Friday, May 29, 2009

Swine Flu & Natural Immunity!

With all the dire warnings about the Swine Flu, where is the message about building natural immunity?

The internet is abuzz with warnings bordering on hysteria (conventional media) to a variety of conspiracy theories, and even to allegations that the pandemic is a government fabrication designed to sell stockpiles of anti-viral medications.

Conventional medical advice ranges from wearing face masks to taking the anti-viral drug called tamiflu (which can have many serious side effects, see http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=21087&name=TAMIFLU.)

It is interesting to note that not once in all the media broadcasts have we heard any mention of building natural immunity. Here's what the Weston A. Price Foundation has to say:

NATURAL IMMUNITY
Fortunately, we do not have to sit back and listen to the news about swine flu feeling helpless and anxious. We can be proactive by simply nourishing ourselves and our families.

Vitamins A and D in cod liver oil offer strong protection against infection of all types, as well as against environmental toxins.

Vitamin C is important-either from vitamin C-rich foods like sauerkraut, or from one of the natural vitamin C supplements recommended.

Healthy gut flora provides 85 percent of our protection against disease. Be sure to consume healthy lacto-fermented foods and beverages every day and avoid the foods that disrupt gut flora, especially refined carbohydrates.

Bone broth plays a double role of supporting the immune system and helping the body detoxify.

COCONUT OIL
We are grateful to Beth Beisel, registered dietitian and WAPF member for reminding us about the protective factors in coconut oil. Swine flu is a lipid coated virus (http://www.pnas.org/content/98/5/2115.full.pdf+html), and thus is inactivated by sufficient amounts of monolaurin. (Our bodies convert lauric acid, found in coconut oil, to monolaurin).

According to Dr. Mary Enig, two to three tablespoons of coconut oil per day appears to be an adequate dosage to fight infection, even from virulent antibiotic-resistant organisms such as MSRA.

There are lots of ways to get coconut oil into the diet: stir coconut oil in some tea; make macaroons; replace some of the butter in baking with coconut oil; and use it in cooking/sautéing. Mary's oil blend (see below) is a good way to incorporate coconut oil in cooking and salad dressings.

MARY'S OIL BLEND
1/3 melted coconut oil
1/3 sesame oil - expeller pressed
1/3 100% olive oil

Combine oils, store in a tight container, in an area free from sunlight, and use in cooking or on salads.

COCONUT SMOOTHIE

1 banana
1 cup frozen mango
1 cup frozen pineapple
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup pomegranate/blueberry juice
1/2 cup natural yogurt or kefir, preferably homemade from raw milk
1/2 can coconut milk
Whirl in blender and drink to your health!

In addition to the above information from the Weston A. Price foundation, there are other recommendations for building natural immunity and natural treatments:
· Dr. Paul recommends sun (getting ample Vitamin D), rest and good nutrition
· Dr. Mercola recommends many of the herbs and nutrients, see http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=2581
· Dr. Horowitz recommends nano silver, see http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/store/cart.php
· Other sources recommend: 1) wash hands especially with public contact, 2) take winterberry and elderberry, 3) Avoid high sugar foods and processed foods which "spike your body's white blood cells and significantly leave you more susceptible to illness"
· A number of sources recommend having Dr. Christopher's Anti-Plague Formula on hand (see below)

We will be learning how to formulate Dr. Christopher's Anti-Plague Formula at the next Herbal Workshops in Arizona. This information could be vital for what is to come, and you now have an opportunity to come learn how to put together this formula as well as learn how to formulate all kinds of herbal remedies - an important step in self-reliance.

Take the precautions recommended and register for the next herbal workshop here: http://erleentilton.com/events.htm. Even with contact of any sickness, you CAN fight it with natural immunity and means if you learn how!

Have a wonderful week!
Erleen Tilton