Thursday, January 27, 2022

Medical Preparedness ~ Proverbs 31 Preparedness Series


"Be ready in season and out of season."
~ 2 Timothy 4:2

Ever since my home birth 20 years ago, I realized there are many ways to peel a potato (I do know the phrase is skin a cat but I thought peel a potato was more "homemakery")! And this is especially true in the medical world. While you can go to the doctor for every single thing, with just a bit of medical knowledge, a homemaker can treat many ailments in the comfort of her own home. This post is a mix of homespun healing and medical preparedness the old fashioned way. I'm sure there are many more experienced homemakers sharing in this area but my desire is that this little article does at least open your mind to explore the information (and do just a bit more in your household). While I don't claim to be an expert on the subject of preparedness, I just wanted to share the practical things I am doing or have done in our family. Some of this may upset some people but I'll share it just the same because I feel the importance, especially in this particular situation we all find ourselves in (a situation where we are losing control of our personal choices and medical freedoms). We still have the power to educate ourselves, prepare and act accordingly in our own homes.


I also want to add that I am not preparing out of fear, it is more a matter of fact. When I am out and about and I see something that would apply, I add it to my preparedness cabinet. When I am home and think of something that may be useful, I'll order it and tuck it away for the future (if need be). This hasn't been a rush to get it all done type of thing, but a slow process of getting my household in order in case the unexpected happens. There is no panic feeling in our home (perhaps sometimes "incredulousness" but definitely not "panic") and I certainly do not want to add any to yours! Plus, when a homemaker prepares, there is no need to panic!

I'll be honest, our family are not doctor people (while I appreciate and respect their operating skills, I feel they are a specialized need and not necessarily someone we should rely on for daily health issues). We had our daughter at home 20 years ago which I think was the beginning of a desire to live more naturally and less pharmaceutically. We have been to the hospital once (in our 24 years of marriage) for a medical emergency and have probably gone to the doctor 5 times in the last 20 years. And when I say doctor, I am meaning a walk-in-clinic which is independent from the insurance system and all the red tape that surrounds it. We try and tackle all medical issues in-house. When it gets out of our reach, then we go to a trained physician. But even now, it is a huge concern for any of our family to need the hospital in general. Once you check in, you may lose access to all your loved ones and can be quarantined behind doors never to see your family again. I have seen this many times already with loved ones in our churches and it breaks my heart. So honestly, my goal is to stay clear of those white "sterile" buildings if at all possible.

To begin, I'll state the obvious, it is important to eat healthy and keep active. Prevention is the best form of medical preparedness! Right now is the time to practice health! But things do happen and it is wise to prepare for it when they do. 

For starters, I always keep an extra stash of every supplement we use in our family. This way, we have a rotating inventory and never run out. For instance, one bottle is kept in our kitchen cabinet for necessary use and an alternative bottle is stored in a "stash" drawer for when we run out of the first bottle. When we do run out of the first bottle, I immediately order another and replace the kitchen cabinet bottle with the one that had been stored. The new bottle I ordered will now be placed in the stash drawer. This way, I always have a back up of everything we use. When Covid first hit, I noticed my usual source of colloidal silver was sold out for months. This didn't affect our household because I had a back up bottle in the stash. Thus, I try and keep this simple rotation going. It does cost extra money up front because I am essentially keeping an inventory of two of everything but the expense is worth it to our family.

I am also going to share what we keep in our all-natural home pharmacy and some non-scientific explanations of how we use these items. These are my homemaking terms of how we utilize everything. I would love if you share any additional resources in the comment section! We can all learn from one another. 

Our Natural Pharmacy:

  • Vitamin C (We buy the raw capsules and also use our homemade rose-hip medicine) - take vitamin C as soon as you feel like you are getting sick and load up often (I do 3-doses a day until symptoms subside). Do not take it on a regular basis because this is something you can build up an immunity to. Use for times of sickness and/or prevention (like if someone in your household is getting sick and you want to try and avoid it).
  • Grapefruit Seed Extract (We use these drops for "eliminating" things! For instance, if you think you ate something "off", take grapefruit seed extract. If you fear the water you are drinking is not quite safe, add in some grapefruit seed extract. If you want to decontaminate something, use grapefruit seed extract! This is all in non-medical terms so I obviously implore you to do your own research but we have found this to be an amazing thing! My father had a horrible fungus on his knee that he couldn’t get rid of. He poured grapefruit seed extract on it, and though it burned to high heaven, it healed his knee. I usually use it internally because I can’t handle that sort of thing.)
  • Probiotics (We use this on a daily basis as it is an immune booster but you can always use it as a medicinal supplement if it's out of your budget. Fermented foods (sauerkraut, fermented pickles, kimchi, yogurt, kefir) and drinks like kombucha are ways you can affordably and healthily add probiotics to your diet as well. But keeping this healthy bacteria in your body gives you a stronger immune system. This is also a great supplement to help those with stomach and digestive issues. 
  • Elderberrry AKA Sambucus (Any form of elderberry would be wise to keep on hand. We make our own medicine with the dried elderberry but you can also buy the syrup here.) Plainly said, elderberries are immune building and bad-bug-busting berries! They have both antiviral properties and are anti-inflammatory which make them a natural flu and cold fighter that can relieve coughs, sore throats, (upper respiratory infections) bronchial infections and sinus conditions. They can also be used to treat herpes, shingles, while some claim it even helps with allergy relief. The berries are also high in vitamin C, flavonoids , and other polyphenols. You can make them into teas, tinctures, syrups, medicinal honey, etc. You will find all our tutorials for elderberry medicine here.
  • Colloidal Silver Liquid (This is excellent immune system support which can be utilized for many things…)  Colloidal Silver is a mineral that can be used to cleanse the gut, boost the immune system, combat inflammation, and soothe minor skin conditions. The minute we feel something coming on, we start taking a teaspoon at a time (3 times a day). There is no odor or flavor so this is easy to ingest. I also decant some in a spray bottle for convenience and have used this for skin issues as well as for spraying in the mouth to treat a sore throat and in the eye to treat pink eye). It is very soothing.
  • Vapor Rub (Sometimes it is the time old remedies that we forget to include! Vapor rub is quite relieving for coughs, cold, aches and is a topical cough suppressant. If you don't want to use the petroleum jelly product, you can easily make your own with our tutorial or use the Breathe vapor stick from doTERRA). 
  • Epsom salts for soaking (It soothes aches and pains, supplies the body with magnesium which most of us are deficient and boasts excellent "drawing" power. This brings me to the important use in first aid, this can be used to help "draw out" things such as splinters, venomous bites, dog bites, stepping on something rusty, etc. When someone in our family was bit by a dog, it was the soaking of Epsom salts that helped the infection most. I would soak three times a day for wounds of this caliber (with also a strong dose of Vitamin C and the appropriate essential oils such as frankincense, lavender, tea tree or even lemon essential oil in some circumstances). 
  • Garlic 🧄 (I just had to add this to the natural supplement section although it is a fresh food. Whenever we are fevering, we smash raw garlic and rub it onto the bottom of our feet (3 times a day). I'll also soak the crushed garlic in olive oil and apply it more easily. This is a natural antibiotic and works wonderfully to heal the system and break fevers. For a stronger blend, add a few drops of oregano essential oil to the olive oil mixture!  This has kept our family from the doctor’s and urgent care for most of our life (though I didn’t use the oregano oil when our daughter was younger).
  • Fermented Ginger Capsules (My non-medical description is that we take this for all our stomach related issues and I also use it 3-times a day when I feel some sickness coming on. It aids in digestion, reduces nausea, and helps fight the flu and common cold.) Dr. Mercola says it like this; "Improve GI symptoms such as occasional bloating, gas, fullness and abdominal discomfort, support digestive health, your endothelial villi regain their normal height and structure for optimal nutrient absorption in your gut, support a normal inflammatory response in your gut. Improve daily regularity..."
  • Fermented Turmeric Capsules (My non-medical description is that we take this for the anti-inflammatory benefits and overall immune support. I'll often go back and forth during illness between this and the ginger in a day.) 
  • Ginger (fresh - I keep a stash in my freezer for our home remedies, recipes are shared below in our "herb" section.)
  • Wally’s Ear Oil (While we didn’t have any ear issues with our daughter growing up, I had friends who did and this organic ear oil was a blessing to their household so I decided to include it here if this seems to be a sensitivity in yours).

When we begin to feel sick or are actually sick, I use the applicable items described above and administer them approx. 3-times a day. In order for natural remedies to work, I feel that consistency is key. You need to repeat the doses as necessary until "healed". One dose is not going to be productive in most cases. I am not a medical professional, I am just sharing what we do to keep healthy. We are not on any medications so I am not sure of any contraindications. Please do your own research prior to treating you and your family but know there are so many treatments you can do in your own home that are effective and affordable.

"Science validates what our grandmothers knew. Rich homemade chicken broths help cure colds. Stock contains minerals in a form the body can absorb easily—not just calcium but also magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and trace minerals. It contains the broken down material from cartilage and tendons–stuff like chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine, now sold as expensive supplements for arthritis and joint pain."
~ Sally Fallon Morell, Author of Nourishing Traditions

I also feel it is worthwhile to add the benefit of homemade chicken soup (made with nourishing broths) in times of sickness. Grandmother really did know best! A homemaker who keeps stock on hand in the freezer (or by canning) is definitely practicing medical preparedness for their family! You will find more information on making healthy broth HERE.


I had once shared how during our last year of homeschooling, we read Hiroshima together. After finishing the book, I felt a great need to stock up on our first aid supplies (as that was the sought after element during that tragic time). I went to Walmart and purchased many bottles of alcohol, bandaids, peroxide, you name it! This was done during a time of plenty so I don't consider that hoarding but preparing. Well, as soon as the "crisis" hit us awhile back, my husband came home saying an elderly man he knew was panicking as he needed alcohol to clean some of his medical supplies and couldn't find any. It felt so good to be able to hand my husband a bottle knowing we had plenty to share and plenty for home use. These are the things I am thinking of as I continue to build my medicinal pantry, my first aid pantry, my toiletry pantry and my food storage. That investment into my first aid kit only set me back $20 as alcohol was cheap at that time ($1 per bottle) and little did I know what a sought-after item it would turn out to be a few months later! So, I keep a decent little stock of the following items as you never know.

 

Our Basic First Aid:

  • Tylenol and/or Advil (basic pain relief and Advil for inflammation and fever relief) I was told by a doctor that taking 4 Advils is similar to a prescription dose (which is basically 800 mg of ibuprofen). I write this because it is good to know these things in an emergency situation. Knowledge is power.
  • Benadryl (for allergic reactions like bee stings, hives etc.) We don't use this on a regular basis.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide and Alcohol (for cleaning cuts, scrapes and wounds, etc.) On a side note, peroxide can also be placed in a spray bottle for natural cleaning.  It's a natural disinfectant!
  • Bandages, bandaids, adhesive pads, bandage wrap, gauze and tape, cotton balls.  (As a side note, I also keep an extra supply of feminine napkins which can double as a bandage in an emergency as well as being useful in times of monthly need.)


Another thing we do which may seem taboo to some people (but we think of as prudent planning) is filling prescriptions. While we rarely have gone to the doctor as I have shared earlier, the times that we have, they love to prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication and/or painkillers. I personally feel this is often done in excess just to give the patient the feeling that something is being done for them. In the times that this is the case (and I find it is more often than not), and we don't feel a dose of antibiotics (or additional pain relief) is necessary, we still fill the prescription. We add this to our preparedness stash. It may actually be useful on a rainy day and given our current circumstances, it may not be available to you once you actually need it (or you may have to go in to the doctors to get the prescription and compromise your health in other ways to get it). We also do the same with pain medication. We have been prescribed the 800mg dose of Ibuprofen when we weren't in enough pain to actually use it. But we fill it just the same and keep it in our medicine cabinet for medical emergencies. If my back goes out and I am unable to move, I have relief at the tip of my fingers.

Pharmaceuticals we currently have on hand:

  • Antibiotics (7-day dose -- low grade antibiotic)
  • Anti-inflammatory/Pain Reliever (Bottle of 800 mg Ibuprofen) 
I also don't follow the expiration date too closely. While they may lose their strength over time, I don't think they will harm you in any way if past the "so called due date". Usually it is simply a sell-by date.

Essential oils also play a huge part of our natural preparedness medicine cabinet. While there are hundreds to choose from, I will share the most useful in our home. These will last for 3-5 years if kept in a cool, dark area. The citrus oils have a shorter shelf life of 9-12 months.

Basic Most-Useful Essential Oils (While I utilitze many more, I just wanted to encourage you to at least try the most versatile):

  • Lavender -- We use this for basic first aid needs such as bug bites, skin irritations, minor burns and sleep enhancement.
  • Tea Tree Oil (aka Melaleuca) -- We also use this for basic first aid needs such as for bug bites, sunburn, athletes foot, fungus, coldsores, minor cuts and scrapes. Could also be made into a convenient spray for these things and used as a mild hand sanitizer and countertop cleaning spray. This is such an effective oil!
  • Oregano -- This is such a potent oil (always dilute it!) and is a natural antibiotic with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This is the "big guns" oil in our household. If we just can't get past something, we will add a few drops to olive oil and rub it into the bottom of our feet (if fevering) or on our chest (if congested). It is very strong and I wouldn't suggest it for little ones. Lavender oil is more appropriate for small children and infants.
  • On Guard and/or Thieves -- Apply the On Guard and/or Thieves oil blends (with a carrier oil) onto the back of neck, front of neck and shoulders when going out in public or when you start to feel "off" (or frugally make your own here). Use it as a room spray, germ killer and sanitizer for door handles, sink handles and telephones.
  • Breathe -- Use when congested with a cold and/or cough. When symptoms manifest, there is nothing like being prepared. Simply rub a few drops of Breathe essential oil with a bit of olive oil, almond oil or coconut oil to the neck, chest and lung area . You will instantly feel some relief! If you are interested in making something similar to "Vicks" but with a natural oil base (instead of a petroleum one), then prepare our easy recipe here.
  • Digestzen (This blend is amazing for heartburn. You can feel the relief in minutes when rubbed directly on your chest. This is also useful for upset stomachs. I have to say this is the most amazing essential oil blend! I can't praise it's effectiveness enough!)
  •  Essential Oils for Babies (Visit this article here).
  • We also diffuse the essential oils in time of sickness (and on a daily basis). Our humidifier which is also a great tool for the cold and flu season doubles as a diffuser which makes it an excellent tool. I purchased a 2-liter model which works for about 24 hours (I had gotten sick of constantly refilling them so I went "big"). The "steam output balances a room’s humidity level to help fight dry skin and temporarily relieve congestion, cough, and dry throat" which is a wonderful winter soother.

I also like to have on hand the basics for making herbal medicinals (shared more in-depth here). With a handful of herbs and a few other ingredients, you have the opportunity to make a variety of useful products for your home apothecary without needing to go to a drug store. Here is what I keep on hand and some simple recipes:

Home Apothecary Basics:

  • Raw apple cider vinegar, glycerine and/or 80-100 proof alcohol for tincture making. The shelf life of these items are almost indefinite and are safe to store for preparedness. (There are three different types of tinctures you can make; an alcohol-based tincture, a vinegar-based tincture and a glycerin-based tincture (also called a glycerite). Alcohol makes the strongest extract, vinegar the second strongest and finally, glycerin is the least potent (but it's beauty is in the fact that it is sweet tasting for children, is without alcohol and boasts a longer shelf life than the vinegar option). Visit this post for more information and if you are concerned about using alcohol based medicine.) I will also add that these items are quite versatile and would be wise to store for other various reasons. The vinegar can also be used in preserving and pickling, the glycerine can be used in making many household and bath products. Vodka is also a natural disinfectant and antiseptic. It could be used for preparing baking extracts, used as a disinfectant and in times of extreme emergency, it can act as pain relief. It can also be used to treat toothaches, clean wounds, clean your house and is a preserving ingredient in aromatic room sprays. As all three of these items have long shelf lives, I consider them a good investment.
  • Raw honey (local honey is preferred). This too has an indefinite shelf life and can be used with herbs to make medicinals and is medicinal in itself! I have a print out sharing ways that a bulk supply of honey can be useful in your home and therefore be an excellent preparedness item. It can be used to make electuaries, oxymels, herbal honey, heal sunburns, wounds and ease allergies (to name a few). You will find our printable here.

And finally, regarding the situation that is looming over all of us.... COVID-19. I'm not going to go into all the political avenues on this or my beliefs on the subject but, if you are of an independent and “natural minded” nature, being prepared is possible. While there are many treatments which I have read which have been quite affective, the idea is to choose one that is doable for your family. I have opted to invest in this method (nebulized peroxide) for my home pharmacy (it is shared by an ex-Nurse who I trust who does her research). I do not want to check myself into a hospital for these symptoms as once you get in, it is an act of Congress to get out. Loved ones are not allowed inside and your medical freedom is often threatened. We are keeping this early treatment on hand and have told our family so that there are options available for those who want them. This system can also be used to help out other respiratory illnesses so I think it is a useful investment. It basically requires a nebulizer, saline solution and food grade hydrogen peroxide. The choice is yours. I just wanted to remind you dear ladies out there that we do still have a choice although at times it may not feel like it. We can take our health into our own hands if we feel uncomfortable with what is going on in the hospitals. 

COVID-19 Combatants:

  • Nebulizer (see usage and recipe in this article here) Be sure to obtain an electric tabletop jet nebulizer as the battery-driven handheld versions aren’t as effective.
  • And these four vitamins are also used for prevention and reducing the risk of symptoms in general: Vitamin D3, Vitamin C, zinc and Quercetin. You will find more information on this vitamin protocol here.
Though I don't feel our family is at risk for any serious danger from this flu (we don't have any serious respiratory weakness), I do want to keep up on the prevention end and have the ability to help the elderly in my family with the other options I shared.


"Although you can't purchase skills in things like first aid as easily as you can purchase a box of bandages, you can purchase or borrow books and take classes. In fact, I would consider a reference library an invaluable preparedness tool."

~ Kathy Harrison, Just in Case: How to Be Self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens

I also wanted to share the books and resources I keep on hand for medical emergencies. You can't always rely on "Dr. Google" as the internet may not always be available. While I have more in my collection (I found all of the above books in thrift stores and I collect them as I see them), these would be the books I recommend every household have.

Knowledge:

  • Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child (Shares natural and conventional treatments. I can't say how many times I used this book at 3-in the morning before the internet existed in my home. It is a must have if you have children in my opinion.)
I also wanted to mention the Deep Roots at Home Blog (While I can't spend all day searching out the latest in the medical world, I do rely on this blog for guidance. She is a conservative, ex-nurse who shares all kinds of alternative medical information with a Biblical foundation. I print out pertaining articles and place them in my Proverbs 31 Preparedness binder for information purposes.)


Goals:

Something I also have on my to-do list is to get trained in CPR, first aid and/or some kind of "first response" class. I'd like to do this with my daughter as I feel it is a beautiful homemaking skill to have. It was on my list of things to do before she graduated and yet it evaded me. I think this is such a useful skill for the homemaker and I believe the training is only a few days to a week in most cases. 

I hope some of this information provides some ideas or at least food for thought. This doesn’t have to be done overnight. But little by little you can build up a medical preparedness system which can get your family through a good and decent amount of circumstances. We have all seen that everything isn’t available when you necessarily need it. Let’s choose wisdom and slowly plan a way with the sound mind our God has given us. It is not the government’s job to take care of our every need, it is their job to govern. It is the homemaker (with God's help and divine wisdom) who is responsible for the provisions  (with husband’s help of course!) and well-being of everyone in her home (the Greek translation of "keeper at home" is actually "guard of the home" or "watcher of the home"). Once again, what a valuable position this is!

Disclaimer #1: I am not a certified herbalist but a homemaker interested in the arts of natural healing. The information I have learned has been gleaned through study of some of the following favorite books; Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's GuideHerbal Recipes for Vibrant HealthGrow Your Own Drugs by James Wong, and The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs by Reader's Digest and websites of various herbalists. I would also like to mention that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I receive a small percentage of the sale if they are used.

Disclaimer #2: I am not a doctor. While I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use, remember that using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is approved by the FDA or intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. All things on this blog are my opinion or the opinion of others. Also, if you have a medical condition, are taking pharmaceutical drugs, or are pregnant, please consult your physician prior to taking herbs, etc. #medicalpreparedness


To begin your own Proverbs 31 Preparedness Binder, here is a printable cover page.  I've be placing much of my information in this binder for any "time to come" and can pass this down to my daughter one day as a beautiful resource. In the meantime, here are the preparedness articles we have shared thus far to get you inspired to continue adding to your Proverbs 31 Preparedness notebook: 

⛑ 🧺 🩹 

What are your thoughts on this? I’m so curious! There are many "ordinary" homemakers like ourselves who feel this importance and are sharing their ideas and experiences that you may also appreciate such as Annabel at The Bluebirds are Nesting and Patsy at A Working Pantry. I also glean much from The Prudent Homemaker and the Preparedness Mama (though her blog is solely preparedness tips). There is so much that can be covered on this topic, do you have anything to add?

28 comments:

  1. JES, this is a very comprehensive and extremely helpful post. I can appreciate the great time investment in putting it all together, so thank you for providing such a wealth of valuable information. I have nothing to add, and I completely agree with your determination to be as self-sufficient from medical assistance as possible. We are now seeing, to our astonishment, that the specific protocols enacted by hospitals can be fatal to our loved ones. My husband, our adult son, and I all contracted Covid in November. I had already acquired everything needed to nebulize diluted hydrogen peroxide, but learned, to my dismay, that one can be too sick to even do simple things such as that. Thank you again for such a wonderful post, which is especially critical at this time. Blessings to you, Nancy

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing this Nancy! I am sure you are right that it is difficult to administer these things to yourself when you are that sick! I am prepared to do this for members of our family and friends should they get to that level. I had read that it was wise to get all the concoctions made and refrigerated with a practiced dry run. This makes sense so that the least thinking and doing at that time, the better. I am glad you are presumable feeling better now ❤️

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  2. I also think this is a very important topic. I work in an office and right now almost all of us know someone close to us that is sick. Covid tests are impossible to find. We are sharing the ones we have between us all. So far, we have been able to provide a test to everyone that needs it. We are all sharing all our resources. I have been bringing in my dried herbal teas that help build immune systems to share. We are all working together to stay healthy and keep our loved ones out of the hospital because of exactly what you said- once you enter the hospital the family has no control or contact and has no idea what is going on. We don't want to have our loved ones die in the hospital all alone. I am liking this system of working together and sharing. It helps me feel like I am no longer all alone in helping my loved ones.

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    1. I love that you are sharing pots of tea with your community! For myself, I have continued to live my life as normally as possible but have done much more this season as far as building the immune system. I think you are quite right to focus on that rather than fear ♥️ Thank you so much for sharing!

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  3. Dear Jes, Thankyou for sharing your household preparations. I agree about getting ahead while we can and it sure feels better than doing nothing. I would be so frustrated with myself to have to be lining up or trying to track down one item in the midst of sickness when I should at that stage be home. I have had a nebulizer on my wish list for a while. Your post prompted me to go ahead and order it. I also ordered some more masks online as they are no where to be found in the sizable town I live near and it's been that way for weeks. I was surprised by this as I thought masks would be something continually in stock. Stay well, love Clare (Australia)

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    1. Hi Clare, yes I agree with you on being prepared when you are in a healthy state and not scrambling around when sick! As far as masks go, you may want to read this article below before investing in more... just some food for thought ❤️ JES

      https://deeprootsathome.com/masks-facts-from-an-rn-and-6-things-that-weaken-our-immune-systems/

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  4. Thank you for all the excellent information and resources. I'm of a similar mind, ie., not going to the Dr. unless what I'm doing is just not working, growing and making my own medicines and such. My husband and I both believe we had the flu at the new year, though we had no tests to confirm. Thankfully, our home remedies worked well, as well as the fact that we're quite active and healthy. I've learned a number of things today, including the hydrogen peroxide treatment. Thank you for sharing all you have here.

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    1. Sounds like we are two peas in a pod Laurie ♥️ 🌿 😊 Thank you for taking the time to share here today!

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  5. A great list! I did not realize how useful grapefruit seed extract is. I use it in my soaps. I am hopefully on the tail end of the virus. It has hit me pretty hard. I have many of the things you mention including the nebulizer. I think each person reacts a little differently, but for me the 2 most helpful things have been the Epsom salt baths and Pedialyte. I'm sure all the other things are helping, but those have offered almost immediate relief. My O2 level has remained good & I'm not on any medications. We have similar views of staying away from hospitals. Also, thank you for the book list - a couple I'd not seen so will be looking 😊 (If what I'm typing doesn't make much sense, please forgive me. I'm still a little foggy.)

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    1. Hi there friend! I do hope you feel better soon!!! ♥️ 🤗 And yes, grapefruit seed extract is a wonder drug over here 😂 Anything we can't kick, we use it for... Thank you for sharing your experience and what has worked for you! Now I'll let you rest up :) ♥️ JES

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  6. I have been promted to buy a nebulizer! You are the first with a recipe for a nebulizer...yay for one more reason for not going to the doctor's and to help my grandchildren! Thank you, truly, for taking the time to share your wisdom in such a beautiful and practical way all these years!

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    1. It is very nice to have an affordable back up if need be! Plus I've read so many different ways a nebulizer can be a blessing in the home pharmacy so I feel it was a good investment. If you click the link (nebulized peroxide) above it will give specific information on usage and dosage. Thank you for your kind words ♥️ JES

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  7. I have training in Applied Kinesiology so I am able to test us by checking for muscle weakness for what we need in any situation. I treat friends and relatives who are in need here in my home. I have also just learned a lot by being the patient of an alternative practitioner for over ten years. I am about to contradict you on a few points based on that training and knowledge. OTC pain relievers are the absolute worst thing you can put in your body when you are ill or in any kind of distress. They completely shut down the lymph system which is the number one body system you need working well to heal. Aspirin does not do this is it is the one exception. What we keep for pain is bourbon. If we are in so much pain that we feel that HAVE to take something we take 1-2 tablespoons. Pain is meant to tell us something is wrong so we would only take this at most twice a year. A few years ago I severely burned my hand and that was a time I took it and it really helped. Most do not know that colloidal silver only works for about 50 percent of the population and for the rest it does nothing. It works great from my husband and I but does not work for any of our five children. DoTerra On Guard does not work for anything. The particular combination of oils seems to cancel each other out. I know that for many it is the gold standard but please save your money. Some may have seen that I recommend Hopewell Essential Oils over every other and it is because they are the best quality for the least money and it will stay that way since you are not supporting any sales people with your money. Linda, who is the owner of Hopewell has a God given gift for blending oils. My alternative practitioner has also worked with her on some of the blends. Their website is full of useful information but you need to create and account and log in to access it. Christopher's formulas is a line of herbal formulas that we trust because they work. We keep many of them on hand here and rely on them often. Amazon and many other places online carry them. They take the guess work out of wondering what to use. Above all else drink your water! Many alternative practitioners feel that 80% of disease would just go away if the entire population was hydrated. If you are feeling bad the best thing to do is to drink a quart of water and you will likely feel better. Doing so nearly always takes away a headache, And now I am really going to step on toes, the biggest deterrent to being well is a diet soda habit. It makes the body extremely acid and is extremely dehydrating. Every person that I know who has chronic pain/fibromyalgia uses diet sodas or artificial sweeteners.

    Thank you for doing this series!

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    1. Hi Lana, thank you for sharing your angle! I’m going to completely agree with you on diet soda! In fact we stay clear of every soda. As far as the oils go, I’m not partial to any brand (except a few which are quite diluted and cheaply made which I’ll never purchase again). However, I was promoting the traditional thieves blend in general. We find it quite helpful but I do understand not everything works for everyone. I appreciate all you shared and am glad you brought up hydration! That is something I missed and quite important along with chicken soup which I should have also mentioned 😊 I’m sure what you shared here will be helpful to many ♥️ thank you!

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing this information!! I am looking forward to finding the books that you shared. I am never really sure which books to trust so that list will be very helpful for me. So many good resources packed into this post!!

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    1. Thank you Michelle for taking the time to comment here today! It's nice to hear from the other side of the screen once in a while ♥️

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  9. Jes, I LOVE it when you write these types of posts. I like to print them out too. 😊🥰

    One thing that I would add to the 3xday list would be a spoonful of local, raw honey. It has worked so well for us to do this. We also noticed the need to keep well hydrated and well fed. Taking care of one another goes a long way💗

    Thank you so much for sharing on this💝💗😘

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    1. Thank you so much for the feedback! You often wonder as you spend time typing something up, "Is this worth the time?"... Thank you also for sharing your additions, I definitely agree with them all! I find adding healing spices to the honey is also helpful such as cinnamon (aka an electuary)! And drinking herbal teas for us is easier during sickness than just plain water for some reason... Blessings to you and yours Gabrielle ♥️

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  10. Jes, there is such good information in this post and in the comments. Thank you for taking the time to put all this together, I'm going to use it as a check list to see if I have any gaps that need filling or refilling. Thank you also for the mention!

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    1. You are most welcome Patsi! I always love reading about your preparations ♥️ 😊

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  11. Excellent article and new subscriber here. One thing about alcohol is, it has an expiry date. I found this out last year when I had need to pour on an open wound. It didn't sting as it should have and checking the expiry date, found it was old. I found a bit of vodka I'd used to make vanilla extra, and poured on the wound, followed by peroxide and bandages. I also use ginger and CBD oil and salve and find it helps aches and pains.
    Something else I've seen, but not yet used, is garlic in honey.

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    1. Welcome and good to have you here! That is a good point about cleaning alcohol and one more reason to keep a supply of food grade alcohol (aka vodka) as it doesn't expire!!! I really appreciate you bringing that point out. We also use the CBD salve so that is another great addition. I think mine was sitting out somewhere and didn't get included in the list as it wasn't in the regular spot....

      Thank you for sharing here today Sandra - I really appreciate it ♥️ 😊

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  12. "incredulousness" :-) perfect word. Great post, thank you for taking the time this is a lot of information.

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    1. 😊 You are most welcome! Have a wonderful week ♥️

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  13. This was such a helpful post JES, thank you! I wanted to mention one thing you may not know - Tumeric is not recommended for people with anemia or who are taking iron supplements, as it blocks the absorption of iron. Quercetin apparently does this also, which is why I take neither of them although I understand they both have significant benefits. (I have iron deficiency).

    The other thing I wanted to mention was that I have not heard before about becoming immune to vitamin C if it's taken too regularly. This is important information - I don't suppose you might remember where you learned this? I'd really like to find out more about that as I take a significant amount of vitamin C daily, because it *helps* in the absorption of iron!

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    1. Thank you for sharing your experiences with anemia, these are all ways we can learn from one another in our different health circumstances!

      As far as the vitamin C goes, that is a good question!!! It has been in my brain as I must have read it somewhere but let me do some sleuthing. Sometimes we picks things up along the way, it becomes a parts of our thinking and yet we can't pinpoint where... You're definitely right to question it, especially regarding your own situation. I will get back to you on that when I find my source!

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  14. Forgive me, but what is your problem with the hospitals exactly?
    If the doctors are stopping you from meeting with your relative in the hospital, it obviously has a serious reason behind it, it is not like the evil doctors are just waiting for the opportunity to separating you.
    And what is the problem with the insursnce system? Wich red tapes are aou talking about?

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    1. Hi Szundra, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts here! I personally don't have a problem with hospitals when they are absolutely necessary -- for in that case they are an absolute blessing! However, they have turned into a prison of sorts because of all the latest mandates. It is scary to check someone in knowing you will never see them again. And I don't think the doctors are evil in any way... but the "powers that be" which make all these rules is a whole other conversation. Safety is in the eyes of the beholder. Even doctors have different opinions on this!

      As far as the insurance system goes, I have an aging mother who gets bounced around from waiting for referrals and so forth (meanwhile her ailments are getting worse) until she can get to a proper doctor. By the time she gets there, her situation has compounded. If she could just get the right tests at the beginning with the right kind of doctor, she would be alleviated from so much pain and torment. And in the middle of it, certain x-rays are covered, certain tests are not and so forth which makes it challenging to get a proper diagnosis.

      This is why I'm big on prevention and doing as much yourself to avoid the need for doctors. But of course, this is not always possible! The doctors themselves can only do so much within the limitations of insurance and hospital regulations.

      I hope this answer cleared some things up. This is really a topic that can be conversed all day long but time is precious so I will sign out now...

      Take care my friend!

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