Nontoxic Beauty Secret from around the world.

How does your Beauty secrets compare with the rest of the world

The world we live in is image conscious, it has become an increasing demand to look as good as one feels and to maintain one’s look even in the presence of an illness. The perception of role models and public figures from all areas of lifestyle like in sports, entertainment, fashion, and beauty display a youthful alluring appearance so as a result many youths have become obsessed and very self conscious about the way they appeal to the rest of the world on a daily basis, which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it and to what extent you model these public figures—do you perceive the benefits of loving and caring for yourself  the way that suits you or do you over critic yourself for not having those attributes or meeting this beauty quota. Focusing only on outward appearance underscores the fact that beauty comes from within, and that the best approach to feeling great and looking better is one that looks into the internal foundation upon which the external beauty is based. This is one of the primary reasons why a holistic approach to wellness and age management is essential. The Holistic philosophy is one that helps to enhance the whole self by implementing proper nutrition, balancing hormones, appropriate skincare and of course regular exercise.

Attraction to beauty is global, no matter how beauty is defined. Everyone wants to feel attractive and beautiful. It’s not superficial or vain; it is reality and this reality has economic, psychological, and social effects that directly affect our progress whether we choose to recognize it or not.  Investment into living healthier is an investment in “feeling and looking good”. “If you live well, you feel well and you will look well”

The skin is the largest organ of our body and can be quite embracing when it’s not appealing to you.  It is the first thing people see when they look at us—“your skin’s appeal”. When our skin is healthy and vibrant, this is a good reflection of one’s total health and well-being.  The skin renews and repairs itself, as we age; the physio-chemical homeostasis of the skin becomes compromised, leaving it more susceptible to intrinsic and extrinsic stressors that ultimately degrade its impact on accelerated skin aging. External factors that contribute to skin aging are Environmental pollutants, toxic and harsh personal hygiene products.

Growing older is inevitable; however, we can try to slow the aging process and prolong our lives by taking measures to promote continuous cell rejuvenation and renewal. To help you feel good and look your best we have put together some Alternative beauty products and secrets tips from around the world that can help keep you safe from toxins.

Secret Tips from Japan: Rice bran, the brown outer layer of the rice kernel is used by Japanese women for skin care because it contains rich oil, making it a great exfiolante. It contains B-complex that helps improve blood circulation in the skin. It also contains vitamin E, antioxidants and fatty acids. Rice bran can be used to cleanse, revitalize, prevent wrinkles, exfoliate and make skin blemish free.

Japanese women use chili peppers to stimulate circulation, wake up tired feet. At the end of the day take chili peppers and put into some hot water and let your feet soak for ten minutes.

White camellia oil is commonly used for moisturizing, conditioning, nourishing and softening of the skin. Camellia oil gives the skin a healthy glow while helping it eliminate wrinkles, treat burn scars, revitalize hair growth as well as strengthening nails. Camellia oil is also used on the hair as it is high in olein acids and glycerides---it adds shine and conditions.

 Secret Tips from India: India eats good antioxidant food plus they use coconut oil. You can heat up some coconut oil mildly and apply to the scalp, this helps seal the cuticle and prevents split ends. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, the most essential fatty acids. For great looking skin---women turn to yogurt and almonds; they ground up almond and mix it in yogurt, apply to the face as a mask and then rinse for a smooth look finish.

Secret Tips from Brazil: Natural Brazilian love their natural glamorous looks---they are known to lie on the beach near the sea water while rubbing beach sand on their skin to help exfoliate the skin as well as stimulate the blood flow to the skin to reduce cellulite. That is how they get their sunset beauty.

Secret from the French: The French soak up toxins and purify the skin by using clay mask which absorbs oils and impurities without drying out the skin. Simply mix up powdered clay with water and smooth over dry your face and body, rinse and dry. Remove eye makeup with sweet almond oil, which keeps the skin smooth and soft.

For hair, they use flour mixture with distilled water and vinegar to apply to hair for half an hour to smooth out the hair shaft and keep it smooth and healthy.

Greek secret---Greek women exfoliate naturally and they eat a bit of vegetarian Greek salad. They use olive oil mixed with lemon juice and sugar applied in the shower and washed away. The oil loosens layers of dead skin while the sugar sloughs it off. They give their feet a treat by dipping them in warm olive oil and then buffing with coarse sea salt. Olive oil is a great source of fatty acids and antioxidants.

 

Polished secret from Poland: In this part of the world, for women is all about the “wild Honey”—if you want to be a honey, use honey on skin and in your diet. Apply a layer of honey to their faces as a moisturizer because of its firming and moisture-retaining properties. After letting the honey sit for a few minutes, they rinse skin and they get a smoother complexion. Honey is also applied to the lips to soften and plump.

Coat your hair with wild honey, cover with a shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes, wash out. Your hair will look soft and shiny

Secret Tips from Belgium: The natural beauties of Belgians turn to mink oil to look their best and to diminish the appearance of aging. Mink oil is the most absorbable and compatible oil for human skin and it helps reduce fine line and wrinkles, age spots, blemishes, stretch marks, and scars. It can be used as a face moisturizer (or mixed with foundation to set makeup), a nourishing treatment for the bath and to revitalize thinning hair.

Secret from china, for the Chinese—it’s all about the teas, green and white teas. Great tea is known to be a great antioxidant, helpful in detoxifying the body and for maintaining healthy weight—weight-loss. Green tea can also be great for the hair when mixed with rosemary oil. To fight aging though, Chinese women turn to white tea, taken from the tip of the green tea plant. The plant contains many antioxidants in the tips and they act as shield against free radicals thus fighting off aging.

Australian beauties use tea tree oil as a beauty quick fix choice. Tea tree oil gives skin a great glow and helps to repair damaged skin caused by dry skin, sun, fungus or acne; it is also a great disinfectant. Tea tree oil also has a great disinfectant. Tea tree oil has great oxygenating properties for the skin, is also very mild and safe for sensitive skin.

Asian, Thailand and Middle East women avoid shaving, waxing, plucking their hair instead they prefer threading---a painless way to remove hair without aggravating the skin.

In Australia aboriginal women use Yarrow root to prevent stretch marks. 


In the Dominican Republic women have discovered the secret to strong nails adding garlic to their nail polish.
 

Egyptian, Caribbean, Africans use coconut oil, jojoba oil, palm kernel milk and Apricot oil an amazing antioxidant, it helps soften the skin, and it’s very rich. Coconut oil is great for anti aging, softening the appearance of fine lines, it’s a natural sunscreen, people in Jamaica use this daily to protect their skin from the sun.
Women in Egypt use almonds to keep their body beautiful. If you have dry dead skin, just grind down the almonds use a little bit of milk to make a paste, rub it all over your body then wash it off and you will have incredible skin. 

 African women have known for years the natural healing power and sweet gratification of smooth, healthy, and glowing skin credited to brown sugar or natural cane sugar, Sugar is used as an exfoliate for the skin. You can use lemon sugar recipe by adding lemon, plain non-dairy yogurt to natural cane sugar to help slough off dead skin and renew the look and feel of your skin.

                       Nontoxic Products are cruelty free

BWC Herbal Cream Facial Cleanser is a light, creamy, soap-free cleanser that delicately removes daily impurities and make-up without over-cleaning your skin. Nature's own botanical balance, refresh, and tone your skin while pure organic, aroma-therapeutic essential oils improve circulation and leave your skin clean, soft, and refreshed. This herbal cream cleanser is PH Balanced and contains 100% vegetarian ingredient that is not drying to the skin ---making it the best cleanser for dry skin and sensitive skin types.

Facial Cream

Silky-smooth moisturizer helps revitalize dull, dry skin and restore moisture balance with antioxidant-rich seabuckthorn and Ester-C.

Camellia green tea skin cream by Madre-Labs diminish existing skin damage, helps reduce oxidative skin damage, helps maintain skin Hydration and firmness while brightening and balancing skin tone.

Camellia green tea skin cream contains EGCG from camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) plus resveratrol and hyaluronic acid that have antioxidant, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.

Avalon Organics, MoisturizingCream Shave, Aloe-Unscented is made with plant oils and Aloe Vera that helps nourish, moisturize and provides a smooth glide.  Beta Glucan helps speed the repair of nicks and irritation. Avalon Organics Moisturizing Cream Shave is safe, effective and contains 100% vegetarian ingredients with no artificial colors, synthetic fragrances or parabens, harsh preservatives. Avalon Organics Moisturizing cream is cruelty free and is EU Cosmetics Directive Compliant.              

Honeybee Gardens, Truly Natural Lipstick,Camelot

No mineral oil, no FD&C colors. Only natural beneficial ingredients like coconut oil which penetrates and moisturizes lips, shea butter which protects your lips, sesame seed oil to heal and soften vitamin E as an anti-oxidant, and pure botanical extracts which act as a 100% natural preservative.

Anti-aging tips for Everyone

Consuming a balanced alkaline diet that includes raw vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, nuts, and quality protein such as fish and soy foods helps reduce sign of aging. Consume less or no animal protein. Include in your diet broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, mushroom, spinach, kale, fruits, whole grains, nuts, oats, seeds, and soybeans. Avoid processed foods.

• Eat dark-skinned fruits such as red apples and nectarines, which are good sources of bioflavonoids. The skin contains the bioflavonoids, so leave it on. Red delicious apples have the most bioflavonoids in the skin; fuji apples have the most bioflavonoids.
• Eat blue berries, raspberries, and blackberries regularly. Wild blueberries contain more bioflavonoids than domestic varieties. Bioflavonoids found in most fruits and vegetables keep free radicals from harming the brain and may help protect against Alzhemier’s disease.
• Eat 80 to 100 grams of protein a day, meting it out evenly at three meals and two to three snacks. Protein, along with exercise, is important to prevent muscle wasting.
• Consume four to five small meals daily. Eat foods that are fresh and cooked in a fashion that maintains their nutritional content.
• Black, green, and orange pekoe teas all contain bioflavonoids called catechins. Green tea contains the most epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an antioxidant effective in preventing degenerative brain disease.
• But exercise caution with green teas because they contain vitamin K, which can make anticoagulant medication less effective and the caffeine in green tea could cause insomnia, anxiety, upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea.
• Include garlic, onions, shiitake mushrooms, and pearl barley---they are good sources of geranium, potassium, and many other nutrients that lessen free radical damage and acts as catalysts in the supply of oxygen to oxygen-poor tissue.
• Co-enzyme Q10 protects the heart, increases tissue oxygenation, and is vital for many bodily functions. The liver and heart muscle have the highest levels of coenzyme Q10 of tissue. Since the liver is the main detoxifying organ of the body, optimal liver functions are vital for reducing damage to all the body’s tissues.
• Alpha-Lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant, has been used successfully to treat alcohol-induced liver damage. It aids in protecting the liver and pancreas from alcoholic damage. You can get alpha lipoic acid from eating spinach, broccoli, potatoes, brewer’s yeast and alpha lipoic supplement. Alpha Lipoic acid should be taken with L-carnitine to maximize its effectiveness.
• An occasional glass of red wine is good for the heart, limit your alcohol consumption.
• Cut back on salt.
• Quit smoking cigarettes or overexpose yourself to harmful environmental pollutants.
• Stay out of the sun because exposing the skin to the sun promotes free radicals. To prevent wrinkles, stay out of the sun and use all natural lotions or oils that contain nutrients and antioxidants.
• Sleeping is essential, allow yourself some rest because it helps your body and mind renew itself therefore preventing inflammation and diseases in the long run.
• Avoid excessive drinking---Alcohol damages brain cell and liver.
• Remove fried and saturated fats; increase your consumption of omega-3 fats.
• Eat less refined food and artificial sweeteners.
• Become a vegetarian---eat no meat, consume complex carbs like whole grains, flax seed, wheat germ, legumes-lentil, fruits, and vegetable like avocado, tomatoes and plenty of omega-3 fatty acid food.
• Reduce your caffeine in-take, avoid red meat, white flour, white sugar, chemical food addictives, drugs, pesticides, and tap water.
• Get exercise—it is the most important factor in slowing down the aging process because it increases the amount of oxygen available to body tissues, a key determinant of energy and stamina.
• Avoid Toxic hygiene products. Do not use harsh soaps on your skin. Use olive, avocado, or almond oil to cleanse the skin. Pat the oil on, and then wash it off with warm water and a soft cloth. Use a facial loofah occasionally with the oil and warm water to remove dead skin. Use liquid creams and lotions (avoid solid creams) that contain nutrients and natural ingredients to keep your skin from becoming too dry. Do not use cold dreams, cleansing creams, or solid moisturizing creams. These are hardened saturated fats that become rancid rapidly and then create free radicals, which can cause premature wrinkles. Free radicals can cause the brownish spots on the skin known as age spots.
• Taking pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) keeps hair healthy, with little graying, and prevent premature hair loss. It is also very important for normal adrenal and immune function.
• Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is one of the B vitamins. It keeps skin healthy and delays wrinkles. Combination of PABA and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) has been found to enhance brain function, immunity, and cellular regeneration.
• Dimethylglycine (DMG) is a derivative of the amino acid glycine. It boosts immune function and improves tissues oxygenation.
• Consume steam-distilled water. Drink even when you are not thirsty—98% of the body is made of water so you would want to drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
• Improve your blood’s oxygenation and circulation with deep breathing exercises. Try holding your breath for thirty second every half hour.
• Keep your colon clean. It helps ward off degenerative diseases and slow the aging process. Eat high fiber food and use a cleansing enema once weekly. Get extra fiber by eating plenty of fresh vegetables, whole grains, bran, and oats. Coffee enema and psyllium husk helps in colon cleansing.
• Read---keep your mind awake by learning new things because your brain connections and cells gets stronger the more you use them, it helps you remember more. Learn how to relax—stay active and enthusiastic about life. By keeping up your appearance, using biofeedback games and been involved in hobbies and other activities you can keep your mind active. Taking Dimethylglycine (DMAE) is beneficial for memory and mental ability, acting to increase alertness and focus. It may also enhance mood and vision.

Boost your Immune System

The best defense against diseases is a strong immune system. The immune system includes Macrophages, T cells and B cells. The immune system protects the body from harmful organisms, abnormal cells and chemicals. Immune system helps  repair tissue that are injured/wounded or attacked by disease. Bacteria, Virus, Fungi, abnormal and cancerous cells, malnutrition, Aging can threaten our body's immune system.
The immune system has an excellent memory for recognizing foreign substances and organisms. To fight a viral or an invading microorganism the immune system creates an antibody to recognize and to attack foreign bodies or viruses. In return it helps make your immune system stronger. When the immune system mistakes a harmless foreign substance for an enemy, it causes allergic reaction such like hives, hay fever or asthma. Occasionally, it can mistake an internal signal and attack the normal body tissue causing an autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

You can Strengthen the immune system with
Diet rich in proteins and super foods are important for the proper functioning of the immune system- Protein provides amino acids used to make antibodies and other immune compounds that attacks foreign invaders and helps to prevent infection.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids helps reduce acute inflammation as a result of an immune response to foreign invaders. It helps to stop this immune function after an attack is launched on a foreign invader.

Vitamin E (tocopherol/tocopheryl):
Helps to protect fat-soluble vitamins
It helps reduce the signs of aging.
It helps prevent blood clots.
Maintains healthy muscles and nerves, strengthens capillaries and enhances T cells function.
Improves fertility.
It helps in the production of antibodies.
Vitamin E helps improve hair, skin, mucous membrane.
Vitamin E can be found in cold pressed oils, nuts, seeds, margarine, eggs, oatmeal, wheatgerm, black strap molasses, sweet potatoes, whole wheat, dark green vegetables and avocados.
phosphorus, selenium, manganese, inositol, vitamins A,B-1,C,F,B-complex helps to enhance vitamin E absorption.
When the body is deficient in vitamin E, red blood cells become weak, hair, skin and nails become dull and bristle, heart disease, infertility and impotency, enlarged prostate, miscarriage and gastrointestinal problems. Mineral oil, rancid fat & oil, chlorine, birth control pills inhibits the absorption of votamin E.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) helps to build healthy teeth, Gums and bones.
It helps to strengthen the blood vessels walls and reduce the duration of a cold infection.
It aids the absorption of iron.
It helps the body resist infections.
Increases collagen production.
It protects vitamins and maintain mucous membranes and collagen.
It can enhance the proper functioning of the immune system.
Vitamin C can be found in fruit and vegetables such as Red peppers, kiwi fruits, papaya, broccoli, strawberries, sprouted alfalfa seeds, acerola cherries, citrus fruits such as oranges and lemon, Goji berry, Cantaloupes, water melon etc

The richest natural sources are kakadu plum, camu camu, Rose hip, Acerola fruit for vitamin C

Plant source	Amount (mg / 100g)
Kakadu plum	3100	Plant source	Amount (mg / 100g)
Camu Camu	2800	Papaya	60
Rose hip	2000	Strawberry	60
Acerola	1600	Orange	50
Seabuckthorn	695	Kale	41
Jujube	500	Lemon	40
Indian gooseberry	445	Melon, cantaloupe	40
Baobab	400	Cauliflower	40
Chili pepper, green	244	Garlic	31
Guava (common, raw)	228.3	Grapefruit	30
Blackcurrant	200	Raspberry	30
Red pepper	190	Tangerine	30
Chili pepper, red	144	Mandarin orange	30
Parsley	130	Passion fruit	30
Kiwifruit	90	Spinach	30
Broccoli	90	Cabbage raw green	30
Loganberry	80	Lime	30
Redcurrant	80	Mango	28
Brussels sprouts	80	Blackberry	21
Wolfberry (Goji)	73 †	Potato	20
Lychee	70	Melon, honeydew	20
Persimmon (native, raw)	66.0	Cranberry	13
Cloudberry	60	Tomato	10
Elderberry	60	Pineapple            10 Blueberry            10

Bioflavonoids, calcium, magnesium, all vitamins and mineral helps to enhance the absorption of vitamin C.Vitamin C deficiency causes muscular weakness, anemia, appetite loss, skin hemorrhages, swollen joints, slow healing of wounds and fractures, bleeding Gums, easy bruising of the skin, low resistance to infections. Stress, high fever, tobacco, antibiotics, aspirin, cortisone inhibits the absorption of vitamin C. 

Vitamin A (beta carotene) helps prevent and reduce the infectious diseases by helping to keep mucous membranes healthy.
Vitamin A helps to increase white blood cells and other antibodies.
It helps build healthy bones, teeth, skin, It helps to maintain the outer layers of tissues and organs.
Promotes growth and vitality.
It is essential in pregnancy and lactation, necessary for night vision, good for growth and repair of body tissues.
It helps improve the health of hair and eyes.
Vitamin A can be found in Carrot, colorful fruits and vegetables,Dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, watercress, turnip, Red pepper, Tomatoes, Papaya, Melon, Apricot, Mangoes, sweet potatoes, Vinegar etc; also beta-carotene can be converted to vitamin A in the body.
Vitamin C, D, E, F, B-complex, zinc, calcium, choline enhances vitamin A absorption.
When the body is deficient in vitamin A, defective teeth and gums, allergies, dry and dull hair, retarded growth, susceptibility to infections, eye irritations, night blindness, sinus trouble, dry skin, loss of smell.
Coffee, alcohol, excessive iron, mineral oil, vitamin D deficiency inhibits the absorption of vitamin A.

Zinc is a trace mineral with many important functions. It aids in digestion metabolism of phosphorus and protein, carbohydrates,  It is a component of insulin and male reproductive system thereby preventing prostrate problems, It helps wounds heal and supports the immune system. Zinc is important for repairing and renewing damaged tissues however too much zinc can negatively affect the immune system. Zinc can be found in eggs, whole grain, plant-based milk, nuts like cashew & almond, oatmeal, kidney beans, chickpeas, yogurt, raisin bran, peas, black strap molasses, brewer's yeast, soybeans, spinach, mushrooms, sunflower seeds. Phosphorus, copper, calcium, vitamin A enhances the absorption of Zinc in the body. When the body is deficient in Zinc it causes sterility, delayed sexual maturity, loss of taste, poor appetite, fatigue, retarded growth. High intake of calcium or alcohol can inhibit zinc absorption.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that is very important for a strong immune system, it helps to preserve tissue elasticity, It helps the body utilize protein efficiently. Vitamin E helps in selenium absorption. Selenium can be found in broccoli, onions, brewer's yeast, whole grain, bran and wheat germ. When the body is deficient in selenium premature aging occurs.

Iron is a very important for the body, it needed for formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin. It promotes protein metabolism, srtess and disease resistance. It promotes growth. It is essential for a healthy skin, hair and nails. Iron help cells get oxygen needed to function properly and to resist diseases. Iron helps to create antibodies, T cell and B cells that helps prevent infection. Iron can be found in cherry juice, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, shredded wheat, black strap molasses and dried fruits like Goji berry.

Antioxidants will protect the body against free radicals and infections.

Garlic and Onions- contain a powerful compounds called sulfur which helps to block enzymes that allow organism to invade healthy tissue. It helps stimulate the fighting power of macrophages and T cells.

Exercise helps improve the body and its immune system under healthy conditions.

Shitake muchrooms helps to boost the immune system response against bacteria and viral infections.

Probiotics and prebiotics are active bacterial cultures that are said to help restore gut function and improve immune response.
It stimulates the growth of specific beneficial bacteria in the colon.
It helps to prevent and control yeast infection.
It helps improve the body's response to infections especially digestive tract problems.
It can be found in yogurts and Kefir, Chicory root contain fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and insulin- both are good source for probiotics.

Blueberries, blackberries, grapes, Goji berries are powerful antioxidants that have immune stimulating properties. They contain Anthocyanins.

Whey proteins-provide a high dose of the amino acid cysteine, enhance immune function. Cysteine is used by the body to manufacture gluthathione.

Green tea (camellia sinensis)- green tea leaf contain an active component called catechins (polyphenols), a powerful antioxidant. It helps support healthy cardiovascular function, It helps prevent cancerous growth, it helps defend the body against the harmful effects of free radicals. It support waste elimination.
Other immune strengthening herbs include Enchinacea, bilberry, Astragalus, Ashwagandha, Ginseng,Tumeric etc.

Eat Functional foods such as Omega-3 fatty acids, soy protein, psyllium, oats, Lutein, stanol and sterols to help your body maintain healthy immunity.

Immune Punch is an innovative proprietary blend designed to bolster your body's natural defenses, suitable for vegetarians. It is 100% pure with no added sugars, flavors, artificial sweeteners or colors of any kind. Madre Labs Immune Punch is formulated with select super fruit juice powders & berry extracts, medicinal mushroom--MushRex, Camu Camu, Elderberry, Epicor, AHCC-100 and a mixture of other healthy ingredients. Immune punch by Madre Labs helps support Healthy Immune System Function and prevents free radical damage.

MushRex Blend contains Six Certified-Organic Mushroom Species:--Lentinula edodes (Shiitake), Grifola frondosa (Maitake), Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), Agaricus blazei (Himematsutake), Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail) and Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) are considered to be the most immuno-active of all medicinal mushrooms and have been studied extensively by research scientists around the world for their immuno-stimulatory properties.

Camu Camu (Myciaria dubia) is a berry valued for its high levels of naturally-occurring Vitamin C and can also make mushroom active ingredients more absorbable and available.

Berry Immune Blend (Elderberry, Aronia & Bilberry Extracts) is a proprietary blend of concentrated berry extracts formulated to support a healthy immune system. One of its key ingredients, Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is used worldwide, especially during flu & cold seasons. Its use dates back more than 2000 years.

EpiCor (dried yeast fermentate complex) is a revolutionary new dietary ingredient which significantly supports immune function has been added to further enhance the naturally-occurring Beta-Glucans found in the Mush-Rex Blend.

AHCC-100 (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) is a proprietary blend of several hybridized species of mushroom mycelia that is extensively used throughout Japan.  

Immune Punch by Madre labs is great for immune support.

Fight Allergies, cold and flu

Allergies are an abnormal reaction from your body to particles in the air, such like pollens, dust, mold spores or dust mites to which your immune system reacts. Herbs helps relieve allergy and cold flu. The combination of a healthy eating habit with herbs will help strengthen your immune system. Herbs such as Garlic, ginkgo, horseradish, stinging nettle, licorice, ginger, ginseng, cayenne and eucalyptus are the most commonly known herbs to prevent allergies. Garlic has a high amount of quercetin which is an anti-oxidant that reduces inflammation of the nasal passage and should be implemented into your daily diet to get the total benefit of this herb. Adding this common herb to your food or drink will effectively help you recover in short time and also relieve the very flu or allergy symptoms. It is the best defense for flu and allergies. It can also help people suffering bronchitis, sinusitis and all cold symptoms.
Another herbs is Ginkgo, Ginkgo contains ginkgo Biloba; which produces chemicals in the body that helps to prevent inflammation in the sinus area when particles enter the body. You can consume between 60-240 milligrams of a Ginkgo extract per day, which is important in reducing the pressure on the sinuses that cause runny nose and congestion.

 Horseradish is a spicy herb found in Japanese foods. If you have a few teaspoons of horseradish every month, the spices will clean out your nasal passages.

Stinging nettle helps to prevent fevers associated with allergies as well as cough, chest congestion, runny nose and bronchial constriction.

Organic Licorice Root powder- helps relieve cold, coughs, nervous exhaustion, liver, chronic fatigue and skin conditions. Prevents inflammation and stimulates adrenals but should not be used for an extended period. when you drink or taste licorice, it has sweet taste at the back of your throat but it's an effective herb. You can mix 1/4 tsp with honey, agave nectar or pure organic juice or you can take it by itself however, i make a green tea or Echinacea with licorice, to be taken once a day by mouth.
(am not a doctor, but i have personally experienced the effectiveness of herb when doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with my body- many accounts of this even as a child; i have found herbs to be very effective and better for the immune system. This does not replace visiting your doctor, just a recommendation)

Eucalyptus helps you to breathe easier by opening up the lungs so that your cells get more oxygen.

Ephedra is a spice that works as an anti-inflammatory. Ephedrine is an ingredient in ephedra that works to treat hay fever and asthma, but the body can become immune to this ingredient if it is used over a long period of time.

Mint tea, Green tea

Get in a warm to very warm bathtub for an hour and let the warm yang energies of the water penetrate the skin, and boost your bodies energy while helping excrete toxins from your pores. It helps in strengthening the kidneys and lungs as they are main organs involved in the immune system and are often affected in illnesses of external cold penetration such as cold and flu.

Supplement should be used before cold symptoms appear and after cold is gone.

The fat-soluble vitamin, retinol or vitamin A has an effective antiviral effect when utilized in high doses, but at these doses, however, the vitamin should only be used for about a week. high source of vitamin A

Vitamin C will prevent a cold from setting in, when taken in sufficient quantities, it helps you recover quicker and effectively reduce the symptoms. Source of Vitamin C includes Chestnuts, oranges, orange juice, grapes, lemon, lime, aloe Vera etc

Echinacea is effective for stimulating the immune system.
It is known that lozenges made from zinc can perhaps stop a cold from progressing and help make recovery shorter, the virus itself may be destroyed by this supplement, though the exact way it deals with infection is uncertain.

A combination of the herb goldenseal and Echinacea can be taken to boost immune response, it may not prevent colds or the flu, it cannot act as preventive agent however it works well for therapeutic usage and for treatment of infections.

Herbs are a natural way to heal the body but pregnant women should exercise caution when using herbs to treat allergies, when not sure of the side effects seek advice from a holistic doctor, do your research first before use.
 To prevent spreading bacteria or flu virus
practice regular hand washing, when coughing use your hand to cover your mouth, sanitize hand. If using handkerchief or tissue to cover your mouth when coughing make sure to dispose of it properly. Avoid using other people's lip balm or kissing if you got a cold sore- prevent spreading cold sores 

Finally, don't forget to clean the dust off your house and vacuum floors (Kirby vacuum cleaners are the best); use biodegradable disposal rags or paper towel this helps to reduce allergens in the home environment. 

Writer: Onyinye A