Children are back at school, in clubs, playing sports. Little ones are in daycare, sharing toys, running on playgrounds. And the news is out: allergies, infection, flu season. Parents can’t escape or ignore the signs, the warnings, the worries…
How to we prevent exposure?
How do we NOT get sick?
How do we take care of ourselves and our families when we do?
You might think that the only prevention is a vaccine and the only cure is an antibiotic…BUT…DO NOT BELIEVE IT! Nature is abundant with plants that possess anti-viral, anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory properties. Culinary herbs like thyme, sage and rosemary have them. Berries and sprouts have them. Garlic, ginger and onions have them! We can look to the natural world for our cures and our preventions. Modern medicine, from traditional and ancient medicines, has done just that:
Penicillin: Discovered in green mold
Tamiflu Vaccine: Derived from the spice Star Anise
You’ve got protection, right now & every day. In your kitchens and in the produce section of the grocery store!! And beyond that, we are about to discover (in future posts to come) the MOST valuable of resources: TCM/’OTC’ Cold and Flu Patent Medicines to remedy our sick days.
In your kitchen cabinet, look for…
Bay leaf – Anti-bacterial. Anti-fungal. A compress relieves cough; breaks fever.
Cayenne – Anti-bacterial. Anti-fungal. Breaks up mucous. Digestive. Detoxifying.
Lime – Antibiotic. Antioxidant. Antimicrobial. Anti-fungal. Cough, arthritis, cholera!
Onion – Anti-bacterial. Anti-fungal. Relieves congestion, cough. Good prevention.
Thyme – Anti-viral. Essential oil expectorates, is antispasmodic, for upper respiratory infections & bronchitis.
Let’s learn more, eat well and be prepared for our own preventions and cures. Knowing how to care for ourselves and families when we are sick is as important and necessary as our ‘Green First Aid’ skills. Our medicine cabinets can include more than green/safe remedies for injury and trauma. We will be adding home remedies for colds and flu.
There is a lot to talk about here. Posts to be continued!