Goldenseal Combination, my new favorite flu remedy!

    On Easter Sunday we had no indication that we were going to be sick. We went to church, had lunch with family and visited throughout the day. We headed home about 5:00 and I noticed that my husband Don’s voice sounded a bit like he was getting a cold. By the time we got home Don had to have a nap and when got up a while later he was feeling a bit worse. He took a hot bath and took Immu-Defense in hopes of burning it off, but by the time he went to bed he was feeling quite sick.

     Don missed work the next day, and I was feeling a bit of a sore throat so took the Immu-Defense throughout the day.  I was out running errands after work and even though I had a few more things to do felt like I just needed to go home. I could tell something was trying to get me, so I started taking my home-made Anti-Plague syrup (Super Garlic Immune) every 15 minutes. After four hours of this and no change in how I felt I opened our herb cabinet and my hand went directly to Western Botanicals Goldenseal Combination, which was formerly called Flu & Virus. I took a dose, and went to bed where Don had been all day.

    Within a short period of time I could feel the difference in my body from the Goldenseal Combination, so I kept taking it. When Don roused I had him start taking it as well. We both kept taking Goldenseal Combination all night long. I woke up about 10:00 am the next morning and felt so much improved that I was able to work, Don on the other hand still slept half the day since it had settled into his lungs. He added Dr. Christopher's Lung & Bronchial to help clear the lungs.

    I was pretty surprised that the Anti-Plague/Immu-Defense didn’t work for us, because it has been our stand-by for years. Maybe our bodies became a bit too accustomed to the herbs in it and needed something else. I always keep a variety of formulas for illness in the cabinet and rotate them, such as Dr. Christopher's Infection Formula, Immune System Formula, and Western Botanicals Immu-Defense and Immune Boost, etc. This time I’m happy that we had the Goldenseal Combination, and this formula will be one that I will always keep on hand.

    We always find it is best to stay on the formula that is working for a week or two after being sick. This helps us to not relapse and rebuilds the immune system back up.
     

Order online at Herbs First, or phone in your order 801-228-1901.

Have a great month!
Kathryn

Western Botanicals Immu-Defense Formula, are you ready for the Plague?

    Immu-Defense was formerly named Anti-Plague. This is Western Botanicals version of Dr. Christopher’s famous Anti-Plague formula which is available in capsules and syrup. Immu-Defense stimulates the immune system, and is wonderful for clearing up respiratory infections, as well as colds and flus.

    My husband was really excited when Western Botanicals made Immu-Defense available in capsules since he can’t handle the taste of the syrup.  The syrup is quite strong and some people love it. I hate the taste, but love what it does for me and have become accustomed to it. The results have been amazing over the years in helping us to get well from bouts of the flu, bronchitis, etc. It has really helped our immune system because we rarely have problems with sickness like we dealt with in the past.

    I have a friend who gives the syrup to her son when he has an asthma attack and it stops it right away! When our son was very young we gave him a daily dose of the Anti-Plague because he was such a sick little guy. After a year he became our healthy one and still is at twenty-six!

    We take a dose of Immu-Defense any time we have been exposed to people that are sick or if we feel we have something coming on. It works well to boost our immune system to help fight off any invaders that are attacking our system. My husband keeps a bottle of the capsules at work because someone is always sick. The capsules are a great alternative to the syrup so that you don't end up with garlic breath, and they are easier to pack around with you.

Both Western Botanicals Immu-Defense and Dr. Christopher's Super Garlic Immune formula (formerly Anti-Plague) are affordably priced. Order Immu-Defense in capsules or syrup or Dr. Christopher's Super Garlic Immune Formula.

    Next week we will share the Anti-Plague Formula to make your own syrup. This is great for people with more time than money!
You can order online or call in your order at 801-228-1901    
Have a great month!
Kathryn

Herbs For Colds & Flu Season

    I had a customer call recently to say that they were sick and that the Infection Formula wasn’t working. I asked how much they were taking and they said 2 capsules a day. Two capsules of any of the following: Dr. Christopher's  Infection Formula, Immune System Formula, Western Botanicals Immune Boost Formula, Immu-Defense Formula or Goldenseal Combination would work great to boost your immune system and fight bacteria or virus if you have been exposed to sick people. A great dosage when you feel you have something coming on is at least 2 capsules three or more times a day of any of the above formulas, and I have taken them as often as every half hour when things were really bad.  Note that the Flu & Virus Formula is now called Goldenseal Combination - it is a great formula to fight both bacteria and virus bugs and is available in liquid as well as capsules.

    A few days ago I felt a little drainage at the back of the sinus before it drains into my throat.  My throat thankfully wasn't red but I could tell that things were headed the wrong way. I like to hit things hard to get rid of them fast and not let it develop into anything worse so I took 2 Infection Formula, 2 Immu-Defense capsules and 2 Immune System Formula.  I took this three times on the first day as well as the second day. On the third day it felt perfect, but to be safe I took one more dose of all three formulas. It has been quite a few days and I continue to be healthy.

    The three days I took the herbs cost a total of $7.00 which is really a small price to pay to not get sick.  Years ago I would be sick six weeks every winter and hardly able to take care of my family.  Learning the principles of health and making the diet changes, and adding the herbs into our routine has been priceless to our family.

    Recently I saw the Dr. Oz show. He asked people if they ask their doctor for an anti-biotic and if the doctor gave it to them.  Quite a few doctors did and Dr. Oz told the audience that antibiotics don’t work for illness caused by a virus. People wanted help and that is why they went to the doctor.  Here at Herbs First we have the products to help you get well. We hope that you will order them to have on hand so that you can keep your family healthy.
 
Feel free to email me, or call me with any questions 1-801-228-1901.

Do You Have A Healthy Immune System?

    In the news lately is the fact that there is a bad respiratory virus going around the schools again.  My husband mentioned that people are sick at work too. Immu-Defense and Super Garlic Immune formula fight virus as well as work really well to help the respiratory system stay healthy. We have many other formulas at Herbs First that would be great to have on hand to help fight the infectious cold and flu bugs. Learn about them on our blog. 

     Western Botanicals Immu-Defense Syrup and Dr. Christopher’s Super Garlic Immune Formula are the Anti-Plague that my son took to build his immune system.  It is pretty nasty tasting stuff, but oh so good for you. For those that have a hard time with the taste, we carry Western Botanicals Immu-Defense in capsules.  Oh happy day, you don’t have to go around with garlic breath! 

   When my son was a toddler he was the sickest kid in the winter.  He would be sick for three weeks and well for a few days and then back to being sick again.  He is adopted and it wasn’t too hard to figure out that his birth mom did not eat right.  We finally figured things out and got off sugar and junk foods, and made everything from scratch, and gave the little guy a dose of Anti-Plague every day.  After a year or so he became the healthy one, and at 25 is still very healthy! 

   I had a mom that was ordering Western Botanicals Immu-Defense Syrup for her daughter and she asked me what else she could do to help her to stay healthy.  Her daughter became a kindergarten teacher last year and keeps getting sick from the kids that are sick.  When it comes to being healthy it is because our own immune system is in good working order.  The best way to have a good immune system is to be eating the right food.  I believe that people know what that means, so we won’t focus on that here, but keep in mind if you are eating wholesome foods you will have the best health.  If you are eating junk, then your health will be just that. Junk. It doesn’t take rocket scientist to figure it out, but it takes people being responsibile and eating real food so they can to maintain their health.  It is worth it!

    Another way to help yourself and others is to use the combo of Dr. Christopher's  Glandular Massage Oil with 60 drops of Garden Essence X-Plague added into the 2 oz bottle of Glandular Massage Oil.  We like to rub this on our feet as well as our neck on the tonsil area.  It will help protect you from the bugs that are flying around and possibly other people too that come in contact with you and smell it.  X-Plague is one that a teacher could diffuse in the classroom to help make the classroom a healthier place. Everyone loves the smell of X-Plague and it comes in a nice big 2 oz. bottle.  If you are a teacher, please don’t give candy as a reward. Sugar kills the immune system and makes staying healthy impossible. 

    Order Immu-Defense syrup or capsules. Super Garlic Immune Formula, Glandular Massage Oil and X-Plague by clicking on each link, or call me and I will be happy to place your order for you.  801-228-1901.

Have a great month!
Kathryn

New names for popular Western Botanicals Formulas

   Some of the names of the products have been changed due to a little visit from the FDA. This seems to happen once a year or so, and I have noticed that it is always happens on very popular products. Of course everything we sell here at Herbs First really work

    Goldenseal Combination was formerly named Flu and Virus Formula.  I often talk about having a variety of herbal formulas in your home to use when sickness is going around.  Goldenseal Combination is potent and is both anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Use at the first sign of a cold or flu as well as when you are in the thick of it. Useful year round to help you combat what ever is going around the office, school, daycare or wherever your family hangs out. Order Goldenseal Combination capsules or syrup.

    Immu-Defense was formerly named Anti-Plague.  This is Western Botanicals version of Dr. Christopher’s famous formula in capsule form and syrup.  My husband was really grateful when it came out in capsules, since he can’t handle the syrup. I have used the syrup for years and Western Botanicals pricing on the syrup is far below what we can get Christopher’s Super Garlic Immune for. Order Immu-Defense capsules or syrup.

    ImmuSoothe was formerly named Allergy Formula. Many of the herbs in this formula have a powerful calming effect on the immune system. Allergies are a sign that the immune system is over-reacting. Use ImmuSoothe for the symptomatic relief of seasonal allergies, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, hives, sneezing, and sinus congestion. Order ImmuSoothe capsules or syrup.

    Seasonal Sinus Formula was formerly named Sinus Allergy Formula. Seasonal Sinus works to relieve sinus congestion and draining associated with allergies. Also an effective immune booster to fight bacterial and viral infections. The effects of the powerful formula can be felt immediately. Order Seasonal Sinus Formula capsules, extract or syrup.

    Turmeric Combo was formerly named Anti-Inflammation Formula. This formula is effective in dramatically reducing pain and inflammation. The herbs used in the Turmeric Combo are of the safest available, and can be used on a long-term basis without worry of interfering or reacting to other nutrients or drugs. Order Turmeric Combo capsules.   

    Enjoy these and other great Western Botanicals Formulas.

Have a great month!
Kathryn

Time to make more Anti Plague

I used to go through a batch of Anti-Plague in about 18 months.  As you can see from this bottle, I made this batch in April of 2000.  Wow, my family has come a long way, that bottle is over 11 years old!  It smells, tastes and works as good as it did the day I made it.  I got sick a few weeks ago and went through the last of what I had. I don’t like to be out of this wonderful little elixir, so it was time to make it again.  We have a great Anti-Plague kit where you can purchase the herbs to make this great formula.  You need to purchase from a local source apple cider vinegar, honey & garlic. 

Cooking up four of the roots, I soaked them overnight in the pans, I had to add considerably more water than 16 oz., so be sure to have enough distilled water on hand.  Simmer for 30 minutes, let cool down a bit.  Squeeze them out to get as much liquid out as you can, then you are ready to simmer them down to a concentrate.

Stay in the kitchen while doing this, you don't want to walk away only to come back to a pan of air!  There are 9 concentrates to make and that is a lot to make, it usually takes me two days to do this.  Bottle them separately as you go.  I keep them in the fridge and keep in mind that they need to be the same temperature when you put them together.

I like to use fresh Comfrey Root, because most of the dried root that you buy has the outer bark still on it which is quite bitter. Here I am scraping off the black bark, it takes a little bit of time but is worth it. We ended up with extra, so I made a batch of plain Comfrey Syrup which is great for people that can't handle the taste of the Anti Plague.


All the concentrates are ready to mix, the large tall bottle is the vinegar and garlic combo.  I juiced a pound of garlic to get 8 oz. of juice and added it to the 32 oz. of vinegar.  The dark large bottle is a jar of honey, I only used 20 oz. which left a lot in that jar.  It is honey that my parents had, not sure how old, but honey is good just about forever.  


All the concentrates, honey, glycerine, vinegar and garlic juice are all mixed together.  Yup, it smells right! My whole house smells of Anti Plague, it is a different kind of Thanksgiving!  

The Anti Plague is bottled and labeled.  I keep it in the back of my fridge.  It will be interesting to see how long this batch lasts. Dr. Christopher talked about making this and storing it for time of need.  I'm glad to say that I just used eleven year old Anti Plague and it was still good!  I really don't enjoy eating this stuff, but have become accustomed to the taste.  My body really responds to this when I am unfortunate enough to get sick.  Below is the formula, please feel free to call me if you need a bit of advise along the way.  It isn't hard to make, just takes time, and is worth it!

Dr. Christopher’s Anti-Plague Formula

Using 4 oz. as a part will make a little under a gallon. If you are buying one kit it uses 4 oz. as a part.  Plan on the following:

8 parts apple cider vinegar - 32 oz.
5 parts glycerine - 20 oz.
5 parts honey - 20 oz.
2 parts garlic juice, fresh - 8 oz
2 parts comfrey root concentrate, use fresh if you have it - 8 oz.
1 part wormwood concentrate - 4 oz.
1 part lobelia leaf concentrate - 4 oz.
1 part marshmallow root concentrate - 4 oz.
1 part oak bark concentrate - 4 oz.
1 part black walnut bark concentrate - 4 oz.
1 part mullein leaf concentrate - 4 oz.
1 part skullcap leaf concentrate - 4 oz.
1 part uva ursi, hydrangea or gravel root concentrate - 4 oz.

To make concentrates:

Each concentrate should be made individually.  Start by soaking the herb in enough distilled water to cover it, for four hours, over night if it is a root. After soaking, add more distilled water so that the total added equals 16 oz. water per 4 oz. of herb.  I usually end up with at least double that, if not more water. Use a multiple of these amounts for larger batches.  I used to get together with 2 friends and we would make 4 gallons and split it.  They all moved, so now I just make a gallon for my family.

Simmer the herb on very low heat in a covered pan or double boiler for thirty minutes.  Then strain the liquid into a clean pan.  Put the liquid into a double boiler or on very low heat uncovered and simmer it down to one-fourth of the original volume (4 oz.)  Only after all the ingredients have been prepared should the liquids be mixed and be sure they are all the same temperature.  It takes me 2 - 3 days to get everything made, so I refrigerate the concentrates until they are ready to mix. Use only stainless steel or glass pots.

I can get 8 oz. of garlic juice out of a pound of garlic when using my Green Star Juicer.  Other juicers will likely need more garlic to get that much juice. Add garlic juice and pulp to the vinegar and shake 2-3 times a day for 4 - 5 days to get the rest of the goodness out of the pulp. Then squeeze out and mix the liquid with the concentrates, make sure there is a total of 40 oz., if not then add more apple cider vinegar to make bring it up to 40 oz. ACV/garlic juice.

If you don’t have a juicer use this alternative method: for the example of parts above amount use 2 1/2 lbs. of garlic - peel, blend in blender with vinegar (do not liquify).  Let set for 4 - 5 days, shaking several times per day.  Squeeze out liquid and measure. If needed add more vinegar to equal a total of 40 oz. vinegar and 2 garlic juice.

If you aren't up to making this formula yourself, then we have Christopher's Super Garlic Immune Formula, which is the Anti Plague.  We also have Western Botanicals Immu-Defense Syrup  which is their version of Dr. Christopher's formula.   

Order online or call 801-228-1901 to order. 

Have a healthy and happy month,
Kathryn Mechling