Natural remedy to prevent and relieve colds, sinus infections and bronchitis

I have been wanting to post this for about a year now. Ever since last year when we used this remedy several times to help us not get sick or help us to heal if we did get a cold or sinus infection it has been on my "to post blog list". I remember one time last year my boys and husband got sick and were sick for 9 days! I knew I was doomed. I started doing this remedy right as I started to feel any sign of a symptom and I continued for three days. I ended up never getting their sickness full blown and all of my minor symptoms were gone in 3 days compared to their 9 days of awful sickness! Since sick season is fast approaching I figured this would be a good time to share this helpful natural remedy. It is also really good for seasonal allergies and can be used for children (if they tolerate a Netti pot) as well.

You will need two items:

The first item is Manuka Honey that is Active of at least #12. Manuka Honey is from New Zealand from bees who get pollen and nectar from the Manuka bush flowers. It has exceptional and superior antibacterial qualities even over regular raw local honey. We use it as a replacement for cough syrup in our house too. It is more expensive than honey but usually one container lasts us 9-12 months because we only use it for ailments. You can even put it on cuts or scraps and it heals them very quickly and keeps away infections!

Here is an excerpt from WebMD on some of the superior qualities of Manuka Honey:

The major antibacterial component in manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MG). MG is a compound found in most types of honey, but usually only in small quantities. In manuka honey, MG comes from the conversion of another compound -- dihydroxyacetone -- that is found in high concentration in the nectar of manuka flowers. MG is thought to give manuka honey its antibacterial power. The higher the concentration of MG, the stronger the antibiotic effect.

If you want to know more details as to why to use only Manuka Honey for this please click here.

The second item you will need is a Netti Pot with the little salt packets that it comes with. You can get Netti Pots at your local drug store for an inexpensive price.

The procedure is quite simple but there are some very important instructions to pay attention too.

When you use a Netti pot you MUST use filtered water. You don't want to be introducing any chemicals or bacteria into your sinuses via contaminated water. You will also be heating the water to kill any bacteria. Get a big mug and fill it with filtered water and heat it in the microwave. I usually use a big Starbucks mug and heat it for a minute or a minute and five seconds.

**VERY IMPORTANT** Do not heat your water too hot. There are two reasons for this. One is that you will burn your nose (ouch) and two is that you will kill the active parts of the Manuka Honey defeating the whole purpose of using it.

Once your water is heated (essentially warm) then you need to follow the directions on your Netti pot. Usually you pour half the salt packet into the pot and fill it with water.) Once your Netti Pot is filled with water and ready to go take 1/8th - 1/4 tsp. of Manuka honey and stir it into the salt water in the Netti Pot.

Make sure to stir the water until all the honey is dissolved. Proceed with the Netti Pot by rinsing one side of your nose out.

You will need to do this same process on the other side. It is also best if you let some of this warm, honeyed, salt water run down the back of your throat and out your mouth. It helps soothe your throat and kill any bacteria in there.

The Netti Pot can be a bit messy and kind of gross so keep some Kleenexes nearby. Even though it is not the most glamorous thing to do it is well worth the effort and inconvenience because it truly will heal you and if you have already gotten sick it will lessen the time you are sick.

If you are fighting something off or keeping it at bay it is recommended to do this process 2-3 times per day until your symptoms are gone.

Happy Healing!

~Blessings~

A Home Remedy for Ear Infections

Tis' the season for sickness.  Inconvenient sickness. I dread sickness, I abhor sickness but it is a part of this fallen world. We must deal with it and at the same time try to take care of the "temple" God has blessed us with.

I tend to gravitate toward natural remedies and letting the body use it's God given abilities to fight off issues. I make my own remedies and also buy natural (or homeopathic remedies) to cure our ailments.  I thought I would share with you a natural remedy we use around here to get rid of any sign of an ear infection.  It has always worked - even on my Husband.

At the first sign of any ear pain I put together a concoction of garlic infused coconut oil to use in the ear canal.  It is really easy to make. Let me share with you the recipe and how to make it.

Recipe for natural cure for a beginning ear infection

You will need:

~1-2 tsp. of GOOD (preferably organic) coconut oil

~a sliver (like 1/8th tsp.) of chopped fresh garlic clove

~Small saute pan

~small portion of a cotton ball

Put coconut oil and garlic in pan on low-medium heat.  Saute it together until you smell the garlic. The oil will be heated through and the garlic will have released some of it's juices.  Do not burn the garlic or cook the garlic too much.  Let the garlic coconut oil cool off a bit until it is just warm. 

Have your child lay on his or her side with hurting ear facing up.  Take a small spoon (or dropper) with a few drops of the oil on it and place it directly into the child's ear. Make sure the oil you use has NO garlic chunks in it. We don't want that going directly into the ear canal.  Have your child lay on their side for about 5 minutes to let the oil go in deep.  After the five minutes put the cotton ball in the ear to block any oil that makes its way out.  The best time to do this is right before bed BUT if your child has a painful earache during the day go ahead and do it right away.

Every single time we have used this remedy is has warded off an ear infection.  My oldest son has only gotten one full blown ear infection and that was years ago before I started using this remedy.  My husband and sons have never had one since using this solution.  Usually they wake up in the morning and the pain has fully subsided.

Do you know the benefits of coconut?  There are so many..... among many others it is an antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic and full of vitamins, miunerals and amino acids.  Check out this link to learn more: Coconut Research Center

How about the benefits of garlic?  It is a natural antibiotic, full of antioxidants, and can reduce your risk of cancer.  Find out more at this link: Dr. Christopher 

(Please note, I am not a doctor and do not assume any liability for this remedy.  I only know by my own experience that this has worked for our family.)

~Blessings~

Please note - I am not a medical doctor.  What I say on this blog is based on my own research along with my own personal experiences.  I assume no liability and my advice, ideas or suggestions should not replace those of your own practitioner.