Issue #51, August 22, 2016

Low-cost medical care: the homesteading way!

I remember the frustration I used to feel when I came down with a cold or the flu. I had to take time away from work to visit the doctor, leading to a long wait and an expensive medical bill. Usually I'd miss work because I felt so lousy and that costly prescription the doctor wrote for me may or may not have worked.

If that's been your experience as well, then take heart! There are ways to heal without a costly doctor bill that will strengthen your immune system and make you feel well within hours rather than days. Here are some low-cost medical care tips the homesteading way.

Apricot Kernels

This is my first go-to when I or one of my loved ones is coming down with an illness. Apricot kernels are loaded with vitamin B 17, which will fight viruses and provide rapid healing. And yes, they are safe to take, although you don't want to take more than three at a time. Because these are extremely bitter tasting, you probably want to grind them and add them to yogurt or a smoothie.

A couple of years ago, my youngest son came down with one of those ugly stomach bugs with vomiting and diarrhea. My husband ground three apricot kernels in a coffee grinder and mixed them in with a tablespoon of ice cream (even with the most dire of illnesses, my son can choke down a little ice cream). Within two hours he was feeling almost completely well.

Speaking of Vitamins

Don't forget to take A LOT of vitamin C when you are feeling lousy. What a lot of doctors don't tell you is you can take up to 3,000 mg of Vitamin C a day. The worst that can happen is you get loose stools. The good thing that will happen is you'll get a whole lot better much faster.

Coconut Oil

This beneficial and often misunderstood oil has Lauric Acid that will strengthen your immune systema and help you fight illnesses and harmful bacteria. Add a tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil to your morning coffee or top your oatmeal with a spoonful of this wonderful oil to speed up healing.

Don't Forget Probiotics

While antibiotics are useful in dire situations, taking too many of them has wiped out our first defenses in fighting illnesses, namely the healthy bacteria in our guts. This healthy bacteria fights viruses and keeps the nasty yeasts from taking over our system. You can strengthen your immune system by taking a probiotic daily including yogurt, fermented food and kefir,.

Essential Oils

Just yesterday a friend of mine mentioned how she used lavender oil to heal an infection on her hand. These amazing oils may be just the thing to help heal skin infections, ease nausea and ward off infection.

So the next time you feel a cold coming on, try these low cost medical care remedies, and may all your homesteading efforts be joyful!

What's New

Cut down on costly grocery bills by following these simple tips.

Can you grow enough food to live on? Self sufficient gardening is possible. Here's how.

Save money by cooking from scratch using these inexpensive recipes.

Preserve your food safely and easily using these vacuum sealer tips.

Are you suffering from poison ivy? Here are some treatment tips.

Sue Merriam www.joyfulhomesteading.com

Homestead Rescue needs you! Have you moved to an acreage and need help pursuing the self-reliant life? This show is looking for volunteers who need rescuing with their homesteading and don't mind being on television. Contact Heidi at Homesteading. Her email address is heidi@metalflowersmedia.com.

Have you heard about my new novel?

Get off the grid at a fraction of the cost. Here's how.