Healing Herbs and How We Take Them

If you read last week’s post then you know that I got sick.  Yuck!  Yeah, the first day, I didn’t complain and took it easy and planned some stuff out, but after a few days I was ready to be well and working on all that I had planned.  Add to that the ENORMOUS crick I got in my neck at the same time and let’s just say I was pretty useless!  But I did want to share what we take and HOW we take them when we get sick.  There is somewhat of a trick to taking herbs to get well.  Nothing too hard, but a few things to keep in mind.

First, as is true with most medicines also, the quicker you get them in you when your sick, the better.  In other words, at the first symptoms, start taking herbs.  The good part about herbs is that many of them are antiviral and antibacterial (unlike antibiotics) so you don’t have to know what you’re getting in order to find the right herb to take.  But don’t lose heart if you can’t get the herbs at the first sign of a sniffle, they will still work.

Second, take a little very often.  In most cases, we take herbs every hour for the first day or so.  But depending on what we are dealing with and if it’s at the very beginning of sickness, we have taken them every 15-30 minutes until symptoms get better-which is usually in a few hours then we will space it out some.   Now we do take herbs that are very safe and most of them I make, so I know exactly what’s in them.  I think this is why many people don’t see the results they want with herbs.  If you are buying herbs and aren’t sure, then 2-3 times a day is a good start unless otherwise stated on the label or directed.  You can always start low and increase as you see how your body responds.  (And I am talking about for acute problems here.  We don’t take any herbs long-term and if I did, it would be once a day for a vitamin blend.)

Last, if it isn’t working try something else.  Now that might sound pretty straightforward, but everyone’s body is different.  What my body responds well to, may not do anything for you.  Yes, the herbs I take and recommend have the ability to kill viruses or bacteria, but they may not work best with your body.  So even though they should help, if you aren’t seeing results try something else.  Remember, these aren’t antibiotics which you have to take for a full week and finish the bottle, etc. etc. before you get results.

Now on to what exactly I took.  Whenever we get anything-and I do mean ANYTHING, we take our EPONY Tincture.  It has Elderberries which are very safe and THE BEST FLU FIGHTER I KNOW, but great for other illnesses too.  It also has Peppermint to help with tummy distress and digestion, Olive leaf which is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal and is also safe to take-even for longer term illnesses.  The last two herbs are Nettle leaf which is great for sinus trouble and safe for nursing mothers (this actually will help clear your sinuses but not dry up your milk-it can actually help promote more milk production) and Yarrow which is good for helping you sweat to break a fever and will sooth mucus membranes.  You can see how I make it here.  I have 2oz Amber Glass Bottles that I keep filled and take 2 full droppers of it every15- 30 min at the beginning of any sickness.  For the kids, I give them 1 dropper full every 30 min.   Usually this will last about half a day then if we are still not well the next day I’ll give it throughout the day as I remember.

This time, I began taking it in the evening and the next day, I was not better.  So I took it the next day throughout the day as I remembered (maybe 6 times) and I added Oregano Oil which I took 3 times.  Let me pause for a minute and say DO NOT BUY OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL AND TAKE IT INTERNALLY!  Why? Well 4 drops of undiluted oregano oil in a day can burn through your digestive track.  That being said, I NEVER dilute it myself, I just buy the already diluted kind.  I prefer using North American Herb and Spice, Oreganol P73, 0.45-Ounce and it is very strong! But it works.  I will take 2-3 drops (yes drops) under my tongue 3 times a day.  For most colds and infections-sinus, bronchitis, etc-this along with the first tincture takes care of it.

Every now and then, I will get a really bad bug that I just can’t totally shake-which is what I had this week.  So I remembered a remedy that we haven’t used in awhile, but it once got me through pneumonia after 2 rounds of antibiotics couldn’t do anything. Colloidal Silver also known as the first or natural antibiotic is a great remedy to have on hand.  And unlike the Oregano Oil, it’s easy to get down-even for kids.  So after several days of misery, I bought some Silver and could tell an immediate improvement the next day.  I took it as directed which was 1 tsp 3 times a day and I continued taking the oregano with it until I was better.

Some other herbs we have on hand that I take with the tinctures is garlic-smashed and raw or capsules and cayenne pepper capsules.  The garlic is a great infection fighter (you can read more on it here) and the cayenne is a synergist which boost the power of all the other herbs.  This combo is great for the circulatory system too!  I also recommend these Immune Strength essential oils which we use a lot.

Well there you have my most used, go-to herbs for the yearly coughs, colds and infections.  And if I were fighting the flu, I’d take the garlic and EPONY tincture-ALOT.   That’s actually how I got over it in a day a few years ago.  Now you can stock up and be ready on the what and how’s of taking herbs when you and your family get that next sniffle-which I pray is a LONG way off!

Happy Herbing It Up

Brigett

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