Luckily, there are several  herbs with natural ‘antibiotic’ properties to prevent and treat discomforts such as the common cold, sore throats, and even the flu! Garlic, Wild Indigo, Olive Leaf, and Goldenseal have both anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Garlic can help fight against the viruses and bacteria that cause the common cold and influenza. It can also help thin the buildup of mucus that causes ear infections and sinusitis. They can be used as a preventative in the form of a capsule or a tea, and you can easily increase the dosage as symptoms begin to appear, under the supervision of your natural health expert. Garlic can be eaten raw, or used in everyday cooking.

Goldenseal, also called orangeroot, is considered an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, which is why it is often recommended in the treatment of the mucus membranes in the upper respiratory tract. It also increases the effectiveness of other herbs that it is combined with.  This herb, however, should not be taken longer than 14 days in a row, some herbologists say.  If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, are nursing and/or pregnant you should not take this herb.

Wild Indigo stimulates the body’s immune system, and is extremely helpful in combating upper respiratory ailments such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis. It can be taken in liquid form, usually 30 to 40 drops several times a day. It can also be combined with Echinacea.

Olive Leaf can be considered the “jack of all trades” when it comes to fighting infections. It treats all types: bacterial, viral, and fungal. Follow the recommended dosages on the label for maximum effectiveness.

Combining these supplements with plenty of Vitamin C-producing fruits and veggies, such as oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, broccoli and red and green peppers is an even better line of defense. The importance of Vitamin C to boost the immune system cannot be stressed enough!

Also, a cup of green tea with honey and lemon is chock full of antioxidants to help fight off many throat ailments, and the honey soothes a sore throat and the coughs that come with it. And ginger is helpful in combating chills that come along with a fever-inducing illness, such as the flu.

Utilizing these tips can help you get through the winter with fewer sick days, and hopefully fewer trips to the doctor!

The above article is for informational purposes only:  Although these herbs are generally considered safe for most people, as always, if you are currently taking any prescription medicines under a doctor’s care, are pregnant, nursing or suffer from other health conditions, you should check with your doctor before adding these to your arsenal against winter illnesses.

When you reach for one of the popular sports drinks, you are not only consuming very few important nutrients and electrolytes, but you are also drinking down high fructose corn syrup, chemical colorings and other potentially harmful ingredients. A lot of the colors added to these drinks are derived from a crude oil source and potentially contain dangerous heavy metals. These colorings have also been linked to many diseases like cancer. The sugar that is added to make it taste good only lure you into wanting more. Those drinks labeled with a fruit name, usually don’t contain any fruit at all.

Drinking coconut water has many healthy benefits such as boosting your metabolism in a healthy way, with no added sugar, caffeine or chemical additives. There are also other benefits of replenishing lost water and nutrients with coconut water/juice such as: boosting your immunity, helping cleanse the kidneys, improve your digestion, stopping dehydration and balancing the PH of your body, help aid in weight loss all without harmful side effects of chemicals and any one at any age can safely consume it.

Coconut water is an amazing antioxidant. It contains essential minerals and salts with the same natural balance as the body and contains the five essential electrolytes your body needs to regulate proper temperature and keep nerves and muscles functioning at their optimum levels.

Coconut water has no cholesterol and is low in calories, and is fat free. It is an excellent source of potassium, which our bodies need to function properly. So after your next vigorous workout, reach for a healthier alternative, reach for coconut juice!

Do you suffer from chronic, painful, tension headaches? If so, you are definitely not alone. It is estimated that there are approximately 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic tension headache pain. Research is showing that a large part of this suffering public is turning to more natural ways to manage or even eliminate their unbearable pain.

Massage therapy is proving to be a very powerful and effective treatment option and is helping millions of people end their suffering. According to a survey by the National Headache Foundation, 69% of the respondents to their online questionnaire have used massage therapy to help reduce or eliminate their pain.

Massage therapy is effective and successful at treating headache pain because it not only helps the person relax; it also addresses the most common cause of the pain – severe muscle dysfunction and spasm. Unlike conventional medicine, where a patient is prescribed dangerous drugs and painkillers, massage therapy treats the root cause and works to correct the problem, not mask the symptoms.

Most tension headaches are cause by muscle dysfunction – the muscle has become ‘stuck’ in a spasm response to a stimuli. By addressing key muscles and ‘points’ along these muscles, massage helps ‘reset’ the muscles response to the cause and allows it to ‘let go’ and function normally again. Massage therapy works to restore the muscle to its proper function, thus lessening or even preventing headaches from reoccurring.

Massage and Trigger Point therapy can significantly reduce the length, frequency and severity of chronic tension headaches. This allows clients to avoid or reduce the amount of harmful drugs and in severe cases, even avoid surgery.

If you are one of the many Americans who are searching for an end to your suffering, help is just a phone call away. Give us a call at Absolutely Spahhhvelous and make an appointment to start your journey to a headache-free life! 940-343-5667.