We were hit as early as Thanksgiving with a full fledged flu. It knocked me over so completely that I didn't even have the presence of mind to try to lessen it by natural means, which I usually do. But when Zenith and the boys started showing symptoms, I got right on the ball. Zenith was sick less than half the time I was, and the boys showed minimal symptoms, and I have to give credit to the natural remedies we use.
Apple Cider Vinegar:
We use it at the first exposure to a virus. I find the best way to get it down (because it is NOT pleasant straight, although some people can!) is to use it as a tea or 1-2 tsp in 4-6 ounces of apple juice/cider.
Apple Cider Vinegar Tea:
1-2 tsp ACV with the mother
1 tsp raw honey
4-6 ounces of hot water
Sprinkle of cinnamon
We'll do 1-2 tsp 2 times a day, though some people do a lot more with great results.
Silverbiotics:
*Of course as with all of these natural remedies, there is a time and place for the doctor and medication and nothing can replace the advice of a good, trusted doctor. However, I believe in trying to heal the body in a natural way by working with it before resorting to medications and antibiotics.
Essential Oils:
For immune support, whether using for prevention or after exposure, Lemon, Tea Tree, Oregano, Frankincense, Douglas Fur, and Wild Orange are all wonderful oils. However, I usually just save myself all the mixing and figuring out what gets used how and use Guard On by doTERRA since it's a premixed blend that is great for immune support and faster healing after you've already come down with something. Aromatherapy is the most effective means of using the oils, either by diffusing them (I highly recommend getting a diffuser if you don't have one!) or rubbing a drop or two in the palms and holding them up to your nose and taking deep breaths.
If you don't have Guard On, Frankincense, Douglas Fur, and Wild Orange is a great combo for kids when mixed together, especially for night time. While Peppermint or Breathe (another doTERRA blend) are wonderful for congestion, they're not the best for nighttime since they can also be energizing. Frankincense is very grounding and helps the body relax while Douglas Fur is another oil for congestion and Wild Orange has immune boosting properties. With either that mix, or Guard On, diluted in some coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil (whatever we have), I rub it along the boys' spines and chest to help break up congestion, keep them calm and help their bodies heal.
Guard On on the bottoms of our feet has been very effective as well! I started that on Zenith as soon as he started sniffling and he was out of it in no time.
**Just a note on essential oils and their safety to use with children. I may have a few people horrified that I've suggested some of these oils to be used on children. There are some "studies" out there that suggest essential oils are not safe to use on children, which is why I wouldn't turn to google for your answer since these claims are not based on much. However, the fact is that not all essential oils are created equal. I have done hours and hours of research on this subject and finally found that the cheap oils you'd find in a drug store or supermarket are not all they say they are. Though not advertised as such, they have fillers and added junk. Oils that are truly pure are completely safe for children as long as they are properly diluted and used correctly.
In my search, I have found that doTERRA has the most pure oils and goes through the most rigorous testing to make sure they are safe and effective. I can get into that in a future post, but they are the brand I'd recommend above all. There are definitely some comparable brands that though they don't go through the same tests and have the same potency, are still safe and good to use. I've tested out a few brands and from experience I can say doTERRA has worked the best for our family and I feel most comfortable using them with my children.
Probiotics:
When searching for a good probiotic, don't settle for something in the health aisle in the grocery store or pharmacy. A health food store should have a refrigerated section with high quality probiotics that tells you the good bacteria is still alive. A good probiotic should be kept cold to keep the strands from dying. They can also be ordered online and often come with a cold pack. It's not a huge deal if they don't ship with a cold pack as they can still survive for a week or so without being kept cold but it is better for them if it is.
Garlic:
Infusing olive oil with garlic clove is an excellent preventative measure for ear infections in kids! I swear, the boys have been on the verge of ear infections several times and the garlic hasn't failed me yet.
Using crushed or minced garlic, add a couple tbsp to about 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil and put it on low heat for about 5 to 10 mins. Remove from heat and really crush that garlic and stir into oil to try to infuse as much of the garlic into it as possible. I usually let it sit for a bit to cool and then strain the oil, discarding the garlic, and keep it in an airtight container. I usually slather the oil all around the ear, and down onto the throat, sometimes even rubbing the oil into the ear just a bit.
Why I choose natural remedies for my family:
After dealing with Chronic Lyme Disease for awhile, I've been forced to think outside the box for alternative medicine since not only were the standard treatments failing me, but I also have a genetic mutation that makes it hard to process and eliminate toxins from my body. Common pain killers, antacids, and other over the counter medications have done more long term damage to my body, despite the immediate relief. Having been forced to look for alternatives for myself, I've seen how the standard over the counter medicines can be harmful even to a healthy person.
As I said before though, there is a time and place for medicine and doctor's visits and we've definitely had to make the trip. I just prefer to first look for something that will work with my children's body's to help them feel better while at the same time not suppressing their immune system and prolonging the illness as pain killers and cold medicines can do. Not to mention the ingredients in a child's pain reliever/fever reducer! Dyes, high fructose corn syrup, sucralose...seriously?! I'm going to avoid those if I can. And if going natural doesn't cut it, we have an excellent doctor that we trust that we can go to, but honestly there haven't been many times that we've had to.
There you go! Hope you find these as helpful as we have! I'm no expert and there are plenty of other more qualified people to give you more information than me (Dr. Mercola, Dr. Axe, and Dr. Amy Myers, all have some excellent articles on this subject) but I thought I'd just share what works for us. Yes, it's definitely more work than giving them some pain reliever or cold medicine, but I feel so much better knowing that what I'm giving them is not only helping them feel better, but it's good for them!
~Lindsay
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