Winter is coming, and for me that means so are the emails about all the health issues that come with winter! Rather than act reactively to health issues that come up this winter, let's fill up our homes with the right things to keep our families healthy this winter! I've carefully selected the most important natural must-have essentials to keep on hand so you can be ready for whatever comes your way this winter!
1. Vitamin C
If I had to pick ONE supplement, it might just be Vitamin C. It is extremely beneficial in supporting immune health, cellular health, and so much more. Decades of research and proven clinical trials show the benefits of orthomolecular (high-dose) therapy with Vitamin C. Click here to read my post about vitamin therapy that every parent needs to know!
For anytime of the year, but especially winter, I recommend taking maintenance doses daily and then using high-dose therapy during acute situations.
For maintenance, here's what my family does:
Kids: Young Living Super C chewables--1 per day for ages 18 months to 4 years. 2 per day for ages 4-10. (More if needed but not what we use for high-dose therapy.)
Adults: Young Living Super C caplets (2-4 per day) or HFFG's Vitamin C (coming soon).
For high-dose therapy:
HFFG's non-GMO Vitamin C powder
Dr. Klenner's orthomolecular high-dose therapy dosage chart
2. Therapeutic Essential Oils
Therapeutic essential oils filled a HUGE void in my family's natural health lifestyle and my natural health practice! The plants distilled into pure essential oils cover a wide variety of health needs. The saying is true: "There's an oil for that!"
So which ones do we need the most? The best ones to have are the ones that come in this kit:
These will cover most needs and do it powerfully and naturally!
Winter wellness with YL essential oils means using the oils aromatically, topically, and internally on a daily basis for a healthy winter! Proactive health with these oils goes a long way and makes a big difference!
3. Inner Defense
Young Living's Inner Defense™ reinforces systemic defenses, creates unfriendly terrain for yeast/fungus, promotes healthy respiratory function, and contains potent essential oils like oregano, thyme, and Thieves® which are rich in thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol for immune support. The liquid softgels dissolve quickly for maximum results.
These are one of those things that if someone doesn't have on hand when it's needed, there are basically NO comparable natural alternatives! So we make sure to have at least a full bottle on hand at all times, especially in the winter! They can be taken daily for immune support but we generally take them only when we've been around many other people or when something's got our immune system needed definite help. ;)
4. Probiotics
Since at least 70% of the immune system is in the gut, probiotics are a MUST for a healthy immune system! Our best defense against anything is to have a healthy microflora balance, because good bacteria helps overwhelm any bad bacteria that comes our way.
Fermented foods and drinks are my preferred probiotic as they are inexpensive (especially when homemade) and have a wide range of beneficial bacterial and yeast strains. (Follow me on Instagram for pictures of my fermenting adventures!)
Click here for my homemade yogurt recipe.
For probiotic supplements, check out HFFG's children's chewable probiotics and HFFG's infant probiotics or go to my Essential Oils Store to order Life 9 probiotic from Young Living.
5. Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil offers a wide range of benefits. Like fish oil, cod liver oil contains essential fatty acids for great health. Unlike fish oil, cod liver oil also offers Vitamins A & D, both of which are essential for healthy immune function. Vitamin D levels tend to go down significantly for people in the wintertime, so the need for supplemental Vitamin D goes up.
One thing that goes around often in the winter is Hand Foot & Mouth Disease. Research shows that a child's propensity towards this illness is related to Vitamin A; being deficient significantly increases a child's likelihood of having HFM and having it bad.
There are a few good cod liver oil supplements out there; I looked into Innate Choice but have not received responses to my emails from their company, and with Garden of Life being purchased by Nestle, I no longer recommend their cod liver oil. I have purchased Simple Truth Cod Liver Oil softgels for teens/adults and like that. I will update when I find a good one!
Those who become a Young Living wholesale member through me receive my support at no charge as well as the collective wisdom of our Oily Friends community that includes natural moms, therapists, other naturopaths, and so many more experts that can help you in your journey! As long as you have these things on hand, we can direct you to what to use when you have a health need! Because of this, there is no prior knowledge of natural health supplements or essential oils required! We'll help you out!
(If you were led here by a member of my Oily Friends team, please be sure to ask them for their link to order. This will still give you access to my help as well as our team's help!)
Praying you all have your healthiest winter ever,
Sara Jo Poff
Natural Health Practitioner
Young Living Platinum Leader #1565710