My dear daughter has shared her cold with my husband and I just before Christmas. We get better, then the kids go back to school and it starts all over again. Since my husband and I are tired of being ill (why do kids cough in your face when your mouth is open), I have been searching for simple, effective, inexpensive, scientifically-sound ways to boost our immune system. See below for the ones I have been enjoying to keep me going. PLEASE share these 7 tips and deals with others. You are so awesome, kind and loving. Keep it up.
-Renee
www.thetakebacktour.com
1. Get enough rest. This is difficult when your young child is coughing, feverish or feeling whiny all night, but do the best you can. Don't over schedule your day and cut back on activities until everyone can get some rest. I know – I know it is easier said than done but stress will only weaken your immune system and make it take longer for you to recover.
2. HYGIENE UP PLEASE! Wash your hands. Keep them moisturized. I always tell my kids “Your skin is your shield. Protect your shield!" Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. When at home, stick to natural soaps which are not as drying or take a small trial bottle of Dr Bronner’s castile soap with you. Use hand sanitizer where available. If you are sensitive to commercial hand sanitizers, there are others at natural food stores such as Whole Foods. An inexpensive alternative is to keep a small spray bottle of vinegar and water (2:1) especially just before eating. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE throughout the day.
3. Boost your vitamin D levels. Sunlight is a great source. Take a lunchtime walk in the sunshine to get some exercise and vitamin D: both have been shown to improve immune system function. An alternative it to try fish oil supplements. When taking the pill version check to confirm the gelatin source for the capsules is not porcine (made from pig skin) in origin. See coupon deal below.
4. Eat healthy foods designed by our Creator to improve your immune system. See below for some deals I have recently observed to help you afford it.
4a. Harris Teeter deals
-Organix Cough & Sore Throat drops honey lemon is on sale for $1.69 with VIC card
- Pictsweet family size frozen vegetables, Buy 1 GET 1 FREE. That is just $3.99 for 2
bags. Cook or steam then add garlic and olive oil for delicious quick dinner. Prices
good until 1/29/13
-Nasoya tofu only $2.19 regular price. Sprouted versions are available as well. Use the $0.75 off printable FaceBook coupon visit: www.facebook.com/Nasoya
4b. Aldi deals
Aldi’s Simply Organic line of food seems to be expanding and staying in stock. In addition to their great selection of fresh produce, imported real olive oil in glass bottles, dried fruits and nuts, organic soymilk, probiotic smoothie drinks, hummus etc., eating well is even more affordable. In the Burlington, NC store I have observed organic pasta ($1.29), diced can tomatoes, apple juice, yogurt, apple juice juice boxes.
4c. Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Sundown Naturals vitamins and supplements (including fish oil, flax seed oil, tea tree oil and vitamin E oil) at Lowes Foods and CVS. Go the Sundown Naturals website to download a $1 off coupon for even more savings. https://www.sundownnaturals.com/pages/free_coupon.aspx
5. Make a simple herbal tea with ingredients found in the spice section of many stores including discount and dollar stores. I was surprised at how much better I felt after drinking some thyme tea.
Thyme or Oregano Tea
1. Add 1 TSP dried thyme or oregano to 1 cup hot water. Add the dried herb to a tea infuser or strain using a small mesh strainer or clean cotton cloth.
2. Let steep for 10 minutes.
3. Sweeten if needed using raw honey, organic agave nectar or stevia.
6. Take Elderberry extract. Elderberry has long since been used as a way to stimulate the immune system to combat colds and the flu.
6a. I saw some zinc/elderberry lozenges to try at a local co-op. I bought the Quantum Health brand Zinc Elderberry-Raspberry lozenges for $2.49 per roll of 12. These things are so good they remind me of a Sweet Tart in taste and texture. Find at amazon.com, your local co-op, Whole Foods, or EarthFare store.
http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Health-Elderberry-Raspberry-Lozenges/product-reviews/B001GCTTW6/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
6b. Take Sambucol liquid elderberry supplements. Find Sambucol for adults and kids online or at your local pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Target and many grocery stores. See below for the response from Sambucol about my inquiry into scientific articles relating the effectiveness of elderberry extract in combating viruses such as influenza. I would like to remind you that elderberry is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Elderberry can be poisonous if not properly harvested and extracted so leave the process to those with this knowledge. Elderberry extract can stimulate the immune system. If you are taking any immunosuppressants, PLEASE consult with your physician BEFORE taking elderberry extracts. Although the company states no known prescription or OTC interactions with elderberry, logic and science dictate immune stimulators and immunosupressors should not be taken at the same time. It is always good to inform your physician and pharmacist when you take any new supplement BEFORE you take it so that together the best informed decision can be made about your health.
Hello Dr. Lea-Currie, thanks for writing,
In reviewing the scientific literature on our product as well as other elderberry studies, there are no known contra-indications for black elderberry with any prescription or OTC medication.
Here are some links to articles for your review:
http://www.blackelderberry.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barak_2001_ECN_-_scanned.pdf
http://www.blackelderberry.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Zakay_Rones_1995_JACM_-_scanned.pdf
http://www.blackelderberry.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Zakay-Rones_2004_JIMR_2.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22972323
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21352539
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12455180
Unfortunately due to the extreme demand for our products this season we do not have any samples or coupons available at this time.
Please let us know if we may be of further service in this regard.
Sincerely,
Sambucol USA
7. Pray. Spend at least 5 minutes each day in quite time with God. Do this even if you have to do it in the bathroom (sometimes that seems like the only place to get alone for 5 whole minutes). Send encouraging notes to friends, colleagues and family via snail mail, email, text, Facebook etc. This will keep the positive influences going strong in your life and kick down the negative feelings, stress and worry.
"Many times when we are sick, we pray to God for healing.
Sometimes, the miracle of healing is the miracle of our obedience."
- Renee Lea-Currie, Ph.D., www.thetakebacktour.com
-Renee
www.thetakebacktour.com
1. Get enough rest. This is difficult when your young child is coughing, feverish or feeling whiny all night, but do the best you can. Don't over schedule your day and cut back on activities until everyone can get some rest. I know – I know it is easier said than done but stress will only weaken your immune system and make it take longer for you to recover.
2. HYGIENE UP PLEASE! Wash your hands. Keep them moisturized. I always tell my kids “Your skin is your shield. Protect your shield!" Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. When at home, stick to natural soaps which are not as drying or take a small trial bottle of Dr Bronner’s castile soap with you. Use hand sanitizer where available. If you are sensitive to commercial hand sanitizers, there are others at natural food stores such as Whole Foods. An inexpensive alternative is to keep a small spray bottle of vinegar and water (2:1) especially just before eating. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE throughout the day.
3. Boost your vitamin D levels. Sunlight is a great source. Take a lunchtime walk in the sunshine to get some exercise and vitamin D: both have been shown to improve immune system function. An alternative it to try fish oil supplements. When taking the pill version check to confirm the gelatin source for the capsules is not porcine (made from pig skin) in origin. See coupon deal below.
4. Eat healthy foods designed by our Creator to improve your immune system. See below for some deals I have recently observed to help you afford it.
4a. Harris Teeter deals
-Organix Cough & Sore Throat drops honey lemon is on sale for $1.69 with VIC card
- Pictsweet family size frozen vegetables, Buy 1 GET 1 FREE. That is just $3.99 for 2
bags. Cook or steam then add garlic and olive oil for delicious quick dinner. Prices
good until 1/29/13
-Nasoya tofu only $2.19 regular price. Sprouted versions are available as well. Use the $0.75 off printable FaceBook coupon visit: www.facebook.com/Nasoya
4b. Aldi deals
Aldi’s Simply Organic line of food seems to be expanding and staying in stock. In addition to their great selection of fresh produce, imported real olive oil in glass bottles, dried fruits and nuts, organic soymilk, probiotic smoothie drinks, hummus etc., eating well is even more affordable. In the Burlington, NC store I have observed organic pasta ($1.29), diced can tomatoes, apple juice, yogurt, apple juice juice boxes.
4c. Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Sundown Naturals vitamins and supplements (including fish oil, flax seed oil, tea tree oil and vitamin E oil) at Lowes Foods and CVS. Go the Sundown Naturals website to download a $1 off coupon for even more savings. https://www.sundownnaturals.com/pages/free_coupon.aspx
5. Make a simple herbal tea with ingredients found in the spice section of many stores including discount and dollar stores. I was surprised at how much better I felt after drinking some thyme tea.
Thyme or Oregano Tea
1. Add 1 TSP dried thyme or oregano to 1 cup hot water. Add the dried herb to a tea infuser or strain using a small mesh strainer or clean cotton cloth.
2. Let steep for 10 minutes.
3. Sweeten if needed using raw honey, organic agave nectar or stevia.
6. Take Elderberry extract. Elderberry has long since been used as a way to stimulate the immune system to combat colds and the flu.
6a. I saw some zinc/elderberry lozenges to try at a local co-op. I bought the Quantum Health brand Zinc Elderberry-Raspberry lozenges for $2.49 per roll of 12. These things are so good they remind me of a Sweet Tart in taste and texture. Find at amazon.com, your local co-op, Whole Foods, or EarthFare store.
http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Health-Elderberry-Raspberry-Lozenges/product-reviews/B001GCTTW6/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
6b. Take Sambucol liquid elderberry supplements. Find Sambucol for adults and kids online or at your local pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Target and many grocery stores. See below for the response from Sambucol about my inquiry into scientific articles relating the effectiveness of elderberry extract in combating viruses such as influenza. I would like to remind you that elderberry is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Elderberry can be poisonous if not properly harvested and extracted so leave the process to those with this knowledge. Elderberry extract can stimulate the immune system. If you are taking any immunosuppressants, PLEASE consult with your physician BEFORE taking elderberry extracts. Although the company states no known prescription or OTC interactions with elderberry, logic and science dictate immune stimulators and immunosupressors should not be taken at the same time. It is always good to inform your physician and pharmacist when you take any new supplement BEFORE you take it so that together the best informed decision can be made about your health.
Hello Dr. Lea-Currie, thanks for writing,
In reviewing the scientific literature on our product as well as other elderberry studies, there are no known contra-indications for black elderberry with any prescription or OTC medication.
Here are some links to articles for your review:
http://www.blackelderberry.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barak_2001_ECN_-_scanned.pdf
http://www.blackelderberry.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Zakay_Rones_1995_JACM_-_scanned.pdf
http://www.blackelderberry.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Zakay-Rones_2004_JIMR_2.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22972323
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21352539
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12455180
Unfortunately due to the extreme demand for our products this season we do not have any samples or coupons available at this time.
Please let us know if we may be of further service in this regard.
Sincerely,
Sambucol USA
7. Pray. Spend at least 5 minutes each day in quite time with God. Do this even if you have to do it in the bathroom (sometimes that seems like the only place to get alone for 5 whole minutes). Send encouraging notes to friends, colleagues and family via snail mail, email, text, Facebook etc. This will keep the positive influences going strong in your life and kick down the negative feelings, stress and worry.
"Many times when we are sick, we pray to God for healing.
Sometimes, the miracle of healing is the miracle of our obedience."
- Renee Lea-Currie, Ph.D., www.thetakebacktour.com
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