Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to lower your risk naturally At this point, everyone is familiar with coronavirus. Store shelves are empty when it comes to toilet paper, hand sanitizer, even rubbing alcohol. Should we panic? As a certified women's health and functional nutrition coach and an (almost) certified aromatherapist ...can I offer a few suggestions first?
1. WASH YOUR HANDS Of course, take the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and wash your hands often with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds (anyone want to write me a new song so I don't have to sing "Happy Birthday" 20X a day?) See all of the recommendations from the CDC here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html 2. HAND SANITIZER In between washing your hands, when it's not an option... If you can't get ahold of Purell or other hand sanitizers that are 60% alcohol then you can make you own using alcohol, aloe vera gel, and anti-viral essential oils. 2 ounces of rubbing alcohol (if that's out too, you can substitute vodka but keep in mind the alcohol content is much lower so make sure to include the anti-viral essential oils) 1 ounce of aloe vera gel (I love this totally natural stuff from Botanically Rooted) 18 drops total of anti-viral essential oils (see list in #3) In an amber glass bottle with spray top, combine 1 ounce of aloe vera gel and the essential oils you're using. Add in the 2 ounces of alcohol and shake to mix well. Label and date it with an extra note to "shake before each use". It'll be good for up to 6 months. 3. ANTI-VIRAL MOISTURIZING BLEND Use essential oils in a moisturizing blend for use on your hands through-out the day between washing your hands. Because let's be real, all that hand-washing has us reaching for lotion anyway! Many essential oils have antimicrobial properties but here are a few common essential oils that were shown in a recent (2019) research study to exhibit significant (in vitro) anti-viral effects: - Peppermint (Mentha piperita) - Melissa (Melissa officinalis) - Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - Sage (Salvia officinalis) Other common essential oils known for their anti-viral properties are - Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) - Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) - Pine (Pinus sylvestris) - Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) In a 4 ounce amber glass jar drop in 24 drops total of your choice of essential oils listed above then fill the jar with a plain, fragrance-free white lotion like this one. Stir or shake to combine well and label. For me personally I can't tolerate even a plain white lotion so I would use sweet almond oil in its place during the low-humidity months (jojoba or fractionated coconut oil for summer time). 4. THROAT SPRAY This season can bring about dry and sore throats for reasons other than illness so throwing this "Sore Throat" spray recipe in here, too. Of course if you develop symptoms of respiratory illness, call your doctor and follow these guidelines from the CDC 1/2 cup Chamomile herb tea 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 Teaspoon honey 2 drops Lavender essential oil 1 drop Lemon essential oil 1 drop Tea Tree essential oil Brew the herbal tea and strain well and let cool. Add the vinegar. I a separate bowl mix essential oils with the honey then add the aromatic honey to the tea mixture. Pour into an amber glass spray bottle and label. Shake well before each use! Spray 1-2 sprays directly into your throat and mouth (be very careful not to spray your eyes or face). It can be swallowed* Use up to 3X a day. *Use certified organic, pure essential oils from a reputable source 5. HERBAL TEAS Want to sip on some anti-viral herbal teas that also boost your immune system? Make your own dried/loose leaf combinations of these herbs: Licorice Root Cat's Claw Olive Leaf Oregano Elderberry Echinacea Astragalus Root Ginger 6. Don't Fret Take some deep breaths, pull your shoulders down & back, and recite your mantra (mine is "One Step, Enough For Me"... you can borrow it if you need one) Stress and anxiety lower your immune function. It's been shown in the research over and over. Yes, actual immune cell counts lower when our system has to buffer against stress. Research also shows that mindfulness-based meditation practices can reduce stress. It can also physically reduce the size of the amygdala in the brain, which is responsible for anxiety. And increase grey matter in the frontal lobe, which is responsible for reasoning and memory. There are tons of apps and sites that offer guided meditation so you're sure to find the best one for you. My fav is Headspace. You can download the app for free and go through their beginners course (10 sessions) for free. REFERENCES Lelešius, Raimundas, et al. “In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Fifteen Plant Extracts against Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus.” BMC Veterinary Research, vol. 15, no. 1, 2019, doi:10.1186/s12917-019-1925-6. Cooksley, Valerie, and Laraine Pounds. The Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy. Vol. 2, Floramed Publishing, 2017. Cooksley, Valerie Gennari. Aromatherapy: a Holistic Guide to Natural Healing with Essential Oils. Floramed Publishing, 2015.
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Let's say I GIFT you a trip to France. Yep, all expenses paid but...
Did you know that persistent pain in the pelvic region is triggered by bladder and/or bowel function at least 80% of the time? Wow. 😬 Yet many practitioners don’t think about painful bladder syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis or IC) when patients present with chronic sexual pain and “frequent UTIs”. Learn More about IC in this video. Use the time stamps to find what’s most important to you! 0:41 UTIs vs. Interstitial Cystitis 1:18 Overlapping Conditions 1:35 Pelvic Cross-Talk 2:00 Functional Nutrition Perspective 3:30 Gut Microbiome and Gene Expression 6:05 SIBO & How 50% of Study Participants Eliminated Bladder Pain 7:03 Dr. Echenberg Joins Us for the Clinical Perspective on IC 10:37 Inflammation & Vulvodynia 11:57 Physical Exam 13:50 Diet 16:13 Bladder Installations 23:05 Oral Medications 28:46 Diagnosis 30:05 Recognizing It Early 31:26 Aloe Vera 33:46 Summary 0:38 What we’re really talking about 1:50 New info on UTIs 2:15 The Question & The Goal 3:13 5 Tips/Suggestions 3:23 #1: Gut Microbiome 5:33 #2: Stresses 6:28 #3 Herbal Targeting 7:00 #4 Feeding the ‘good’ bacteria 7:37 #5 Supplementation Specifics 8:53 Pain Functional Nutrition & Food Sensitivities Part I: food-sensitivities-explained.html Functional Nutrition & Food Sensitivities Part II: resting-the-digestive-system.html Functional Nutrition & Food Sensitivities Part III: optimizing-digestive-function.html POOP Video: how-to-have-a-perfect-everyday.html Watch the video below and we'll talk about: 0:17 Why Does Having a "Perfect" Poop Everyday Matter? 1:20 What's a "Perfect" Poop? 1:46 Gut Microbiome 3:30 What's Functional Nutrition Got To Do With It? 4:00 The Role of Water 4:50 Fiber 6:28 Bonus: Bowel Training Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, Karen Liberi, talks about one of the "committee members" in the brain that sends pain 🚨 signals: STRESS 😖 ...And strategies for quieting this stress committee member. Breathing Video Referenced by Karen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opwbHqAHCjQ Ever heard words like "we don't know the reason for your pain" or "it must be in your head"? You're not alone! It's a bit "taboo" so if you embarrass easily, don't watch 👀 😳 |
AuthorStephanie Yeager: Passionate about spreading the word of hope and healing for those like her, influencing a paradigm shift in the medical community toward greater understanding of chronic pelvic pain disorders, and prevention initiatives that may protect young women before onset can occur. Archives
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