Colds and Fevers

Winter time is known for illness.   In our house we aren't sick very often.  Most of that is due to living a healthy lifestyle-- eating healthy less processed foods, regular chiropractic care, getting sunshine when we can (it is winter after all!), and not using anti bacterial products.  Yup, we don't even own bleach or lysol or the likes!   When someone is sick, I do not go around the house sanitizing.   What we do is use Essential oils.     For coughs and congestion, I use Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil.  I mix a few drops in to a "carrier oil"  like coconut oil (my favorite) or olive oil.  Then rub it on the bottoms of the feet of the sick person and their chest.  I do this at night before bed and sometimes in the morning as well.  Be careful as the oil on the bottoms of the feet if kept bare will be slick and slipping and falling may become a problem.  So avoid that and put socks on!   This helps loosen and thin the yuck making you cough and therefor helps you get over your cough quicker!  For fevers I usually let them run the course.  Fevers are the natural defense that the body does to burn and kill off the bug making you sick.   If they are really uncomfortable then cooling them a bit with a wet rag with some lavendar essential oil is one option.   If the fever is getting really high (over 103 *F) then  mix Peppermint oil with a carrier oil and rub on the bottoms of the feet.  Within 30 minutes for sure, the fever will be lower. And as always drink water!  No juices or soda or candy or sugar.  No food coloring and fake food (processed food).  Just eat good wholesome whole foods.

Skin Care-- Moisturizing

I love, love, love, coconut oil.  There are many health benefits to cooking with it but did you know that you can use it as a lotion too?  It leaves you skin baby soft!  Don't believe me?  Put it to the test-- try it for 1 month and you'll be hooked before the month is even over.
I like to use Coconut Oil that is made for cooking (as opposed to the kind sold for skin care). I use cold-pressed and unrefined organic coconut oil.  It is a bit more expensive but a little goes a long way--seriously. Coconut oil does have a scent to it-- some brands smell less like coconut then others.  You may have to ask around or experiment with the different brands to find one with a scent you like.  I also like to add a drop or two of an essential oil to it.  I add Lavender E.O.  but you could use almost any other kind except I wouldn't recommend using any of the citrus essential oils as they may cause skin sensitivity to the sun.
Apply daily or every other day as needed.  I like to put it on after showering.  It does take a few minutes  to soak in which you will need to plan on since you don't want oil stains on your clothing if you don't wait.
Not only does it make you skin so incredibly soft, it heals it too!  I burned myself and I was very surprised how quickly it healed after I began applying the coconut oil several times a day on it.
Beware that coconut oil will be solid at 76*F or lower and a liquid at higher temps.
Here is a link to an article Dr Mercola has written about the benefits of Coconut Oil. Excellent read.  Love Dr Mercola's site.  He has great info about health and I agree with him on most everything.