Stomach Flu

It works! 

So, I started to come down with THE stomach flu on Tues evening (today is Thursday) and my natural healing instincts kicked into gear. I ate no dinner and instead made a quart of red raspberry leaf tea with a some peppermint leaves thrown in for flavor and stomach soothing action (it's a nervine) and drank it. Over the course of the next 36 hours I drank a gallon or more of this raspberry leaf tea and ate a little alkalizing, whole food and I feel almost completely healed.  (Remember, with a virus no potatoes, tomatoes or bell peppers.) I feel the bug has been flushed out in a miraculous way. I dodged a bullet! ! Of course, I also took a couple yarrow capsules with my hot tea that first night to open my pores and encourage perspiration, and cayenne and had a nice hot sweat bath to dump the toxins. That night before bed I took a couple Dr. Christopher's Lower Bowel caps to further cleanse and nourish the system. And I took plenty of XPAC throughout the next day.

Did I say I am grateful to be healed?

Red raspberry leaf tea is not only good for strengthening and toning the female organs, it is very cleansing and nourishing to the lining of the stomach, which is why it also helps with pregnancy nausea. And it's mildly laxative. In addition, it is packed with essential minerals and vitamins, so while you're not eating much, you get all the nutrients you need. 

Thirty six hours later, I ran five miles today and I feel great! 

Go, red raspberry leaf tea!!  

Cool Clear Water

Many of us overlook the important role that pure water plays in our general health and well being. Not only are our bodies mostly water, but water is required to carry out most of our body functions. Dehydration not only makes us feel thirsty, it puts our bodies in a compromised condition.

Following are a few facts I have learned about hydration:

66% of dehydration comes from inside the cells.

The brain is the most hydrated organ of the body - 85%.   Dehydration reduces brain function.  

Dehydration causes sugar cravings.  (People tend to overeat instead of drink.)

Hydration and exercise help break down and burn fat more efficiently.

Water is required for digestion.  If not available - water is pulled from the body.  Without proper hydration we can experience indigestion, heartburn, etc.  Salt aids in digestion -  it helps retain more water and helps form hydrochloric acid to aid digestion.

All elimination channels require water.  (bowels, kidneys, upper respiratory, skin)

Dehydrated herbs (the capsules we all take) require water to work properly.  (Taking herbs in tea is better.)  8 oz water required for 3-4 capsules of herbs.  (Same with tinctures!)  

Taking too many herbs or supplements w/out water will actually make a person “sicker”.  

The action of herbs is to move fluids in the body. Can't do it without water.      

A lot of moisture is lost through the lungs - talking and exercising.  

Water shortage constricts the lungs.

Pain can be a sign of lack of oxygen to tissues and/or dehydration.

Adequate water intake can optimize nutrient and waste exchange from the cells - reducing pain.

Dehydration reduces spinal cushioning - can cause back pain.

Many types of headaches are caused by lack of water

Joint pain can be eased with hydration.

Take water for frazzled nerves: reduces anxiety, helps sleep, helps with concentration and remembering, reduces irritability.

Dehydration can cause DNA damage and ultimately can lead to cancer.  

Dehydration is involved in kidney stones, skin problems, etc

Water helps regulate body temperature - cold or hot.

So, what kind of water should we drink?

Tap water - no

Carbonated water - no

Filtered water - sure, if you are in good health. It can help provide essential minerals.

Reverse osmosis water - better for any unhealthy condition because it can carry out more of the waste and unwanted mineral deposits from the body tissues. 

Distilled water - best for cleansing. Distilled water, along with reverse osmosis water is considered "hungry" water because it is "empty". Distilled water attracts and carries waste material, dead cells and excess minerals out of the body. It is best to drink when you are on a cleanse, have a cold or virus, or are experiencing mineral deposits that can cause joint pain. Many people have gotten rid of their arthritis by drinking lots of distilled water alone.

Feeling thirsty? Go get a drink!!