Prevention & Remedies

Prevention and Remedies for Cold /Flu:

Prevention should always be our first line of defense! At the first sign of a cold, or if surrounded by family members or colleagues that have caught something, e.g. a virus, the flu, bacterial infection etc. Taking medications to treat or prevent cold and flu symptoms does just that: they only address the symptoms. The underlying cause of the illness is still present in your body. What you have done by suppressing the symptoms is ignore your body’s warning signs that something is amiss and your immune system has to work overtime. The synthetic medications also add to the toxic burden your body already has to deal with every day. The BEST prevention we have is to build up and strengthen your body’s natural defense mechanism–your immune system. Dr. Hartman recommends many things to help build the immune system and fight off the virus, bug/germ and/or bacteria present and/or to protect your family.

#1) A Detox Bath:

The ingredients below facilitate the elimination of toxins, which cleanse the liver, kidneys, and thyroid. In other words: it gets that cold over with quicker.

You’ll need:

1 cup Epsom salt (optional –will help with additional detoxification)
¼ to ½ cup baking soda (a must)
1 tsp. up to 3 T ground ginger or a tiny sliver of ginger root (NOTE: this causes sweating. With children use very little 1/8 tsp. ground 2-12yrs, IF they are really congested – this is optional but has many medicinal properties)
2 -4 Essential oils of your choice from the above list (Tea tree works great for killing viruses and bacteria but if stuffy eucalyptus, if coughing thyme, frankincense for everything!)

Directions

Fill your bathtub with warm/hot water. Put above ingredients in and allow it to dissolve. Once full, get in and submerge yourself to your neck. Soak for at least 20 minutes but you can stay in as long as 40 minutes. The first 20 minutes is to extract toxins while the second 20 minutes is when the body begins to absorb the minerals. If you want to shower off afterwards, wait 30mins. You can do soda bath’s 2 -3 times a day with or without oils but Do NOT do the above detox every day if using all ingredients above, instead once or twice a week until symptoms subside.

How does it work? Sodium bicarbonate is a most useful medicine for the treatment of cancer, kidney disease, stomach acid imbalances and for cleaning our pools and refrigerators, including to help resolve our common colds nor to alleviate the symptoms and dangers of influenza.

Epsom salt and baking soda help to rid the body of toxins we pick up from other people, pollution, chemicals in processed foods etc. Epson salt has magnesium and sulfate.
Ginger enhances the detox process because it has anti-mucus properties, a natural decongestant, and opens the pores. (Hence, why it’s great to add in soups too help boost the immune system!) However, in a bathtub, ginger will make you sweat profusely. Sweating is one of the best (and cheapest) ways to detoxify, and if you don’t have access to a sauna this is a fantastic alternative. Another bonus: it’s a powerful antioxidant with potent anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s amazing for your skin as well.
Essential oils are GREAT for so many things, by breathing in the oil(s) not only boosts the immune and helps the body fight harder, they help with breathing, calming, relaxing etc.

#2) Drink Baking soda: The administration is easy enough, and is harmless. Simply dissolve the recommended amount of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink it. Recommended dosages from the Arm & Hammer Company for colds and influenza back in 1925 were:

Day 1 — Take six doses of ½ teaspoon of baking soda in glass of cool water, at about two hour intervals
Day 2 — Take four doses of ½ teaspoon of baking soda in glass of cool water, at the same intervals
Day 3 — Take two doses of ½ teaspoon of baking soda in glass of cool water morning and evening, and thereafter ½ teaspoon in glass of cool water each morning until cold symptoms are gone

However, according to Arm & Hammer’s dosing instructions, do not exceed seven doses of ½ teaspoon per day, or three doses of ½ teaspoon daily if you’re over the age of 60. In addition, do not use the maximum dosage for more than two weeks. Further dosing recommendations and instructions for taking sodium bicarbonate can be found in Mark Sircus’ book “Sodium Bicarbonate – Rich Mans Poor Mans Cancer Treatment.”

#3) TREAT WITH AROMATHERAPY –Bacterial & Viral

If you have developed the full symptoms, a variety of aromatherapy options is available to deal with the illness. Using essential oils in steam inhalations and baths is very useful for reducing the symptoms of colds and flu. Try:

Steam inhalations or warm mist steam vaporizers clear the congested nasal passages and kill bacteria. Adding antiviral essential oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, frankincense, and peppermint serves to boost the effectiveness of the immune system. Steam inhalations should be used at least three times a day for severe congestion, otherwise, at bed time. They are easy to implement: just add 5 to 6 drops to a steaming bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and breathe in the vapors for 5 to 10 minutes (you may come up for air!) OR if using a warm mist steam vaporizer, add Eucalyptus 10 drops, Tea tree oil 10 drops, Rosemary 10 drops, Frankincense 10 drops and Lemon 6 drops. If coughing I add Thyme oil 6 drops and use the same for the spout with a little water added in spout. You can use other oils too…

Bathing in essential oils once daily, if possible, is recommended. Add 8 to 10 drops of an essential oil to a hot bath to combat congestion and fight infection; shivers, aching limbs, and bathing with marjoram and chamomile can reduce headaches.

Diffusing an antibacterial and antiviral essential oil blend at home or in the office using an oil burner or specialized electric diffuser. Tea tree, lavender, lemon, thyme, frankincense, and/or eucalyptus are excellent choices. In addition, bathing with one of these oils and/or with baking soda, at the first signs of a cold may help in stopping it from developing, as these oils have great antiviral properties and soda helps to pull out infections…

Tips: THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP: Staying warm and getting quality sleep is crucial to recovery from illnesses. At night, it is recommended to use lavender, a gentle “all-purpose” oil, to help promote sleep, as the previously mentioned oils tend to stimulate the mind. You can add lavender to the vaporizer or put a couple dros on your pillow or beside your bed. An additional use of lavender may be in the bath or diffused in the bedroom to promote sleep and soothe a cough if present.

Other simple ways of using essential oils to beat cold and flu include:

Home-made chest rubs for colds with a cough and chills: mix 4 to 5 drops each of ginger, thyme and lavender with 5 tablespoons of a carrier oil (sweet almond oil for example). Apply to chest and back at least twice a day. (other oils can be used or substituted, i.e. frankincense, eucalyptus, tea tree etc.
Drops on a handkerchief to easily inhale all day (e.g. eucalyptus, lavender).
Drops on a pillow help to promote sleep (e.g. lavender).
Gargle in case of a sore throat: add 4 to 5 drops of thyme to a glass of warm water and use three times a day. Or See the sore throat remedy on this website.

Other Oils to Consider this winter season:

Oregano – is a popular essential oils for treating everything from cold to flu to warts. Oregano is considered a “hot” oil because it will heat up, tingle and/or have a warming sensation and should be used cautiously. Do not apply to the face or throat without diluting it first with pure olive oil or another fatty oil. In addition, stay away from the eyes. If you do get any in a sensitive area, dilute with butter or oil, NOT water! Oregano is best applied on the back, shoulders, and the bottoms of the feet.
Lemon – Lemon is great for boosting the immune system. Take a drop or two in every glass of water throughout the day, or squeeze a fresh lemon in your water. Lemon is photosensitive so it should not be applied to skin.
Cinnamon – Another hot oil, similar to oregano, is cinnamon. It is great for boosting the immune system and has been shown to support the pancreas and digestive system (in Chinese medicine, the pancreas/spleen relates to the immune system). Apply on the feet or inhale.
Frankincense – One of the most powerful immune boosting oils and is mild on the skin and can be applied anywhere. For persistent colds, fill a capsule with 10-20 drops of frankincense and take on an empty stomach. It is great to inhale and can be used during bathing, in vaporizers etc.
Peppermint and Eucalyptus – These oils are cool and soothing and are known to clear the respiratory system, ease breathing and open up the sinuses. They can be applied directly to the neck, throat, chest, and back to open the lungs or inhaled to soothe the sinuses. Peppermint and eucalyptus are safe and effective.
Books: There are numerous oils and recipes out there to help with several things. One of my favorite books is “The complete book of essential oils & aromatherapy.” I recommend this to patients all the time. Amazon has this book and it’s very inexpensive and have numerous recipes, uses etc. This was a book I used a LOT in class and have found VERY helpful! Another book I highly recommend and use a lot is by RoseMary Gladstar “Herbal Recipes.”

#4) Homemade Hand Sanitizer: In a bottle or small glass jar add Tea tree oil 10-15 drops with Frankincense. This kills viruses and bacteria’s.

#5) Sore Throat Remedy

1 cup Bragg’s Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
2-3 shakes Tabasco sauce
Fill rest of 8 oz. glass with water

Mix well gargle “deep” in back of throat until glass is empty. Repeat do every 15 minutes for 1 hour. Should feel much better and sore throat relieved and/or gone within the hour, however, if sore throat persists for longer than 2 days or other symptoms accompany the sore throat; it is recommended for patients to go to their natural or medical doctor.

#6) Oregano Oil Remedy

Organic Oregano Leaves – fill have pint or quart jar with leaves
Organic Olive Oil – fill jars with oil on top of leaves, stir and fill to one inch head space.
Seal the jar – shake daily. Can be in jars up to two years or if using, strain the leaves out of the oil and bottle them. They will last a year or more

This is a natural antibiotic and has been used for years to help with many aliments.

References: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-oregano-oil-benefits-and-uses

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729/

https://www.sweetcures.com/blogs/health-hub/oregano-oil-a-natural-antibacterial

https://www.drberg.com/blog/14-amazing-benefits-of-oregano-oil

#7) Cough Syrup

1 onion -any color red, yellow or white
Raw honey
Dice onion
Place a sealable jar layer onion the bottom and add 1 tsp of raw honey -repeat until up to the 1 inch to the top of jar and seal.
Within a couple hours it will make a syrup. This will help with coughs that persist.

You can bottle this after straining all onions out after it makes the syrup. It stays fresh in the freg for over two weeks.

References: https://okbhealthy.com/recipes/f/♥%EF%B8%8F-honey-onion-cough-syrup

https://www.littlehomeinthemaking.com/honey-and-onion-cough-syrup/

#8) Garlic Remedy – there are several ways to do this -below is one way

Raw garlic cloves – you can use it whole or cut them up (we cut them up)
Fill jar all the way to 1 inch at the top
Add raw honey to fill and burp the jar
Seal and store for at least 4-6wks, shaking daily.
Bottle it up after removing the garlic. This should last up to a year.

NOTE: if you water bath the instructions are a little different. You fill jars with whole garlic cloves, add peppercorns and Chili pepper flakes. Then you fill with boiling water (not honey), and water bath them for 10-15mins. These will stay on the shelf for many years. Both ways make a very good remedy for many aliments.

Reference: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/fermented-honey-garlic/

Herbal Supplements to look into and possibly consider:

Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer’s yeast contains B vitamins, chromium and protein. It is used for cold, flu and other respiratory tract infections. Brewer’s yeast stimulates intestinal enzymes to help relieve diarrhea, fights bacteria in the intestines and improves immune response to viruses that infect the lungs. Research has found that Brewer’s yeast reduces the risk of getting a cold or the flu and helps symptoms dissipate more quickly.

Echinacea

Echinacea acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce bronchial symptoms of cold and flu. Echinacea directly attacks yeast and other kinds of fungus. Echinacea tea on the first day of symptoms, and then 1 cup a day thereafter can help immensely and/or add Echinacea leaves/root in soups.

Elderberry

The flowers and berries of elderberry is said to boost the immune system, treat flue and relieve sinus pain. Elderberry does seem to attack flu viruses and reduce bronchial inflammation. A preliminary study found that it reduced severity and length of flu symptoms when given at the first signs of symptoms. (See Tea recipes) Kids –Elderberry Chewables.

Garlic

Garlic has antibiotic and antibacterial properties. In a recent study, people that took a garlic supplement for 12 weeks got about 60% fewer colds than those who didn’t and recovered faster if they did get a cold.

Olive Leaf

Olive leaf is proving to have potent anti-viral properties and is often prescribed for cold and flu. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can boost the immune system and reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms. Take 1,000mg of Vitamin C daily to ward off a cold or the flu and up to 4,000mg daily when you are experiencing symptoms.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is produced in the body by sunlight nd regulates the expression of over 2,000 genes, including those of the immune system. Recent research has found that low vitamin D levels are linked to higher rates of cold, flu, cancer, and respiratory infections. Many natural doctors believe the current recommended daily amounts of vitamin D are far too low, and that 2,000 rather than 200-400 units per day is a better choice. To treat cold or flu, take 2,000 units per kilogram of body weight once a day for 3 days. You can also order home testing kits to test your vitamin D levels.

Zinc

Zinc may lessen the symptoms of the cold virus but excessive amounts aren’t good for you. Zinc pills and sprays do not seem to be effective. Take 50-100mg of zinc daily to ward off or treat cold and flu symptoms. Research has shown that viruses cannot live in a zinc rich environment.

Other Tips:

Hydrate – get plenty of WATER daily. Adding lemons help to purify and detox your systems. NOTE: watch MANY of your sports drinks – they are FULL of SUGAR, which suppresses your immune system. Good drinks to consider is Body Armor , Organic Gatorade, and Honest Sport.

Probiotics – help to restore the beneficial bacteria in your gut and boost immune function.

Silver Shield – Kills both viral and bacteria and boosts immune functions. Found on Amazon.

Viral Immune Support (VSC)– hunts down and attacks viruses in the body, while boosting immune.

NOTE: For children all of the above will be much different! Consult Dr. Hartman

Many of the above can be found at Amazon.

As always, use your best judgment before trying anything new, research and ask questions if you still need clarification. Dr. Hartman does not tell patients what they should or should not do; she believes this is the conscious right of every person to decide what to do for their health and their child’s. Dr. Hartman only provides educates on all aspects of health, nutrition, wellness, lifestyle, immune, and both medical and natural medicines. Consult your main physician for all medications, vaccines, and treatments. Dr. Hartman is not a medical physician nor does she claim to be, and does not and will not claim to treat, diagnosis, prescribe, identify etc. patients. She will not be held responsible for what patients decide to do or try. The above is for educational purposes. For more information contact Dr. Hartman at 765-860-2144.

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