How do you know if it's detox, cold, flu, etc

[deb]

I know Helen has had a cold for a while and so has Terry, (my husband). I was thinking his was detox but now I have it too.
Constant sneezing, bad chest conjestion, horrible, painful lungs/cough... sore throat comes and goes. How do you know what it is and should you feed it or starve it?
I still have plenty of appetite and energy is good. Terry has felt really bad but not bad enough to stop going. Last night he coughed all night and finally got up, went to Walmart @ 2 am and got cough syrup.

[Olive]

Agave (or honey if you eat it) mixed with slippery elm bark and horehound tinctures is great for coughs and sore throats. They soothe and coat the throat so the irritation doesn't lead to more coughing. I'm of the mind that you want to avoid supressing a cough though, since your lungs are trying to get rid of mucus. If the cough is dry and you aren't getting a lot out of your nose, try eating things with ginger and cayenne added. Since they are irritants, they'll cause mucus flow which can help things. I also feel that it's best to minimize how much you eat, or stick to whole fruits and veggies or just juice when you're sick. That way, the energy that normally goes for digestion can help with the sickness!

Hope you both feel better,

Olive

[misslinda]

great question...i just read in other sites that we will be suspectible to colds, viruses etc when detoxifying.

have you tried the powerful mustard seed powder plaster for congestion in the lungs/chest--it's an old remedy used for years!


helpful tips:
ginger, lemon(best), honey --lots and lots of fluids and sweat it out.


luv,
linda :p

[askcassyfirst]

just some thoughts...

I don't believe that going raw can "save" you from becoming ill, although certainly cleansing out toxins, and creating a healthier "terrain" will bring up your defences, and help you to not be as suceptible. I tend to shy away from the thought that raw is a "cure-all". I say this because no matter how clean you are, we live in a highly polluted environment, even the waters in alaska have hormone levels in them! These environmental issues make it all the more imperative to eat well!

Typically, when most people get sick, they will loose the appetite. This also happens when we are under extreem stress. In the moment our body shunts the blood away from our trunk, to where it is needed. Say, to run from an attacking lion, etc. A lot has been written on this subject, and I love Andrew Weil's perspective, so that is why I included it. Many will say that this loss of appetite is the body telling us to save it's resouces to deal with the infection. Personally, I fast when I feel a cold coming on. I will take in lemon tea or the master cleanse drink, and take organic herbs to help fight whatever it is that managed to "sneak in" past my defences.

That being said, typical detox symtoms can very likely mimic an illness. But if fever develops, or there is extensive mucus production, it is likely a virus. You may want to consult with a practitioner who had give an accurate diagnosis. Your body will expel toxins when you begin raw, and you must "listen to what it is saying to you." I think most of us have gone so long in a state of chronic subclinical illness, that we don't even know what it feels like to be "well." And, if you are beginning to cleanse, your defenses ARE lower, so you have to take pains not to expose yourself to those who are ill. Kind of like how women who are mensruating are more likely to develop ilness.

I recommend that you monitor your symtoms, and follow your normal protocol for illness. Take in plenty of produce of bright colors to give your body the anitoxidants to boost the immune system. If it is detox, or otherwise, I would suggest you all drink lots of water to flush the toxins, and take plenty of flax ground fiber to absorb them and make sure they are "escorted" out, and not reabsorbed.

Get better!

Cassy

[deb]

Thanks for the helpful tips! Linda, my mom used to use the mustard plaster when I was little. Whew... bad memories there!

I've about decided this is detox. I have symptoms but I don't feel sick, lol.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Usually detox only lasts 2-3 days at the most while a true sickness is something that takes a lot of time to come out of your body.

I've heard that all sickness is detox (toxemia), but some are quicker than others.

There's a great homeopathic remedy called Oscillo- something By Boiron for flu, it is in a white and orange box. It is the #1 flu remedy in France, and it's available in almost every drug and health food store.

We gave this to our little guy on New Year's eve. He had a really bad fever and was listless. It helped the symptoms enough so that he felt good about 90% of the time until the bug passed. It was really easy to give him because the meds are deposited into these little tiny cake-like decorations. They taste like the teeny tiny sugar balls on non-pariel chocolates, and you melt them under your tongue.

I stocked up on the stuff (Wal-mart has a great price on it) because we are taking a trip later this month and it would be a drag for someone to come down with something. I know it's really not good to surpress symptoms and allow nature to take it's course, but sometimes a high fever and vomiting can be a bit too unbearable.

[Rawkinlocs]

Here is an article you may find helpful: http://rawschool.com/commoncold.htm

[Mishka]

Hi Deb~

Well, since your husband is sick and coughing a lot I thought I would pass on our home remedy. I agree with Olive, I am also against cough suppressants. So what we use is organic chamomile tea. I put 3-4 bags in 2 cups of hot water and just let it sit for about 5 min.. Then I drink it, and make another batch to keep on hand (so it's already made if I have a bad coughing episode in the middle of the night) I don't mind it cold it still works like a charm. The chamomile plant is known for being a relaxant (helps you sleep) and antispasmodic (helps calm a coughing fit). There are a lot of other benefits to chamomile with colds too. But we mainly use it for the above or as a nerve tonic to calm down when in high stress. I've even given it to my babies when they had colic.:) Hope he'll sleep better tonight!
Michelle

[FEELIN'GOOD]

The Japanese lady at the market I shop at told me that light 'miso' soup was great for loosening mucus off the chest. Just thought I would throw that in. :D