Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Natural Remedies: Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis

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Symptoms
§  Fatigue
§  Weakness
§  Sore throat (may act & look like strep throat)
§  Fever
§  Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits
§  Swollen tonsils
§  Headache
§  Skin rash
§  Loss of appetite
§  Soft, swollen spleen
§  Night sweats

Home Preparations
§  Throw away toothbrushes
§  Bleach all glasses, etc.
§  Change bedding

Home Remedies
§  GARGLE: apple cider vinegar, or salt & warm water.  This relieves sore throats, while killing germs
§  AROMATHERAPY: Place eucalyptus or lavender in a bath to be taken.  This helps boost energy.
§  SUPPLEMENTS: Increase Vitamins A, B, & C, along with Magnesium, Potassium, and Calcium.  
§   Echinacea may also be helpful.  This will help boost energy, as well as the body’s immune system.      
§  COCONUT OIL (EXTRA VIRGIN): Take two tablespoons in the morning and two tablespoons at night.
§  APPLE CIDER VINEGAR & HONEY: Take 4 tablespoons of the mixture in the morning, and four tablespoons of the mixture at night.  This will relieve sore throats and kill germs.  Both the vinegar and honey have antioxidants and antibacterial properties, allowing for the body to begin healing.

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 Diet
§  AVOID SUGAR: If you MUST sweeten something, use honey.  If you MUST have something sweet, find a fruit.
§  INCREASE IRON: broccoli, nuts (walnuts are often the cheapest), strawberries, dark green vegetables (lettuce, spinach), flax seed, barley, brown rice, raisins, mint, watermelon, grapes, whole wheat, and red meat.  This not only helps your body heal, but since mononucleosis is often accompanied by anemia, it allows your body to gain much needed iron.
§  DECREASE AND AVOID: fats, sugar, and caffeine.  These decrease iron and the immune system.
§  BE CAREFUL WITH RED MEAT: consume, but not in large portions, as it can be dangerous to the body in this type of illness if you consume too much.
§  EGGS & CHICKEN: Tend to give much needed nutrition and energy.
§  JUICE FAST: In some cases, a juice fast is very helpful to regain energy while still gaining the necessary nutrients your body needs to heal.
§  Eat 4-6 smaller meals as opposed to 3 large meals a day.

Other
§  REST:  Mononucleosis can often be frustrating as you are so tired.  But you have to rest in order to get better.
§  DRINK: Water and fruit juices should be consumed in heavy amounts.
§  AVOID HEAVY EXERCISE: This will help avoid spleen ruptures and kidney/liver complications.

PLEASE NOTE: These are only natural home remedies that no professional has reviewed or written.  This is not to take the place of professional medical advice, it is merely to aid you at home.  If you are concerned, it is best to call your doctor and follow instructions given by him/her.

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