Before you medicate: Insomnia

Before you medicate: Insomnia: Millions suffer with insomnia or problems falling sleep every night. Many reach for over the counter sleep aids to get to sleep but over the...

The Flu

Influenza, also known as "the flu" affects millions of people every year especially during the winter months. The flu is caused by a virus.  The symptoms include:-

• A  fever of 100 degree  F and above
• Headaches and/or body aches
• Loss of appetitie
• A cough and/or sore throat
• A runny or stuffy nose
• Headaches and/or body aches
• Chills
• Lethargy and Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea

The above symptoms can be caused by other illnesses. However, when the flu attempts to attack our immune system, my family attacks it naturally first.  Here are some of the things we do:-

• Drink plenty of clear fluids including water to prevent dehydration
• Apply cool soaks to forehead, under arms, neck and groin area to help reduce a fever
•  Place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in both ears
• Chew and swallow a fresh clove of garlic three times a day until flu leaves
• Sautee a white or red onion and eat it alone or with a meal
• If coughing, rub Vicks Vapor Rub under the bottom of the feet and then put on socks
• Take Vitamin C
• Get adequate rest
• Drink Pine Needle Tea

If you attack the flu early, you can prevent serious complications like pneumonia. However, if you're not feeling good or healing fast, see your physician.

Insomnia

Millions suffer with insomnia or problems falling sleep every night. Many reach for over the counter sleep aids to get to sleep but over the past four decades, I have never had to rely on sleeping aid and for that I am thankful.  Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 

Good sleep is a gift from God. It is available to all and if you are having problems falling asleep, you should know that unencumbered sleep can be yours and hear are some mental and physical keys.

Mental keys:-
Stop worrying
Pray
Talk about what's bothering you
Meditate
Listen to music/ocean waves
Ask for help when you need it
Stop counting sheep, instead count your blessings (This really works for me)


Physical keys:-
Exercise
Eat right
Avoid eating 3 hours before bedtime
Darken your bedroom
Aromatherapy:- Use lavender essential oil
Get a massage
Take a warm bath/shower
Drink Chamomile or Passion Flower tea

A natural sleeping aid is Melatonin. As little as 0.1 to 0.3 milligrams may be enough to aid in sleeping.

Contact your physician if and when necessary.    All info is for informational purposes only. Sleep well.!!!!

Indigestion

Years ago, I had a period when I was experiencing severe indigestion which is also called dyspepsia. I was miserable, however instead of popping pills which only covered up the symptoms which are:-  

• Bloating (full feeling)
• Burping and gas
• Nausea and vomiting
• Acidic taste
• Growling stomach
• Burning in the stomach
• Abdominal pain

Indigestion has many causes and can be increased by stress. Oh, but you want to know how to avoid taking over the counter medication. Here are some remedies that always work for me:

1. Drink water before meals

2. Take 1 oz of apple cider vinegar (Dilute if u must or add honey)

3. 1 tsp of baking soda to 4 ozs of water.

4. Take a walk after a large meal

5. Drink warm milk with peppermint or bay leaf

5. Avoid eating 2-3  hours prior to sleeping.

6. Chew your food properly. This increases the enzymes necessary for the absorption of good.

7. Chew garlic 

8. Drink ginger tea

9. Eat a plain yogurt. (It has in probiotics)

10. Eat fresh parsley or make a tea.

****** Apply acupressure to the abdomen.******

Indigestion can be the precursor to various illnesses, so if it continues please seek a physician.

My Headache Therapy that works.

Almost everyone of us have experienced a headache whick is also know as cephalalgia  at one time or another. A headache which is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck can be caused by many different factors. These can be very debilitating at times. Oftimes, an over the counter medication or pain pills is the first choice  to ease the pain. I must admit that I did that in 1999, I experienced  severe headaches almost everyday.  I took Tylenol 2 -3x/day because as a nurse that is what I knew to do. However, I wanted a solution for my problem. I hated taking medicine. A few months later, I met a pastor who armed me with keys to avoiding and alleviating headache naturally. I tried them and they work very well. I rarely if ever medicate for headaches or have headaches anymore. So, here is what I do to avoid  or treat a headache:-

External treatments:-

1. Apply acupressure to the pressure points on the face, head and neck 2 x daily for 3-5 mins
2. Wear a hat and sungalsses when in the sun for more than 30 minutes.
3. Place a cold ompress on the forehead for 20 mins or take a tepid shower.
4. Take a brisk walk or run.
5. Breathe deeply
6. Massage face
7.Listen to calming music.
8. Drink water.
9. Sleep
10. Apply Peppermint Oil to your hairline.

Internal treatment:-

1. Drink Passion Flower tea.
2. Take Feverfew supplement
3. Drink fresh ginger tea
4 Drink Rosemary tea and peppermint tea.

Over the years, I have significantly decreased my need for over the counter pain medication. I may have taken medication for a headache 2 times in the past year. In earlier years, every time I had a headache I popped a pill but those days are over and so are the frequent headaches. Hallelujah!

Note:- Please visit your physician for persistent headaches. Be smart. Be wise. Be vigiliant.

Cleanse first!

If you don't take care of yourself, self will not take care of you. As an adult, you must be vigilant about your health. You must do all that is within your power to rid your body of the toxins that are presently within it they cause diseases. To achieve this,  my first recommendation is that you cleanse your body. You need a good internal cleansing. This will help rid your colon, blood and liver of the toxins that are making you sick.

Now, there are many good cleansing agents on the market. However, I love to cleanse naturally. To start my cleansing, I avoid all solid foods for 3 days. I drink water and fruits and vegetables juices during that cleansing period. This regimen is an automatic cleanse for me.

Drink two (2) 8 oz glasses of  water first thing in the morning. Then get your blender out. You will be making green and fruitty drinks.   Alternate  green drinks, fruitty drinks and water every 4 hours while awake.

Green Drink Recipe:- 3 x/day 

Brocolli, kale, cucumber, flax seed, lemon and sweeten with a little honey or stevia for taste.
Add water to make 8 ozs. Place in blender and blend.
Drink.
If you did it right, it will  not only be nutritious, it will also be  good.

The above green drink had in, Spinach, broccoli,  collard greens, okras, cucumbers, dandelion, oats, agave and lime.
It was yummy.

Fruitty Drink Recipe:- 2x/day

Place 2or 3  of your favorite fruits (apples, mangoes, blueberries, etc)  in a blender.
Add water to make 8 ozs.
Place 1/2 a lemon or lime
Blend
Drink and be happy.

Do the above for 3 days and it will begin your cleansing.

You can also opt to take a cleanser prior to the  the juicing, especially if you have been an unhealthy eater. A natural laxative will be a good agent. There are many on the market for your choosing. Here is a link to an interesting recipe. 

http://www.naturalnews.com/035854_lemons_detox_recipe.html

Happy Cleansing!!!  Yummy green drink and some okras from the garden!

                                                          These okras are from my garden.

Send your questions....

Send your questions and I will do my best to answer. Later, I will blog on headaches.