Corona Virus - What Should We Do?

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Hmm.. what’s to make of all the information in the media about the Corona Virus. Are you worried? scared? ambivalent? I know I usually don’t listen fully to what the media says, but everywhere I turn lately, someone is discussing this virus. While I don’t choose to live in fear, there is a little part of me that wonders if this is THE ONE that’s a real threat. Wait!.. I remember feeling the same way a year ago regarding the Ebola virus, and in previous years with SARS, West Nile, etc., etc. While it seems each year there is a new threat to our health, there are things we can do to help prevent ourselves from getting sick. First on my list is to stay away from all the media hype. While I do not underestimate the voraciousness of this virus on the people whose immune systems are compromised, I feel that listening to the media day in and day out is downright unhealthy.

Anxiety and fear definitely affect the health of our immune system. Our immune system is our best bet to staving off a virus. Stress is one of the responses to all the talk of the Corona virus. While you may not feel stressed, just being exposed to the number of times it’s mentioned in the media or plastered on the cover of magazines, etc. is enough to keep you in a state of perceived panic. Staying healthy is important to preventing an illness. Creating a healthy environment is key. Here are some things that I recommend to help achieve good health….

  • Spend time with the people you love

  • Eat fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, pastured meats, nuts, seeds, clean water, green tea

  • Exercise to release those endorphins or “feel good” hormones

  • Take an epsom salts bath with lavender essential oil

  • Read a good book

  • Get enough sleep (7-8 hours)

  • Think positive thoughts

Here’s my “flu shot” recipe. I buy the herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs, a wonderful company to deal with. You can make this recipe using just elderberries, cinnamon stick, raw honey and ginger and leave out the other herbs. It’ll still do the trick!!

ROOTY BERRY SYRUP

Ingredients

3 cups cold water

¾ cup organic elderberries

¼ cup organic schisandra berries

¼ cup organic eleuthero root

¼ cup organic echinacea root

1 organic cinnamon stick

¾ to 1 cup raw local honey

1 tsp fresh grated ginger root (optional)

Directions

Combine herbs with cold water in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat and mash the berries in the liquid mixture. Strain the herbs through cheesecloth and squeeze out the juice. Measure the liquid and add an equal amount of honey. Gently heat the honey and juice for a few minutes until well combined. Do not boil!  Bottle in sterilized glass. Label and keep refrigerated for up to 6 months.

In good health,

-C