been taking high doses. Titrate down or the virus may come right back.
  • Also see Homemade Vitamin C.

Booty Balm

  • Booty Balm by Lusa Organics was developed for baby bottoms. It is a great salve for any skin irritation from adult nether regions to scrapes, rashes, windburn, etc. Lusa has developed a new salve called De Balm. I haven’t tried it yet, but we are ordering it and I will. Their products are amazing.

There are a few more things I would like to stock–just in case. Though I must admit, I am no longer afraid of viruses or bacterial infections. In years past, the common cold usually morphed into pneumonia or at the very least, asthmatic bronchitis. Now, at the first sign of sniffles I take whatever supplement I choose and gargle and the symptoms are gone. A healthy immune system is a wonderful thing!

I am going to add oil of oregano, tea tree oil, and coptis chinesis to try other powerful microbials. I do have Blood Detox, which I have only taken when detoxing, but I will add to my list of go-to tonics for illness. And I intend to stock up on several other essential oils like peppermint and rosemary to make my own toothpaste and bug repellent. But this is my basic home health/home remedy arsenal. What do you have in your medicine chest?

Recommended Products:


What’s the Best Water for Detoxifying and For Drinking?

Earth is the water planet. Oceans, rivers, lakes, streams–water abounds. Unfortunately, most of it is polluted. Our industries use our waterways to dump their waste; industrial farming pollutants leach into waterways and ground water. Even jet fuel is found in our water–in well water and municipal water. Mercury pollutes our rivers, streams, and lakes. Fracking is dumping chemicals into groundwater.

We treat water to remove as many pollutants as possible, to make our dirty water drinkable. And yet, our treated water still contains toxic chemicals and toxic metals like lead and arsenic, antibiotics, and fluoride, along with other chemicals used to sanitize the water. In Louisiana, municipal water includes brain eating amebas.

Many have turned to other water sources as a safer alternative to water straight from the tap. But which water is the best? What are the choices?

  • Rain Water
  • Well water
  • Spring water
  • Reverse osmosis water
  • Filtered Water
  • Distilled water
Related: How To Heal Your Gut

Rain Water

The purity of rainwater is dependent on the environment. Have you ever heard of acid rain?

Once while walking along the beach, I turned my face up towards the newly falling snow. That blissful moment exploded as those “pristine” flakes melted and burned through my skin, leaving me bleeding.

If you do decide to collect and drink rainwater, get it tested, and depending on your area, you may need to get it tested regularly. And don’t forget to keep whatever collection bin you use very, very clean.

Related: Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included

Well Water

There’s not much better than having your own well full of clean drinking water. Nature built a filtration system. The natural water cycle includes water soaking into the ground through dirt and rocks until it becomes groundwater. We retrieve it through wells or springs.

Unfortunately, well water may be contaminated. Chemicals are not always filtered out by the earth. Fracking, runoff, and other dumping contaminates groundwater.

It is also imperative to keep wells clean. Water can become contaminated from the well itself.

Spring Water

Spring water is groundwater that finds its way to the surface. Again, the cleanliness of the water is dependent on whether the groundwater is pure. Bottled spring water is regulated and tested. According to the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), the FDA standards for bottled water are more stringent than the standards for tap water.

On the IBWA site, you can see a video of a water bottling business. Their spring water goes through several filtrations before being treated with UV rays and ozone, both of which kill bacteria.

Reverse Osmosis Water

Reverse osmosis is used to desalinate or clean water. Basically, pressure is used to force water through smaller and smaller filters, separating particulates from the water.

Shillington says, “Reverse Osmosis is questionable, and I’ve heard that it contributes to Candida.  Since this was from a verbal source, more investigation needs to be done on this one.  RO units have filters that need replacing ever so often, and they do not remove certain toxins from the water such as Fluoride.”

Recommended: Best Supplements To Kill Candida and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Fungal Infections

Filtered Water

Home water filtration may involve a whole house approach (which may include a reverse osmosis system) to an on-the-counter filtration machine, a single tap filter, or a water pitcher with a replaceable filter. (See the link below to discover which pitcher filtering system works the best.)

Carbon filters, used in most water pitchers and tap filters, do remove some toxic chemicals but it does not to a good job filtering out fluoride, most of the toxic metals, or all other contaminants.

Mike Adams recently tested 12 popular water filtration devices and Zero was the best by far. It’s always been the only one we’ve recommended. It even removes fluoride, though it is not certified to do so.

Distilled

The cleanest water is distilled. Yes, it is more acidic. Yes, it is devoid of minerals. Even so, given a choice of water available, it only makes since to start with distilled water for the cleanest, safest water possible. Dr. Ian Shillington advocates distilled water, suggesting that a level teaspoon of baking soda added to a gallon of distilled water makes it highly alkaline (8.0). Add minerals back in as well, and you have clean, alkalizing, mineral water. The reality is that “…if someone is eating right, and taking a good multi-vitamin/mineral like Total Nutrition, they don’t need to worry about the very small amount of minerals distilled water can leach from the body.” He also states, “It is true that “untreated” distilled water will leach some minerals from your body.  However, the majority of these minerals are inorganic minerals that you don’t want there anyway such as Calcium Carbonate which builds up to form bone spurs and Arthritic Calcium deposits.  Any of the “good” minerals leached can be quickly replaced with a small handful of raw nuts or seeds so this isn’t a major concern.”

If you purchase a water distiller, you won’t have to buy your water at the store in plastic jugs or bottles. At a dollar a gallon or more from the store, a water distiller will pay for itself. Be sure you choose a distiller that also includes a filter. Your water will be clean and pure.

The Best Drinking Water For Detoxifying

The best possible choice for water to drink on a regular bases for someone with a healthy immune system is a clean, safe, high quality spring water. The trouble is, as mentioned, it can be difficult to know how clean it is.

During a detox, when the idea is removing toxins, distilled water is by far the best choice. If you don’t have access to a trusted source for spring water, well water, or rainwater, then distilled is still your best bet for daily drinking. If you’re using water for enemas, distilled is the only water one should use. If the lack of minerals is still much of a concern to anyone using distilled water, a few trace mineral drops in the water can fix that. One of the best things anyone can do for themselves, whether they are detoxifying or not is to drink a lot of water every day. If you’re looking to detoxify, check out Inexpensive, Easy Detox – The One Gallon Challenge, and Total Body Cleanse if you’re looking for a very serious detox or need to target certain organs like kidneys.

Recommended Supplements:
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Relieve PMS with these Foods, Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements

Suddenly you realize there’s a little black cloud over your head. Or maybe it’s a big one. Things that usually don’t bother you are getting on your very last nerve. You’re not sure if you want to pick a fight or cry. Before you tell your boss what you really think of him or confront your significant other about his shortcomings, stop and check the calendar. Is this PMS? Is “estrogen poisoning” ruining your day? If that’s the problem, there are supplement and herbs you can use to get back in control.

Herbs known to relieve symptoms of PMS

  • Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
  • Burdock
  • Chaste tree or chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus)
  • Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
  • Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), also known as Chinese Angelica
  • Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis)
  • Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
  • Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
  • Maca (Lepidium meyenii)
  • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
  • Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa)

Vitamins, minerals, and supplements to relieve symptoms of PMS

Chocolate candy is not your best friend right now. You do not need to add unstable blood sugar to unbalanced hormones and underachieving neurotransmitters. If you are craving chocolate, your body is craving magnesium. But that is not the only supplement you need right now. Your first aid supplements should include the following:

  • B vitamin complex
  • Calcium
  • Vitamin D
  • Magnesium
  • Chromium
  • Omega 3s (either as a supplement or take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil, fish oil, or a blended omega 3.6.9. oil)

If you take a really good multi-vitamin with all of the above included, unless it is very high in B vitamins, it’s not a bad idea to include a B complex. B vitamins are nature’s Valium; many women feel considerable relief fifteen minutes or so after taking a large dose of Bs.

This is a day to be on your best behavior. Not only do you need to hold your tongue, you need to watch what you put in your mouth. This is a perfect day to snack on fresh organic veggies and fruits all day long. And all those things you’re not going to say? Write them down and see if those are issues you need to deal with next week, when you’re not feeling so intense. Chances are, you really do need to deal with those issues, just not right now.

Shillington’s Female Balance Formulas

Shillington offers three formulas that help balance female hormones.

Female Balance Formula

This formula is the 3 balancing herbs to balances the hormones. It’s good for alleviating cramps and anxiety. Ingredients include Chaste tree berry, wild yam root, and dong quai root in a base of grain alcohol and distilled water.

Female Formula

This formula is predominantly the 3 balancing herbs from the Female Formula along with a few others making it an overall female tonic for balancing hormones, relaxing,, as well as a cramping and anxiety handler. Ingredients include wild yam root, chaste tree berry, Dong Quai root, blue and black cohosh, valerian root, passion flower, uva ursi, hops flowers, cornsilk, juniper berry and dandelion root in a base of grain alcohol and distilled water.

Female Energy Formula

With Damiana leaf, wild yam root, licorice root, siberian ginseng roots, sarsaparilla root, saw palmetto berry, oat seed, kola nut and ginger root in a base of grain alcohol and distilled water, this formula works well at balancing the hormones and improves energy as well as sex drive.

What typically causes PMS symptoms

An inability to process and assimilate B vitamins, a lack of vitamin D, and other hormonal imbalances can be traced back to an overabundance of candida. Like so many diseases, candida  is often the underlying cause. Even when candida is not the source, at the very least, candida exacerbates PMS symptoms. Check out the first source below for information about candida and the gut.

While it is great to know that there are natural remedies to alleviate the symptoms of PMS, alleviating symptoms is a short term strategy, not a cure. If you are ready to rid yourself of these miserable symptoms and get your hormones in balance, it’s time to make some lifestyle changes.

If you’re on the lookout for some healthy chocolate recipes, go to healingthebody.ca. And see Natural Remedies for PMS for more information on diet, herbs, and other supplement options.

Recommended Supplements:
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