Health and Medicine: Part 1

Hello Everyone,


I think it is very important that we, as young ladies preparing to (hopefully) be wives and mothers, should have a good grasp on natural and homeopathic approaches to medicine.  As our family has grown larger and larger mamma has not been as quick to go to the doctor for every little thing, rather she has searched for ways to heal the common sicknesses at home.  Thanks to her research and dedication we've grown up with this mindset: dr's are good (and necessary) for major illness (and we're very thankful for them), but the majority of sicknesses can be easily cured, over time, at home.

The Lord has created our bodies with miraculous immune systems.  I think sometimes we forget exactly how complex the immune system is and how much it does to protect us from foreign invaders.  The more you study this body of ours the more you realize just how complex and incredibly intelligent our Creator is.

Earlier last week about half of our family came down with some cold/flu-like symptoms.  I'd like to share with you some things we did to treat it along with other illnesses.

~ We began taking Echinacea.  Here is a quote from Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey in The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine that explains the use of this herb: "Laboratory studies how that the herb increases the ability of white cells to surround and destroy bacterial and viral invaders in the blood.  It stimulates the lymphatic system to clean up waste material and toxins, and it has definite antimicrobial activity."  Now Echinacea can be toxic if taken too long or overdosed.  We generally only take it if we feel like we're coming down with something or are already ill.

~ We eat tons of garlic!  "It is a powerful antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial herb." Beyond Antibiotics   It is best if you can eat this herb whole but many (including us) just can't stomach it :).  Instead we swallow garlic capsules or add it to soups and stir-fries.  I've read of putting a whole garlic clove in the outside portion of your ear to help ear infections but I've never actually done this.  Let me know if it works ;).

~We immediately increased our intake of Vitamin C.  Vitamin C is not poisonous to humans in large quantities (although it can cause lower tract issues (if you know what I mean :) when taken in excess) and is actually quite helpful in maintaining good health and assisting your immune system during illness.  I generally take 1,000 mg daily in my orange juice (using a vitamin packet called Emergen-C) but when I'm feeling down I take at least another 1,000 mg.

We'll learn about Zinc, Colloidal Silver, and Vitamin A next week in Part 2!

"Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh,

And strength to your bones."

Proverbs 3: 7-8

Learning to delight in Jesus,

Hannah  

P.S.- I am not a doctor and these suggestions are not intended to replace your primary care doctor and or his/her recommendations. :)