Sunday, April 26, 2009

Swine Flu and pandemic

Several of the Yoga students have been talking about the Swine Flu and a possible pandemic, so I decided to post a few tried and true cold and flu remedies that can be made at home.

! Understand that I am not a doctor !

What follows are only suggestions.

Regarding Echinacea: It is a short-term, strong immuno-provoker. However, after 2 to 3 weeks of daily use, it can overtax the immune system, which can lead to an immuno-suppressant effect.

Regarind Swine Flu: With this current strain, preventative immuno-boosters may be counter-productive. This is due to early indications - as established by the CDC - of a 'cytokine storm' pathology.

What follows are only suggestions.
______

First, for prevention, a family remedy. During flu season, drink a daily tea made from:
-2 Cinnamon sticks
-1 Tbls Echinacea (or 1 Echinacea tea bag)
-1 clove Garlic (minced)
-1 tsp Honey (to taste)
-juice of 1 Lemon
-2 Star Anise
-1 shot Whiskey

Add the cinnamon, star anise, echinacea, garlic and lemon to 2 cups of water. Boil and remove from heat. Let steep for 3 minutes. Add the shot of whiskey, and honey to taste.

Next .. if you are already having cold or flu symptoms, this next recipe may help you sweat it out.

-3 cloves of Garlic (minced)
-1 inch fresh Ginger Root (minced)
-1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (powder is fine)
-1/2 tsp Dill
-1 bag of Black Tea
-juice of 1 Lemon
-Honey to taste

Boil 2 cups of water, lower the heat and allow to simmer. Peel and crush the garlic and ginger .. add to the simmering water. Add the cayenne, dill, tea bag and lemon juise .. remove from heat. Steep for 5 minutes, strain, and add the honey, allow to cool. This is best drank before going to bed at night.

Finally .. if your not sick yet, but feel on the edge .. then try this recipe:
-juice of 1 Lemon
-1/2 Lemon rind
-1/2 a Lemon (cut into small pieces)
-1 Cinnamon stick-1 tsp Thyme (or 3 fresh sprigs)
-1 inch Ginger root (minced)
-Honey to taste

Add the lemon juice, the lemon rind, and the cut-up lemon, with the cinnamon, thyme and ginger, to 2 cups of water. Boil, then immediately take off heat and let steep for 5 minutes. At room temperature, add the honey to taste (never boil honey). You should drink 3 to 6 cups of this a day.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

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