Natural Remedies and Immune Builders

It is that time of year again; no matter where you go it seems someone is sneezing or coughing! Although a seasonal cold or the flu can seem imminent this time of year, there are many things we can do to build up our natural defenses as well as minimize the symptoms naturally. Best to take time now to stock up on natural remedies and give your family the opportunity to build up their immune systems. Check out our punch list below of our favorites:

Olive Leaf Extract

Our natural defense against flu and cold season. Every year we make sure we stock up on a bottle Olive Leaf extract. This multi-tasker is antibacterial, antiviral, AND antifungal. Not only does it deactivate microbes but it also strengthens our immune system as well. Simply add it to your drinking water, or for children add it to juice.

Recommendation: Starwest Botanicals Olive Oil Extract available from Amazon and Starwest Botanicals.

Boiron Chestal Honey Cough Syrup

The natural homeopathic cough syrup we have found that works the best! Relieves all kinds of common coughs utilizing a natural honey base. No artificial flavors or colors, and non-drowsy. Tip: Many children prefer the honey flavor over the other flavors.

Recommendation: Boiron Chestal Honey Cough Syrup available from Amazon and other retailers.

Young Living Essential Oil Diffuser

A diffuser is great for both preventative measures and as a treatment. I use this diffuser with essential oils that are proven to kill off germs. By using it in your home or office, you can combat sickness you have come into contact with. It kills off what is in the air in your home that visitors may have brought in, as well as what we have breathed in through our mouth and nose while out and about. Some of our favorite essential oils for this purpose are Cinnamon Bark and Thieves because they are highly antimicrobial. Added bonus, your home will smell really good!

This diffuser is particularly effective with an innovative air pump which disperses the essential oil in a micro-fine vapor, allowing the essential oil to remain suspended in the air for extended periods of time. The diffuser disperses the oils without heating them so they retain their therapeutic benefits. When inhaled, the oils are easily absorbed through the lungs. Depending on the oil used, diffusing can cleanse the air of odor, calm overactive children, and support respiration. When I get he a sinus infection, I add eucalyptus, oregano, peppermint, lavendar, and chamomile to the diffuser and breath closely to it through my mouth and nose for 5 minutes at a time, every hour. It never fails, I feel better in a couple of hours and my infection is gone withing 24 hours.

Available through Young Living or on Amazon: click here for Diffuser on Young Living or click here for Diffuser on Amazon

Cinnamon Bark

One of the most antimicrobial of essential oils. It is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Diffuse it or rub onto the bottom of your feet, wrists, and ankles.

Recommendation: Young Living Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil can be purchased on Amazon or on Young Living.

Young Living Thieves®

Thieves® is a proprietary essential oil blend made from clove, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary, and cinnamon which has potent antimicrobial properties. It is antiviral, antiseptic, anti-infectious, and antibacterial with a 99.96% kill rate against airborne bacteria (Weber State University). Best use: Diffuse it for 15 minutes every 3 hours. Rub onto the bottom of the feet.

Recommendation: Young Living Thieves Essential Oil can be purchased at Young Living or on Amazon

Thieves® Waterless Hand Purifier

An all-natural hand purifier using Young Living’s Thieves® blend designed to cleanse and refresh the hands. Thieves® Waterless Hand Purifier can be used by adults and children to keep hands clean and promote good hygiene, without the use of water. Dermatologist tested. Great to carry in your purse or backpack for when you are out on the town.

Recommendation: Purchase directly from Young Living or purchase a three pack at Amazon.

Thieves® Foaming Hand Soap

A foaming hand soap to cleanse, defend, and condition the skin with the therapeutic-grade essential oil blend Thieves® using pure lemon and orange essential oils, aloe, Ginkgo biloba, and vitamin E. Dispensed as a rich foam, Thieves® Foaming Hand Soap contains gentle ingredients so it can be used often without drying or stripping the skin.

Recommendation: Purchase directly from Young Living or purchase a three pack at Amazon.

Thieves® Hard Lozenges

Lozenges to refresh your mouth and breath and provide soothing relief for your throat. Lightly sweetened with the low-glycemic sugar maltitol, these lozenges deliver the power of Thieves®, the university-tested essential oil blend, along with the flavor of natural peppermint and lemon essential oil.

Recommendation: Purchase directly from Young Living or purchase a three pack at Amazon.

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) by Nutribiotic

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is a powerful supplement to fight off viral and bacterial infections. I take GSE to fight off the flu and cold, as an ear rinse, nasal rinse, as a gargle for sore throats, it also has many household uses like a toothbrush cleaner, sink washing, vegetable wash, and is great as a disinfectant for cutting boards. A powerful antiviral and antibacterial product. GSE nasal spray is my “go-to” product when I have a sinus infection.

Recommendation: Can be purchased on Amazon. Click here for GSE.

Oscillococcinum by Boiron

Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy used for the temporary relief of flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue. Homeopathic medicine works naturally with no side effects, no drug interactions, no contraindications, and no “masking” of symptoms. Homeopathy triggers the bodies immune system naturally, promoting the body to heal itself.

Recommendation: Can be purchased on Amazon. Click here for Oscillococcinum.

Kali Bichromicum by Boiron

Kali Brochromicum is a homeopathic remedy used for relieve of colds with thick nasal discharge. Homeopathic medicine works naturally with no side effects, no drug interactions, no contraindications, and no “masking” of symptoms. Homeopathy triggers the bodies immune system naturally, promoting the body to heal itself.

Recommendation: Can be purchased on Amazon. Click here for Kali Bichromicum.

Ipecacuanha by Boiron

Ipecacuanha is a homeopathic remedy used for nausea and vomiting. Homeopathic medicine works naturally with no side effects, no drug interactions, no contraindications, and no “masking” of symptoms. Homeopathy triggers the bodies immune system naturally, promoting the body to heal itself.

Recommendation: Can be purchased on Amazon. Click here for Ipecacuanha.

Belladonna by Boiron

Belladonna is a homeopathic remedy used for high fever with sudden onset and perspiration. Homeopathic medicine works naturally with no side effects, no drug interactions, no contraindications, and no “masking” of symptoms. Homeopathy triggers the bodies immune system naturally, promoting the body to heal itself.

Recommendation: Can be purchased on Amazon. Click here for Belladonna.

Homemade Natural Ear Ache Remedy

A mixture of olive oil, garlic (for it’s antimicrobial properties), chamomile (for it’s anti-inflammatory effects) and lavender (for it’s antibacterial and soothing anti-inflammatory effects and it promotes healing) that can be prepared as needed.

Begin with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Add 1 drop of garlic oil from a freshly crushed garlic clove. You can do this by crushing the clove and allowing a drop to roll off into the oil.
Add 2 drops of Chamomile and 2 drops of Lavender to the oil.
Stir oils to mix.
Fill an eyedropper with mixture and add 2 drops of oil to the ear.

Try to keep the aching ear upright for a couple of minutes. I like to add this oil at night before bed so that I fall asleep with my ear upright for a while.

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Outside Resources for more detailed information:

Why Olive Leaf Oil Extract?

http://www.about-olive-leaf-extract.com/natural-antiviral.html

http://www.olivus.com/faq_olive_leaf.htm

http://www.thecandidadiet.com/olive-leaf-extract.htm

http://www.naturalnews.com/041374_olive_leaf_extract_health_benefits_natural_remedies.html

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SproutedFork Health Disclaimer: We are not health professionals and we do not claim that we are. Our opinions and recommendations are only that and are to be used at your own discretion. It is recommended that you consult a health professional before acting on something that we have published or recommended.

Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods, exercises or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration and are therefore not intended to diagnose, treat, remedy or prevent any disease.