What are you doing, right now, for your health? Even after the latest Corona virus is gone, it’s always extremely important to care for your health. If you’ve been putting off taking better care of your health, start doing it now. It’s not just the elderly, but according to Michael Osterholm (U.S. public-health scientist and infectious disease expert), younger people in their 40s, the obese, diabetics and more, are becoming seriously ill and dying. He also warns that this is not a “sprint” but a “long marathon”. The Corona virus has been around for a couple of months and the SARS (a less deadly pandemic – looking at death rate alone), wasn’t officially “contained” for 6 months). So what to do?

Do what you can, with what you have available, and what you’re capable of doing. There’s a lot of information (and misinformation) out there, so let’s cut to the most important points and keep in mind that the health of a human being lies in the strength of the whole being, not just taking care of one aspect.That’s why there will be two parts to this post, to cover a lot of ground. In the second part, I go into more detail about food, herbs, psychological and spiritual factors. But do what you can do now – and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money!

Let’s look at protection, then improving total physical health.

Protection

Firstly, preventing yourself from coming into contact with something that could make you sick, is ideal. Here is a list of simple but important things to do.

• After being in public or touching public objects (doors, elevator buttons money etc.), wash hands up to the wrists thoroughly with mild soap and TEPID/COLD water for at least 20 seconds). Otherwise, use hand sanitizer with 60% – 80% alcohol rubbing hands until dry. (Hot water can weaken skin and open tiny fissures making it easier for organisms to penetrate.)

• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth until you’ve cleaned your hands.

• Whenever possible, avoid being in crowded public areas. (Go internet shopping and have food delivered from supermarkets!) Michael Osterholm (mentioned above) asserts that this virus can be spread even by those not showing symptoms, and it can be spread while they talk or even breathe – it’s that infectious. If possible, keep a distance of at least 6 feet from anyone who appears unwell.

• Wear a mask if feeling unwell (WHO and CDC recommendation) The N95 type of respirator mask is more effective than the other simple paper masks. However, the regular paper mask does help to contain large droplets that are coughed or breathed out of a sick person. But is less effective in preventing a well person from getting infected.

• If you sneeze, do it into a tissue and throw it away, or into your shirt or elbow. (Clean elbow/shirt as soon as possible. This not only prevents you infecting others but also prevents re-infecting yourself.

• Fresh air is important for both the healthy and the sick. If you can only use an air-con where you are, make sure the filters are clean. A good flow of fresh air takes pathogens away from you (including the ones you exhale).

Improve Physical Health

Forget crazy diets that have you eating almost nothing or eating only food of a certain color, extreme cleansing or fasting. That only puts stress on your body. You want optimum health which means a fruit-and-vegetable rich, balanced diet. After researching, reading, and experimenting for decades and always staying up-to-date, this is what I’ve found to be extremely efficacious and way ahead of it’s time:

The C.A.R.E. guideline outlined by Dr. Harold Reilly directly obtained from the healing insights of Edgar Cayce:

C is for Circulation: Get your blood system and lymph system moving! Exercise, stretching, slow and deep breathing, massage, saunas, skin brushing, alternating hot/cold showers all work to improve your circulation. The heat is a big pump that needs exercise (walking is great) to keep strong and keep the blood flowing. The tiny capillaries under the skin are helped by brushing and massage. The lymph system (which doesn’t have a pump) requires muscle movement and massage to get it circulating properly. Circulation is vital for the removal of waste and toxins from the body, providing oxygen to cells and getting nutrients to where they need to go. Your lymph system is where waste products from the metabolism of food, dead cells, and invaders are gotten rid of.

A is for assimilation: This means getting your body to absorb the food. Yes, you may eat good food but how well are the nutrients being absorbed? Do you chew food thoroughly? Mastication is vital to break food into small enough particles – there’s only so much work your stomach acids can do, and people have varying amounts of enzymes and strengths of stomach acid available for digestion. According to Dr. D’Adamo this is the reason why some people can eat steak (stronger stomach acid) and feel energized, while others (with weaker stomach acid) feel sluggish. Digestion begins with the enzymes in the mouth – so chew, chew, chew!

• Have you considered food combining? (See chart here.) Certain foods when eaten at the same time, prevent absorption of particular vitamins or make for digestive havoc. For example, fruit (which should be eaten alone on an empty stomach) ferments and creates a sour liquid that hinders good digestion.

• Do you have a leaky gut? Many signs include constipation or diarrhea, IBS, inflammation, skin irritations and so much more. Celery juice (on an empty stomach), bone broth, and slippery elm bark – tea or capsules (on an empty stomach) are believed to be good healers for the gastrointestinal tract.

• Do you drink water with your meal? You shouldn’t, as it will dilute the stomach acids necessary for breaking down food.

• Do you eat fermented foods and/or take digestive enzymes? These help break down food and increase absorption of nutrients. Fermented foods increase good bacteria in the gut. Examples: sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, natto, kombucha. Digestive enzymes can be purchased relatively cheaply or can be found in raw, fresh food such as papaya and pineapple.

R is for relaxation: Your body and mind need rest. Get 8 hours of sleep. Nap if you have to, to give your body a chance to recover and heal. Your body is constantly fighting off invaders, processing food and functioning in so many ways that you don’t see. There are microbes in the air and all over your skin and in your body right now which are constantly being fought off – give your body the R&R it deserves. Relaxation for the mind is necessary too. Listen to soothing music, sit in nature (beach, mountain, pasture, forest, park) and do some daydreaming. Gentle exercise such as swimming and walking can help you with both circulation and relaxation – if you allow your mind to wander and not be stuck on your “To Do” list. Take time out from anything stressful in your life. Give yourself an appointed “No Stress Time Zone” even if it’s just for 10 minutes during your day.

E is for elimination: We are organisms that constantly cycle things in and out of our bodies. When we do this efficiently, our bodies are more comfortable and energized. Elimination of waste products is done through the bowels, skin, nose, breath and mouth. If you think that because you have regular bowel movements (constipation should be rectified immediately), your elimination is fine? Then it may surprise you to hear that there is more than likely still partially undigested food trapped and rotting in your intestines.

• Bowels: At least 70% of your food should come from fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. This will give you insoluble and soluble fiber which, together with 8-10 glasses of water, will keep things moving. Taking senna once in a while can help move things along (don’t rely on this indefinitely). Psyllium husks are also a natural food-based way to do this. Occasional saline or coffee enemas are beneficial as is the gold standard eliminator – the colonic.

• Skin, nose: sweating through exercise, saunas (don’t use if you have a heart condition or are pregnant), hot springs or even a hot bath (with Epsom salts is good). Be wary of going to communal saunas etc. at the moment though. You can do your own sauna at home by letting a hot shower run (close door and curtain). To save water you can sit naked next to a large bowl of steaming hot water and put a blanket or sheet towel over your head, covering your body and the bowl (like a teepee). This is a great respiratory cleanser. Add just a couple of drops of lemon balm, eucalyptus or tea tree oil to the water for extra purifying benefit. Saline spray for the nostrils has been shown to reduce symptoms of colds and flu. It helps to eliminate (pathogen-containing) mucus. The neti pot is used for this in India, but a cheaper way to get the same effects is by snorting from a tablespoon, water mixed with a little salt!

• Breath: Breathing slowly and deeply is great for eliminating stale air and toxins from the lungs and body, as well as increasing circulation. Do this several times a day or as often as you remember. It does make a difference.

• Mouth: brushing teeth, flossing, tongue scraping (yuck but good for you), or brush your tongue with a toothbrush (I prefer this), gargling with mouthwash or salt water all help eliminate bacteria, mucus and toxins.

The C.A.R.E. protocol is a comprehensive overview of the proper functioning of the body as a whole. Yes, we can learn what foods to eat that are nutritious (see my next post), but we need to know that they are being absorbed. Yes, we can learn about exercise, but what exercise is right for you and how much so your body isn’t under stress and your immunity weakened? (It depends upon your current fitness and overall health. For example don’t suddenly start running if you’re obese as it will put too much strain on your body. However, walking is great for everyone!)

It’s important to note that all of these little differences will add up to a large improvement in health in a short time and even greater improvements over a longer period of time. It’s surprising how great the body can feel when we start caring for it better!

Please take care of yourself.

Aloha,

Lara

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