Ways to Protect your family during Coronavirus
As we enter Week #2 of Coronavirus in the United States (based on kids being out of school in Cherokee County GA), many families are adjusting to a new daily routine and lifestyle. As parents work from home, do not work, etc., those parents are now responsible for their kids 24 / 7. Here are several things you can do to protect yourself and your family from Coronavirus (nCOV-19; COVID19) in addition to what the WHO, CDC, and other leading medical advisers are recommending.
NATURAL REMEDIES
If you Google "natural remedies for Coronavirus", you will get 154,000+ results.
Here are 2 remedies that are scientifically proven to help aid your body's immune system, regardless of the situation:
ELDERBERRY SYRUP
Whether you are a home-school mom, a tree hugger, an environmentalist, and/or a Trump supporter; you've likely already heard about the benefits of Elderberry Syrup. Elderberry Syrup does not prevent someone from getting the flu, a cold, COVID19, etc., but it can knock the symptoms in half and reduce the recovery time by half. It also gives the immune system a healthy boost and makes your entire home smell like Christmas when it is cooking on the stove.
Here are several scientific studies that prove the benefits of elderberry syrup:
Science Daily - April 23rd, 2019
Here is the recipe that our family uses for Elderberry Syrup:
Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
2/3 cup black elderberries
3.5 cups of water
2 tbsp fresh or dried ginger root
1 tsp cinnamon powder
½ tsp cloves or clove powder
1 cup raw honey (we use local honey from Morgan’s Ace Hardware)
Directions:
1. Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves (do not add honey)
2. Bring it to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half. At that point, remove from the heat and let cool enough to be handles. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
3. Discard the elderberries (or compost them) and let the liquid col to lukewarm. When it is no longer hot, add 1 cup of honey and stir well.
4. When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mix, pour the syrup into a pint-sized mason jar or 16oz glass bottle of some kind.
5. Store in the Fridge and take daily (as needed) to boost immune boosting properties.
6. STD dose is ½ tsp to 1 tsp for kids and ½ tbsp to 1 tbs for adults. If the FLU or other virus does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once daily until symptoms subside.
Here is a printable PDF version: Homemade Elderberry Syrup
HOT TODDY
The hot toddy is a cold weather favorite that has stood the test of time. Normally, it consists of some sort of spirit base, some spices, a sweetener of choice (we prefer honey), and some form of hot liquid such as water, tea, lemon juice (our preference), or cider. Throughout history, the hot toddy has been adopted, in part, for its medical benefits. Dr. Robert Bentley Todd, a mid-19th-century doctor routinely prescribed his patients a "cure-all" mix of "brandy, canella (white cinnamon), sugar and hot water."
Here is a great article about some of the potential medical benefits of the "hot toddy." The Hot Toddy: A “Medicinal” Drink That Might Actually Work
Todd Thrasher, the drinks expert behind PX Lounge in Alexandria, Virginia, also relies on one of the toddy’s original purposes as a medicinal cure-all. “It happened last year,” Thrasher says. “The whole family got sick. Me first, then my two-year-old son, then the nanny, then my wife, which made it thirty times worse.” In an effort to speed his wife’s recovery, he concocted a soothing combination of spiced rum, honey, ginger, and lemon. Even if this toddy doesn’t cure what ails you, at least it will make you forget about it for a while.
Our family's amended Hot Toddy Recipe comes from Todd Thrasher via Garden & Gun (Feb/March 2014).
Hot Toddy
Ingredients
1/4 cup peeled ginger, sliced thin
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 oz. Spiced Rum, Bourbon, or Whiskey (aka "adult juice")
Directions:
Heat 1 quart of water in a small saucepan, add ginger, and simmer for 10 minutes. Then add honey and whisk until dissolved; add cinnamon stick and lemon juice and continue simmering for 10 minutes more. Strain liquid into a thermos, discarding ginger and cinnamon. (Mixture yields about 8 drinks.) In a tempered glass, pour in rum and 4 ounces of the honey mixture. Garnish with candied ginger or a fresh cinnamon stick.
SUGGESTION(s): When making a batch of this for the entire family, I make 4 times the above listed recipe, leave it in the pot after straining, and drink a 1/2 cup every morning at breakfast and every evening with dinner. The kids love it too, minus the "adult juice" of course.
We also prefer to use Bourbon. Whiskey, or Spiced Rum (in preferential order; unless Corsair Rum is available) in the hot drink. We also make a "Iced Corona-Toddy" that uses the non-alcoholic recipe above and adds Canada-Dry Ginger Ale and Wheatley Vodka. A few mint leaves are also a fun additive.
Here are some of the health benefits from the ingredients above:
Lemons include many vitamins and nutrients that can provide a boost to your body:
Vitamin C: Lemons are a good source of Vitamin C, which promotes immunity, battles infection, heals wounds, and more. One lemon provides about 31 mg of Vitamin C, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Data Central. The recommended daily intake is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women.Calcium: Lemons contain calcium, which is important for muscle function, hormone secretion, vascular contraction, and more.Potassium: Lemons have potassium, which helps muscles and nerves work properly.Folate: Also found in lemons, folate fights against spinal birth defects and helps in red blood cell formation.
Raw honey has been used as a folk remedy throughout history and has a variety of health benefits and medical uses. It’s even used in some hospitals as a treatment for wounds. Most of the honey you find in grocery stores is pasteurized. The high heat kills unwanted yeast, can improve the color and texture, removes any crystallization, and extends the shelf life. Many of the beneficial nutrients are also destroyed in the process. If you’re interested in trying raw honey, buy it from a trusted local producer.
Here are some health benefits raw honey has to offer:
1. A good source of antioxidants
2. Antibacterial and anti-fungal properties
3. Heal wounds
4. Phytonutrient powerhouse
5. Help for digestive issues
6. Soothe a sore throat - Research has suggested that honey is as effective as dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in over-the-counter cough medication. Just take one or two teaspoonfuls, straight.
People have used ginger in cooking and medicine since ancient times. It is a popular home remedy for nausea, stomach pain, and other health issues.
Here are some health benefits ginger has to offer:
- Reducing gas and improving digestion
- Relieving nausea
- Easing a cold or the flu - In 2013, researchers studied the effects of fresh and dried ginger on one respiratory virus in human cells. The results indicated that fresh ginger may help protect the respiratory system.
- Relieving pain
- Reducing inflammation
- Supporting cardiovascular health
Cinnamon is a highly delicious spice. It has been prized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Modern science has now confirmed what people have known for ages.
Here are several health benefits of cinnamon:
1. Cinnamon Is High in a Substance With Powerful Medicinal Properties
2. Cinnamon Is Loaded With Antioxidants
3. Cinnamon Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
4. Cinnamon May Cut the Risk of Heart Disease
5. Cinnamon Can Improve Sensitivity to the Hormone Insulin (my personal favorite)
6. Cinnamon Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Has a Powerful Anti-Diabetic Effect
7. Cinnamon May Have Beneficial Effects on Neurodegenerative Diseases
8. Cinnamon May Protect Against Cancer
9. Cinnamon Helps Fight Bacterial and Fungal Infections
EXERCISE
As a diabetic, exercise is part of my everyday lifestyle. It has been since roughly 2005. I normally hit the Gold's Gym or LA Fitness 4-6 days per week and focus mostly on weight training, cardio, and stretching. I do NOT like not going to the gym, but also understand that it will be healthier for me and my family to workout at home and avoid large groups like the gym. Working out at home also allows me to workout with both of my boys. They need more physical activity daily than I do, so this works out perfectly.
Here is an example of the setup for one of our daily outdoor workouts.
When your asked to stay home, our first societal default is to get in front of a screen. This is not a bad thing so long as you do not spend the majority of your quarantine time behind one.
Here is some data and suggestions regarding "how much exercise is OK during the coronavirus pandemic?" from Mariane M. Fahlman (Professor in the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies; Wayne State University) and Tamara Hew-Butler (D.P.M., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Exercise Science; Oakland University).
How much exercise may be just right?Here are some guidelines based on just the right amount — for most people.• Do perform mild to moderate exercise (20-45 minutes), up to three times per week.
• Strive to maintain (not gain) strength or fitness during the quarantine period.
• Do avoid physical contact during exercise, such as playing team sports, that is likely to expose you to mucosal fluids or hand-to-face contact.
• Wash and disinfect equipment after use.
• If you use a gym, find one that is adequately ventilated and exercise away from others to avoid droplets.
• Remain engaged with teammates through social media, rather than social gatherings or contact.
• Eat and sleep well to boost your immune system.
• Remain optimistic that this too shall pass.
Whatever type of exercise you like to do, try to do as much of it outside as possible. Whether you're in strict quarantine, "shelter in place," or just doing what's right and staying home, getting outside can not only help your mental health, it also gives you necessary Vitamin D to help your immune system.
Get out (being mindful of social distancing), workout, and stay out as much as possible. There will be plenty of time (rainy days, cold weather, pollen season, etc.) to stay inside.
NUTRITION
I am not going to make any specific food recommendations because everyone should figure out what works best for them, their body, their family, and their lifestyle. The best motto you can implement for you and your family is to keep mealtimes consistent, that is when you eat. Elisabetta Politi (nutrition director, Duke Diet & Fitness Center) also says...
Make mealtimes very clear, so everybody knows there is a time to eat and time to not eat.
Here is a great article from The Wall Street Journal to review if you need help managing food or your diet during coronavirus: How to Avoid Eating All Day While Coronavirus Keeps Us Working From Home
Also, watch your alcohol intake. During stressful times, we all tend to "numb" the negativity with a beer, glass of wine, or a cocktail. Despite the fact that you will likely be spending a lot of time at home and may have screaming kids wanting to be entertained, do your best not to increase your alcohol intake more than you would consume during a normal week.
WHEN WILL A VACCINE BE AVAILABLE
You can make a vaccine against anything very quickly. But it needs to be effective and safe. This is a long process that can take months to years, even under optimal conditions.- Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH.
Scientists are racing to develop a vaccine for the new coronavirus, now called COVID-19, as the disease continues to spread around the globe, but experts say vaccine development is a complex process that could take anywhere from several months to several years. Not days or weeks...
You can read more here about vaccine information:
https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2020/02/12/coronavirus-vaccine
Additional Resources for Updated and Reliable Information:
Peak Prosperity - YouTube Channel - new video is updated nightly
The 7 Best COVID-19 Resources We’ve Discovered So Far from Visual Capitalist
COVID19info.live Aggregater Website
CDC - Centers for Disease Control
WHO - World Health Organization
How your country, state, county performs on Social Distancing:
For Georgians:
The GA Dept of Public Heath - daily updates at Noon and 7pm
If you want to have a constructive conversation about this or anything else, message me, and let's grab coffee or a beer.
Have a good one,
Dan