Kick It!

Well…2022 is certainly off to a banging start. I don’t know about you, but literally everyone I know has gotten COVID the past few weeks. It is just sweeping through the population at record speed. Fortunately, it is nothing more than a cold/flu for most people and I’ve got to admit, I have had worse colds and flus in my life. Regardless of the severity, no one likes being sick and I am going to share some remedies I use to fend off a cold and flu virus that really get the job done. These are tried and true remedies that I have used for many years on myself, my kids and anyone that will listen to my theories about my various voo-doo. Obviously, I am not a medical professional so check in with one if you have any questions or concerns about what I share. I am just sharing things that have worked for me and my family in kicking a virus and I hope you find this helpful in staying healthy this winter. 

I take a variety of vitamins & supplements during the winter months to kick my immune system into high gear to better my chances of avoiding getting sick. My number one preventative measure is to get an immunity vitamin IV twice a month. This might seem extreme but I swear by it, and at any tiny sign of a scratchy throat or a sneeze, I go get one of these IVs and it usually nips the virus in the bud and I typically avoid a full-blown situation. The immunity IV is packed with vitamin C, all the B vitamins and glutathione and effectively provides you with powerful immune support straight to your blood stream. Getting a vitamin IV is a more efficient and absorbable way to receive vitamins and I highly recommend finding a place near you that gives these types of IVs. If you live in the San Diego area, I go to Dr. Kim Kelly regularly for my IVs and my kids have been getting them since they were about 12 years old too. The IV is a very effective immune support that I find very helpful in avoiding a virus and shutting down any early signs of getting sick. I occasionally over-do-it in the fun department and an IV is also very helpful after a night of over-indulgence FYI. 

Next on my list for prevention is Vitamin D. So many people are vitamin D deficient and during the winter months this deficiency is exacerbated by shorter days and less sunshine. Many studies are out there drawing the correlation between COVID and vitamin D deficiency; this makes vitamin D even more important to your health. It is estimated that approximately 42 percent of the US population is vitamin D deficient and this percentage tends to increase with age, being overweight, avoiding the sun, using sunscreen and is more problematic if you have darker skin too. You can evaluate your vitamin D levels in most standard blood panel tests at the doctor’s office to see if you are deficient. Common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, low energy, and mood swings. As a daily supplement, I take 10,000 IU of Vitamin D3 which is the most effective at raising Vitamin D levels. There are many brands out there but my favorite is the Mary Ruth D3 + K2 liquid spray. I like this one because it is one less pill to swallow since it is in liquid form, and includes K2. If you are going to take K2 (which helps with bone density), it should be taken with vitamin D for the best absorption and effectiveness. If you don’t want to take K2, I like the Ora Organic brand for D3.

Vitamin C is another supplement I take daily that has so many benefits that people aren’t even aware of; this makes this supplement a powerhouse in combating sickness and aging. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. It’s involved in many body functions, including formation of collagen, absorption of iron, proper functioning of the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. Most people are aware that vitamin C is good for boosting your immune system but many don’t realize that it has all these amazing anti-aging, healing, and recovering properties. Not all vitamin C supplements are created equal and it is important that you find a high-quality source that absorbs and works efficiently. In my research, I have found that Liposomal Vitamin C liquid offers vitamin C in an enhanced-absorption liposomal form to target immune and cellular health. My favorite brand is the LivOn Laboratories-Lypo-spheric Vitamin C packets. Each packet has 1,000 mg of vitamin C per serving and I take one in the morning and one at night. If I am fighting a cold or flu virus, I will up my dosage to 3-4 a day.

Next on my list is a Neti Pot. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend adding this to your health and wellness routine. The Neti pot is an ancient Ayurvedic tool for nasal irrigation and is highly effective at removing dirt, bacteria, and unclean mucus from your nose. This helps in the prevention of getting sick; it is important especially if you have been on an airplane or exposed to other people that are sick. The Neti pot helps drain the sinus cavities to prevent infection, reduces sinusitis, sore throats, coughs, and the common cold. It also helps reduce snoring and improves your sense of smell. It is important to use purified or distilled water; combined with sea salt for full effectiveness. The Neti pot is one of my go-to remedies in prevention and kicking a virus at the first signs of illness. 

Elderberry syrup is another immune system booster that I take regularly. The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that boost your immune system. This powerful supplement also helps reduce inflammation and stress and further helps protect your heart. It is very effective in preventing illness and can also help lessen the symptoms of cold and flu. There are many good brands of Elderberry syrup out there. Planetary Herbals is one of my favorite brands and I typically take 1 teaspoon twice a day as a daily maintenance and up to 4 teaspoons a day if I am fighting something. Mary Ruth Organics also has a good Elderberry syrup that tastes good (many brands are a bit harsh tasting) and a good option for children.

There are a variety of mushroom extracts/supplements that are highly effective at boosting immune support and response to an illness. I’ve tried many different brands and strains of mushrooms but my daily go-to is the Host Defense Mushrooms My Community extract. I use the comprehensive immune support drops (they come in pills too) daily as a preventive. As a daily maintenance, I use 1 dropper of extract 1 to 2 times a day and if I am starting to feel like something is starting to brew, I double my dose to 2 droppers four times a day. 

The IV, vitamin D3, Vitamin C, elderberry syrup, Host Defense Mushrooms and the Neti Pot are things I use regularly to keep my immune system strong to fight off potential viral infections. At the onset of feeling ill, I add some other things to the arsenal to fend off cold/flu viruses that I find very helpful and effective. These are supplements that you don’t take daily but are something to help “kick it” so that it doesn’t turn into a full-blown sickness situation. Kick Ass Immunity is a supplement from Wish Garden that combines a powerful blend of herbs that help support your immune, respiratory, and lymphatic systems. Kick Ass Immunity boosts your first line immune defense and promotes a healthy immune response when you feel something coming on. I use 2 to 3 droppers of liquid every 2 to 4 hours when I feel something coming on or if I am traveling or around large groups of people (as a preventive measure). This is a highly effective immune boosting supplement that seriously works and usually within a day of adding this to my routine, I can get back to feeling fully healthy.

Another supplement that I have used for years is Zicam nasal swabs. At the tiniest sign of feeling sick, I turn to this homeopathic remedy to help kick the cold and shorten & lessen the severity of illness. I have used these on my kids from an early age and swear by them. These swabs really work if you use them at the early onset of a sickness. I have tried some of the other Zicam products and have found that the swabs are the most effective. You swab each nostril and it is so easy to use on small children too. 

 Most people get enough zinc through their daily diet therefore, I only take it when I start to feel like I am fighting something. Zinc is a mineral that’s important to the body in many ways because it keeps the immune system strong and helps heal wounds. If I start to feel something coming on, I will add the Mary Ruth’s Organics Liquid Ionic Zinc to my daily routine to help boost my immune response and kick a virus before it goes into a full-blown situation.

Another highly effective tool for fighting off a cold or virus is an infrared sauna. When you have an infection, your body typically goes into fight mode and one of the most effective weapons is fever. Raising your body temperature helps get rid of the virus or bacteria that causes the infection. That is why sitting in an infrared sauna helps you detox and get rid of a virus faster. This therapy uses light to heat your body which goes deeper than just raising the temperature of your skin. Although you won’t spike a fever from sitting in a sauna, the modification in body temperature that occurs, when you sit in an infrared sauna, is helpful in fighting a virus and helps to decrease symptoms and the duration of colds and flus. The infrared sauna has many health benefits (anti-aging, detoxing, immune boosting, mood & energy enhancing and metabolism boosting to name a few) is something I use regularly but is a great tool for kicking a cold and flu virus fast. 

Taking a detox bath with Epsom salt is also a very highly effective tool when you aren’t feeling well. This naturally-occurring mineral will ease muscle aches and help you get a good night’s rest, so you can recover faster. Epsom salt helps spur a process called vasodilation, which increases white blood cell production and helps the body fight illnesses quicker. The bottom line is that soaking in Epsom salt at the onset of feeling sick will help you kick it faster. You can add a few drops of essential oil to your bath to help relax and promote a feeling of wellness. When I am not feeling well, I like to add lavender oil to my Epsom salt bath. 

Grounding and spending some time in the sun is another useful tool when you don’t feel well. There is compelling research that shows the many benefits to heading outside and connecting to the earth and sunshine. Unfortunately, modern lifestyle tends to separate us from contact with the vast supply of electrons on the surface of the earth that can help promote healing and well-being. Earthing (or grounding) refers to walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping outdoors to connect to conductive systems that transfer the Earth’s electrons from the ground and sun into the body. When you don’t feel well, try to fight the urge to lay in bed all day and get outside for some grounding and natural Vitamin D. I promise this will help you feel better.

Staying hydrated and avoiding sugar and dairy is important when you don’t feel well. Sugar and dairy both cause an increase in inflammation and mucus production which is something you want to avoid when your body is fighting illness. When I don’t feel well, I try to drink as much water with lemon as I can (alternating between warm water with lemon and ice water with lemon). I also make a healing broth (the recipe that I use is at the end of this blog) which is very helpful when you are congested or have little appetite. This healing broth is very high in minerals and is very nourishing without putting a lot of demands on your digestive system. Although eating and drinking can be a struggle when you don’t feel well, being mindful of the nutrients you put in your body will aid in a speedy recovery. 

Other things that I find helpful in aiding recovery include extra sleep, meditation, and listening to soothing/relaxing music. I am a big advocate of 432hz healing music and mediation (something I will write about in more depth because that can be a blog post on its own) and avoiding over-stimulating noise, social media, and news when you don’t feel well.

I know these suggestions might seem like a lot but they are things I do regularly to stay healthy and recover quickly when I am fighting off something. It will help you kick It!! Stay healthy my friends and let me know if you have any questions. I love hearing from you and always happy to help in any way I can.

Healing Broth Recipe

This recipe is from the Medical Medium and is something I routinely make; especially if I am not feeling well. 

Healing Broth is a powerful mineral-rich liquid that carries the essence of vitally nutritious vegetables, herbs, and spices in a way that is easy for the body to digest, assimilate, and utilize. You will find this recipe as comforting as it is nourishing. The ingredients of this simple recipe help to provide tremendous healing benefits to both the body and soul.

Carrots help to lower blood pressure, reduce edema, relax muscles, steady nerves, and balance cognitive function. Onions and garlic have powerful antiviral and antibiotic properties and can help eliminate heavy metals and parasites from the body.

Parsley and shiitake mushrooms contain an excellent bioavailable form of iron which helps to keep your blood strong and prevent anemia and are also rich in zinc which is highly beneficial for treating viral issues and strengthening the immune system. Ginger and turmeric root help reduce inflammation and improve liver function. They also aid in keeping your hair growing strong and supporting your skin to be healthy and vibrant.

This incredibly healing broth can be made in advance and stored in the fridge. Simply heat up only what you need and place in a thermal mug for warm sipping throughout the day. This broth has the miraculous ability to be both healing, cleansing, and nourishing all at the same time and is a wonderful addition to any health regime.

Ingredients:

• 4 carrots, chopped or 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 2 stalks of celery, roughly chopped
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 1 cup of shiitake mushrooms, fresh or dried (optional)
• 2 tomatoes, chopped (optional)
• 1 bulb of garlic (about 6-8 cloves), minced
• 1 inch of fresh ginger root
• 1 inch of fresh turmeric root
• 8 cups of water
• Optional: Chili peppers or red pepper flakes

Directions:

Place all the ingredients in a pot and bring to a gentle boil. Turn heat down to low and allow to simmer for about an hour. Strain and sip for a mineral rich, healing and restorative broth or leave the veggies in to enjoy as a light healing soup.