Health Care News and Views
I am not a physician but am sharing some information which will hopefully help you:
A. An email from July 18, 2014 regarding natural alternatives to antibiotics from some Healthwatch physicians:
Five Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics
They're spreading at an alarming rate . . . And it has the World Health Organization (WHO) scared. They say that even common infections may soon be able to kill us. Luckily there are simple, natural solutions for fighting outside threats to your body. . Even those scary "superbugs." But they're not like prescription drugs. These won't kill the good bacteria in your body.
Here are five natural alternatives to antibiotics.
1. Coconut Oil: It's full of powerful medium chain triglycerides (MCT's). The most impressive MCT is lauric acid. It hass the ability to kill harmful bacteria like H. pylori. Research shows it's also effective at fighting C. difficile - a strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and one of the leading causes of diarrhea in hospitals worldwide. Try eating a small spoonful of coconut oil with breakfast. You can also add it to a salad to support your immune system and keep bacteria at bay.
2. Olive Leaf Extract: This helps defend against a wide variety of viruses and bacteria. And it can do things that most prescription drugs can't. I can even cut off the amino acid supply to viruses. This helps keep them from spreading. One study found that exposing E. coli to just a 6% olive leaf extract completely destroyed it. You can find natural olive leaf extract supplements in most health food stores and online.
3. Andrographis: Some call it the "king of bitters." Indian folk medicine has used this bitter herb for hundreds of years to treat digestive problems. It's even an antidote to scorpion venom. Andrographis extract helps fight influenza and upper-respiratory infections. Its potent antibacterial properties provide protection against most pathogens. This kills harmful germs . . . But it also may help reduce your symptoms and leave good germs unharmed. You can find andrographis extract pills in some health stores. It's also widely available online.
4. Pau D'Arco: Natural healers have used the bark of this South American tree to treat fever and inflammation since 1873. Pau d'arco is rich in lapachol and beta-lapachone. They're two compounds with antiviral and antibacterial properties. Even drug-resistant infections can't stand up to them. You can find this supplement in health stores and online but beware: I fit doesn't explicitly come from the inner bark, it may be a waste of money.
5. Garlic: It's one of the best foods you can keep on hand. . . And not because of the flavor it adds to your meals. Garlic kills bacteria and fights disease. Russian soldiers used it as a natural antibiotic during World War II after running out of penicillin. Recent research found that it may even help protect against the common cold. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Allicin - a powerful compound in garlic - can fight the "superbugs" that prescription drugs can't. These include VRE and MRSA.
- . . . You don't need to rely on a prescription. These natural tools will help you defend against bacterial and viral infections. These solutions will also support your immune system and keep the good bugs alive. They may even save your life if you ever face a "superbug."
B. A recommendation from a physician who is a friend: Tonic Water with Quinine. I tried some from Food Lion with ice and it's good.
C. A few tips from a GP Nurse in the UK
To Avoid Covid-19
What I have seen a lot of are recommendations for how to try to avoid getting coronavirus in the first place,
- good hand washing
- personal hygiene
- social distancing
but what i have NOT seen a lot of is advice for what happens if you actually get it, which many of us will. So as your friendly neighborhood Nurse, let me make some suggestions:
If you get Covid-19 You basically just want to prepare as though you know you're going to get a nasty respiratory bug, like bronchitis or pneumonia. You just have the foresight to know it might come your way!
Things you should actually buy ahead of time (not sure what the obsession with toilet paper is?)- Kleenex,
- Paracetamol,
- Whatever your generic, mucus-thinning cough medicine of choice is (check the label and make sure you're not doubling up on Paracetamol)
- Honey and lemon can work just as well!
- Vicks vaporub for the chest is also a great suggestion
- A humidifier would be a good thing to buy and use in your room when you go to bed overnight (You can also just turn the shower on hot and sit in the bathroom breathing in the steam).
- If you have a history of asthma and you have a prescription inhaler, make sure the one you have isn't expired and refill it/get a new one if necessary.
- Meals. This is also a good time to meal prep: make a big batch of your favorite soup to freeze and have on hand.
- Hydrate (drink)! Stock up on whatever your favorite clear fluids are to drink - though tap water is fine, you may appreciate some variety!
- For symptom management and a fever over 38 degrees Centigrade, take Paracetamol rather than Ibuprofen.
- Rest lots. You should not be leaving your house! Even if you are feeling better you will still be infectious for fourteen days and older people and those with existing health conditions should be avoided!
- Wear gloves and a mask to avoid contaminating others in your house.
- Isolate in your bedroom if not living alone, ask friends and family to leave supplies outside to avoid contact.
- Sanitize your bed linen and clothes frequently by washing and clean your bathroom with recommended sanitizers.
You DO NOT NEED to go to the hospital unless you are having trouble breathing or your fever is very high (over 39 Centigrade [102.2 F]) and unmanaged with meds. 90% of the healthy adult cases thus far have been managed at home with basic rest/hydration and over-the-counter meds.
Preexisting risks - If you have a pre-existing lung condition (COPD, emphysema, lung cancer) or are on immunosuppressants, now is a great time to talk to your Doctor or specialist about what they would like you to do if you get sick.
Children - One major relief to you parents is that kids do VERY well with coronavirus - they usually bounce back in a few days (but they will still be infectious), Just use pediatric dosing.
Be calm and prepare rationally and everything will be fine. This is to inform us all that the pH for corona virus varies from 5.5 to 8.5. All we need to do to beat corona virus . . . is to take more of an alkaline Some of which are:- Lemon 9.9 pH
- Lime 8.2 pH
- Avocado 15.6 pH
- Garlic 13.2 pH
- Mango 8.7 pH
- Tangerine 8.5 pH
- Pineapple 12.7 pH
- Dandelion 22.7 pH
- Orange 9.2 pH
- 1. Itching in the throat
- 2. Dry throat
- 3. Dry cough
- 4. High temperature
- 5. Shortness of breath
D. What else can we do to prepare for a "naughty, naughty, naughty virus" as my three-year-old granddaughter calls corona?
- 1 Follow the CDC guidelines and wear a mask when appropriate.
- 2 Review your medicine closet to see what's needed (buy American whenever possible).
- 3 Avoid contact with reptiles such as iguana and do not keep them as pets because of the large number of viruses they spread. Note that bats are carriers as well.
- 4 Get sunshine
- 5 Diffuse therapeutic grade essential oils from dark bottles (not fragrance oils).
- 6 Take masks off immediately upon leaving places of contact and wash those that are reusable.
- 7 Pray for the sick, healthcare workers, and first responders; meditate; and volunteer
- 8 Consider subscribing to a physician news letter.
- 9 If you need resources for family worship, go to housechurch.org
- 10 Consider homeopathics (follow directions on the container), vitamin D3, antioxidants, Manuka Honey (New Zealand), Elderberry and zinc lozenge formulas, etc. to keep your immune system strong. Healthcare providers have a resource opportunity for supplements at Perque.com. Others can go to sites like PipingRock.com
- The promo code for Piping Rock is AAJ466 and the link is https://www.pipingrock.com/?rwcode=AAJ466
- 11 Be independent by planting a little garden if you have land or planting boxes.
- 12 Avoid body piercing and tatto's.
- 13 Reduce sugar intake and increase water and/or tea.
Note that the FDA has not reviewed this information and you should consult your health care provider with any concerns as this essay is a reminder of important points already written by professionals. Thank you for visiting.