Home Remedies for a Cold & Ear Ache / How to Avoid Colds, Flu, Ear Infections & Antibiotics

Hi Kelley,

Elderberry is our first line of defense. When one of us (except dh) is fighting something we take elderberry. Usually just one dose does it. If one of the dc actually get something then I give to all of us so it doesn’t get passed around. Here is the link to the one I settled on after trying different ones (Sambucol tastes better but has sodium benzoate). We just mix in a little bit of water. Tates awful but okay wih a little cracker or something right after. Dd-7 actually likes it. One little bottle lasts for months and months. I get it at the local HFS and they recommended 1/2 dose for children.

http://tinyurl.com/bc7d4j

For my ear aches and sinus stuff I do this (very weird, VERY effective): Dip a Q-tip in hydrogen peroxide and gently swab just inside the nostrils. Then sniff so it goes up into the cavity. It kills the germs up in there and believe it or not, my earaches go away very quickly. A natural doctor told me this and I finally got rid of a chronic painful infection that had lasted for years.

Now I’m off to review your immune system tips

Beth

Beth that is a fascinating remedy. : )

Our family has some good experiences with major sinus infections (our youngest was on the antibiotic ‘cycle’ since age 2 or so, and by 3 I had determined to find natural solutions – which were 100% effective. At 6, he hasn’t had to use a Rx in over 3 years!)

We treat sinus infection with a tincture I make called Double E Immunity which seems super effective on all the cold/flu stuff. (Google for recipe).

I put Tea Tree Oil in the shower (or bath) and make sure to breathe it in at least once a day (and use TTO steam in addition, vaporizor, etc, if needed).

Raw onion is amazing on an ear infection. Hold a fresh cut piece in ear (not a sharp piece of course) for 10-20 min. I give Ibuprofen for severe pain in a little one, to calm them and relax. I’ve never had to repeat this remedy twice – even for those sudden, feverish, raging infections that hit middle of the night.

Lemon-Ginger-Honey tea is our standby, with the Double E immunity tincture.

We use garlic presses, and GOOT (google) for just about EVERYTHING that seems to be an infection: throats most importantly. We have solved diagnosed cases of Strep with just these remedies and a bit of patience, within 36 hours. Garlic is an INCREDIBLE antibiotic, and frankly – it is far, far, far more effective than the pharmaceuticals that are so specific that the ‘bug’ is not effected by them. After years of experience, we automatically shoot for Garlic….knowing full well, that to take an Rx in most cases, is to settle for a very poor substitute (I’m talking for strep, ear and throat infection, and so on.)

We avoid harsh OTC chemicals that the body must also detoxify as well as fight the infection….but there are occasions where we will use an OTC nasal decongestant, to get a good nights sleep, if it just seems the lesser of 2 evils. : )

Eucalyptus oil steam is usually adequate, however, as a decongestant. Peppermint oil in the belly button relieves a fever, and EO and PO mixed in a bit of coconut oil on the chest/face, is better than Vicks vapor rub. (and counteracts the garlic smell, lol)

Probiotics are great for an upset tummy: send millions of ‘good guys’ in when the ‘bad guys’ set up shop for battle. Peppermint (tea, oil diluted) is fabulous for relieving colic or bloat when resolving an upset tummy issue (flu).

One thing I have read on this blog that makes a lot of sense to me, is that good nutrition and plenty of fresh air, sunshine and exercise, staying right with God and those around us (dealing with guilt and anger appropriately) – are the best ways to stay healthy. A strong immune system can handle the exposure we get to all these bugs. : ) Eating well is the best way to be ready for battle!

Enjoying the new ideas here, too!

I ‘ve read on Mercola, to pour a little hydrogen peroxide in each ear and hold it there for 5 minutes, then let the remains drain out. It is annoying, because I have to stand there with my head cocked uncomfortably, or lie down and do nothing. You are supposed to do this when you feel a cold coming on and it can stop it, or shorten it. It seems to work when I remember to do it. I like Beth’s way, it seems quicker, though Mercola had some reason for why it was to go in the ears.

Thanks everyone for all the great tips.

I’d just like to second the GOOT. After spending what seems like years of my life in doctor’s offices, I’ve been able to go almost four years without setting foot in one. GOOT is my best line of defense. I also use Echinacea, Goldenseal, and Elderberry tinctures quite a bit. Osha is another highly effective herb for fighting illness.

What a wealth of good info everyone is supplying!!

I used straight garlic oil in my 4 year old’s and 16 month old’s ears for infections and apparently it is horrible…..they taste it! It is very concentrated. I liked Shauna’s idea better with the heating of the clove in EVOO. Will try that if there is a next time.

Cindy talked about a netti pot with saline solution and we heard that saline sprays (Simply Saline has no preservatives, etc) were excellent for helping the sinuses. I also LOVE the hydrogen peroxide ideas!

As for OTC meds, I would try to only use the homeopathic ones with decongestant or only ones with no dyes.

Christina talked about probiotics for upset tummies, and this is so true and necessary if anyone ever needs to be on antibiotics (my daughter had walking pneumonia a few years back, and I had to have them because I was strep-B positive before delivery). The antibiotics wipe out all the good and bad guys, so taking a good probiotic (I like Shaklee) after being on them helps restore the normal flora.

I had heard that no sugar was important when someone is sick, like Jessie talked about. Sugar lowers your immune system dramatically.

Lastly, I was told about a remedy for sore throats, etc, but I have used it right when I feel something coming on, and it is: 50/50 mixture of local raw honey and organic (if possible) apple cider vinegar. Take 1 Tbsp. every hour, but be careful not to overdo it because the vinegar can be harsh on the stomach. By the way, I heard that if you eat local honey it is good for allergies and things because you are eating something produced by pollination of local plants….something like that…
Sue E.

Christine and Michelle, I googled GOOT and could not find something that resembles for sickness. What is it and where can one purchase it or make it?

Sorry! I had no idea there were so many other meanings for a word as weird as GOOT! I’m not positive what the correct way to give credit to the original author is, so I will just do my best. I got this recipe from http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,3310.msg21758.html#msg21758
It’s very, very simple, and extremely effective. “Goot is a garlic oil ointment that uses 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 3 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic.” One thing they say is to be sure to chop the garlic finely, but not to use a garlic press. You whirl these ingredients with a hand blender or standard blender if you don’t have a hand one, and then strain out any big chunks. You can apply this to the soles of your feet and put on socks, and it will work systemically, or you can apply it to the affected area for even faster results.

Double E Immunity info

(It is basically: Nettle Leaf, Peppermint Leaf, Echinacea Root, Echinacea Tops, Elderberries whole, Ginseng Root and Rosehips)

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Article, Recipe & Source:
New research (2007) has opened amazing advances into herbal
medicine, including information that will help rev up the immune system. We continually research and upgrade our pre-mixes to include all the best herbs available.

Flu, virus, and infections all are enemies ready to lay us low. Our natural immune system is our first and best defense. God gave us leaves, roots and good sense to help us keep our immune systems working in top order to avoid sickness.

One easy way to keep the immune system in high gear is raw garlic, but it stinks so bad that we use our NEW Double “E” Immune Booster. Our new recipe, which includes the whole Echinacea plant and Elderberry herb (as well as several other immune boosting herbs), has proven to be a fast and effective way to provide the body with the defense it needs in times of
repair.

Elderberry is being studied in Israel as one of the very best immune boosters. When it is combined with other stimulating
herbs it works wonders. It is a large shrub that bears sizeable clusters of tiny purple berries.

Echinacea is well known for building T cells, which are important in the body’s immune defense. This wonder plant has been
used the world over for strengthening the immune system. It is really a lovely flower. I grow it in my flower garden, harvesting
the flower, stem (both combined are simply known as tops), and root to make my tincture every fall. I like to use the whole
plant because I know then I am getting all it has to offer.

The premixed herbs can be made into a tea for a fast and effective way to provide the body with the goodness of each herb. But I make this recipe into a tincture every year, because it is always on hand when I need it and because getting children to drink tea is not always easy. It takes a little effort, but then I make enough tincture (a gallon) to last the whole year for
my household and my children’s children plus many extra folks that need it. The tincture made from this recipe is dark and smells strongly of the herbs. I know it is effective because I have used it for many years. Honey can be used in the place of
glycerine, but it is not as pleasant-tasting. I have also made an alcohol tincture and mixed it half and half with finished glycerine
tincture (glycerite) to help cut the sweet taste of the glycerine. I like it better this way, but while my children were small I always used just glycerine. Tincture amounts of Food grade glycerine does not raise my blood sugar.

The premixed herbs can be made into a tea for a fast and effective way to provide the body with the goodness of each herb.
I also make this recipe into a tincture every year. It takes an effort, but then I make enough tincture (a gallon) to last the whole year for my household and my children’s children plus many extra folks that need it. The tincture made from this recipe is dark and smells strongly of the dried herbs. I know it is effective because I have used it for many years.

I have used honey in the place of glycerine and it works well but the honey is not as pleasant tasting. I have also made an alcohol tincture and mixed it half and half with the finished glycerine tincture to help cut the sweet taste of the glycerine. I like it much better this way but while my children were small I always used just glycerine.

Directions
Alcohol tinctures (extracts) are easy to make. Fill a glass jar 1/3 – 1/2 full of the premixed herbs (1/2 full of herbs makes a stronger brew), and top off the jar to within about 1/2 inch from the top with rum or vodka. Cap the jar and set it in a dark, cool place for about 3 weeks (shake mixture daily). Then, strain off and discard herbs saving the liquid herbal tincture in glass containers that are clearly labeled and capped.

As adults, we take 1/2 – 1 teaspoon (30 – 60 drops or so) every hour at the first sign of a cold or flu (any infection) until the symptoms disappear. We use less for children. Alcohol, glycerine or a mixture of the two is a good investment for a year’s supply of immune defense.

source: http://www.bulkherbstore.com/DEIB

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HTH )

For ear aches – crush garlic and put inside a hanky or other thin cloth. Have child lay the ear on the cloth and the fumes are able to come up into ear. (My grandma did this for me as a child and it always worked!)
I have also successfully used homeopathic ear drops and children’s garlic ear oil.
For colds – eating lots of garlic infused foods. Can also slice garlic and bandaid a few slices to soles of feet. Eating a mixture of turmeric and honey (an Ayurvedic remedy) a few times a day. Hot Tulsi tea which boost the immune system. Raw organic honey will calm a cough when eaten. Saline nasal spray to ease sinus pain. Sambucal (an elderberry extract) boosts the immune system and works against viruses. Eucalyptus essential oil sprinkled around the bed or mixed with oil to make a chest rub helps breathing.
Coconut oil is wonderful for the immune system as well. Coconut water can be taken instead of pedialite for flu when there is a loss of hydration. These are common flu and cold go to’s. Homeopathic flu preparations for the yearly flu season work great to take to prevent the flu. Works for us!

Vera – I am so sorry for your horrible experience.

I almost -never- use OTCs….but if we were planning to fly, I would give each of us one dose of Sudafed (or similar), and drink as much water as possible the day before, during and the day after. I’ve had good success doing this, and my ears were perfectly comfortable from here to Europe and back, and from here to the Middle East and back, and several shorter trips as well.

When the first sign of any infection hits (pain – throat, ears, sinus) the first thing we do is get some type of natural antibiotic ON and IN it, asap. Garlic, Onion and Tea Tree oil are extremely strong, natural antibiotics (and very broad based) – and easy to keep on hand. We *always* have these items in our home, *always.* : )

HTH

Wow– so much information. I wish this had posted a month ago. My children (17, 14, 11) have beens sicker this winter than they have been in years. We went for 5 weeks in a cycle of different junk! I will defiantely refer back next time someone is sick! My 14 year old still gets chronic earaches — swimmers ear . . . I will definately try the olive oil and garlic ideas!

Jeanne, this may be repetitious, but swimmers ear can be prevented by placing alcohol or peroxide in each ear immediately after getting out of the water. It has worked really well for our family – I used to get swimmers ear often until my doctor recommended this.

HTH

Christine,
I had heard from a friend several years ago about the dangers of Isopropol Alcohol and what it does in the system (don’t remember them all now, but something to do with possible link to some cancers) and have avoided it since then. You gave the hydrogen peroxide alternative, though, for the swimmers ear, and that is a natural substance…..just a thought!

I, too, have heard that isopropyl alcohol is bad. I was told it’s a petrolium distillate. I have never bothered to research it, but I do use grain alcohol (Everclear or the like) instead. It’s just as effective, and I know it’s a natural product.

For swimmer’s ear or any fungal ear infections, I use equal parts vinegar, grain alcohol, and peroxide. It’s wonderful!

Janet W, What you described sounds a lot like Tei Fu. This is an EO product. If you wanted it in a salve form, I am sure you could do that yourself using lanolin and beeswax or whatever carrier you prefer. Here is a link: http://www.theherbsplace.com/Tei_Fu_Essential_Oil_Blend_Pocket_Size_p_56.html

Oh, yes, Tei Fu! It helps drain my ears, sinus, etc. I rub it behind my eas when they are clogged and even near the opening. I also rub it on my forehead. I was told that you can also put a drop on your tongue and rub it on the roof of your mouth to unclog sinuses. Yes, this works immediately but I’m one who cannot tolerate peppermints so this upset my stomach for a few hours. Instant sinus relief though!

Beth

Sue,
Here is a good info link to read on coconut water:

http://orgoneproducts.org/blog/2008/11/17/coconut-water-natures-gatorade/

Thank you, Rosy. Salt water is an amazing healing thing, inside and out. My husband and I have used a (sea salt, fresh lemon juice and raw honey) water solution to drink on fast days. I’ve used plain water to (almost) instantly relieve migraines. It is amazing that 2 quarts of water (drinking) can be so effective.

http://www.watercure.com/wondersofwater.html

I didn’t know this about baking soda – it makes perfect sense! Thank you for the explanation.
: )

I’ve never, ever had the flu, and only one flu shot ever (I panicked that time because two people of a similar age in my neighborhood suffered devastating effects from severe flu complications – one even died).

About 5 years ago I cut the number of colds I got by more than half when I greatly reduced the amount of concentrated sugars in my diet (any type of sugar beyond that in a moderate amount of whole fresh fruit). But I still had one or two colds a year, even with a kid in school. My husband wasn’t so diligent about his sugar intake and between the colds brought home from school and those he caught at work, he continued to have frequent colds until his sugar intake also went down.

More recently I realized I was vitamin D3 deficient from all the sun avoidance (because of a history of basal cell skin cancer and now living in So Cal, I was so careful about sun exposure, which wasn’t so good after all), so I have been using Vitamin D3 supplementation (cholecalciferol) to get my level back into a healthy range (60-80 ng/mL).

I’ve discovered adequate Vit D3 also keeps colds at bay (even living in So Cal, I can’t get my Vit D level up enough just with careful, regular short midday sun exposures, so I supplement with D3 oil as well). I’ve noticed lots of benefits, including stronger immune function.

No colds for our family since getting our Vit D levels up to over 60 ng/mL – (25(OH)D tests to determine D3 levels can be obtained easily through your doctor, or without a doctor’s order, inexpensively by mail through a Vit D study conducted by www dot grassrootshealth dot net, btw). I’ve been relying on Vit D for two years to keep colds at bay, with great success. Now it’s also working for my family, and many of the other people I know online who supplement with fairly high doses of Vit D3 oil drops or capsules (tablets are not well absorbed and synthetic D2 (ergo-calciferol), which is cheaper and more common in D tablets, multi-vits, calcium supplements, and added to milk, is not what the same D3 molecule that animals make, so it needs to be converted in the body, which is inefficient). And most of the time, the D doses of any sort are waaaay too low, about 100iu a glass in milk, 200-400iU in vitamins and mineral supplements, etc. Compare that to the 10,000-20,000iU the skin can make with sun exposure (more than that and the UVB light actually breaks down excess D in the skin, so overproduction of D3 from sunlight isn’t possible). Other than in some foods like livers (foods that are usually restricted by conventional dietary advice) Vit D is not an abundant nutrient in foods. Animals are meant to get their D primarily via UVB exposure. With ozone issues, seasonal climate variables, modern indoor lifestyles, sunscreens and sun avoidance (fear of wrinkles and skin cancer), aging skin and low fat/low cholesterol diets that hinder D3 production, indoor CAFO animals provide even less D3 in food, etc., there are a number of things that work against us making or ingesting enough Vit D3 without some supplementation being necessary now. CLO has some D, but there are some concerns that to get enough D, the Vit A would be over consumed. Most people who don’t get much sun, need about 1000iU per each 25 lbs of body weight, at least in the late fall through late spring, perhaps all year if they don’t spend much time in the midday sun even in summer. Lots of indoor time with intense sun exposure just when on vacation is also not a great situation, like feast or famine. Regular but prudent exposure is better, no burning, and not getting too much of a tan (the pigment filters the UVB rays, requiring more UVB exposure to make D3). Intermittent combos of indoor *and* outdoor occupations are best in Vit D studies comparing indoor, outdoor, and combo occupations with health/disease, btw.

Back to the colds & D3 – my husband was skeptical (that’s his nature, he’s a research scientist), until a chance situation where he and our son had been out of town together a few days and I had been home alone working. The day they came home, my husband and I had to go to Urgent Care (unrelated reason), and our son went to the neighbors’ house. 2-3 day later my husband and I (but not our son) started to have early cold symptoms, sore scratchy throat, etc. – probably caught simultaneously in the UC waiting room. Btw, we both used the automated alcohol hand gel dispenser on the way out of UC, but those don’t do a thing for viruses anyway, only bacteria. Colds and flu are viruses.

The moment I recognized cold symptoms a couple days later I doubled my dose of Vit D from to 8000-10000iU/day, and my husband only wanted to continue to take his 4000iU day (I now know from D3 tests that his 25 (OH)D level was still too low at that point and he needed a higher daily dose to get it to an optimal level). My cold symptoms stopped after two days, subsided by the third day, and never developed into a “real cold”, but my husband had the full blown cold with a pronounced, lingering cough (that then spread around his lab employees – who despite their youth and the San Diego sun in mild November, apparently don’t get out enough midday to make adequate Vit D3). He’s more convinced now and was willing to take some more Vit D3 to fend off colds in the future.

A month later we visited my family for a week in the Northeast after Christmas(no Vit D production from October-May is possible away at that far from the equator). The night we arrived, our BIL was in the early stages of a raging cold that spread through the family that week. I, my husband, and our son took *double* our usual daily Vit D doses (already pretty high at 1000iU for each 25 pounds of body weight) and never had so much as a sore throat or sniffle, despite ample time with all the sick ones.

I double up my dose for a few days any time I am around someone with a raging cold. So far, so good. I do get my D level tested at least twice a year (late winter/early spring and late summer/early fall, so am sure that my levels don’t go too high, nor too low). Even though our family can get this done at our regular doctor’s office at no cost to us (covered by insurance), we are all participating in the GrassrootsHealth.net Vit D study because more research data on health & Vit D levels is needed. And the inexpensive tests (ZRT Labs) are easy to do at home with a lancet finger prick and blotter paper. For kids especially, that is better than a lab blood syringe draw anyway. Results come in approx 3 weeks.

In late January-early February, my son missed his usual Vit D intake for a few weeks because we ran out and my local source was out of the high iU oil capsule he can chew (Carlson Solar Gems 2000 and 4000iU). He began to have some nasal congestion at night, perhaps an early cold symptom, so I cut open and squeezed D3 from capsules for him. Until the Vit D caught up with the cold, he had some congestion each night for 2-3 nights making getting to sleep difficult. So I taught him how to use the neti pot each night with warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of plain sea salt (the only salt I had). Being a boy and fascinated with weird stuff, he loved watching via the mirror and quickly got the hang of it, breathing normally through his mouth while the water flowed into one nostril and out the other. That reduced the congestion so he could sleep. He had no significant daytime symptoms. After the third night of D3 and the neti pot nasal lavages, the congestion and cold symptoms were gone.

So that’s our strategy.

So, Kelly, comments on the Vitamin D3 supplementation (cholecalciferol) that Anna takes as opposed to the CLO that we all take?? Any thoughts?? Living in Michigan it sure is hard to keep that Vit D up!!! I didn’t know that this far north of the equator that even on sunny, cold days when I go outside, sit in a chair directly facing the sun, and close my eyes hoping to absorb Vit D that I am wasting my time….:( Oh, well, maybe it increases the seritonin or something else….:)
Thanks!

Vitamin D deficiency is found world wide – not just in the north. There is evidence of Vit. D deficiency in cultures that eat seafood daily and live at the equator.

Anyone who takes cod liver oil should consider that it is an excellent source of Vitamin D.

Vit. D – if I remember correctly – is not water solible (like C) and therefore, CAN be over taken. However, the current RDA is considered too low by many experts. Our nutritionist recommends 1,000 IUs per 100 lbs. of body weight, Sept – May for North Americans. And little or no sunscreen whenever possible during the summer. (We switch to fish oil over the summer months).

Is it a ‘waste’ to get some winter sun and fresh air? Personally, I really don’t think it is EVER a waste, lol.

In fact, my parents and their friends (9 children between them) swore we *never* got sick (as their grand children seem to) during our long Michigan winters…because my parents always flooded our yard and we were outdoors skating and playing, every day possible, all winter long. They called that their health plan for us. (I remember we would run home from school for lunch, throw on our skates and get 15 quick minutes of ice skating in before running back to school for the afternoon. Then we’d hit the ice as soon as the paper routes were done!).

HTH

BTW, I do think there is great value to getting some morning and midday sun (all year, but particularly in winter), even if there is little chance of Vit D3 production. Sunlight entering the eyes prompts the brain and endocrine system to “set the clock” and circadian rhythm, enhancing nighttime sleep and daytime energy, among other things.

Lack of some good sunlight in the day can contribute to poor moods and low energy levels (overall sluggishness).

And has anyone seen the TV advertisement for Afrin Pure Sea Nasal Rinse? OTC pharma is muscling into position next to the neti pot! http://www.afrinpuresea.com/afrinpuresea/products.jsp
Of course, the ads make neti pots sound so difficult and inconvenient, so like the makers of “convenience” foods, they have a “new and improved” product to offer to save us “all that trouble”. Hmmmph!

Sue,

Getting Vit D tested is on the rise, but rather slow to catch on. I think this is one of those issues that might end up being patient-led, as most doctors keep up mostly on new developments by reading their specialty journals and by the drug reps. They just don’t have the time (or interest or motivation) that many patients have to exhaustively read up and learn about things like this, though the rare doctors who can “see the forest for the trees” (a longer way to say “holistically-minded”) are keeping up on Vit D research developments.

I asked my endocrinologist about it in Dec 07 when he was writing lab orders for my thyroid tests, and he didn’t bat an eye and wrote it in (but he doesn’t focus on D levels at all and considers anything inside the bottom of ref range just fine). He tested it again in late Aug 08 when I tried no D3 in spring/summer, and just getting at least direct sun 15 minutes most days in the summer (it went down to 40 ng/mL, despite So Cal living and two weeks in late July in Italy). I mentioned it again in Nov 08 when I told him I was taking an even bigger dose of D3 to keep levels from falling, so he added it to the lab order for April. So it wasn’t a big deal with him, though he did warn about “taking too much D”, of course.

One of the reasons I chose my new primary care doc was that he saw the recent Vit D test in my file (that the endo had ordered) and said I could stand to get that level up a bit (40 ng/mL in late Aug 08). Same level that the endo said was just fine. Same HMO, same lab, but diff docs, diff focus.

My sunscreen slathering younger sister (in the Northeast) asked her doc about D tests, after I recommended testing. He had no problem adding the test to her lab slip (can you imagin if she’s said she *didn’t* want to have her cholesterol levels tested?), but did say he really didn’t see the need, because “she drinks milk and eats cheese” (1% or non-fat skimmed, ugh) and takes a multi-vit. He was very surprised when her test came back 13.5 ng/ml!).

So she wanted her teenage daughters tested. Their pediatrician also sort of argued against it because “they drink milk”, but she said they all drink milk and use sunscreen and she was deficient, so they might be too). He humored her and wrote the order. He was very shocked when both their levels came back under 20 ng/mL. Wanted to know if she ever let them go outside! One of these girls has had spinal problems for a few years, which could very well be related to the low Vit D levels. Gotta wonder if these girls have decent bone densities at this critical age!

I’ve heard of others, especially in the UK, whose NHS doctors flat out refused to order the test. But seems like many, if not most doctors will order the test if pushed enough and the right way, if for no other reason than than to humor the patient. But they sort of put up bit of a barrier to see if the patient will persist back down. I’ve learned it is sometimes necessary to be a bit insistent (but also important to know my grounds for insisting, not just on a whim).

New York is one of a few states that requires a doctor’s order for lab tests, but most states allow patients to order tests (not sure about foreign countries). Most people don’t know they order their own tests. Then there’s the bigger issue of they don’t want to pay for it or can’t afford it, if their insurance will cover their doctor’s test orders or no insurance. I’m finding some things are worth the expense ( and no hassle from a doctor, nor an argument to take meds .

When I am continually curious about something, I generally find peace of mind knowing the answer (no matter what the result). Good to know if one is on the right track or needs to try something different. Good luck with your test.

Again, Anna, thank you so much for your time and so much information on this subject!!

Oh, Kelly, I just saw the end of your last comment as I hit the Send button. So sorry to hear about your mom. I know you’ll be a great source of support for her, but this will really stretch you, too. Both of you, take care.

whenever all of us were sick with the cold or flu, a friend of mine would eat HORSERADISH straight up and never ever got sick! His mother always gave it to him and i never believed it until i saw it …there was about 6 of us who were sick all around him and he would eat that horseradish and smile..never getting sick.
thank you for this website! i will recommend it to everyone i know!

I am too sleepy to read through the other comments, so I am sorry if I repeat something someone else has already touched on…..But Raw, unfiltered (and certainly unpasteurized!) Apple Cider Vinegar is the very first thing we turn to the moment we start feeling unwell. It’s gross for a minute, but it will HEAL you, not just cover the symptoms and make you feel all crazy inside, like most medicines do both my husband and I.

I pour it on anything it will boost the flavor of for prevention, and pour shots of it when someone gets sick. If we are majorly clogged up, I’ll add some hot sauce to it, and if I am worried about it being a particularly nasty bug (or we are already in the throes of sickness), some fresh garlic. Like I said, it tastes bad for a moment, but it works. And some nice chamomile tea makes an excellent chaser.

The other thing I stress a lot when one of us feels under the weather is lots of sleep. Not “rest” in front of the TeeVee, real SLEEP!

I am swearing by raw apple cider vinegar, too!!! But, I had heard to mix it with equal parts of honey. I don’t know if that is for the taste factor, or for the healing properties of honey, too. Twice in the last two weeks I either woke up with, or throughout my day felt like, something was coming on in my nose/head. I took 1 Tbsp. every hour for about 4 hours, and then maybe another for good measure later in the day and kicked whatever was beginning to hit me! I read online that the vinegar kills whatever that foreign bacteria/germ is in your body that is ailing you. I gave my kids each a teaspoon to try, and they swear they will not try it again. I said, “Come on, for just a few seconds of gross taste, but knowing you will kick whatever is starting that will last DAYS, you won’t take it???!!!” Kids can be such wimps….:)
Sue E.

Anyone know exactly what vegetable glycerin is and what it does to the body? I am also interested in making herbal tinctures for my children, but am cautious about using glycerin (and alcohol, for that matter!).