FLU SEASON IS DEFINITELY HERE!

Flu is a highly contagious disease, usually more prevalent in the Winter and Spring. It is spread through discharges from the mouth and nose from infected persons. The influenza virus has great genetic variation, which accounts for the frequent epidemics, caused by different strains of the virus. The main target of the virus is the respiratory system. Flu can be highly dangerous for children, the elderly, or people with a weak immune system.

Symptoms of flu include sudden onset, fever, chills, muscle aches and pain, headache, weakness, and physical and mental exhaustion. Sneezing, coughing, and other symptoms of the common cold are usually present, and intestinal complaints are also very common.

People with the flu require bed rest, a well-balanced diet, and lots of liquids, such as water, homemade Lemonade, vegetable juices, soups, and herbal teas.

The news media is pushing the flu vaccine. Demand for the vaccine is great. Unfortunately, the American public is poorly informed about the drawbacks of vaccines and the anti-viral properties of essential oils. If people understood therapeutic grade essential oils, perhaps there's be less reason to line up at the clinic.

For building the immune system and preventing viral infection, these are the essential oils we use. You can buy therapeutic quality oils at Young Living Essential Oils. (Numbers in parentheses are product numbers)

PREVENTION CONSIDERATIONS:

Essential Oils:

☻ Oil of Oregano-Powerful Anti-Infectious/Anti-Viral Agent (Georgetown Univ Medical Center Report, Oct 2001) (#3605) I once had a piano student who would not go anywhere without her oregano oil.
☻ Oil of Thyme- Nerve Bacterial and Spinal Bacterial Infections (Dr. Jean Valnet, M.D. Research Studies) (#3650) I put this on my goats' food all the time. It kept them healthy and did wonderful things for their milk.
☻ ImmuPower Blend---Immune Support. Building, Strengthening, and Protecting the Body (#3363) My personal favorite.
☻ Thieves Blend -Kills 99.96% Airborne Bacteria (Weber State Univ Laboratory Studies) (#3423) My husband's personal favorite.
☻ Oil of Lavender -Soothing for Blister Agents on the Skin (Rene Gattefosse, French Scientific Experiments). Calms headache (#3575).
☻ Exodus II Blend-Immune Stimulating, Anti-viral Compounds (Biblical Oils Used in Ancient Cultures) (#3338) This is my daughter's personal favorite.
☻ DiGize Blend---Valuble Soothing Digestive aid. (#3324).

RESPIRATORY CONSIDERATIONS:

☻ Fir, Idaho Balsam-Combats Respiratory Infections; Soothing for muscles and body aches. Anti-fungal (#3654).
☻ R.C. Blend-Antiseptic Respiratory Support (#3405) My daughter's best friend is a big fan of R.C.
☻ Raven Blend-Powerful Support to the Lung/Bronchial Tissues (#3402).
☻ cold air diffuser -Diffuses Powerful Oil Constituents into the air (#3800, 3660, 3661, 3662, 3663, 4457 - for travel, and 4456 - this one is ultrasonic).


Supplements;

☻ MultiGreens Capsules-Fortifies Immune System to Optimal Levels (Green Food Antioxidant w/essential oils) (#3248).
☻ Exodus Capsules---A Super Charged Antioxidant /immune support with Echinacea and essential oils (#3205).
☻ Mineral Essence---Ionic Mineral complex enhanced with essential oils (#3222).
☻ True Source-dried superfood powders, whole food vitamins and minerals, and other nutrients supplying a broad spectrum of nutrients - not your ordinary multi-vitamin (#3502).

Cleansers;

☻ Thieves Soap-Soothing, Antibacterial all-natural Cleanser (#3679).
☻ Thieves Household Cleaner - A natural all-purpose concentrate that can be used on tough stains and problem areas in the home without resorting to harsh or abrasive chemicals (3743).
☻ Dentarome PLUS Oral Hygiene-Anti-Germicidal Toothpaste (Contains Thymol and Thieves Blend) (#3738).

You can use therapeutic grade essential oils topically or internally. For topical application, apply to the bottoms of the feet, the pulse points of the wrist, or to the back, neck, and chest. Since some of these oils are considered "hot" oils, be sure to dilute the essential oils with a carrier, especially if you have sensitive skin.

For internal use (*use only therapeutic grade oils internally, other oils may be toxic*), put 3-5 drops into a vegetable capsule (gel cap) and swallow. Fill the rest of the capsule with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, grapeseed oil, or flaxseed oil. Do this three times per day, for at least a week. You can usually purchase gel caps at any health food store.

If you don't have any gel caps, you can put 1-5 drops of oil in a tablespoon of honey and let it trickle down your throat. The oils are very strong, so start with one drop and work up to the most effective amount for your own body. I prefer this method because it does not involve messing with capsules, and it seems to take effect sooner.

In Europe and England doctors have been prescribing essential oils and herbs as treatment for Infections, Colds and Flu. Some of the essential oils recommended are:

☻ Idaho tansy (3656) Do not take tansy internally.
☻ Cypress (3530) Also good for circulation issues, like cold hands and feet.
☻ Tea Tree/melaleuca (3587).
☻ Lavender (3575) Also helps the fever headache symptoms.
☻ Thyme (3650).
☻ Oregano (3605).
☻ Rosemary (3626).
☻ Peppermint (3614) Also helps with fevers.
☻ and Fir (3314 or 3316).

Idaho Balsam Fir is a conifer oil distilled in northern Idaho. It has been used for treating muscle aches and pains, sinusitis, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders.

If you use a combination of different essential oils and supplements, recovery is more assured than if using just one essential oil or herb.

Use the diffuser (44456) with Lemon (3578), Eucalyptus (3597), or Lavender (3575) to disinfect the room air and keep the nasal passages clear.

If you have a sore throat, place one drop Melrose Blend (3378) essential oil on your tongue and swallow. Do this every half hour until the pain is gone.

It is important when you come down with an illness to use essential oils correctly. Be aware of any safety precautions, as some essential oils can sting or burn so they need to be diluted.

Diffusing Oils;

When oils are diffused in a home or office, they purify the air itself by removing toxins, metallic particles and other harmful microscopic debris. They also increase the atmospheric oxygen, and boost levels of beneficial ozone and negative ions which dramatically inhibit the growth and reproduction of airborne pathogens. Further, as the odorous molecules drift to the various surfaces of each room they rapidly kill virtually all pathogenic bacteria, rifles, molds and fungi they come into contact with. And lastly, they completely destroy odors from mold, cigarettes, household pets and more.

Perhaps the most popular and effective method of diffusing oils is to buy a product called a Diffuser (4456), which sprays an ultra-fine mist of the essential oil of your choice into the air. The millions of misted particles sprayed from a diffuser are so fine they can hang in the air of your house literally for hours, spreading from room to room via the normal air circulation that occurs as you walk through your house.

So diffusing puts the oils into the atmosphere in your home. You're getting increased oxygen because it releases the oxygenating molecules, you're getting increased ozone and negative ions because that's where it comes from in nature, from the plant oils.

*** VERY IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT DIFFUSING OILS:

Whatever you do, DO NOT HEAT YOUR OILS. Keep them around room temperature. Heating the essential oils will not only ruin the therapeutic value of the oil, but it can also harm you. Research shows that high temperatures will change the chemistry. This changed chemistry can be toxic to the human body.

This is simply basic organic chemistry 101. If you want to fragrance a room and obtain health benefits, use a cold air diffuser (4456). Do not use a light bulb ring diffuser or burn oils with fire from a candle.

Quality

I went to a well known body care store and found the oils that were labeled "Pure Essential Oils." In very small print, on an attached card, was this statement, "Lavender essential oil diluted to a 2% solution."

That 15ml bottle contained 6 drops of lavender oil and the rest grape seed oil. That is a 2% solution!!! The bottle sold for $10.00. A 15ml bottle of lavender essential oil contains about 300 drops and usually costs between $20.00 to $30.00. My experience further cemented my faith in Young Living Essential Oils as being a honest, dependable source of quality oils.

You can use many of the herbs as teas instead of, or along with the oils.