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Using Grandma's Medicine

11/18/2022

 
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Using Grandma's Medicine
I had such a response to the email about fevers, and the conversations I've had this week, I though I'd provide you with some more tools for taking care of yourself and your kids when illness hits. 

Short of whiskey, there are many awesome tricks our grandmas used to help manage sicknesses in the house.  You may have even done them as a kid, or forgotten that you used to do it in the past.  Interestingly, my patients who were raised outside of North America are often very familiar with these tools, especially if they grew up in places that did not have easy medical access.  Feeling empowered with strategies to help in the meantime is also helpful.  Time to bring back Grandma's wisdom!


1.  Onion poultice
  • chop and sautee a large onion in a little bit of water for 5 minutes
  • drain the cooked onion and juice into a hand towel
  • fold the sides to the centre to make a square
  • apply the square poultice to the chest and leave it in place for 15 minutes or more  (caution if it's too hot it will burn, especially with littler kids)
  • mustard poultices can be an option too, just watch for burning the skin
  • you can also use this strategy for earaches, just hold the onion towel over the sore ear

2.  Magic socks
  • you may want to begin by having a warm bath or shower first
  • run thin socks under cold water, wring so they are damp but not wet
  • carry the cold socks to the side of the bed, and put them on
  • cover with another pair of thick, dry socks - ideally wool or cotton
  • tuck into bed and leave the socks on all night, or remove in a few hours once they are dry
  • do this at very first onset of a cold, fever or congestion, repeat for 3 nights

3.  Hydrotherapy Contrast Showers or Epsom Salt Baths
  • For showers, begin with a hot shower, stay in it for 1 minute
    - change the temperature to cold, or as cool as you can stand it for 20 seconds
    - return back to hot water for another minute
    - switch to cold for 20 seconds
    - repeat one more time
  • Baths
    - add epsom salts for sore muscles
    - a few drops of essential oils are nice too

4.  Steam inhalation
  • boil a pot of water or a kettle
  • carefully pour hot water into a bowl -> add sea salt or a few drops of essential oil or dried thyme, oregano, or ginger
  • lean over the steam and cover your head with a towel (caution not to burn), for as long as it feels good, take breaks if you need to

5.  Onion syrup 
  • there are several variations of this recipe as a cough remedy, which can be found easily online
  • one option is to slice an onion and cover with honey (over age 1) or sugar, let sit for 30 minutes, collect the juice on a teaspoon and take one spoonful
  • another option is to cut a few onions in half and then place in a pot, cover with water, simmer for 1-2 hours, then add honey to sweeten
    - some people add ginger, garlic or vinegar to the recipe
  • honey has antimicrobial action (1), so it is preferable over sugar, and is useful for acute coughs in children (2)
    -> don't use honey under age 1

6.  Herbal tea
  •  Herbal teas are very therapeutic and kids can them have too! 
    - add honey for added benefit of throat soothing and managing coughs 
  • chamomile, thyme, licorice root, and peppermint are all great options for kids
    - thyme can reduce the urge and frequency of coughs, and make them more productive (3)
  • adults may like lemon ginger, cinnamon or echinacea teas

7.   Chicken Soup
  • soup is comforting and soothing, but it's also a great electrolyte replacement, and if you make your own or use bone broth it contains wonderful immune properties as well
    - hydration is important during an illness
    - Immunity Boosting Bone Broth Recipe

I love that most of us have these items in our pantry already - dried herbs, teas, onions, and honey are regular cupboard staples.  There's an apothecary in your kitchen!

Of course there are things to watch for, like worsening symptoms and other red flags that I mentioned in my last article.  This is intended for information only, check with me or another practitioner for specific recommendations. 

Wishing you a healthy weekend,
Dr. Christa


1.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23782759/
2.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29633783/
3.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23438788/


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This article is intended for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice. 
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About Fevers

11/15/2022

 
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Expanding your confidence with fevers
Alright, I don't normally write this often, but something is weighing heavy on my heart and I know you must be feeling it too.  Over the last several months, we've seen commonly available medicines become harder to find.  As you might guess, we don't use a lot of these products at my house, but I've always had comfort in knowing they would be there if we needed them.  Tylenol, Advil, antibiotics... are the main ones I'm thinking of, but there are others.  Many of the raw materials or ingredients come from other countries, especially India and China, even though the final products are often made here. It's a very complex issue, and one that we never thought we'd face.  I'm thankful to compounding pharmacies that have been trying to innovate alternatives.

In 2020 there were supply shortages that impacted the availability of certain vitamins and herbal formulas as well.  We had conversations about stocking up on certain remedies to ensure access was maintained.  In the end, I was not concerned, because as a ND I know of several ways to get to the same goal.  For example, when Vitamin C was hard to find, I suggested Elderberry and Rose Hips and certain foods because of their high C content.  I actually do this daily because I have patients that adore acupuncture treatments, and some that hate needles; patients that resonate with homeopathic remedies, and some that don't find them as helpful; and patients who don't want a single pill... you get the idea.  I come from a mindset of flexibility in planning care.

The conversation around fevers lately has made me reflect on our confidence with our bodies' own wisdom.  I will admit, I've been naive and I did not realize how many people use acetaminophen or ibuprofen immediately, at the first sign of illness.  I have a different perspective.  And, while I did not expect this complete lack of medication availability, I did anticipate a difficult autumn and winter, which is why I recommended preparing by building a healthy foundation.

What is a fever?
A fever is a temporary elevation in body temperature as a response from the immune system, and most often lasts a few days.  Accompanying symptoms may include:  sweating, chills, headache, weakness, muscle aches, irritability, flushed complexion, and loss of appetite.  Body temperature is regulated by part of the brain called the hypothalamus.  Interestingly, the hypothalamus usually keeps fevers below 103-104 degrees F (39.5-40 degrees C).  Fever can be a reaction to infection, allergy, toxic overload, overheating from exercise or heatstroke - but today I'm talking about infections.

Normal body temperature ranges from  36.4 - 37.2 degrees C (97.5 - 98.9 degrees F)

A fever is temperature above 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F)


There are different considerations for babies and young children.  Learn more here.  And, keep in mind that depending on how you take the temperature, the measurement may need to be adjusted.  For example, doing an armpit (axillary) reading you need to add a degree, so a temperature of 99 degrees F is considered a fever.

Read about fever myths from Seattle Children's Hospital here.


How does a fever serve us?
Our bodies intelligently create a response to infections.  The elevation in temperature triggers proteins (like nuclear factor kappa B) to upregulate production of immune cells so they can take action (1).  It also forces us to rest, and reduces our appetite so that we don't need to digest while being under stress.  This way, we can stay focused on one job.  Many pathogens are slowed from replicating in warmer temperatures too, so an advantage to our immune systems is a disadvantage for bacteria and viruses (2). Interestingly, the fever response is thought to be a 4 million year old process (3), we've been doing this a long time!

We can also mimic the benefits of a fever therapeutically by elevating body temperature with a sauna.  This activates heat shock and other proteins to stimulate autophagy (destruction of old and damaged cells).  I recommend this treatment often for a number of reasons.

Why wouldn't you want to treat a fever?
Certainly medications can help alleviate some discomfort, and I'm not an advocate for bearing through major pain so I will leave this discussion to fevers only.  There has been conflicting research on whether fever reduction improves overall illness outcomes (3).  But, some new studies coming out lately on acetaminophen raise some concerns, especially with frequent use.

We know that these medications can be hard on the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system, depending on the type of drug.  Acetaminophen depletes glutathione, a main antioxidant of the liver and the lungs.  The research that's been coming to our attention the last few years is the impact that acetaminophen use has on development of autism spectrum disorders and ADHD (4).

Given these potential concerns and in light of the lack of availability, I wanted to share with you some alternative ways to manage a fever, so that those medications might be reserved for special times. Of course, please familiarize yourself with signs of distress and when to seek medical attention (below).


How to support a fever
Think less about "fighting" and more about facilitating the healing process.  Many people find they come back stronger than ever!
  • Rest
  • Lukewarm baths
    - add epsom salts or essential oils to soothe aching joints
  • Cool wash cloths
  • Hydration: water, diluted juice, coconut water, broth, herbal tea, fruit juice popsicles
  • Homeopathic remedies:  belladonna, bryonia, ferrum phos, chamomilla, aconitum
    - chosen to match the symptom picture
    - I also frequently recommend combination remedies like Dr Reckeweg's R1, and Boiron's Oscillococcinum
    -> you will likely need guidance on dosing and selecting the right remedy
  • Use layers of blankets to put on and take off as needed, and wear light cotton clothing
  • Envision your cells responding, healing, and clearing things out
  • Other treatments to support healing the infection:  probiotics, antimicrobial herbs, humidifiers, steam inhalation, and vitamins like C & D, as indicated

Alarm bells
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompany a fever.  Also, parents you have a special connection with your child (you know them best), so if you know if your gut that something isn't right, you should get support.
  • fever that goes away and returns, or doesn't resolve after 3 days
  • Severe headache
  • Rash
  • Unusual sensitivity to bright light
  • Stiff neck and pain when you bend your head forward
  • Mental confusion, strange behaviour or altered speech
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing or chest pain
    - using other muscles to breathe like the belly and neck
    - leaning forward to breathe
    - wheezing or musical sound
  • Abdominal pain
  • Pain when urinating
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Signs of dehydration like low or no urine output, or dark urine
  • Other health conditions that affect immunity
  • Recent drug or medical intervention 
  • Blue lips
  • Sudden rash
  • Trouble walking

Another note
We know that our health care system is not able to provide the timely care we used to expect, and some people have developed a fear of doctors and hospitals and wait too long before seeking help.  This is concerning.  To mitigate this major problem, we can integrate strategies into our daily lives that support our defences like:

- vitamin D, vitamin C, hand washing, probiotic supplements or fermented foods, sleep, movement, rinse the nasal passages with a saline spray or Neti pot, minimize sugar, gargle with salt water, take apple cider vinegar, keep antimicrobial herbs and common homeopathics at home ... to name a few.

Let me know if you would like to develop your own personalized action plan.  It is so much easier to have things in the cupboard, beyond Tylenol, so you are prepared.  


Yours in health,
Dr. Christa


1.  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321889
2.  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-causes-a-fever/
3.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4703655/

4.  https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/187/8/1817/4980325

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This article is intended for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.  

More Gratitude and Winter Prep

11/8/2022

 
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In the early hours this morning we had a full moon lunar eclipse.  If you remember my skunk journey from awhile ago, you know that whenever something out of the ordinary happens I like to look up its potential meaning, just for fun.  Sometimes there doesn't seem to be any relationship, and other times the significance to my life completely resonates.  If you've ever had an odd dream and looked up its meaning you totally know what I'm talking about.

Well, the meaning of this full moon eclipse apparently has to do with illuminating, letting go and releasing things that no longer serve us, transforming and shifting old patterns and routines, and stepping into a new, authentic, healed, empowered, and aligned version of yourself.  Sounds pretty cool and definitely needed!

This reminds me of how lately I've been noticing it's time to have those tough conversations.  A few years of just surviving has left our bodies, minds and hearts feeling drained.  We are seeing this show up physically as sleep issues, exhaustion, frequent colds, heartburn, fatty liver (which is a terrible term), menstrual changes, palpitations, food & alcohol cravings and jumpy nerves.  

I am even noticing these changes in bloodwork with lower white blood cells, higher blood sugar, lower vitamin D, higher inflammation, and wonkier cortisol curves than I've ever seen before.  If you haven't had recent bloodwork I would definitely suggest it.


Gratitude

I have been appreciating the extended sunshine this year so that I can have more walks than I might normally be able to in late October and November.  This week we also have Remembrance Day coming up,  Here's a past article on how gratitude impacts health.


Winter is Coming

If you haven't been to a pharmacy lately you might not have noticed, but many of the cold & flu product shelves are completely bare.  While there could be a few reasons for this, we know that the last thing you want to do when you or a family member aren't feeling well is to travel to 7 stores looking for products or have to wait a few days for a shipment to arrive.  November is tricky for health because the schedules get jammed, the weather gets cooler and damper, our food intake changes, and we spend more time indoors.

This is a great time to prevent and prepare:
  • Optimize levels of vitamin D and C in your body

  • Continue to prioritize good food, movement, getting outside and sleep

  • Regular acupuncture to balance the nervous system

  • Keep some remedies at home:
    - bone broth
    - ginger & garlic
    - honey 
    - antiviral herbs
    - cough supports
    - zinc losenges
    - throat coat tea
    - essential oils like eucalyptus

    ... Book with me to discuss your best personal options in an appointment

A Note on RSV

​
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a very common infection that typically results in cold-like symptoms that last 5-14 days, with cases usually peaking in December and January.  It's been in the news lately because of higher than usual October cases and what appears to be immune changes or less experience, in our youngest kids especially.  In the past, almost all kids would have had RSV by the time they turn two years old.  Symptoms of runny nose, cough, sneezing, reduced appetite and fever are most common and often managed at home; but if wheezing or breathing changes or lethargy occur then the illness may have progressed to bronchiolitis or pneumonia, and other treatments and care are urgently needed.

Once again, I continue to advocate for taking care of yourself in a way that when you encounter a stressful time, a pathogen, or a toxin - because we know this will happen at some point - you will be in the best position possible to handle it.  There are no guarantees but there are odds, and putting yourself in position to be more resilient is in your ultimate best interest.


Warmly but sternly,

Dr. Christa


P.S.  If you're ready for change or to revamp your plan, I'd love to see you, but just a heads up that the schedule does get busier as people want to use up their benefits, so it's best to book ahead :)

    Author

    Dr. Christa Reed Kruger is a Naturopathic Doctor, health enthusiast, and loving mom with a passion for helping people to become well and stay well.

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