Be Prepared
I was listening to a recording of a press conference yesterday that inspired me to write you this blog post. The government official and officially appointed doctors were starting that although the people went out and did exactly as they were told, and how impressed they where by this, they still didn't feel that the population was "in the safe zone yet". They feared that many would still get sick, despite them being vaccinated and that we would still need to "be protect". The one thing I didn't hear, not even once, was recommendations on how to create a healthier, more resistant body. We are a year and a half into this, and I am still not hearing anyone in charge talking about these things.
If you have followed a long on the blog, you know that I am HUGE advocate for taking responsibility for your own health. I believe very strongly in body autonomy and your right to support your body in the best way you can. So when I listen to these officials take a very one sided approach, I get a little upset.
Here's what I want to offer you in today's blog; steps I have implemented to support my health, boost our families ability to fight things off, and protect ourselves as we move forward into lord only knows what is next. These supports are for everyone who would like to try them, whether you have chosen to be vaccinated or not. ALL bodies need support. Especially at this time.
Let's review a couple ways my families has chosen to cleanse and support our body specific to what is currently happening.
PINE Needle Tea
WHITE pine needles contain an ingredient called suramin and shikimic acid . There is PLENTY of existing science proving that pine needle tea is good for you in many ways. A 2006 study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer found that pine needle powder greatly reduced tumor growth in mice and rats. The pine needle powder was derived from a Korean pine species called Pinus densiflora Siebold et Zuccarini.
A 2011 study published in the Journal of Food Science demonstrated powerful antioxidant properties in a pine needle extract from the tree species Cedrus deodara. It found that the extract had strong anti-browning and anti-microbal properties in fruits and vegetables. In other words, it prevented the foods from rotting.
A 2021 study published in the journal Antioxidants (Basel) answered a question of my own curious mind: why do pine needles never wilt and die like all other leaves on trees? The study found that the flavonoids in pine needles have potential anti-aging properties. The study suggests that extracts from the pine species P. taiwanensi can be used as an anti-inflammatory ingredient in foods and drugs.
Pine needle tea is one of the best ways to realize the potential benefits of suramin and shikimic acid. A 2011 study published in the journal Nutrition Research and Practice concluded that a hot water extract from the pine species Pinus densiflora had far superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than extracts from chemical processes.
I personally have been enjoying pine tea for decades.
To Make;
Forage WHITE pine needles.
Place about a tablespoons worth of needles in a tea strainer.
Bring your water to an almost boil.
Pour over the needle and steep for at least 10 mins.
Enjoy 2 - 3 times a day
Zendocrine
One of my business partners introduced me to this power house. Being around a lot of people I wanted to make sure that before and after each day, I was taking the time to support my body's own natural ability to clean itself out. doTerra's Zendocrine complex (oil blend or capsule) contains Tangerine Peel, Rosemary Leaf, Geranium Flower/Leaf, Juniper Berry, Cilantro Herb essential oils. These oils, especially in combination have been shown to; support the body’s natural ability to rid itself of unwanted substances*, support healthy liver function*, purifying and detoxifying to the body’s systems*
This powerful blend combines Rosemary, Cilantro, and Juniper Berry, known for their detoxifying properties and ability to support healthy liver and kidney function, while Tangerine and Geranium have purifying effects against unhealthy substances.* Zendocrine helps cleanse the body of toxins and free radicals that can slow the body’s systems down, leaving a heavy, weighted feeling.*
Uses
Add 1–2 drops to citrus drinks, teas, or water to support healthy liver function.*
Take one drop daily for one week as part of an internal cleansing regimen or to kick-start a natural body supported cleanse. (your bodies natural ability to clean it's self out)
Apply to abdomen or bottoms of feet to support the body's natural detoxification system.
Take one capsule daily in the evening to support body functions
Vitamins and Minerals
It is a well know fact that bodies deficient in proper vitamins and minerals are unwell. What you may not know is many of the symptoms you feel; like lethargy, emotional food cravings, body aches, digestive upset can actually be linked back to an inadequate amount of vitamins and minerals to support proper body functions. Many studies have shown that balanced lifestyle that includes nutrient dense foods and proper supplements containing vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and K, and micronutrients such as sodium, zinc, potassium, chloride, calcium, and phosphorus may help maintain your general wellbeing and will strengthen the immune system, helping to decrease infection. A deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body can lead to poor immune system functions, which can make it harder for you to recover/fight off infection.
Vitamins C and D have been in the news a lot lately, with our own minister of health misspeaking and claiming VIT D is dangerous to the body. There is no wonder many of us are unsure of what is good for us, versus what isn't. Rest assured that both these vitamins are crucial to a healthy body. Every year, because we live in Canada and it's winter FOREVER HERE, we add both these vitamins in BIG doses to our regim from September to at least May.
Why Add Them?
Vitamin C is known to support the immune system in its fight against bacterial and viral infections. Direct and indirect evidence reveals the role of vitamin C in treating patients.**
Vitamin D has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Literature shows that vitamin D has been investigated for use in treating acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). It has been reported that it modulates ACE2 expression in lung tissue, a pathogenic factor in C19.**
What to Take?
After a ton of research and trials our family has landed on and LOVE doterra's Life Long Vitality Trio. The vitamin and mineral content exceeds the RDA, they are bioavailable (meaning your body will actually USE it and NOT pee it out), and conveniently capsulated so they are easy to take. When we are in a dark season / winter season we simply add an extra capsule.
Making sure you are including foods rich in Vitamin c are important too. Things like; citrus fruit, such as oranges (eat them, don't juice them), peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts, even potatoes.
Vitamin D is a tricky, we mostly get it from the sun, but try these other sources to BOOST your body; oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, red meat, liver, and farm fresh egg yolks.
SWEAT!
Last, but not least is sweating! Your skin is your largest organ in your body, it filters, clears, absorbs, protects and SO much more. You can tell a lot about your health just by looking at your skin. Skin is where many conditions manifest, such as dehydration, allergy, weak gut flora and much more. When we sweat we activate the skins cleansing mechanisms, and through them into HYPERDRIVE! Sweating isn't just a way to cool the body, it also clears out the pores. Making sure to love on your skin with a good sweat is a great way to support healthy bodies.
Another great attribute to sweating according to the Iowa Specialty Hospital is that "When you sweat, your body reacts much like it does when you have a fever. By raising your body temperature, you are helping your body kill pathogens." You can sweat in a sauna, in a zumba class, lifting weights, running, walking, whatever way you want to, just do it, and do it often. Find something to get your body moving and your immune system in tip-top shape.
In a nutshell, there are a lot of great ways that you can start to improve your health, and prepare your body for what may come. There have been many studies published in the last year that show that bodies with higher vitamin and mineral counts, lower inflammation (read more on the blog HERE ), lower adipose percentage and higher immune function can weather this storm. Just like you probably wouldn't set sail on an angry ocean in a paddle boat, don't head into another potentially stormy season with an unprepared body, vaccinated or not.
NOTE: Nothing in this blog is medical advice or recommendations, and is not to be construed as such. This article is a personal experience based on how we have stayed healthy and recovered and is to be used solely for informational purposes. If you choose to try this methods as well, please do so listening to your body and how your body responds
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
**According to articles published on Medical News Life Sciences