immunity

The Process to Purify Your Life, Mind, and Soul

December 28, 2019 by Joni Leave a Comment

Detox is needed by the human body. Today’s environment, as well as highly processed foods, contain toxins that are destructive to the immune system. These toxins are any substances which creates harmful and irritating effects to the human body. It can undermine our health by stressing our organs or biochemical functions.

Such alarming results are due to the side effects of taking any forms of drugs (prescription or over-the-counter) or changes in the physiology patterns that are normally different from the usual functioning. These free radicals usually irritate, inflame, age, and degenerate body tissues. Negative ethers, spiritual and psychic influences, negative emotions, and thought patterns are also considered as toxins. All of it stresses the body causing changes in normal physiology that produces specific symptoms.

Your Body Needs Balance

Keep in mind that the body needs to function in balance. However, it can be disturbed when the body takes in more than what it can eliminate or utilize. Toxicity then occurs. It’s dependent on the frequency, potency, or dosage of the present toxins. It can produce rapid or immediate occurrences of symptoms as been displayed by some drugs and several pesticides.

The imbalance being caused by these toxins can be distressful to your life which disrupts you of a sound mind and a good soul. Detoxing is very helpful so that you can purify your body from these harmful toxins regaining your beautiful outlook in life.

Detox Your Entire Being

Detox, also called detoxification, occurs on various levels. Physically, it’s a process that can help in clearing illnesses, congestion, and potential diseases improving the body’s energy. Many detoxification processes are helpful in rejuvenating the body and preventing degeneration.

Detoxification of the mind is important. Cleansing the minds from negative patterns can improve the health of a person. Physical detoxification can also alleviate mental stress. It also helps in terms of emotional aspects of the person where he or she can express and uncover feelings particularly hidden anger, frustrations, fear, or resentments, and later on replace it with love, forgiveness, hope, and joy.

Cleansing processes can also enhance the purpose of a person about how they view life on a more spiritual level. Light detoxification within a few days can help us feel better while a longer detox process can allow a deeper commitment on eating better diets and eliminating abusive habits.

Body detox is a portion of the transformational medicine which instills changes in various levels. Evolution and change are the keys to a person’s healing. Enhancing elimination can help in dealing with and clearing problems from the past, childhood as well as parental patterns, relationship or job stress. Toxic build-up elimination can make a person feel lighter and experience a new horizon of the future.

Daily Detox Habits

Supporting your body’s detoxification can be done in simple ways.

Drinking extra quarts of water each day is good in eliminating more toxins.
Eating more cleansing foods, vegetables and fruits with higher contents of water, and less protein foods are helpful in reducing congestion problems.

There are other levels of progressive detox diets ranging from simple diets to total fasting. However, don’t over detoxify yourself. Extreme fasting, enemas, diuretics, colonics, laxatives, and exercise can start losing the body’s essential nutrients. This also results to a negative balance where mineral-vitamin deficiencies occur which can cause problems in the future. Never forget to maintain the balance to have a better life.

Detox Herbs Can Do Wonder in Your Lives

December 27, 2019 by Joni Leave a Comment

It is a fact that some pesticides, chemicals, and certain fumes are present in the environment that are affecting your immune system and jeopardizing your health. Moreover, the foods that you eat can lead to a toxic atmosphere lowering your overall immunity. Toxic load is the condition of tissues and cells where internal terrain is developed after food consumption of highly processed foods. Your body needs to be cleansed from these unwanted toxins. The process is called detoxification.

Don’t we detox naturally?

Although you have the kidney and liver which are organs considered as natural detoxifiers filtering out the impurities of the bodies, you need to consider other ways to detoxify your body from toxins. Some of the methods can be extreme like long fasting from juice drinks or dialysis.

Take note, your immune system is the defense mechanism of your body. The idea is disease and infections should be prevented before it affects your whole body through toxin removal. I’ve observed a correlation between the illness frequency of a person and their immune system strength which is composed of complex networks of nodes and lymph channels.

There are detox herbs that are beneficial in making your immune system strong. These herbs are the perfect and natural way of removing toxins from your immune systems to minimize acquired illnesses and to develop your general well-being. Think of it as supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes.

Several herbs for detoxifying are much better for improving your immune systems than others. However, there are specific considerations for the detoxification program that you choose. But the following detox herbs can be used according to your needs.

Psyllium seeds promote healthy bowel movement generally maintaining its good condition. It could be used in helping bowel related problems like diarrhea. This herb is good because it has an absorption property similar to a sponge where it helps in removing the toxins inside your body.
Cascara Sagrada is generally a good natural laxative flushing the toxins out of your system. It also helps in strengthening your colon and other related muscles. This herb is used together with psyllium seeds.
Milk thistle is also a very valuable substance used often to simulate the protein synthesis in the liver. It’s used effectively in soaking up different types of toxins found in drugs and alcohols that can damage your body.
Nettles are used as a portion of the detox herb mixture in cleansing the urinary systems as well as any part of the body.
Burdock roots are also perfect for stronger cleansing needs. It’s helpful in reducing the heavy metals build-up within your body which causes immune system problems.
Dandelion roots are detox herbs having strong cleansing properties appropriate for your liver. It is good for removing the gall bladder wastes and also works well for kidneys if used with other compatible detox herbs.

People really need to consider supporting their detoxification systems due to the presence of toxins in processed foods and in polluted air. Using herbs is not new in detoxification programs because its cleansing and healing properties have been known for so many years.

These herbs can effectively flush out unwanted toxins from your immune system allowing you to look and feel great. It can save you from acquiring severe illnesses. Brilliant detox herbs can really do wonders in a person’s life!

Avoiding Colds and Flu Naturally

December 26, 2019 by Joni Leave a Comment

This time of the year it’s of utmost importance that we pay attention to strengthening our immune systems naturally. Using certain herbs, foods, supplements and homeopathic remedies can help you avoid catching a cold or flu and build your immune system. If you do catch a virus, they can help
relieve the symptoms and shorten the duration and severity of the illness.

What most people don’t realize is how much your daily diet has an impact on the strength of your immune system. If you or your child are eating sweets daily, processed foods, junk food, drinking soda or other sweetened beverages regularly, you are weakening your immunity and will be more likely to catch viruses. One teaspoon of sugar (soda has about 9-
11 tbsp.) can weaken your immune system for 4 hours. I believe that this is why so many people are now having an extreme difficulty fighting illnesses. (Besides repeated antibiotic use)

Try eating more vegetables, at least 4-5 servings a day!

Along with eggs for breakfast, how about a few pieces of steamed asparagus, some spinach, squash or a few tomato slices. Have a salad with lunch, and at least two vegetables with dinner. Fresh fruit can also bolster vitamin C and help build resistance.

Eat berries daily! Especially frozen – freezing berries breaks the cell wall and releases more color pigments containing the beneficial bioflavanoids.

Avoid all white flour (eat only WHOLE grains), baked goods, sugary cereals, cookies, cakes, candy, and sweets. You’ll feel so much stronger than you realize!

Good Natural Vitamins a MUST!

It’s very important to take a good quality, plant-based not synthetic, multi-vitamin/mineral supplement daily which supplies you with vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, proanthocyanadines, bioflavanoids, green foods, enzymes and more. Taking 2000-4000 mg. of Vitamin C every day will help you fight infections.

Eating garlic regularly or taking odorless garlic capsules helps fight viral, bacterial, and yeast infections. Bee propolis is known as Russian penicillin and is often found in natural vitamin supplements. It is collected by bees to protect the hives from infection.

Super Antioxidants

I HIGHLY recommend using Super Antioxidants daily! Not only because they help reduce the signs of aging, along with aches and pains, but they can greatly increase your immune system, being 20 – 50 times more potent than Vitamin C and E!

Using Echinacea (purple coneflower) herbal extract regularly can help you avoid or reduce the severity and duration of viral illnesses. 40 drops for an adult taken 4-6 times a day at the first sign of a cold can help you avoid it completely.

Olive Leaf extract is proven more powerful than penicillin in fighting upper respiratory infections, sinus, strep and throat infections! Those with autoimmune diseases should consider using Astragalus instead of Echinacea to strengthen the spleen and immune system. It is a safe, long term immune system tonic.

I know you’ve heard of elderberry syrup by now and for good reason. This natural remedy is packed with antiviral properties, especially against different strains of influenza virus. As a matter of fact, research has shown a standardized black elderberry extract to be effective in vitro against 10 strains of influenza. Check out my recipe here…

Oil of Oregano

My favorite is a high-quality, full-strength Oil of Oregano. It is a very powerful agent against bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections. I recommend keeping some on hand! It’s an excellent general tonic and immune stimulant. This can be your best defense against the flu!

It can be applied to the skin or taken by mouth, depending on the condition being treated. However, the oil must always be diluted.

There is no documented standard effective dose of oregano oil, but here is a guide for how to use it:

On the skin: For skin conditions or infections, dilute with olive oil at a concentration of 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of olive oil per drop of oregano oil, then apply to the affected area.
Under the tongue: Dilute with olive oil at a ratio of one drop of oregano oil to one drop of olive oil. Place 1–3 drops of this dilution under the tongue, hold it there for a few minutes, then flush with water.
Swallowed: If you’re taking the oregano oil orally, you can put a few drops of it into a cup (237 ml) of water, gargle and then swallow.

If you’re interested in taking oregano oil, but you’re currently taking prescription medications, make sure to consult your doctor before you start.

In addition, oregano oil is not generally recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Therapeutic value of Colloidal Silver

Also consider using Colloidal Silver for excellent anti-viral protection! It works great to help avoid or reduce symptoms of colds and flu. The body has an innate ability to rejuvenate and restore itself to optimum health. When taken daily, Colloidal Silver acts as an optimal immune system supporter by helping the body fight invaders. Medical tests indicate no known adverse effects from the use of properly prepared Colloidal Silver, and there has never been a recorded case of drug interaction with any other medication. The body does not develop a tolerance to Colloidal Silver and no allergic reaction has ever been recorded.

How Colloidal Silver Works

The presence of Colloidal Silver near an invader disables its oxygen-metabolism enzyme, its chemical lung, so to say. Within a few minutes, the invader suffocates and dies, and is cleared out of our bodies by the immune, lymphatic and elimination systems. Unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics, which destroy beneficial enzymes, Colloidal Silver leaves these tissue-cell enzymes intact, as they are radically different than those enzymes of primitive single-celled life. Thus, Colloidal Silver is absolutely safe for humans, reptiles, plants, and all multi-celled living matter.

Not to be underestimated is the value of maintaining good colon health.

The Chinese have long equated respiratory problems with poor bowel function. If waste product is not being removed in a timely fashion then toxins build up in the body, and particularly the respiratory system. Be sure to take herbs which perform a good bowel detox, as well as keep the intestines in fighting shape with friendly bacteria, such as acidophilus or bifidophilus. Enzymes are a must. Take a broad spectrum enzyme combination, both with meals and between meals.

Regular daily exercise and fresh air will also keep your lymph moving and your immune system strong. Try rebounding (jumping on a mini-trampoline) everyday, even if it’s just 2-5 minutes, several times a day.
Be sure to wear a hat when out in the cold. Getting plenty of sleep and daily relaxation to reduce stress will also help. Keeping your self strong and healthy not only protects you from the flu, but many other ills as well.

DIY Elderberry Syrup

March 4, 2019 by Joni Leave a Comment

Elderberry syrup is all the rage for good reason. So, what’s all the chatter about with this tiny deep purple berry, Elderberry?

The glorious aubergine liquid has been a staple in our house for a few years due to its powerful ability to support our immune systems especially during cold and flu season. Neither one of us will even slightly entertain the idea of taking a flu shot. I wanted something that we could trust and that we were very sure of what was in it.

We all know there are two types of evidence. Empirical and anecdotal. I’m happy to report there are several studies showing the efficacy of elderberry to help boost the immune system and ease the symptoms of cold and flu. Anecdotally, I can tell you we’ve had great success avoiding the creeping crud and if it does start to take a hold of us, we stop it in its tracks!

What is Elderberry?

Elderberries are the fruit of the Sambucus tree. The most common type is the Sambucus nigra. The tree has clusters of small white or cream elderflowers and bunches of small blue or black elderberries.

The berries and the flowers each hold their own when it comes to supporting our immune systems.

Elderberry: Flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), terpenes, sambunigrin, sambucine, chlorgenic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium.

Elderflower: Flavonols; quercetin, anthocyanins, and isoquercitrin. Chlorogenic acid, erythrodiol and oleanolic acids.

Health Benefits

This natural remedy is packed with antiviral properties, especially against different strains of influenza virus. As a matter of fact, research has shown a standardized black elderberry extract to be effective in vitro against 10 strains of influenza.

But the benefits don’t stop there. If you are unfortunate enough to contract the “creeping crud” as I call it, researchers also show that black elderberry extract reduced the duration of flu symptoms by 3-4 days.

And it gets better!

For a healthy immune system black elderberry extract still shows benefits. Elderberry stimulates cytokine production in a healthy immune system to help ward off viral infections.

You can find commercial Elderberry products everywhere these days. Your options run the gamut from lozenges to gummies to syrups. Just be sure to opt for organic if possible!

The best way is to make your own! It is super simple and not too time consuming.

Elderberry Syrup

Try this simple elderberry syrup recipe as a daily immune booster or a delicious syrup on pancakes, crepes, or waffles.

Prep Time 5 min / Cook Time 1 hour / Inactive Time 15 min / Total Time 1 hour, 20 min

Yield 4 Cups

Ingredients

1 Cup dried elderberry – TIP: I use Frontier organic bulk elderberries because they are non-irradiated.

3 ½ cups of filtered water

2 tablespoons of fresh ginger root – TIP: I’ve used powder in a pinch, but the flavor is best with fresh!

1 teaspoon ground Ceylon cinnamon

½ teaspoon of ground clove or 1 tsp whole clove – TIP: I’ve used both the ground and whole clove in batches. We like the flavor profile when using the whole clove best!

1 cup raw honey – Tip: I use a local raw honey that is cultivated for allergy support!

Directions

Pour water into medium sauce pan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. You want the liquid to be reduced by about half.
Remove from the heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled.
Mash the berries carefully using the back of a spoon or a potato masher.
Pour through a strainer into a glass bowl or jar.
After the liquid is no longer hot, add your honey and stir well. Adding the honey to hot liquid diminishes its power. Be sure it is cooled to just above room temp!
Pour your syrup into glass jars to store. TIP: I use dark colored jars to store my syrup!

And that…is that! You just made nourishing elderberry syrup. Since your immune boosting elderberry syrup doesn’t have any preservatives it’s important to store in the fridge. You may store and use for up to 3 months if kept refrigerated.

Standard dose is ½ – 1 teaspoon for children and ½ – 1 tablespoon for adults. If the flu does make an appearance, take the normal does every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.

Looking for more information on boosting immunity? Check out the power of essential oils! They are a great tool in your wellness toolbox.

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518

Start a Gratitude Practice

December 2, 2014 by Joni Leave a Comment

Gratitude. It’s not just for social etiquette.

As tiny humans, from the time we were able to interact with adults, we are taught to say thank you. Thank you is drilled into our heads as a polite thing to say. It’s part of the social norm, the social etiquette of a civilized society. We recite from rote and pay no mind to what it really means to us physiologically.

Recently, the science, yes, I said science, of gratitude has really blossomed. Positive Psychology is a relatively new field in science that looks at how ordinary people can become happier and more fulfilled. Gratitude plays a big role. Doesn’t matter how young, old, sick or tired you are – gratitude helps. Even “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a Rather Large Amount of Gratitude” (A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh).

Benefits of Gratitude

Increases your happiness
Protects you from stress and negativity
Reduces your materialism
Leads to better relationships
Improves sleep quality and duration
Increases immunity

Really want to understand how scientists study the relationship between gratitude and biological responses in our bodies? Watch Dr. Wendy Mendes of the University of California, San Francisco, discuss her research, “Effects of Measured and Manipulated Gratitude on Biomarkers of Health and Aging.” Super interesting and proof positive that gratitude makes you healthier while making your life sweeter!

Barriers to Gratitude

There are barriers to gratitude and they are self-imposed. Before you read further, promise to be candid with yourself and see if there is something you can improve upon in this list.

Thoughtlessness – Ouch! None of us like to feel like we are thoughtless, but when we run the gerbil wheel of life instead of mindfully walking our own path things are forgotten. For example:

• Too busy doing
• Not understanding where true help comes from
• No time to dedicate to others
• Not paying attention to others’ feelings, comments or behaviors

Discontent – Follow me here and ask yourself the question, “How can I share true positive feelings if my mind is cluttered with negative emotions?”

Selfishness – Another ouch! Be honest with yourself and see if you have any of the following habits.

• Disregarding team efforts
• Taking credit on the back of others
• Motivating by personal gain
• Disrupting conversations or meetings
• All day on the phone with no respect for others

Gratitude Practice

Something so simple can garner huge benefits in living a more sustainably healthy and happy life. Living an attitude of gratitude is not difficult, but may feel awkward at first. Remember, as humans, we tend to gravitate to the familiar – whether it is good for us or not. This includes our thoughts. Try these tips to flex that gratitude muscle inside. Dust it off and work it out real good! You will see and feel results. Others will notice it in you too. Once you see and feel the difference, don’t stop. Push through the pull of ‘normal’ and create a vibrant new normal for yourself.

1. Journal – Scientists have found keeping a gratitude list can increase your well-being and significantly increase your happiness. There is data showing daily or even weekly gratitude journaling is helpful. It’s a good practice to take 10 minutes a day to write down things you are grateful for and that bring you joy. They can be big or small as long as you tune into the feelings of gratitude for having them in your life right now.

2. Meditate – Dedicate a few minutes each day to gratitude. If you are new to meditation there are powerful guided meditations centered on gratitude to get you started. This short video by Brother David Steindl-Rast is fabulous as well. Great reminder – watch it and bookmark that baby for future reference!