dried herbs with essential oils using lavender and chamomile
As we move inside to escape the winter cold, indoor air quality becomes more important than ever. This is especially true because more of us are more prone to sickness during this time. So make sure to know the best essential oils for cold and flu. And it’s a perfect time to introduce essential oils into the home to freshen the air, kill germs, and sanitize surfaces.
One popular essential oil recipe combines oil of clove, cinnamon, rosemary, and eucalyptus. This blend, known as “Thieves”, is thought to have been invented during the time of the Bubonic Plague back in 1413 by thieves who used it for protection while robbing corpses of plague victims. The story goes that the thieves would put the oil blend on their hands, temples, and face masks, believing it to have antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Today, the Thieves formula is available as an essential oil blend, or an ingredient in hand sanitizers, home cleaning, and personal care products. An easy way to refresh the air in any room is to put a few drops of the Thieves blend, or individual essential oils such as eucalyptus or lemon, in a bowl of water in the room. As the water evaporates the essential oil is released into the air. This is a safe, nontoxic alternative to chemical air fresheners that may contain carcinogens.
For more information, see the article by Sabina DeVita at: https://tinyurl.com/essentialoilsindoorcleaning
(To see a National Institutes of Health Study on essential oils for Covid, visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7427755/)
A report posted on healthline.com in January 2020 summarized two studies that found oregano oil to have significant antioxidant and antiviral properties. One of the studies, undertaken in 2011, “found that oregano essential oil can inhibit both human and animal viruses in vitro.”
This action is likely due to carvacrol, a main compound in oregano oil. While carvacrol was more effective against certain viruses on its own, oregano oil was more effective against respiratory viruses such as influenza.
(https://www.healthline.com/health/oregano-oil-for-cold#research)
And according to www.Ecowatch.com, “Oregano oil and carvacrol have been shown to exhibit antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1); rotavirus, a common cause of diarrhea in infants and children; and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes respiratory infections. (1,2,3)
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768712/
(2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28886313/
(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24031796/
Warning: Because oregano oil is so strong and concentrated, experts caution against giving it to children, pregnant women, or patients taking blood thinners. It is advised to start with a small dose, and monitor your reactions.
~ by Helen Saul Case
Magnesium deficiency is found more frequently in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than in healthy children. In one study of ADHD children, magnesium deficiency was found in 95% of those examined.(1) Does this warrant magnesium supplementation for hyperactive children? The answer is yes.
Supplementation with magnesium appears to be especially helpful for alleviating hyperactivity in children.(2) In a group of children supplemented with about 200 milligrams (mg) per day of magnesium for six months, there was “an increase in magnesium contents in hair and a significant decrease of hyperactivity” compared to children in the control group who had not been treated with supplemental magnesium.(3)
The safety of magnesium has been well established. There have been no deaths reported from magnesium supplementation.(5) An overdose of magnesium may result in loose stools. This is temporary, and will go away once dosages are reduced or divided into smaller amounts are given throughout the day. Magnesium supplementation is safe and it is worth trying, especially when we consider the dangers of ADHD drugs.
Moreover, the most common side effects of ADHD drugs, taken as prescribed, are appetite loss, abdominal pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, diminished growth, hallucinations and psychotic disturbances.(8) Magnesium produces none of these effects. And even though magnesium is both safe and effective, nowhere in the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD is magnesium supplementation recommended.(8)
When it comes to the potential for kids to die suddenly from taking their prescribed ADHD medication, concerns are dismissed by the AAP with statements like “evidence is conflicting as to whether stimulant medications increase the risk of sudden death.”(8) One would hope that with this level of uncertainty about the risk of death, the medical advice would be against the use of ADHD medication. Instead, the recommendation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is “continue your ADHD treatment as prescribed by a healthcare professional.”(9) Just be sure to “talk to your healthcare professional about any questions you may have about ADHD medications.” Well, never has “talking about it” made medication any less dangerous.
“I have come to the conclusion that everyone could benefit from extra magnesium supplementation.” – Carolyn Dean, MD, ND
Pediatrician Ralph Campbell, MD, recommends a vitamin B complex supplement be given with breakfast, an additional 100 mg of B6 at another meal, and 200 mg or more of magnesium per day for ADHD children. This is in addition to removing refined sugar from the diet, avoiding artificial food dyes, and providing healthy food.(13) Other helpful tips include limiting screen time and increasing exercise, especially in the outdoors.
(OMNS Assistant Editor Helen Saul Case is the author of The Vitamin Cure for Women’s Health Problems, and Vitamins & Pregnancy: The Real Story. She is coauthor of Vegetable Juicing for Everyone. Her newest book, Orthomolecular Nutrition for Everyone, was released in March 2017.)
This article was excerpted from a longer version, sent to us courtesy of the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. To receive a free subscription, go to http://orthomolecular.org/subscribe.html or to view the archives visit: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/index.shtml
References:
Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine
Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org
The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.
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The latest health news is truly fascinating! Essential oils have been making waves for their ability to clean indoor air, providing a refreshing and healthier atmosphere for our homes. This revelation is a game-changer for those concerned about air quality. As we navigate our daily lives, the antiviral properties of oregano bring a glimmer of hope. Nature's remedies never cease to amaze.
Furthermore, the role of magnesium in helping children with ADHD is a noteworthy development. It sheds light on the importance of nutrition in managing this condition. We can enhance our indoor air quality even further with the integration of smart AC controllers like Sensibo. This innovative company offers top-notch air humidifiers and purification systems, elevating our homes to a new level of comfort and cleanliness. These discoveries reaffirm the interconnectedness of health, nature, and cutting-edge technology, promising a brighter and healthier future.