My secret weapon against colds and flu!

This post could actually be a 3 parter because my secret weapon is comprised of 3 parts.  However, who knows how long it would take to get it posted if I had to do 3 separate posts so I will try to consolidate and fit it all in because I really want to get this out there before cold and flu season gets into full swing. 

This is a long story, be forewarned but I will try to shorten it as much as possible.  First, I started drinking water kefir a couple years ago.  Great source of probiotics, vitamins and minerals.  Easy for homeschooling mom of 4 to keep up with (unlike kombucha and milk kefir).  Makes great lemonade and is ingredient # 1 in my secret weapon.  I purchased my water kefir grains from www.culturesforhealth.com.  You can also find information about water kefir there.  On a side note, I put something in my buggy (I have an account) and left it and they sent me an email for 10% off to come back and checkout with what was in my buggy.  Just so's you know.  So, # 1, water kefir.

This is someone else's awesome picture.

Next, I make my own elderberry syrup but you could also purchase some already made.  It won't be as good.  I use raw, local honey in mine and add the honey after the syrup has cooled so that nothing beneficial in the honey gets killed.  I'll post my recipe for that also, later, hopefully.  If you need it before I post it, just post a comment reminding me to post it.  So, # 2, elderberry syrup.

Lastly, once when I was sick, I remembered a friend talking about how she had used fulvic acid and it was like a natural antibiotic.  I had some minerals which are derived from fulvic acid on hand, so I began taking them at the rate recommended when you need a little extra and got better within a day after having been battling the illness for 10 days with no improvement.  I became a believer and have since had success using it when I feel like I'm going to get sick and also giving it to the kids either before they get sick (they usually don't) or after.  It really shortens the length and severity of the illness.  So, # 3, Morninstar Minerals Vitality Boost.

Having had such success with each of these ingredients individually, I decided to combine them into one powerful, cold and flu-fighting combination.  You might just call this the super hero of natural remedies.  Really, it is that good. 

I mix about 1/2 cup to a cup of water kefir with 1 tablespoon of elderberry syrup and 1 capful (about 2 oz) of minerals and drink it down.  In addition to this, I also mix up a regular jug of my water kefir (about 2 cups water kefir, 2 cups water, juice of 1 lime and stevia to taste) and add about a tablespoon or 2 of elderberry syrup to that and drink on it throughout the day.  I might make up 2 of those over the course of the day.  Sometimes, I do, sometimes I don't.  Depends on what's happening that day.  I take the secret weapon at least twice a day, but preferably 3 times.

My theory on this is that the water kefir helps open up your cells and makes it easier for the minerals and vitamins in the others to be absorbed.  Just my thoughts, no scientific data to back it up!

Now, if you also have a cough or some kind of lung congestion, I also recommend these products, Air Power and Clear Lungs.  Both have worked wonders for us.  They recommend taking them every 4 hours so we alternate, taking one at 8am, for example, then the other at 10am, then back to the first one at it's next scheduled dosage of 12pm.  For little ones who can't swallow pills (or adults with one of those coughs that keep you up nights), I recommend any of the Boericke & Tafel cough syrups, just remember no zinc with a fever.  The nighttime one is a blessing! 

As I've said before, I am not a doctor, not even an herbalist or doctor of natural medicine.  Just a mom, who devours info on natural medicine like I devour chocolate, experimenting on my family and finding what works best for us.  What works for us, might not work for you.  There are things my own mother uses that do nothing for me and vice versa.  Do your own research.  Don't be afraid to try things and don't be afraid to scratch things when they don't work, even if they worked for someone else.  

I have found the best prices on Iherb.  If you happen to order from there, use my code CAN094 to get $10 off your first order, plus, I think I will get some kind of reward!  

Here's hoping you and your family have a healthy cold and flu season!