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Nature’s Defense: Using Essential Oils During Flu Season

Nature’s Defense: Using Essential Oils During Flu Season

As winter approaches we all gather indoors which makes it easier for germs to be spread from person to person. Rather than waiting until I have the flu or a cold and then treating the symptoms I prefer to support my body’s natural defences to reduce the chance of getting sick. In addition to staying hydrated, getting a good sleep, eating well and exercising, I also use some natural flu remedies such as essential oils to boost my immune system, and if I do get sick, to speed my recovery and decrease my symptoms. Modern medicine should not be discounted, but I like to integrate more natural remedies with modern medicine when I can.

It is a common misconception that antibiotics will cure all. Antibiotics don’t work against infections caused by viruses. Influenza or what we commonly call “the flu” is a virus and not bacterial so antibiotics won’t work to get rid of it. In my experience when I have gone to the clinic to get relief from my flu symptoms the doctor has sent me home saying I have influenza and there isn’t anything to do but get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

So what are some ways we can support our health NATURALLY to help us through this flu season, or to relieve the symptoms if we get the flu?

There are many naturally occurring essential oils derived from plants such as Clove, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon Bark/leaf, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint and Thyme that have the ability to fight unwanted germs.

There is a story about four thieves or grave robbers who lived in Europe around the 15th century when the bubonic plague was at its worst. They would rob the bodies of all their possessions, yet never contracted this deadly illness!

It was said that when they were finally caught the magistrate offered them a deal. If they shared their secret he would give them a reduced sentence. They took the deal and explained that through their knowledge of herbal medicine and essential oils they were able to create a powerful combination that was highly effective in preventing them from becoming ill. The herbs they were said to have used were: Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary.

I like to make my own immune support blend using the same oils to what the thieves used, Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary as well as Lemon and Oregano. Lemon is a great supporter of the immune system and Oregano has natural anti-viral properties, which is important when faced with viral infections like the flu.

Please note that some oils like clove and cinnamon are considered ‘hot’ oils. Using them without a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive, or almond oil may cause a slight burning sensation and rash. When using hot oils on the skin, always test a small area on your arm first. Be sure to dilute the essential oil with carrier oil. If you have no reaction within 30 minutes you can apply to other areas of the body.

So what to do if the dreaded ‘bug’ has already hit your house?

I recommend diffusing the oils mentioned above. You can diffuse a combination of oils or one at a time, just add a few drops of your favourite essential oil in an average size diffuser for a small room and up to 10 drops for a larger room.

I like to apply my essential oils immediately when I feel something coming on. It typically starts in my throat. So I rub the immune support blend around my neck (heavily diluted) before I go to bed and often I wake up feeling great with no more sore throat! I also like to supplement this by applying Oregano (diluted) to the soles of my feet, especially when I’m already sick. At night, just before bed, I rub the oil on the soles my feet and then put socks over top.

The key to success with oils is ‘early and often’. It takes very little time for oils to move through every cell in the body, so if you are determined to rid your body of a bug, apply oils topically several times per day until the illness passes.

To help tackle specific symptoms here are a few other ideas for some natural alternatives:

Feeling Hot?

For older children (10+) and adults, apply oils like Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint (diluted with a carrier oil) to back of the neck and feet every 10-20 minutes for a cooling sensation until you feel better.

* Be very careful that you do not get any Peppermint in your eyes. If you do get it in your eyes dilute it with a drop of carrier oil.

Vegetable oils will dilute essential oils if the essential oil causes discomfort or irritation.

Stuffy Nose?

For older children/adults

Essential Oils: 5 drops Lavender, 3 drops Lemon, 2 drops Peppermint, 2 drops Myrtle and 2 drops Pine. Add these to 2 Tablespoons or 30 ml of carrier oil and put into an empty roller-ball bottle to rub on outside of nostrils throughout the day. *Do not apply the oils close to your eyes.

Need a quick fix? Put 2-3 drops of your chosen oil in the palm of your hands, rub them together, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply. You can easily repeat this throughout the day.

 

Coughing?

DIY Chest Rub

5 TB coconut oil

2 TB shea butter

1 1/2 TB beeswax pellets (or grated from a bar)

30 drops Eucalyptus. I like to use either Radiata or Globulus. NOTE: for children use Eucalyptus Radiata or Citriodora)

10 drops each of Lavender, Peppermint and Rosemary.

5   drops Tea Tree,

 

For older children and adults:

Mix coconut oil and shea butter and beeswax in double boiler or in a glass measuring cup placed in boiled water. Stir until melted. Remove from heat, let sit 3-5 min to cool slightly and then add the essential oils. Mix and pour into a small glass Mason jar with lid. Store in a cool dark place.This recipe will make one 4 oz. jar.

When needed, I apply the mix to the chest and back. Then place a hot, wet cloth over top with a dry towel over top that. Let it sit for 20 min. Do this twice per day, especially before bed, for respiratory support and to relieve a cough.

Don’t have a diffuser? You can easily make a small diffuser with a cup of boiling water and a couple of drops of essential oil!

Always follow the recommended amount on the bottle and always keep oils out of the reach of small children.

For more DIY essential oil recipes and information on using essential oils with children under 2 years go to my website: www.CanadianMoms.ca

Sylvia Provenski

204-720-5348

Young Living Member #1740823

Canadian Mental Health Association launches manifesto for better mental health in BC

Canadian Mental Health Association launches manifesto for better mental health in BC

It’s time to change the way we think about mental health and addictions care in BC

 

The Canadian Mental Health Association in BC today unveiled a five point manifesto that lays out a set of concrete and practical actions to improve the lives of people living with mental health and addictions problems.

The manifesto is a call to action for all British Columbians to get behind the idea that mental health and physical health should be valued equally. It outlines a series of recommendations on how we can create better mental health and addictions care in BC.

We would never knowingly wait until Stage 4 to intervene for cancer; we educate, screen, and take action in the early stages. CMHA BC firmly believes that we need to do the same for mental illnesses and addictions. b4stage4 is about preventing mental illness and addiction, and for those who are experiencing symptoms, intervening in the early years before people reach a crisis point.

When it comes to better mental health and addictions care, there is plenty of evidence for what works. The manifesto calls for BC to adopt community-based programs that have proven successful in treating the early symptoms of low mood, anxiety, and stress. They are cost-effective supports to our overburdened system in BC. But more needs to be done to ensure people get the help they need at any stage or age.

“There is a moral and economic imperative to act b4stage4. Our goal here is to engage individuals and organizations across BC in our manifesto for change,” says Bev Gutray, CEO of CMHA BC. “This is a real opportunity for us all to move toward prevention and early intervention in mental health and addictions, and away from the overuse of emergency services and the justice system.”

“We know that the demand for our health care system is outpacing supply. In fact, demand for mental health and addiction services is expected to more than triple by 2036.[1]” continues Gutray. “Too many British Columbians diagnosed with mental illness, such as depression, are not able to access the help they need.“

CMHA is calling on the public to take part in this conversation and support the b4stage4 campaign. British Columbians are encouraged to register their support at www.b4stage4.ca. There, they can sign the manifesto.

To launch b4stage4, CMHA BC will also be hosting a b4stage Conference in Victoria on November 28-30 to further explore ways in which the system can be improved. The b4stage4 Conference will bring together speakers that are both experts in their field and have lived experience of mental health issues. The Right Honourable Norman Lamb, Member of Parliament, United Kingdom, will be the keynote speaker. As a British Liberal Democrat politician, the Right Honourable Lamb played a leading role in driving mental health care to the top of the political agenda in the UK. He steered the 2014 Care Act through Parliament and introduced maximum wait time standards for mental health.

For more information on the conference and to sign up for updates go to www.b4stage4.ca.

Natural Remedy for Thick Hair

Did you know that regular use of castor oil might stimulate and increase hair growth, reduce and prevent breakage, and condition and moisturize the hair and scalp? Castor oil is a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture to the skin and hair. The antibacterial and anti-fungicidal properties of ricinoleic acid in castor oil protects the scalp against hair loss, while making hair stronger, smoother, and less frizzy. To use, dilute the castor oil with another oil (think argan, coconut, or sweet almond). Castor oil is very thick, which can make it hard to apply. Warm the oils and start with damp, but not wet hair. Massage your head with your fingertips using small, circular motions. Use your fingers to comb your hair; this helps distribute the oil. For best results, treat yourself to castor oil twice a week.

The Not-So-Great Outdoors

Many cat owners feel a bit guilty about keeping their cats inside and worry they are depriving them of their natural instincts. If this is you, take comfort in knowing that since cats have been domesticated, it is not essential that they experience the great outdoors to have a healthy life. After all, their wonderful owners provide their food, water, and sleeping quarters! They no longer have to hunt for their supper nor a warm place to curl up for the night. If you allow your cat to experience the outdoors without restrictions, it can be very easy for it to pick up a disease, be exposed to poisonous substances, or get injured by a predator or a vehicle. Playing regularly with your cat and providing it with entertaining toys can easily satisfy your cat’s stalking instinct, keep it stimulated, and provide the exercise it needs to stay purr-fectly healthy and happy!

happypaws.ca

Avoid Financial Stress This Christmas

The upcoming holiday season may promote excessive spending.

The best way to cope with a materialistic time of year is not to

fall prey to pressure from the retail world. At the end of the day,

as long as there is Christmas, there will be gift-giving. How

much money should you plan to set aside for this season? Many

financial planners recommend spending no more than 1.5% of

your annual income on holiday spending. For example, if your

annual household income is $50,000 you should spend $750 or

less on holiday gifts, travel, and entertainment. After you set

a budget, aim to pay cash for your purchases, buy local, find

sales, and avoid applying for department store credit cards that

can put you further into debt. Remember what’s most important.

The holidays are a time for making memories and spending

time with family. Give yourself a break and remember the

true meaning of the holidays!

 

Colleen Craig, CPA CA, CIRP,cecraig.com

Who Are You Really?

We all have a private story about who we are. Shame researcher Brene Brown talks about not feeling good enough. She finds she gets caught in moments where she reacts badly because she feels bad about herself – is this familiar? Self-esteem is our story about self. Some lucky people don’t doubt themselves. But others tend to think things like “am I okay?”, or “what is wrong with me?”. We really aren’t sure we’re okay, sometimes. When our self-esteem story is low, we have self-doubt, maybe we blame ourselves, and maybe we aren’t confident in our relationships or at work. You may want to learn to handle bullies, or just to assert yourself. Or maybe you want to be okay with your body image. Counselling can be a safe place to share these feelings, find new ways to appreciate yourself, and rediscover your confidence.

Mary Munro, www.marymunro.ca

Migraines: The Search for New Treatments

A migraine headache can make even the simplest of tasks difficult to accomplish. There’s never a good time to have one. Migraines seem to be unique for almost each person who experiences them, making this a difficult condition to treat and diagnose properly. As a result, many medical doctors will merely prescribe something to help with the pain and recommend keeping a journal to identify and avoid potential triggers. One new treatment being offered involves surgically implanting a nerve stimulator in the head. This device sends out electrical impulses that are supposed to stop pain signals. While some have reported fewer migraines after the procedure, the 8,000 people who have initially received this treatment are now walking around with an implanted device and still suffer from occasional migraines. Would you rather seek out a natural and non-invasive solution?

Dr. Matthew Kittleson, uclife.ca

How is Music Therapy Helpful?

In [email protected], Melinda Beck cites research indicating that the medial prefrontal cortex may serve as a hub where music, memory, and emotions meet. In her article called, A Key for Unlocking Memories, she mentions decades of studies which have demonstrated that music can help premature infants gain weight, autistic children communicate, stroke patients regain speech and mobility, surgical patients control chronic pain. In the same article, Dr. Tomaino, executive director of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function says “…listening to music goes beyond the entertainment value by helping to stimulate seemingly lost memories and even help restore some lost function… By engaging very basic mechanisms of emotions and listening, music is stimulating dormant areas of the brain that haven’t been accessible due to degenerative disease.” In the hands of a qualified music therapist, music is the tool used to stimulate improved function in many areas and work with clients towards assessed goals.

Nejama Ferstman, www.shirimysong.ca

Eat The Real Deal

If you can’t pronounce it, don’t consume it. A great reminder when doing your shopping for the week. Thankfully, with the big push on companies to properly label their products, this is becoming easier than ever. Unfortunately trying to avoid those long, unpronounceable ingredient names – generally chemical additives created to preserve food – can highly impact our usual shopping habits. Regular go-to pantry items are suddenly off the list. So what are some ways to be more contentious but still get to enjoy our favourite dishes? Cook at home more often, using whole recipes. Experiment. Make your own sauces and fresh dips. Buy organic, preservative free ingredients. Shop more frequently, purchasing smaller amounts and fresh. Source local producers – farmers, butchers, bakers, grocers – who can answer your questions about their products and ingredients. Expose yourself to the local food culture of your region, you may be surprised at the diversity you find.

Cakebread Artisan Bakery, www.cakebread.ca

What is Soma Yoga?

Soma Yoga is a combination of somatic movements & yoga relaxation techniques. These movements and techniques are designed to bring mind body awareness resulting in decreased stress response and pain, increased movement, and enjoyment of life. These gentle, mindful movements are tools you can learn to practice daily to enhance the quality of your life. How you feel physically, determines how you feel mentally and vice versa. It’s a never-ending circle of influence! Throughout our lives, our body/mind responds to stressors and traumatic experiences by producing reflex muscle contractions. When these muscular reflexes are triggered repeatedly, habitual and involuntary muscle contractions develop. Eventually, Sensory Motor Amnesia develops, a memory loss of how certain muscle groups feel and how to control or relax them. The result is stiffness and pain, decreased movement, and postural changes. The gentle movements of Soma Yoga bring back voluntary control of muscles resulting in overall improved health.

Katie White RMT, courtenaymassagetherapy.com

Common Thread in Relationships

When challenges override the fun in relationships, the question arises, “Is this really worth the struggle?” When you add in doubts, insecurities, and past hurts, one may question the relationship even more. In addition to regular day-to-day stressors, we wonder whether we have what it takes to live with another person or to love another being. Finding our way through the intricacies of an intimate relationship is hard work. When I sit with couples, I ask what drew them together in the first place. Answers include: “He made me laugh,” “She brought out the best in me,” or “I felt safe and at home.” The common thread in people’s answers is a feeling of connection. The simple truth is we love to love because love makes us feel our own warmth and innocence.   Love highlights our kindness, gratitude, trust, and openness. Love connects us with the things we value most; our rich, full presence with ourselves.

Caroline Bradfield, Registered Clinical Counsellor, www.comoxvalleycounselling.ca