Wisdom of Healing

An estimated 150,000 young people, usually in their late teens or early twenties, are diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis each year. Mono, often referred to as ‘the kissing disease’, is believed to be experienced by twice as many students and military personnel in a milder form, but left undiagnosed. Young people can contract mono from somebody who may or may not have symptoms, through direct contact with saliva. This may occur in a wide variety of ways besides kissing; from sharing a drink, straw, toothbrush or eating utensil to nose drips, sneezes and coughs.

The symptoms usually show up one to two months after becoming infected with the Epstein-Barr virus or another of the viruses linked to mono. Initially, symptoms appear to mimic the flu. Fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue can lead to a need for 12 to 20 hours of sleep daily. Additional symptoms follow and may include sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain, nausea, chills, rash, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss.

The good news is that there are several herbs, supplements and lifestyle choices to support a reduction in some of the symptoms, as well as fewer weeks in bed and recuperating. Again, as I always do, I caution you about choosing only very high quality products. I often make specific product suggestions, because most of the herbs and supplements on the market, whether in the grocery store, pharmacy, big box store or health food store, are junk. Nearly worthless. Sometimes worse. Please don’t think you’re going to save money by buying a cheaper brand. For more information about this, please read Quality is Everything!

When you first realize you have mono, or you’re feeling run down and exhausted all the time but haven’t been diagnosed with mono, I can’t stress enough the importance of getting plenty of rest and drinking enough water. Drink the very best water that you have access to. If it is possible for you to get a few cases of special mineral waters, you may want to try one or more of the following; Apollinaris and Gerolsteiner, both from Germany and S. Pellegrino from Italy are three of my favorites.

Please do not drink distilled water or water filtered through a reverse osmosis system. These de-mineralized waters will not support a return to health in the same way that clean, pure hard water does. If you will be drinking city or town water and cannot get an excellent water filter (the pitcher-type filters are expensive and virtually useless), you may fill a pitcher or glass bottle and place it on the counter uncovered for several hours. This will allow the chlorine to evaporate.

Cellfood may be added to your water if you don’t have access to the bottled mineral waters. Cellfood is an amazing product that offers both detoxification and nutritive properties. Containing 78 minerals and trace minerals, 34 enzymes, 17 amino acids, electrolytes and nascent oxygen, Cellfood can help alkalize the body, which supports better health and greater energy levels. Cellfood can support improved digestion, breathing and clarity of the mind. Cellfood increases cellular detoxification and nourishes cells with nutrients that are lacking in the diets of most people today.

The directions on the bottle of Cellfood suggest using eight drops in a glass of water three times daily. When a teen or young adult has mono or is severely run down, it may be better to begin with four drops in water three times daily for a day or two, then six drops in water three times daily for a day or two. This can help prevent any of the discomforts from detoxing more quickly than the body can keep up with.

Probiotics are an essential part of a speedy return to strength and good health. Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestinal tract, provide us with hundreds of actions to keep our bodies operating optimally. They support the digestion in countless ways, including actually converting nutrients into the form that our cells can use easily. It is important to choose a high quality probiotic, and there are very few of those on the market.

For superior results, you’ll want to look for probiotics in capsule or powder form produced by Natren or New Chapter. If you prefer an easy-to-use probiotic drink, look for Bio-K Plus in your local health food store’s refrigerator. Years ago, when I had chronic fatigue, a naturopathic doctor suggested taking six probiotic capsules in the morning and six in the evening, on an empty stomach with a large glass of water. It’s best to wait to eat for a half hour or so afterward. I found extraordinary results within two or three days. I have used this method of restoring my beneficial bacteria when I’m feeling run down several times since, always with good results.

To help with the overgrowth of the pathogenic microorganisms that can wear us out and leave us feeling us exhausted, an herbal throat spray might be just the answer. My absolute favorites include:
Propolis/Echinacea Throat Spray made by Herb Pharm,
Elderberry/ Red Root Throat Spray from Eclectic Institute,
Mycomedicinals Host Defense for Travelers or
New Chapter’s Lifeshield Throat Defense.
They are all amazing, and their ingredients have been safely used for centuries or millennia. When I’m sick, I tend to give my throat a spray or two every fifteen or thirty minutes while I’m awake. And then I get as much rest as I can.

Liver and blood purification is essential for regaining wellness and restoring energy. Turmeric is one of the most remarkable herbs for supporting liver and blood detoxification. Research has also shown turmeric to be a powerful herb for the body suffering with excess inflammation, a concern when we’re run down. Most of the products on the market claiming to be turmeric should not be allowed to be labeled as such. They are adulterated in a similar way as when drug companies produce medications from plant substances. The superior products include New Chapter’s Turmericforce and Gaia’s Tumeric Supreme.

Another superior option for liver and blood detoxification is Nirmal Liver Care, a potent formula of Ayervedic herbs including turmeric produced by Thera Veda. Also look for Blood Support made by Eclectic Institute or Healthy Liver Tonic from Gaia Herbs, very powerful products to support liver and blood health. To help the body to regenerate healthy liver cells, check out Liver Force by New Chapter.

If swollen glands are a big concern, there are three superb herbs for helping the lymphatic system to drain and remove those accumulating toxins. Those three herbs are red root, calendula and cleavers. Over the years, I have had recurring concerns with big swollen glands usually in my neck. I have found that using a tincture (liquid extract) in small amounts is quite helpful. I usually take three drops under my tongue three to five times a day. Be sure to purchase an organic product from a very ethical company such as Gaia or Herb Pharm.

Ashwagandha is a powerful restorative herb that can support the entire body feeling better sooner. Used for thousands of years, it helps the digestion, immune and nervous systems to work efficiently, strengthening the entire body as a result. Ashwagandha is an Ayervedic herb, meaning that it originates from the subcontinent of India. It has been used to restore energy and vitality when a person is exhausted, injured or for post-operation recovery by supporting the body’s tissue repair, balancing hormones and the endocrine system, as well as optimizing all of the organs’ functions.

Ashwagandha is not a stimulant, but rather it has a potent rejuvenative effect on the entire body. It has long been believed to help dispel rigidity in the nerves and muscles and to calm and help restore the entire nervous system. It’s also known to strengthen bone marrow and brain activity. Ashwagandha has been used effectively for stress, weakness, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, poor memory, weak muscles and swollen glands. All of these concerns can affect the body during a bout of mono or chronic exhaustion.

Be sure the bowels are moving, as the elimination of toxins is essential. It is very important for someone with chronic exhaustion to eliminate regularly; at least once daily, and two or three times is best (unless we’re unable to eat solid foods). There is a direct correlation between energy and vitality levels and the ability to evacuate the colon easily and effectively. Constipation (and diarrhea) can impair the absorption of the nutrients, increasing exhaustion and slowing recovery.

There are a lot of herbs sold for colon elimination that may cause pain, discomfort or the potential for embarrassing accidents. Avoid psyllium, senna, cascara sagrada and bentonite clay, as there are concerns associated with each of them. Organic flax seeds or hemp seeds provide a delicious and effective source of fiber. Be sure to buy them in whole, not milled, form and grind it fresh to order. If you’d prefer the convenience of a ready-to scoop product, Renew Life offers Organic Bowel Cleanse, a tasty cinnamon-flavored powder to add to yogurt, smoothies, brown rice, cereal, etc.

If you need some extra help to increase elimination, try aloe vera (the only good aloe products I know of include Aloe Vera 200 by New Chapter and the products from Aloe Life). Renew Life produces Cleanse More, a capsule that supports colon elimination, but is not a potentially harmful and addictive laxative.

Many people with mono or serious chronic exhaustion lose their appetite. This is because your body can recuperate faster when the digestive tract takes a little break. Eat when your body feels ready, and until that time, be sure to drink enough water. If you have a juicer available, buy organic carrots, cabbage, ginger, beets and other healing foods. Enjoy juicing these delicious vegetables as they can support you in regaining your strength, energy and vitality.

Until then, please get some rest. Sweet dreams.

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