beating the flu

 Daniel and I had plans to leave yesterday morning to head south to spend Christmas with our families, but unfortunately, we are battling the flu. Thursday morning he went to work feeling a little under the weather and ended up leaving work at noon with a bad headache. He has been really busy lately trying to keep up with work and with his side business.....And he simply over did it.
I had several essential oils on hand and a dear friend gave me several other ideas to treat my man.

So far we are keeping this mess at bay and I haven't caught it. The average incubation period for the flu is 2-5 days and I am praying hard that I can beat this!

For those of you who may be spending Christmas with the flu here are some things that we have found helpful!

Before I begin...We did NOT get a flu shot and this is why.....


By Dr. Mercola
Did you know that during the 2012-2013 flu season, the flu vaccine's effectiveness was found to be just 56 percent across all age groups reviewed by the CDC —in essence, the statistical equivalent of a coin toss. In seniors, aged 65 and over, the US flu vaccines were only nine percent effective.
The 'gold standard' of independent scientific evaluation and analysis, the Cochrane Database Review, has issued no less than five reports between 2006 and 2010, all of which decimate the myth that flu vaccinations are “the most effective flu prevention method” available.
In average conditions, when a flu vaccine at least partially matches the circulating virus, 100 people need to be vaccinated in order to avoid just ONE set of influenza symptoms, according to Cochrane’s findings.
Yet as another flu season approaches, all these facts are wholly ignored by conventional medicine and media alike, and you’ll certainly never see them mentioned in any flu vaccine promotion campaign.
Unfortunately, in addition to the fact they may not be nearly as effective as advertised, flu vaccines can, and do, cause harm.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/22/flu-vaccine-effectiveness.aspx

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A flu shot we did not, but here is what we DID do! :)

1.) Drinking tons of water. :)

Your body needs to be flushed constantly. Between rounds of Emergen-C I have had Daniel drink honey lemon water like it is going out of style!

2.) To treat a cough mix 2 TBS of raw honey with a tsp. of cinnamon (Do not give raw honey to children under the age of one).

3.) Hot herbal tea. Hot liquids have been shown to stimulate the immune system and stop proliferation of the flu virus.

4.) Vitamin C. Load UP on this stuff. If  diarrhea occurs simply lower the dose but don't stop taking it! We have been using Emergen-C which has 1,000 mg of C per pack.

5.) Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with "the mother". Take 1 TBS every few hours to alkalize the body and kill any yeast that can be feeding infection.

6.) Add the following essential oils to your humidifier: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Lemon. There are others that are great as well but those were a few I had on hand.

7.) Add two drops of Peppermint and Eucalyptus essential oil to a very small amount of olive oil or coconut oil and rub into the chest and bottom of feet. *A friend told me that mixing it with the olive or coconut oil keeps the essential oils from burning or irritating your skin.

8.) Green smoothies. Keep the sugar content low and load up on some greens (spinach, kale, etc.) Add a big spoonful of the powerful antiviral, coconut oil.

9.) Homemade, organic chicken stock. Drink lots of this stuff too! It is easy to make and super good!
I got this recipe from Carrie Vitt @ Deliciously Organic

Homemade Chicken Stock

Ingredients

• 1 (3-4 pound) chicken, preferably Organic
• 2 carrots

• 1 stalk celery

• 1 large bunch parsley

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 head of garlic, cut in half

• 1 large onion, cut into quarters (don't worry about peeling it)

• 2 tablespoons Celtic sea salt

• 1 tablespoon vinegar 

Instructions

Place all ingredients in large stockpot. Add just enough water to cover. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, about 30 minutes. Skim foam off the top, lower heat to low, then let simmer for 8 - 24 hours, with lid ajar. 

Strain broth. Use the cooked chicken in soup, a casserole, salad, etc. Store in the refrigerator for 1 week or freeze for 3 months. 

Wishing you all a Merry and HEALTHY Christmas as you celebrate our Savior's birth. Today I am learning to rejoice even in sickness this Christmas and remembering amidst the celebration of Christ's birth to also look forward in great anticipation of His second coming!