Cold and flu treatment

Dear friends,
This week's newsletter is a continuation of last week's topic. It's a bit longer than we would normally like, but we had a lot of territory to cover, so let's get started.
I hope you find this information timely and useful this cold and flu season.
Regards,Richard M. Barry

Cold and Flu Treatment
(Please read our disclaimer)
In our last newsletter we covered research-based prevention tips: Wash your hands with soap and water. Disinfect surfaces with Sol-U-Guard Botanical. Avoid touching your face. Take Activate Immune Complex. Supplement with Vitality 4 Essentials which contain Florify, an immune protecting probiotic. Supplement with Vitamin D. Get seven to eight hours of sleep.
Along with continuing these prevention tips, we need to be ready to launch an attack. There was a time when doctors readily prescribed antibiotics for a cold or flu, but they now know that colds, flu, ear infections, and bronchitis are caused primarily by viruses and that antibiotics do not heal them.
Even though penicillin was discovered in 1928 it wasn't until 1940 that antibiotics came into full use. Later more varieties of antibiotics were discovered. They were heralded as "cure-alls" and used freely. Little did scientists know that treating with antibiotics caused a few bacteria to become stronger and resistant to antibiotics. "Superbugs" like MRSA, short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are making frightening headlines.
The Melaleuca Wellness Guide has a section about the history and uses of tea tree oil. Research shows that tea tree oil can be used to treat many strains of bacteria including MRSA. So while antibiotics and modern medicine have saved lives, scientists are realizing the need for alternative solutions. How ideal that The Melaleuca Wellness Guide has sections on over 200 health conditions and suggested remedies.
Today we will look at some suggestions for dealing with a cold or flu and the secondary complications that sometimes follow a cold or flu.
First, is it a Cold or Influenza?
The common cold usually gives a warning that it is about to develop. You know the symptoms. You feel a bit tired, start sneezing, maybe you have a bit of post-nasal drip and a “tickle” in your throat.
Influenza is different! It comes on hard and fast with high fever (102-104 F) chills, body aches, and exhaustion. Twelve to twenty-four hours later, along with the fever and body aches, usual symptoms include sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, chest discomfort, and dry hacking cough. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and serious complications. If you notice shortness of breath and a cough you should contact your physician.
Hints and Tips to Battle Cold and Flu Symptoms
Start treatments at the first hint of illness to avoid secondary infections.
Immediately take Activate Immune Complex. Take a hot bath with Renew Bath Oil. CounterAct Multi-Symptom Severe Cold can be used as directed on the label.
Breathe the steam from a vaporizer or a bowl of steaming water enriched with 5 drops of T36-C5. Form a tent over your head and vaporizer or bowl, breathing the aromatic vapors. Add 1 or 2 drops of T36-C5 every 5 minutes and continue this breathing treatment for 15 to 20 minutes.
CounterAct Cough Drops contain menthol and Melaleuca oil to reduce cough and help open nasal passages. Dab T36-C5 directly under each nostril. Hydrate with Melaleuca Tea. Drink 1 cup per hour. Sleep in a room with a vaporizer or cool mist humidifier. Add 2 capfuls of Sol-U-Mel and 10 drops of T36-C5 to the tank of water.
Ear Infection, Earaches
Many earaches are pressure problems. The ear canal or Eustachian tube of infants and small children inclines upward from the inner ear toward its exit in the throat. This anatomical uphill climb makes children more susceptible to earaches and inner ear infections. Drinking milk after weaning, allergies, teething, or a common cold can cause symptoms. The Eustachian tube can become congested. For children a drop of warm T36-C5 or T40-C3 can be mixed with 15 to 20 drops of pure virgin olive oil and inserted into the ear. NEVER use straight Melaleuca oil in the ear. For adults with Eustachian tube dysfunction decongestants are recommended. Doctors recommend pinching your nose and gently blowing to allow greater airflow through the tube to help relieve pressure.
Studies show that xylitol gum can be very effective in preventing ear infections by inhibiting bacteria. Melaleuca’s Sugarless Gums contain xylitol. Xylitol’s natural bacteria fighters, along with the act of chewing and swallowing, help to clear a congested ear. Click here for more information.
Sinus Congestion, Sinusitis
Drink 2 to 6 cups of Melaleuca Herbal Tea each day as a decongestant. A saline nasal wash is very important to help clean mucus, allergens, bacteria and viruses from the nose. It will also decrease swelling and increase air flow. For adults only: To 1/4 cup of warm unflavored Melaleuca Herbal Tea add 1/8 tsp of sea salt. From a cup, snort the mixture into your nose. Tilt your head back and hold it in your sinuses for 10 to 15 seconds. Expel the mixture through your nostrils into a sink. Blow your nose gently. Repeat morning and evening.
Bronchitis
Irritated bronchial membranes in the lung can swell and restrict airflow resulting in a condition known as bronchitis. Take extra precautions to protect your air quality by converting your home to Melaleuca home care and personal care products. Stay hydrated and avoid medicines that dry coughs, suppressing the beneficial coughing action that brings up phlegm.
Need an Antibiotic?
There is no doubt that in our world of "Super-Bugs," antibiotics have been overused. But if you wonder in which situation they might be needed take a look at this article.
~ Richard M Barry
Cold and Flu Treatment Stories
One of the most valuable benefits of Melaleuca products we've experienced in our household is in treating ear infections. We have five children, and none of them have ever needed antibiotics to treat an ear problem! We use olive oil to dilute the Melaleuca oil as directed in The Melaleuca Wellness Guide. We mix it in a tiny container with a tight lid. We warm the solution a little by placing the closed container in a bowl of hot water from the tap for a few minutes. (It's more soothing if it's warmed a little, but this is optional.) We use a cotton swab to place the solution in the ear, then tilt the ear up and tug on it a bit to help work the oil down. Generally the child will stop complaining about the earache immediately. We repeat this several times a day for about two days. This has been very easy and effective for us as long as we start the treatment as soon as possible after symptoms become evident. We keep the solution in the tightly covered container and re-use for several treatments. I can't tell you what a blessing this has been for us!
~ Richard M. Barry
I take a 3 ounce bottle of saline nasal spray, open it up and add 5-10 drops of Melaleuca Oil T36-C5. 10 drops can burn a little, so start with less on your first try. I've suffered from a lot of nasal allergies and sinus infections, but since I started using this at the first sign, I can knock it out before it gets bad. I have family members call me and ask me to make them some nose spray, and some friends too!!!
~ Glenda
I highly recommend Activate. At the first "tickle" of a cold coming on, I pop three Activate. Almost always that wards it off. If there's still a little indication of a cold, I will repeat the three-at-once the next morning, and that's all that's necessary. Thanks for doing this newsletter, Mr. Barry.
~ Marie
Put several drops of Melaleuca oil in a cup of hot water. Breathe in the steam. You can also drape a towel over your head to keep the steam confined. After the water cools, use it to gargle and it will further relieve the sinus congestion.
~ Sally