Immune System Support

Think you're getting a cold or the flu? Can't shake the one you already have? Well here are some easy, natural things that you can do in order to boost your immune system:

GINGER

Consume a grape-sized chunk (or two if already sick) a day of fresh ginger. One way to do this is to shave it with a cheese grater into a cup of hot water and allow it to steep for 10 minutes before you drink. You can also make a decoction by chopping up the whole root and throwing it in a pot of water. Heat the water until it has reached a simmering boil and allow it to boil down until half of the water in the pot is got. Take care to actually simmer your decoction as opposed to allowing to go into a strong boil so that you can extract the nutrients properly. Dump a couple of tablespoons into your coffee or tea or just take them as is, everyday.

GREEN TEA

Drink 3-4 cups of green tea a day when you are sick and 1-2 cups day when well. 

SLEEP

Some people underestimate the healing powers of a deep sleep.And when I say deep sleep, I mean take some melatonin, benedryl (I know its not natural and contradicts the point of my blog but it helps none the less) and a bunch of *sleepy herbs, grab book, and STAY IN BED for a whole entire day or so. Of course you have to get up to eat, drink and pee, but try to sleep as much as you can
or just rest if you can't fall asleep. Keep in mind that your body needs to expend as much energy as it possibly can on healing and running around is the opposite of helping it.

SALINE

Saline is an awesome defense against and a cure for sinus infections. I am not exaggerating this by any means. My uncle once suffered from near chronic sinus infections for a while and kept going to his doctor to get antibiotics for them. One day when he was talking to my Papa (his father) about his infections and Papa told him to just use saline instead of the antibiotics. Now if anyone knows anything about sinus infections, its Papa! So, my uncle tried it and no more sinus infection! He had to go back to the same doctors office because one of his children had an ear infection at some point after. While there he told the doctor about his findings and low and behold the doctor told him that that was also a valid way of treating sinus infections! My uncle was pissed.... But anyway, you can also use a nettie pot but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE boil the water before use. There is a rare but deadly amoeba out there that can eat your brains if you don't....

Yeast Infections (treatment for women)

There is nothing more irritating than a case a thrush! What other malady can induce impure thoughts about pine cones?  Here is how to make the itching stop immediately so that you don't have to give into temptation:

What you will need:

Tampon with applicator
Vegetable oil of any kind but coconut oil works best.
Tea tree essential oil &/or lavender oil

Dilute to tea tree oil with the olive oil. It seems like different people can tolerate different strengths of tea tree oil. I don't need to dilute it at all (you should always dilute your essential oils but tea tree and lavender are exceptions to this rule) but if you are sensitive and neglect to dilute, you will only feel worse. So, dab a bit of tea tree oil on your wrist and see what happens. If it starts to burn, dowse your wrist in vegetable oil and wipe away. This means you need to dilute. So take about 3 tablespoon of vegetable oil and pour them into a cup. Then put in about 10 drops of tea tree oil.

Now you can load up your tampon with the solution. Place the tampon into the cup and allow it to soak for a minute or so. OR you can make a little funnel out of a plastic baggie by cutting the tip off of one of the bottom corners and pour the solution into the other end of the tampon. Either way, allow to solution to soak in before insertion. This will help fight the infection AND stop the internal itch almost immediately.

Use the same solution on the outside of the vagina but take care to wash and dry (pat dry NO RUBBING! It will make the infection spread on your skin)  real well before application.

Baths with any kind of UNSCENTED salt will also help aid in fighting both the infection and the itch. Use very liberally! Like 3 to 4 cups or more. You can also add some of the tea tree/lavender solution described about in your bath as well.

These 2 things you can do before you go to bed to help fight the infection:

* Douche with kiefer.

* Insert a tablet of active acidophilus

Be warned that in the morning you will have a ton of discharge. Take your bath then maybe?

And last but not least, here is a list of  ways to help aid in the healing of any infection:

* Consume a grape-sized piece or two of fresh ginger.

* Drink a couple of cups of green tea.

* Eat raw garlic

And if all else fails, please go to the doctor.