Safe and Healthy

The appearance of the Corona virus has come upon us quite quickly and upended much of normal life and the true scope of it is yet to be revealed.

I know there are many sources talking about social distancing and disinfectant. However, I would like to talk about some of the holistic, and natural methods of protecting ourselves from illness.

Staying Healthy - Boosting the Immune System

Baking Soda/Apple Cider Vinegar:

Very simply Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar alkalinize the body and viruses cannot take hold in an alkalinized host.

Published in 1924, a few years after the Spanish flu, Dr. Volney S. Cheney recounted his clinical successes with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in treating cold and flu:
“In 1918 and 1919 while fighting the ‘flu’ with the U. S. Public Health Service it was brought to my attention that rarely anyone who had been thoroughly alkalinized with bicarbonate of soda contracted the disease, and those who did contract it, if alkalinized early, would invariably have mild attacks.
I have since that time treated all cases of ‘cold,’ influenza and LaGripe by first giving generous doses of bicarbonate of soda, and in many, many instances within 36 hours the symptoms would have entirely abated.
Further, within my own household, before Woman’s Clubs and Parent-Teachers’ Associations, I have advocated the use of bicarbonate of soda as a preventive for “colds,” with the result that now many reports are coming in stating that those who took “soda” were not affected, while nearly everyone around them had the “flu.”

Recommendation:
A table spoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in 8oz of water 2-3 times a day.
Or
Half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water 3 times a day.

Elderberry:
Elderberry is often the go-to immune booster for many holistic practitioners I highly recommend Stephen Buhner’s suggestions.

“Elder leaf and bark are exceptionally potent medicines for a variety of things, including viral pathogens. Unfortunately bad press by adversarial medical activists in the early twentieth century spread the rumor that elder (Sambucus) is a poisonous plant. It is not. In descending order of impact the bark, leaves, and berries can cause vomiting in some people, not all. (I am not generally affected and use undecocted tinctures.) It depends on the dose and personal susceptibilities. However, if the herb is boiled (i.e., decocted) the compounds that cause vomiting are deactivated. Note: The leaves and bark are far more potent anti-virals than the berries or flowers. I would not suggest the berries for use in treating this pathogen; they are not, in my opinion, strong enough. To make a decocted elder leaf tincture: Boil four ounces of dried elder leaf (two ounces if fresh) in two quarts water until it is reduced by half. Cool, strain, then measure the amount of liquid left. To this add 25% pure grain alcohol. If your state will not allow you to buy pure grain alcohol (which is 95% alcohol) then after you cool and strain the liquid, put it in the pot again and reduce it once more by half. Let it cool again and then measure and add to it the same amount of 40% to 50% vodka, 50% is preferable.”

Nourishing the Body

Breathing:
Your body is your physical presence in this world. Under the most ideal circumstances it might live for a hundred years or so. Unfortunately, with all of the toxins, poisons, and chemicals in the air, food, and water we consume, “ideal circumstances” are not usually an option. And now with the Corona Virus and the associated panic, most of us are starting to notice a heightened state of distress. Anyone who has read my book Breathe Smart knows that the Sympathetic Nervous System is responsible for the ‘fight or flight” mode in the body. In times of stress it takes over and shuts down the normal workings of the body. Effective breathing practices are vitally important to calm the body down and allow the Parasympathetic Nervous System to run the show for a while. By becoming proactive and taking conscious steps to care for your body, you are giving it the best opportunity to thrive in less-than-optimal conditions.

Yoga/Stretching/Movement:
Movement is life. Maintaining healthy oxygen and energy flow through the body is  essential for keeping it strong and able to fight off disease. A simple practice of 10-20 minutes of gentle stretching and/or movement every day will go a long way in helping you feel better as well as building up much needed strength. It doesn’t necessarily matter exactly what you do. What is important is that you do something. 

I have plenty of Zen Yoga videos on YouTube if you need somewhere to start 
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=expertvillage+zen+yoga+stretching

Calming the Mind

Meditation:
Now more than ever it is important to keep our minds calm and clear so that we are able to react to whatever situation we are presented with swift confident action. Yes, it is difficult to still the torrent of thoughts that may be running rampant in your head, but clarity is the only thing that is going to help. With everything going on our minds can be like a handful of dirt thrown into a glass of water and shaken up. However, if you set aside that glass of swirling muddy water, the dirt will slowly settle to the bottom and the water will become clear again. Imagine your mind is the glass of water and the dirt represents the myriad of thoughts that are vying for attention. You can deal with it in the same manner. Sitting quietly and allowing your thoughts to settle will result in clarity. 

Reconnecting with Nature

GO OUTSIDE!
There is no worse recipe for disaster than millions of people cooped up inside their homes panicking about everything. Social distancing and isolating oneself does not mean staying indoors. Now, more than ever, we need our connection to the energy of the living planet we exist on. Find somewhere outside away from other people and take some time for yourself. Breathe in the air, smell the budding of Spring, tune into the vibration of the natural world.

Finally…
It is important to understand that viruses are some of the oldest living things on the planet, billions of years old. They are exceptionally good at what they do and they learn as they go, adapting new behaviors along the way. Western medicine is roughly 200 hundred years old and our knowledge of viral pathogens and infections is only around 50 years old. And much of that is rudimentary or even incorrect.

This thing could go in a number of directions. 

Take care of yourself, stay safe. Keep peace and love in your heart.
Namaste’

Aaron

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