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Preparing our lives for potential emergencies does not have to be stressful, based on fear, or a full-time job. Whether it’s a virus or another type of threat, there are remedies and many things we can do to improve our chances of remaining prepared, healthy, fed, safe, and peaceful. While we might not have the ability to eradicate every virus or challenge that comes our way, we can certainly bolster our immune systems, disinfect our homes, and prepare our bodies for potential infections and other types of quandaries.

Vaccines might take time to develop and distribute, or they might never materialize. For this article, we’ll focus on viruses, but much of this information can be helpful in a variety of scenarios.

How Do Viruses Work?

Viruses are 100 times smaller than bacteria, and they don’t directly respond to antibiotics. They’re fierce little demons that tend to put up a good fight, sometimes for long periods. Viruses don’t have all the characters of living cells, akin to zombies, and they can quickly bring our lives to a screeching halt.

Most often, viruses behave like intracellular parasites that live (Iike vampires) off of our primary, healthy cells. After releasing RNA, which invades cell nuclei, viruses use host cells to create more viral particles. When new viral particles are released, they can destroy or debilitate the host cell in the process. When our cells, bodies, and immune systems are in tip-top shape, we improve our chances of recovering sooner.

Antiviral Herbs
While there are many herbs for remedies that have viral properties, viruses like coronavirus might not be preventable through herbs. The verdict is still out on this idea. That said, there is ample evidence that a variety of herbs have prevented and cured viral infections.

Here’s a list of herbs that can reduce the chances of contracting and spreading many of today’s viral infections. These are powerful herbs and should be explored extensively before consumption.

Amazing Rock Stars

• Elderberries
• Quassia Amara/Amargo
• Sage
• Astragalus
• Echinacea
• Calendula
• Dandelion
• Oregano
• Colloidal Silver (colloid of silver particles, not ionic silver)

Powerful Allies

• Basil
• Garlic
• Fennel
• Lemon Balm
• Cat’s Claw
• Olive Leaf
• Rosemary
• Peppermint
• Licorice
• Gensing

Each of these herbs has unique properties, some of which produce adverse side effects. Be careful with dosages and combinations. If you’re on prescriptions for liver, kidney, and other medical conditions, consult your doctor for any contraindications (dangers related to the drugs, procedures, and surgeries occurring in your life).

Preparing Your Body To Fight

In addition to preventative supplements and herbs, we can prepare ourselves by making simple changes to our lifestyles and diets. Try a few of these ideas on for size:

• Drastically reduce sugar consumption (it competes with vitamin C)
• Refrain from smoking cigarettes and marijuana
• Limit caffeine
• Limit red meat consumption
• Stay hydrated
• Add electrolytes to your daily regimen
• Exercise for 20-30 minutes, three or four times per week
• Sleep 6-8 hours every night
• Take daily naps
• Take vitamin supplements, including lots of vitamin C, a B-complex, zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin D
• Keep distance from 5G technologies as some scientists suggest that 5G can have an adverse effect on our health
• Drink warm or hot water (instead of cold water with ice)
• Explore Ayurvedic medicine to reduce inflammation and improve the health of your immune system. You might consider learning more about Ayurveda’s popular, potent herbs, including Ashwagandha, Amalaki, Guggulu, Triphala, and others.

Immune Boosters

Some viruses can be dangerous, even leading to death. In all cases, sleep, proper nutrition, and a robust immune system are your best allies and remedies. Here are some natural supplements and remedies that can help you boost your immune system:

• Moringa
• Wheatgrass, Chlorophyll, and Spirulina
• Milk Thistle
• Kudzu root (Chinese)
• Chicken Soup
• Probiotics

• Probiotic beverages like Kefir
• Fermented vegetables
• Green Tea
• Olive Leaf
• Pau D’arco
• St. John’s Wort

Homemade Remedies For Bodies, Hands, Feet, and Health

There are many things that we can do to protect ourselves and help us feel better. We can eat comfort foods, cleanse our livers and kidneys, soak our feet, clear our sinus passages, use herbs as our first lines of defense and first aid, and make our own disinfectants. Here are a few ideas you might enjoy:

Rice Water

Also known as “Jo” in China, this simple creation can reduce symptoms associated with stomach aches, headaches, and diarrhea. Taken correctly and near to the time of infection, Jo can also prevent the stomach flu. Here’s a simple Jo recipe:

• Clean 4 tablespoons of rice using warm water
• Gently dry the rice then boil it in 2 cups of water
• Cook until the rice is tender and soft (12-20 minutes)
• Pour into a bowl and sip while hot
• If you’re not getting enough protein and want to use your Jo as your primary meal, you can add nuts, including Brazils, pecans, pistachios, cashews, and more. If you’re on the mend, keep it light and simple, focusing on the warm water and rice.

Glutathione, Honey, And Vitamin C (with bioflavonoids)

This is a morning regimen to be used in the morning, 30-minutes before your first meal. Open up a 1000mg capsule of Glutathione and pour it under your tongue. Add a teaspoon of honey under your tongue and gently swish the two inside your mouth, keeping the substances under your tonight. After 5-10 minutes, swallow. The honey will make this a more enjoyable experience.

Immediately following this, take four capsules of 1000mg vitamin C (with bioflavonoids). Glutathione contains three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine, which help combat free radicals. Free radicals are those little buggers that seek to damage your cells.

Additional attributes of Glutathione:

• Strong antioxidant
• Prevents cancer progression
• Reduces cell damage in liver disease
• Makes DNA, the builders of proteins and cells
• Support immune function throughout your body
• Form sperm cells
• Remove mercury from the brain
• Help to cleanse your liver and gallbladder and deal with fats

Vitamin C & Zinc

Sugar is vitamin C’s direct competitor within your immune system. If you increase your levels of vitamin C intake and reduce your consumption of sugar, you have a winning formula for maximizing your body’s ability to defend against infection. Add a little zinc, and it’s a home run.

Detox Teas

Make detoxifying teas with Ginger, Nettles, Dandelion, Cleavers, Hibiscus, and Lemon Peel. You can also add these herbs to shakes and salads.

Hand Sanitizer & Wipes

Washing your hands with soap and water can be useful and has been found effective against some viruses and bacteria, especially if you touch someone’s hand or an object that has them. In these cases, and more, washing your hands after personal interactions is highly recommended. But this is not a cure-all preventative method for safety during this time. The coronavirus, like many viruses, is airborne, at least for a period, and should be understood to be highly contagious, whether or not you wash you thoroughly wash your hands.

To those who suggest using white vinegar or vodka, consider this: White vinegar is a helpful agent for cleaning clothes and vegetables. Vodka, at 40% alcohol, is best consumed at parties to loosen the tongue and get you on the dance floor.

In the situations where washing your hands is helpful or preventative, but not available, try making a homemade hand sanitizer.

Here’s a basic recipe:

• 1 cup 91% isopropyl alcohol
• 1/2 cup aloe vera gel
• 20 drops of lavender oil
• 10 drops of tea tree oil
• Find 2 oz to 16 oz pump jars online. Mix everything the following ingredients in a bowl then pour the concoction into the jars. Place a 2 oz or 4 oz jar in your purse, travel bag, or car. It’s that simple.

To make your own wipes, spray or squirt your sanitizer into a few paper towels. You can make 10-20 of these towels, roll them up, and store them in a large glass jar. These homemade wipes will be as powerful as anything you might purchase from the most popular soap and detergent companies.

Lavender FootBath

Footbaths can be miraculously healing for our immune systems. You can get a 15”x”12”x6” plastic bucket just about anywhere. Footbaths reduce our levels of stress and draw our bodies’ toxins out through the bottoms of our feet. Add a little lavender oil, and your feet and body will feel soothed and healed. Try to use water as hot as you can stand.

Vinegar And Tea Tree Oil Vapor

This modality is fantastic for your sinuses and lungs. Boil 32 oz of water and pour it into a large bowl. Drop-in one half-cup of apple cider vinegar and 20 drops of Tea Tree or Eucalyptus oil. Put your face above the bowl but not so close that the steam can burn you. Throw a large towel over your head and neck to create a sealed environment, then breathe in the steam as deeply as you can. This will stimulate the expansion of your bronchial tubes and sinuses, making those environments temporarily uninhabitable for bacteria and viruses. If something was living in there, this is a great way to get it out.

First Aid Remedies You Can Make At Home

Here are a few home remedy ideas for personal, non-emergency first aid:

• Heartburn: A few slices of ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. Drink slowly over 15-20 minutes. You might also try Alka-Seltzer Gold, which does not contain aspirin.
• Sunburns, Kitchen Burns, Razor Burns, Dry Skin: Slice open a leaf from an Aloe Vera plant and gently rub it around the wound. You’ll find this to be incredibly comforting and healing.
• Cuts and Scrapes: Try a little honey on your wounds several times a day. Keep them covered with a light bandage or bandaid.
• Insect Bites and Blisters: Rub warm coconut oil on the bite or blister several times a day. Keep it covered with a light bandage.
• Bruises: Arnica is useful for reducing small to moderate bruises on your skin. You can create your own healing oil by adding 30 Arnica oil drops to 2 oz of a carrier oils like Brahmi, Olive, or Coconut.
• Digestive Problems: Activated charcoal can absorb toxins produced by bacteria and can help expel the same from your body. When you’re feeling gassy, bloated, or acidic, add a teaspoon of activated charcoal to a cup of warm water and drink it slowly over 5 minutes.
• Indigestion: Drink a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of baking soda. You might consider adding one or two drops of peppermint oil, but no more than that. Peppermint oil is potent.

Bach Flower Remedies And Essential Oils

When we’re feeling confused, detached, or “a little off,” Bach’s Rescue Remedy can behave quite heroically in our systems. With a few drops under your tongue every hour, chances are, you’ll feel better in a short period. When we release, balance, or dissolve our emotions, we improve our vibrations and abilities to fight infection.

Bach’s Star of Bethlehem can be quite powerful on its own. These flower remedies are helpful for those of us who have experienced trauma in our lives. With a few drops under your tongue, you can feel more relaxed and aware of yourself, especially if you’re taking care of yourself in other ways, through diet, exercise, meditation, and prayer.

Click to read How Bach Flower Remedies Invite Healing And Transformation

Using Essential Oils remedies like Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Honeysuckle, and Rose can reduce your levels of stress and improve your awareness, all of which can boost your immune system. Add a few drops in a glass of water or massage a few drops into your wrists and temples. You’ll soon feel more awake, aware, and relaxed.

Food Prep And Storage

If you need to stay put for a while, buy a garage-ready freezer, set-up a small area in your basement for stored foods, and plan accordingly.

With a freezer, you can purchase meat and meat-alternative products (soy, mushroom, and veggie burgers) at bulk discounts, dealing directly with distributors. Separating them into individual portions and storing them in small zip bags will give you the most flexibility when planning meals.

In a protected basement area, you can store canned, jarred, pickled, and fermented vegetables. You might also consider pickling some eggs. This category of food is pre- and probiotic and excellent for your stomach and intestines. Probiotics can reduce depression, help stabilize your moods, and improve your self-esteem. All of these aspects can have a positive effect on your immune system.

As you prepare your body and home for greater safety, health, and self-sufficiency, remember to refrain from being overly emotional. Stay calm and endeavor to establish an intelligent plan. Don’t obsess or overbuy. Just be reasonable and enjoy the process of protecting yourself and those you love most.

Remember, too, that prayer, meditation, laughter, and cuddling can help to heal and restore us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I wish you lots of health and happiness!