Natural remedies for colds and flu

This winter is not just about Covid 19. Remember we are also susceptible to colds and flu. There are many recipes for helping with symptoms. Our energy levels and alignment also affects the types of illnesses we attract. Every part of your body aligns with you psychologically, emotionally, spiritually and energetically.

There are many cold and flu remedies but here are a few I have found tried and true after the years.

Cold and flu remedies

Remedy 1

Add the juice of a whole lemon & warm water with one teaspoon a day of this remedy. It can be taken in the morning and is great for a sore throat. It is also disinfectant so it will kill off microbes.

Ingredients

Add some fresh Ginger to fresh Turmeric

Mix in some fresh Garlic, Lemon, thyme, black peppercorns with some natural honey.

Method

Finely grate the Ginger, Turmeric, Garlic & the lemon rind in a bowl.

Gently remove all the sprigs of leaves off the thyme and add them in the bowl.

In a mortar & pestle crush the Black Peppercorns or use pre cracked pepper if it’s easier. Add the Pepper to the bowl.

Next add honey and stir.

Store it in a cool, dark place.

Remedy 2

Take a Spanish onion and cut in half

Grate the onion or cut into small pieces

Add a teaspoon or two of natural honey

Mix these together well

Eat this mixture for a sore throat

It has a tang to it but your sore throat should soon disappear unless it is caused by an underlying infection which will need attention.

Remedy 3

This is an old energetic remedy to increase your energy levels and wellbeing.

Place a glass of water in the sun. Can be through a sunlit window.

The water must be pure filtered water

If you have a sore throat it needs to be in a blue coloured glass or wrap some see through blue cellophane paper around the glass so the sun can go through the blue colour and affect the water.

If you have a temperature you also need a blue coloured glass.

Blue energy is the colour of the throat chakra and blue brings down fevers.

Drink Pranic energised water all day either in blue or ordinary sunlight filtered glasses to detox your energy.

Supplements for cold and flu

Echinacea, olive leaf, sage tea, fenugreek tea, Vitamin C, Vitamin B. Remember to take a multi-vitamin daily and in these times of Covid 19 a good dose of Olive leaf daily as well and some Vitamin C. Nothing compensates for good immunity.

If you need help with colds and flu remedies or aches and pains we also specialise in Bach remedies, Shell essences and aromatherapy oils. We do online sessions so you can give us a call to book a time.

Mental health assistance and the impact of nature

Mental health issues have been on the increase in our current social isolation environment. The whole act of distancing and staying indoors has made people that feel depressed and isolated even more so. City life is often great for work life and social life under normal circumstances but this may not always be good for your mental health either as it creates mental chatter for some. City life may mean being close to shops, schools, public transport and restaurants under usual circumstances but it also means there is a lot of noise, limited space and more air pollution. Nature also has its limits in these areas and the lack of greenery can mentally affect us. 

Most urban environments make room for some parks, grass areas, trees known as green areas and the landscape is often interspersed with ocean or lakes, and rivers known as blue spaces. It is known that urban environments with green and blue areas have less depression, stress and anxiety.  

Even though there is an association of better mental health around these blue and green spaces there are other specifics that need to be considered for mental health. Some of these include how many of these spaces are needed, how big they should be, are they spaced around so that you can access these areas easily no matter where you are and how much time should we spend in these environments.

Ways in which they improve mental health

There are different ways in which green and blue environments, namely those of nature, help to improve mental health. These areas tend to be healthier all round as it has been found they are cooler, less polluted and are quieter, they allow you the space needed to exercise freely in the outdoors with plenty of space, they provide a quiet place to meet socially and even just seeing this type of environment can help improve your health.

Being in and around nature has been linked to people reducing their stress. Stressing too much causes an excess in the hormone cortisol which is linked to people being in a bad mood. Nature can also be good for the immune system which is why advice in these times of Covid 19 to do some outdoor exercise daily is good advice. It will lift your spirits, increase your oxygen intake and help get you in shape.

If you are struggling with mental health

If you find that you are becoming increasingly stressed, anxious or are in a low mood, you should try to increase your time out in nature, go for a walk in the park, watch the wind blow the leaves on the trees and listen to the birds and other animals around. Although this isn’t a cure for your aches, pains and worries it is a small step towards relaxation and may help calm your mood and lift your spirits. Add to this some natural supplements to boost your immunity, meditation and yoga, perhaps writing your thoughts into a journal and exercising with a friend and some of that negativity will be released. If you find you are struggling with emotional difficulties or are unable to find a release from the negative moods, please seek help and speak with a counselor or therapist who will steer you in the right direction to help alleviate your issues.

Pic - Angelique Downing - Burst  

Sleep better - naturally

Sleep may be one of the things affected in these hard time of shutdown and constantly hearing about Corona virus on the news. The whole world is in a bit of turmoil. Is it any wonder your sleep patterns are disrupted? However it is important to get a good, restful night’s sleep to function properly next day. Lack of sleep will affect your focus and concentration and eventually your health. If you are someone that struggles to get to sleep, stay asleep or are restless at night there are many things you can do to help yourself.

Turn off what would keep you awake

Firstly blue light that comes from our TV, computers, phones and tablets causes sleep issues as it can reduce the melatonin production, which is the hormone that promotes deep sleep. So these things make it hard to fall asleep. Turning off these devices at least two hours before bed can help you to get a more restful night’s sleep. If you find that this is just not practical as you are overloaded with work you can try using some essential oils that will help to relax your mind and body.

Things to remember when using oils

Remember all oils should be mixed in a carrier oil if applied to the skin but if you are using a burner you put them in water. Also no carrier oil is needed for diffusers. Less is always best in the burner so just a drop or two is enough. Similar for a bath – 3 to 4 drops of each oil you want to use (depending on the size of the bath).

What oils do I use

Sandalwood is one that can help. By placing a drop under your nose and on your forehead between your eyebrows, where your 6th energy centre is (chakra) it corresponds with your psychological skills and mental abilities. So use it to help you relax. Also the pleasant smell of some of these oils helps as it’s something pampering before you go to bed.

Some other oils that can be helpful include Lavender which is a well-known calming oil and you can put a drop under your nose, on your big toes, or a drop on either side of the pillow (this is good for the elderly or children). If you have a diffuser a few drops is good to let it fill the room and the droplets in the air will help you to relax. Cedarwood is another good oil you can use with Lavender. You can rub both these oils on you if they are blended with a carrier oil and you only need a little.

Valerian is one of the major sleep assistance oils but it must be applied just before bed because if you put it on too early it may lose affect. RutaVaLA is a combination oil. It consists of Ruta, Valerian and lavender, it is a stronger blend than using the oils on their own. Roman Chamomile is a great oil for both adults and children as it is gentle.

If you have a diffuser you can set it to also use ‘Awaken’ oil just before you need to wake up or you can add it to your sleep oil but in smaller quantities to ensure you not only have a great night’s sleep but also wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed. However, when using awaken you should be careful as it is photosensitive meaning it must be in a carrier oil and you can be affected if you go out in the sun after applying it. Obviously if it’s in a burner once again you don’t need a carrier oil. Keep it away from the face.

So next time you are having trouble sleeping make sure you have a supply of these oils which you can obtain from myself or on the net if you know what you are buying. Always make sure your oils are pure and high grade as the cheap ones have chemicals in them and your body is simply becoming toxic if you use those. It’s good to have a few different oils as you feel differently on different days. If you use the same oil the effects may be less on a day you feel differently. Alternatively call me and I can make a special oil just for you, mixed according to sleep issues you have, and post it out to you. 

Treating Dementia naturally

Living with dementia is not easy for the person suffering from it as well as those closest to them. It is normal for people to get a little more forgetful as you age but if it becomes more than that it could be a sign of something more serious. Dementia is an illness that affects the sufferer’s memory. It can be very debilitating as slowly it may lead to the person not being able to do simple day to day activities. Poor memory may affect them to the extent that they can forget where they live, forget to turn electrical appliances off in the house before leaving or forget how to operate machinery properly and endanger themselves.

Dementia is a group of illnesses. The most common is Alzheimer’s disease, however other illnesses that lead to or are causes of dementia are brain tumours, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, downs syndrome and multiple sclerosis. All these illnesses affect the sufferer’s cognitive abilities. It is more common in people over the age of 80 and women are more likely to develop dementia than men.

Causes

When you have close relatives, such as a a parent or a sibling, that have developed dementia you are at a higher risk of developing dementia yourself, although it isn’t a guarantee that you will. Another risk factor is if you are a heavy smoker you are also at a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. Apart from that the causes are somewhat unknown and it is not simply a factor of growing older. Cognitive ability and immunity have a lot to do with it.

Natural treatments

There are some things that you and you family can use to help delay dementia and help to keep some quality of life for the sufferer. Nutrition is one way that you can help to boost your brain function. Fish is high in Omega 3 fatty acids which are shown to be beneficial to help delay and possibly prevent dementia. Remember though that the Omegas are best taken in a combination of 3, 6 and 9 equally. Vitamin B is also very good. On the other hand, saturated and trans fatty acids may increase a person’s risk.

Another way to help lower your risk of developing dementia is to keep your brain active and stimulated. You can do this by continuing to study or doing puzzles, Sudoku or any other word or Maths games to help keep you brain stimulated. Mental activity stimulates brain growth which will lower your risk of developing dementia. Physical activity is also important to keep your brain healthy. Exercise can increase the blood flow to the brain.

Some natural herbs have been found to help prevent dementia, these include Ginkgo Biloba, which helps with cognition, moods and emotions. Sage is good for boosting memory and lemon balm can also help to boost cognitive functions. However, before using any of these herbs it is always important to consult a natural practitioner who is trained in these products as some of these herbs may affect other medications that you may be taking.

Lastly some studies have found that massage creates reduced anxiety in people with dementia and can sometimes help to stop behaviour like wandering and pacing, which is caused by dementia.

Consult your natural therapist at this clinic to find out what you can do to keep yourself and your brain young and active despite your age.