colds and flu

“Every time I start exercising I get a cold”

ClareWilliamson Leave a comment
I see this so much, and experience it myself when I crank up my exercise intensity. It’s important to understand why this happens, so we can prevent it and enjoy our journey towards our #Fitmama goals!
Increasing exercise stresses our body and thus weakens our immune system. So, as we increase our exercise levels we need to increase the vitamins and minerals that are going to keep our immune system strong; like vitamin c and zinc.
The preferable way to do this is through your diet, but unfortunately nowadays our soils are very depleted of the vitamins and minerals we need and so we can end up deficient and needing to supplement them.
I am a very good example of this. I eat really well. Really clean with lots of fruit and colourful veg, but when I got a blood test I found I was lacking in a few things, especially zinc, so I started on the doTERRA long-life vitality supplements and have never looked back since!  If you want to read more about this supplement system, click here.  They are only available to doTERRA Wellness Advocates, but you can read about becoming one of those here.  If you choose to buy a multivitamin over the counter, just take a look at the label carefully to check whether it contains synthetic vitamins that won’t be helpful.
We also need to get enough rest to properly recuperate between exercise sessions.  Regular moderate exercise actually boosts the immune system. So it’s a fine balance, but maybe increasing frequency rather than intensity might help.
Gyms are also germ-laden and you’re exposed to a large variety of bacteria in spite of the gym’s good cleaning and hygiene efforts. I found this out when I got a staph infection in my thumb!  I make a Cleansing Spray now for any  mats & equipment I am using. It’s really easy! Just grab a 2–4 ounce spray bottle, 5 drops of doTERRA On Guard blend, Witch hazel (¼ of spray bottle) and some Filtered water.  Combine all the ingredients together in the glass bottle. Mix well, spray, and wipe!
Finally, don’t rule out the effects of stress that is external to your new exercise regime that could be making you more susceptible to getting ill!
The thing is, in today’s busy, demanding environment it has become the norm for us to walk around feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, and sometimes, totally frazzled. We are challenged daily by impossibly busy schedules, stressful jobs, financial worries, trips up and down the motorway, and non-stop stimulation from media.

The impact of this stress makes the efforts we invest into our healthy eating, the supplements we take and how much we exercise, close to worthless and we are putting ourselves at increased risk for chronic and degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease, autoimmune issues, thyroid problems, and diabetes.

Did you ever read, “Why Zebras don’t get Ulcers?”  It’s about how we deal with stress.  If a zebra were to be put under similar stress as us humans every day he wouldn’t get an ulcer.  Basically because our body turns on the same physiological responses that the zebra’s does, but we don’t resolve conflict in the same way.  Faced with a lion (pretty stressful), a zebra will stop and fight or flee. When faced with a massive deadline, chemicals like adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol will still release into our bloodstream, but we don’t use them to fight or flee.  Over time this weakens our immune system and other defences in a big way.  I regularly check in on myself and the ways that I can make little tweaks and changes to decrease the stress I feel on a daily basis.

So now, importantly, what can we do to get back on our feet quickly when a cold does strike??
The first thing we do as a family as soon as it feels like we are coming down with a cold, or others around us are dropping like flies, is apply doTERRA’s On Guard to the soles of our feet 3 times a day.  1 drop goes onto everyone, but I would advise diluting for babies under 1.  You can read about the magic of On Guard and other essential oils in this blog, 10 Must Haves to Survive and Thrive this Winter.  I roll my ‘Keep Me Well’ Rollerball to my feet every day, which contains many of the oils described in this blog (because mama doesn’t get the luxury of a sick day!), which gives my immune system a daily boost and colds are definitely less frequent than they used to be!
If the cold does hit we go straight onto Sodium Ascorbate and Lypospheric Vitamin C.  We take small doses frequently to bowel tolerance.  The smaller the person, the smaller the dose and the more frequent it’s given. I give my one year old the tiniest tip of a teaspoon every half an hour with a lick of the lypo.

We are all refined sugar free in our house, but if you’re not it is a good thing to cut out while your body fights whatever infection or virus is bothering it.  That includes fructose sugar too!  Popular health site Mercola recommends adding in the following foods:

  • Raw, grass-fed organic milk, and/or high.-quality whey protein
  • Fermented foods such as raw kefir, kimchee, miso, pickles, sauerkraut
  • Raw, organic eggs from pastured chickens
  • Grass-fed beef
  • Coconuts and coconut oil
  • Organic vegetables and Garlic. Ideally consumed raw and crushed just before eating
  • Turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, cloves
  • Mushrooms, especially Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake

We up the On Guard application to every couple of hours too and add zinc drops to our water.  If after a couple of days we are not getting better, or we are getting worse, on day 3 we hit the THE FLU BOMB and I make a soothing and decongesting chest rub from Frankincense and doTERRA’s blend, Breathe.  I share these recipes and others in my Essential Oils Made Easy eBook.  To be notified when this can be purchased for sale, subscribe to my newsletter.  You can read my latest one (3 free gifts for you) and subscribe at the top left of the page here!

My O2 on the Go portable oxygen units may also be helpful in your recovery from any illness and for meeting the physiological demands on the body in times of additional stress.  Click here to check them out!  This will certainly be advantageous to your exercise regime in general.  Many athletes, singers, movie stars and stage actors are using portable Oxygen Generators.  Oxygen gives them that superior performance and keeps them looking good and performing well.  Oxygen can immediately alleviate fatigue after exercise, calm the pulse and activate blood circulation, generating vigour and energy.
So, go forth and continue in your good exercise efforts #fitmamatribe!  Don’t let the pesky bugs knock you off your stride.  And if they do, make sure you follow these helpful steps to get you back on your feet in no time!
Much love x x x
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Grab a FREE Rosemary Essential Oil These Last Few Days of April

ClareWilliamson 1 Comment

Why am I offering you Rosemary, I hear you cry?  Isn’t Rosemary what we use in roast dinners?

Well, yes, but Rosemary Essential oil also has powerful antiviral and antibiotic properties, which means it is great for helping to ward off the flu, colds and viruses. It also works great as an expectorant and exhibits high antioxidant properties.

I don’t know about you, but I can almost SEE those bugs creeping in to surprise us!

I want to help you NOT be unprepared this winter.  Find out here the other oils I recommend to have in your arsenal against colds and flus this winter and how to use them.  Adding an essential oil like Rosemary to any of the remedies you choose to protect yourself from colds and flu, or treat them this winter serves to boost their effectiveness.

You can also learn how to make your own germ fighting cleaning products at my Cleaning Masterclass here!

I am offering a FREE Rosemary Essential Oil with any Wholesale Account opened between now and  Saturday 30th April with a custom doTERRA Starter Kit.  For other mums like me I REALLY recommend the Family Physician kit or Home Essentials kit (comes with a diffuser).  With the 10 oils in this kit you won’t be caught short in times illness or accidents and you can also use the oils in many daily applications like beauty, cleaning and boosting mood!  You save a heap on the set of oils compared to buying each oil individually and the kit will last a long time.  The bottles are only 5mls, but contain 83 drops of essential oil.  As the oils are of such high quality and are potent you use very little of them each time – 1 or 2 drops in the diffuser is enough, 1 drop in applications for babies and children and only a little more for you as an adult, depending what you are using the oils for.  Your kit will easily last you 6 months.  If you have a think about what you buy for your family’s wellness (or illness?) each month currently – cough mixtures, pain relievers, decongestants, plus all your cleaning products and any other medicinal antimicrobial herbs including elderberry (easily over $50?) this is quite a considerable saving to stay well.  And as you start to incorporate these oils and the doTERRA wellness principles into your daily life you will find you become sick less often anyway!

Click here to join & save now

Select your destination country for shipping, fill in your details and then select your kit.

Email me at nzessentialmum@gmail.com with your address for me to send your Rosemary Essential Oil to you (your kit will come directly from doTERRA, while this offer is a gift from me) or to ask questions!

Much love x x

10 Must Haves to Survive & Thrive this Winter!

ClareWilliamson 3 Comments

1. Lavender Essential Oil

Great for the whole family and a multitude of uses Lavender essential oil has powerful antimicrobial properties, but it is gentle enough for use with children.  So this should be a go to for our littlies to fight illness and boost the immune system.  If your littlie is struggling to get to sleep at night because of feeling yucky, place 2 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 drops of roman chamomile essential oil in the diffuser and run at 18 minute intervals through the night.

2. Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil is great for the respiratory system, but will also boost energy when that fatigue of fighting illness sets in.  Diffuse 3 drops of lemon with 3 drops of peppermint for relief with a boost.

3. Peppermint Essential Oil

As well as clearing your nasal passages like a gush of arctic air, peppermint essential oil is an immune stimulant.   Immune stimulants can strengthen the immune system by directly inhibiting the micro-organisms, or by stimulating the immune system. Lavender and lemon also work in the same way.   Peppermint can also lower a fever if you want/need to do this.  Dilute in a carrier oil and apply to the feet.  Or inhale from the bottle to clear your nose.  Avoid using with children under 6 years old.

4. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) has antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antiviral properties. Used in a diffuser or within a carrier oil in the bath, tea tree oil is a great alternative for littlies under 6 to help fight the congestion and the resulting discomfort caused by the cold or the flu.

5. Oregano Essential Oil

Known as “nature’s antibiotic” this is a “hot” and powerful essential oil that must be diluted and used with care.  It will work to rid your body of the nasties making you feel unwell.  I use this as my last resort if other remedies haven’t worked because like an antibiotic it can affect your gut flora, although certainly not so badly as a pharmaceutical antibiotic and you only want to be using it for a few days.  Take 3-4 drops 2-3 times daily for up to 3 days.  I place in a capsule with Frankincense, Melaleuca, Lemon and On Guard (read more on this magical blend next!)

6.  On Guard Essential Oil

on guard meme

I love this blend of oils.  It is known as doTERRA’s Protective Blend because the mix of oils strengthen the immune system and work with each other to create a powerful blend gentle enough for your kids.

When I feel any illness coming on, when I notice symptoms in my girls or if there is lots of illness around I start applying On Guard to the soles of the feet in a carrier oil.  If this doesn’t work I go to the Frankincense, Melaleuca, Lemon and On Guard mix in a capsule 3 times a day (without the oregano) and then the oregano is my final step if this still doesn’t work.  Believe me, if you get onto using On Guard fast enough, 9 times out of 10 it will work!  doTERRA also do this blend as a handy (excuse the pun) foaming handwash to kill germs, a cleaner concentrate, a toothpaste and beadlets for on the go!

7. Frankincense Essential Oil

I’ve already mentioned use of Frankincense as part of my capsule mix when illness hits.  This is because Frankincense supports the respiratory tract and calms the mind while the immune system fights viruses.

Pure Frankincense is very gentle; even more so than Lavender. It has no known adverse effects yet it’s an essential oil that stands out above all others for it’s regenerative properties on a cellular level. Frankincense has antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, analgesic (weak), and expectorant properties, so is great to calm a cough.

For children under 6, Lavender & Frankincense  together, on bottoms of feet or along the spine is a also a great mix to keep a child calm and relaxed during illness and discomfort.

8. Deep Blue Essential Oil

You know those aches and pains you get with the flu?  Well, long and short is you won’t with this blend.  Unfortunately the Deep Blue blend should be avoided when pregnant or breastfeeding, which is a shame as there are many aches and pains associated with these conditions too!  Also avoid using with children under 6.

9. Breathe Essential Oil

Another amazing proprietary blend from doTERRA.  Breathe includes Lemon, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Melissa, and Cardamom and will help to maintains clear airways and support breathing when congestion hits and support overall respiratory health.

10. Digestzen Essential Oil

Flus don’t just hit your respiratory system.  When you or the children get the dreaded stomach flu it can really suck!  (And we don’t need any more detail than that …)

In partnership with On Guard to kill germs, rub the DigestZen blend (already diluted in coconut oil) on the abdomen.  It’s a blend of ginger, peppermint, tarragon, fennel, caraway, coriander and anise, each with properties specifically aimed at stomach/digestive upset.

Where to Buy Your Essential Oils to Stock up your Natural Medicine Cabinet for Winter!

This is one of the most vital things you must know about essential oils… Not all essential oils are created equally. Many are filled with chemical nasties and will not work therapeutically at all, so when buying, make sure you are buying therapeutic grade from a reputable supplier. If you want to order from the doTERRA range click here.  If you want to read about you can get hold of these oils at a huge discount by ordering them as part of a kit, click here.  As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me!

Have I missed anything?  Do you have an essential oil or other natural medicine recommendation for cold and flu?  If so, comment below!

Much love x x