Month: November 2017

As the weather cools and the cold and flu season gets well underway it’s important to look after ourselves. Exposure to viruses is unavoidable, unless we live like a hermit!Working with children or in air conditioned offices can increase our exposure to many winter virusesSo if we can’t avoid coming into contact with ‘bugs’ the only solution is to strengthen our immune systems to work effectively when we do encounter something ‘nasty’! Here are some tips (for adults) that will see you through the cold and flu season……………….Wash your hands regularlyWhether you have been holding hands with the children, shaking hands in business meeting or simply opening a door simply adjusting your hands will be carriers of germs. It’s when we rub our eyes, noses or scratch the side of our mouths that we transport these germs to our own bodiesGargle with a diluted Tea-Tree solution (1 cup of boiled water, left to cool then add 1 drop of tea-tree pure essential oil). This is great practice after coming into contact with a roomful of germs i.e. hospitals, doctors surgery, schools and aeroplanes.Inflammation or a tingling sensation in your throat usually means that an infection is trying to enter your body. Gargling with Tea-Tree can stop the attack going any further! Tea-Tree oil has antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, expectorant and anti-fungal properties!Keep your home healthy by diffusing oils. Not only will be enhancing the atmosphere of your home but you can kill germs at the same time.There are a number of ways to do this:-– Place a glass/ceramic bowl on top of a radiator filled with water and 10/20 drops of pure essential oils.– Use a specially designed ‘aromatherapy burner’. (These can be candle based or electrical )– Place a small bowl of water and 20 drops of your chosen oils on top of a radiator You can have loads of fun mixing your desired oils to create an aroma which is pleasing to you. Here are 4 great oils that every home should have! Lavender – antiseptic, antiviral, antibiotic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, deodorant & insect repellentLemon – antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, disinfectant, detoxifying and insect repellent Tea-Tree – antiseptic, antiviral, antibiotic, antibacterial, antifungal, disinfectant & expectorantEucalyptus – antiseptic, antiviral, antibiotic, antibacterial, decongestant, deodorant, disinfectant & insect repellent In 1925 experiments proved tea-tree oil to be 13 times stronger than carbolic acid!!!Lemon oil has been shown to neutralise, the micro-organisms which cause the bacterial infections of typhoid, diphtheria and Tuberculosis within 5 -20 minutes! When vaporised it takes less than 3 hours to neutralise the germ that causes pneumonia!CAUTIONARY NOTE: Some oils are toxic, some are skin irritants and some promote menstruation (emmenagogue) so should not be used by pregnant women. If in doubt consult a qualified Aromatherapist. Keep yourself healthy and your immune system in tip-top conditionOptimum Nutrition plays an important part in developing a healthy immune system. Sugar, alcohol, stress and lack of sleep all rob our immune system and leave us vulnerable to picking up any bugs that are around. At the first sign of a cold (usually a scratchy throat or eyes)– Take Sambucol (this is an elderberry extract) In double blind trials (results published in 1995) Sambucol was tested on people diagnosed with any one of a number of strains of flu virus. 20% of patients showed significant improvement in symptoms within 24 hours and a further 73% showed improvement within 48 hours. After 3 days 90% had complete relief of their symptoms. The group on a placebo took at least 6 days to recover!– Take sufficient Vitamin C to stop a cold/virus from taking hold. 1000mg of Vitamin C a day helps reduce the incidence of colds. For a cold virus to ‘take hold’ it must get inside the cells and program them to replicate the cold virus. If the body’s tissues are saturated with Vitamin C the virus cannot survive. Tissue saturation is likely to be achieved by taking around 10 – 15 grams of Vitamin C in a day or 3000mg (3g) every 3 hours ( this dose would only be recommended for a couple of days at the start of a cold/flu).Note: this is nearly 400 times the RDA. Recommended Daily Allowance is the amount suggested to stop deficiency, not achieve optimum performance from the body. Vitamin C is water soluble and not toxic though too much may result in loose bowels. – Drink 2/3 cups of Cat’s claw Tea. Cats claw Tea is a powerful anti-viral and immune boosting plant from the Peruvian Rainforest. Do Yoga!The following Asanas (yoga postures) are very useful in relieving stress, stimulating the immune system while balancing the endocrine system. Supported Supta Baddha KonasanaThis restorative pose not only calms your nervous system but also stimulates your immune system. Stay for 5-20 minutes as long as you are comfortable.Note: if you suffer from backache sit further from the bolster or just lay flat on the floor.– Place a bolster or cushions on the floor– Sit on the floor, in front of the bolster (your sacrum a fist distance away from the bolster)– Place the soles of your feet together in Baddha Konasana then lie back onto the bolster support under thighs with cushions or blocks– Place a folded blanket or cushion under your head so your chin is slightly lower than your forehead– Lay cushions (or blocks) by your sides and rest your arms and hands on them– Finally lay an eye bag or a folded strap across your eyes then relax and enjoy Supported Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand)Like Supta Badha Konasana this pose calms your nervous system and stimulates your immune system. It also has the additional benefit of balancing your endocrine system (your hormones).This posture does require some yoga experience……– place some cushions (or blocks) at the foot of the sofa– sit on the sofa, place your legs up the sofa back then gently slide your shoulders to the floor, until they rest on the cushions.– If your sofa is too low then place a cushion or folded blanket under your sacrum– Stretch your feet towards the ceiling. NOTE: The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other health care worker.

Month: November 2017

Keeping Healthy over the Winter Months

Why LGY Courses are Uniquely Different

Teaching Kids Yoga – How hard can it be?

SEARCH

Categories

RECENT POSTS

ARCHIVEMENT

RECENT VIDEOS

OPENING HOURS:

RECENT BLOG

SUPPORT

GET IN TOUCH

Primary Color

Layout

Background