Bacteria And Germs | NonStop Natural

Top 10 Best Probiotics and Why You Should Make It a Resolution

December 22, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

By now, you have probably heard that our bodies are filled with billions of bacteria, both good and bad. While most of the time, the good outweigh the bad and keep them under control, it doesn’t take much for the bad guys to take over.

Since about 80 percent of our immune system is located in our gut bacteria, it’s important that we make sure that this good/bad balance stays in check. This is most easily done by taking a probiotic supplement. This means that by taking probiotics, you can help your body to naturally fight off cold and flu viruses.

If you get sick and need to take antibiotics, consuming probiotics can help prevent a yeast infection and restore the delicate balance in your digestive system.

Not all Probiotics are the made the same, however. We are going to let you in on the top 10 probiotic supplements around, so you can pick the one that works best for you.

Renew Life Ultimate Flora

This is a super powerful probiotic supplement. Each capsule has 50 billion cultures and 10 different strains of Probiotics! This delay released formula makes sure that you get all the good bacteria that you need each day.

Healthy Origins Natural Probiotic

This supplement is very good and, perhaps best of all, reasonably priced. Healthy Origins has 30 billion cultures and 8 different probiotic strains for improved digestive health. This product is also shelf stable, so you can buy in bulk and not have to worry about it going bad.

NOW Foods Probiotic 10

With each capsule containing 25 billion active cultures and 10 different probiotic strains, this supplement will greatly improve your digestive and immune system health. This supplement is diary, wheat, and gluten free, which makes it perfect for vegans and those with dietary restrictions.

Nutrition Now PB8

This effective, yet affordable, supplement offers 14 billion active cultures and 8 different probiotic strains. While it might seem a bit skimpy on the active culture end, this product is so affordable that you can always take two capsules if need be.

Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics

Everyone knows this famous internet doctor, so is it any wonder that he’s got his own supplement? Dr. Mercola’s capsules contain 70 billion active cultures and 10 different probiotic strains. A coated capsule ensures no stomach upset and this product has an 18 month shelf life.

Culturelle Digestive Health Probiotic

For those who eat plenty of other probiotic filled food, such as yogurt, but want to add a little extra insurance, Culturelle is a sure bet. With 10 billion active cultures, this single, yet effective, probiotic strain can support a healthy digestive system and help to keep the natural balance of bacteria in the intestines.

Sedona Labs iFlora Multi-Probiotic

This supplement has an amazing number of strains; 16 in each capsule and 32 billion active cultures. This will support a healthy immune system, digestive system, and encourage regular bowel movements. This product is vegetarian, but not vegan. This might be a bit more expensive than most, however, with 2 capsules per serving.

Puritan’s Pride Probiotic 10

Puritan’s rapid release supplement has 20 billion live cultures and 10 different strains, making it effective and well balanced. It does have a lower overall live culture count than some others, but is reasonably priced.

Hyperbiotics Pro-15

While this supplement is on the low side of active cultures at 5 billion, it has more strains than any other product at a whopping 15 per gel coated pills. Not capsules, but a unique gel coated pill ensures that the Probiotics make it past the stomach and into the intestines. This product is designed to get more live Probiotics into the lower part of the intestinal tract where they can do the most good.

Nutrition Essential Probiotic

This is one of Amazon’s top selling probiotic supplements and it’s easy to see why. With a basic formula of 15 million live cultures and tons of positive reviews, this is a good, all around probiotic that appears to get results!

By keeping your immune system healthy, you can avoid those annual flu shots! Also, a healthy digestive tract means healthy bowel movements and while no one likes to talk about that in public, it’s still a fact of life.

It’s a good idea to add Probiotics to your daily diet for three months to allow the bacteria time to “set up house” so to speak, and then a weekly dose should keep you in the pink!

Top 10 Little Known Ways to Use All Natural Castile Soap

November 21, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Back in the day, your grandparents used Castile soap for just about everything under the sun. Over the years, it fell out of favor; so much so that, just 15 years ago, you used to have to special order it or buy it online.

Today, the simple joys of castile soap have returned and you can probably find it at your local pharmacy or grocery store. Unlike regular detergents or soaps, a tiny bit goes a long way, so don’t be surprised by the smaller sized bottles.

Castile soap is made from vegetable oil, usually olive oil, rather than animal fat. This makes castile soap one of the purest, most natural soaps around.

Even though it says “soap”, this type of soap has remarkable cleaning and moisturizing capabilities that other soaps don’t have.

Let’s take a look at all the wonderful ways castile soap can be used around your home to save you time, money, and keep your living quarters (and body) naturally beautiful.

Super Moisturizing Shampoo

You don’t need to spend a fortune on your hair; you will have everything your hair needs by simply mixing ¼ cup of coconut milk, 1/3 of a cup of castile soap (liquid), and 1 teaspoon of olive or sweet almond oil. If you would like a bit of scent, add 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Many people enjoy the scent of lavender, rose, or frankincense, but you can add any scent you fancy. Put in a nice squeeze bottle and shake well before using. This is one of the best, yet inexpensive, moisturizing shampoo around.

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Wipes

If you don’t want to use paper towels for wiping up spills or cleaning kitchen counters, try this hack for making your own.

Find a mason jar or some other type of glass jar with a lid and an old T-shirt. First, cut up the T-shirt into washcloth sized bits. Now, add 1 cup of water, 1 ounce (about 1/8 of a cup) of castile soap and 10 drops of tea tree oil into the jar. Stuff the rags in the jar and turn it up and down a few times until all rags are soaked. You are now set! When you need a cleaning rag, pull one out of the jar and wash it when you are finished. Once all rags have been used, start over. Tea tree oil makes these super anti-microbial and antibacterial!

Got Bugs?

When ants invade your kitchen or patio, don’t pull out those dangerous pesticides, try this instead. In a spray bottle, put ¼ cup of castile soap into 1 liter of water. Shake well and spray the ants and their trail. If you have some peppermint essential oil, you can add 20 drops of that, but it isn’t necessary. This should kill the ants within minutes. Don’t spray plants, however, as this might choke the leaves. If you get some on your plants, wash it off the leaves.

Super Foaming Hand and Body Wash

Fight germs and still keep your skin super soft by making your own hand and body wash using the following do-it-yourself hack.

Wash out one of those “foaming” soap containers or order one online. Now add 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap, 2 teaspoons of fractionated coconut oil and 15 drops of whatever essential oil scent you like. Fill the remainder of the bottle with water. Screw the top back on and shake gently. That’s it! Try it and you will find that this is just as effective, and probably smells better since you can choose which scent you like, as those $4 bottles you can buy at the store.

Inexpensive Shaving Cream

This works for men and women. Simply rub a bit of castile soap between your wet hands and rub it on the face, legs, or underarms. The soap will help your razor glide along more smoothly, which can result in less razor burn.

Perfect Pooch Shampoo

Castile soap is very mild and non-drying, which makes it perfect for your fur baby! Remember that a little bit goes a long ways, so start off small. You can always add more if you need to.

Dishwashing Magic

Well, maybe not magic, but if you hand wash your dishes, or if you hand wash your good dishes, then why pay a fortune for dishwashing soap? All you need is to add 1 part castile soap to 10 parts water. Your dishes will be super clean and bacteria free!

Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Commercial laundry soap is not only expensive, but it’s loaded with dangerous toxins. Make your own by mixing 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of liquid castile soap, 1/3 cup of salt (any kind will do), and 2 cups of water. Dissolve the baking soda and salt into warm water. Now pour everything into a one gallon container. Fill to the top with more water and stir. Add ¼ cup per average load of laundry. This should equal about 64 loads of laundry for less than $5.

Ditch the Blue Stuff

That blue glass cleaner has been around for ages, which is why most people use it, but it is hardly cheap! Ditch that stuff and make your own glass cleaner by putting two teaspoons of Castile soap, and 4 cups of distilled water in a spray bottle. Shake and you are good to go! Use distilled water so you don’t leave any of those annoying mineral spots on your mirrors or windows.

Best Ever Bubble Bath

If you want a non-irritating, non-drying bubble bath, make your own using castile soap. Mix ½ cup of water with ¼ cup of vegetable glycerin (almost all health food or natural stores carry this) and ½ cup of liquid castile soap. You can add 10 or 15 drops of your favorite essential oil scent if you like. Once you try this bubble bath, you will never, ever go back to that commercial stuff ever again.

You can find all kinds of scented castile soaps, including ones made from different types of oils such as Hemp, almond, and olive oil. They all work pretty much the same, so try them all and stick with your favorite.

What’s your favorite way to use castile soap?

How to Naturally Kick Colds to the Curb This Winter

November 13, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

There is no denying that cold and flu season is just around the corner. With the first major storm of the season poised to hit the east coast and rainstorms in the West, the next thing sure to follow will be colds, coughs, sore throats, runny noses, and the flu.

In this article, we are going to talk about the common cold. While it might be “common” it is anything but pleasant. A severe cold can make you feel like you died from the throat up.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do once you catch the virus. There is no cure. However, the good news here is that there are plenty of natural ways you can prevent, lessen the severity of, and shorten the duration of that oh so common, sniffling, sneezing, stopped up head, sore throat, runny eyes, and coughing cold.

Prevention

You know the old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is absolute truth! The best way to deal with a cold is to try to prevent one in the first place. There is nothing new here, but if you’ve been skimming over this advice for years, perhaps it’s time you paid attention.

Wash your hands. Again and again and again. Try to not touch your face (which is easier said than done). A friend once made a “buddy system” with a co-worker where they would snap their fingers every time they saw them touching their face.

If you can’t avoid touching public spaces, such as ATM keypads, railings, shopping cart handles and such, get in the habit of using hand sanitizer afterwards.

Getting plenty of sleep and vitamin D (via sunshine if possible) has also been shown to reduce the number of colds people catch.

Despite your best efforts, if you should catch a cold, here are some ways to make it shorter and easier to bear.

Hot Drinks with Cinnamon or Ginger

This works best if you start at the first sign of the sniffles. Drink hot herbal tea with cinnamon or ginger. Lemon and honey will soothe a sore throat, but using cinnamon or ginger will help to thin the mucus in the sinuses, clearing them out. The virus is lurking in your sinuses, so keeping them clear of mucus as much as possible will help.

Zinc

This natural mineral is vital for the proper functioning of the immune system. Adults over the age of 18 can take 40mg a day. Taking a zinc supplement will not only help your immune system fight the cold, it is known to prevent the virus from reproducing, so if you take it regularly, you can stop those little stinkers from making you any more sick than you are when you start taking the zinc. Lozenges are a great way to slow the progression of the virus in the mouth and throat. Start with these at the very first sign of illness and continue for 7 days.

Yarrow

A very old fashioned remedy that really works. Many people claim that their cold was completely gone in 36 hours. Most people consume this in tea form with lots of honey as it can taste bitter. You can also make a mix of yarrow tea and either peppermint or chamomile tea for extra soothing, cold fighting power.

Nettle Leaf Tea with Red Raspberry Leaf

Make your own mix of nettle leaf tea with red raspberry leaf tea for one of the best cold fighting teas around. Both have trace minerals and vitamins that remove toxins and stimulate the immune system.

Garlic

Garlic is a great cold fighter, but you have to be a toughie for this one. This herb is a natural antibiotic, anti-fungal, and anti-viral powerhouse. Finely mince one or two cloves, put them in a glass of water and drink it straight down! If this is just too strong for you, add plenty of garlic to chicken soup, broth, or perhaps even make some garlic “tea” with honey. Most kids will not drink this, but for the hearty, this method works wonders.

Coconut Oil

This natural oil is high in a compound called lauric acid and is believed to remove the protective coating around viruses, making them vulnerable to your body’s immune system. Add 5 to 6 tablespoons of coconut oil each day until symptoms of your cold subside. Try it in your coffee, tea, cooking, toast, or, if you like the taste, just swallow it down right out of the jar.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Yes, there is no denying it, this tastes terrible, but it really works. Add a tablespoon in a glass of water and gargle with it at least 4 times a day. Then, drink one glass of this each morning and night. The earlier you start, the better this will work.

Steam

If your head is so clogged you think you need a plumber, try this.

Put a pot of water on the stove. Add three or four drops of Eucalyptus oil to the water. Once it boils, turn off the heat and pour the water into a bowl. Now stand over the bowl with a towel draped over your head. Close your eyes and breathe in the steam. If you must, start breathing with your mouth. You will find that your nose clears up quickly. Be careful not to stand so close to the steam that you burn your face!

Natural Chest Salve

If that cold should move down into the chest, make your own non-petroleum based chest salve by mixing about 15 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil into half a cup of coconut or almond oil. Rub this on your chest and under your nostrils, the same way you use vaporub. Wash off with warm water when it feels cold.

If you do catch a cold, please be kind to everyone else and avoid passing it on. Wash your hands, use virus killing tissues, and stay home at least for the first 3 days when you are most contagious.

You Can Rely on These Top 10 All Natural Antibiotics This Winter!

October 9, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Antibiotics are, and have been, a lifesaving medicine for millions. Unfortunately, the overuse or incomplete use of antibiotics has now created bacteria that are resistant to all known types of antibiotics.

This means that, once again, unless we develop new antibiotics, bacteria will reign supreme and people will die from simple infections.

You can avoid these dangers by only using antibiotics when you truly need them and by consuming all of the medication your doctor gives you.

You can also avoid these dangers by using nature’s antibiotics whenever possible.

Of course we aren’t suggesting that these are better than or even equal to prescription antibiotics, but many times these natural foods, spices, and oils will do the job.

Want to know more? Keep reading and find out which are the top 10 antibiotics given to us by Mother Nature.

Garlic

This is perhaps the most common and most used all natural antibiotic. Simple, everyday cloves of garlic contain antifungal, antiviral, and antibiotic compounds. Garlic needs to be crushed or cut in order to release these compounds, however. So be sure to add plenty of garlic to whatever you are cooking to keep yourself healthy, even if it won’t get you voted Most Kissable!

Echinacea

Native Americans have used this flowering plant for eons. It can treat bacterial infections, wounds, and keeps the immune system working properly. You can use Echinacea creams to treat many skin problems and stop infections. You can also take supplements to fight off internal bacterial or viral infections or to simply keep your immune system working at its best, drink a cup or two of Echinacea tea each day during the flu season. Please note that those who have immune disorders should avoid this supplement.

Honey

This is a sweet remedy that has been used for hundreds of years! Honey contains antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Before bandages or antibiotics, honey was often applied to skin wounds to prevent infections, as well as being used as a face wash to prevent breakouts. Always use raw, organic honey for best results.

Turmeric

Used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, turmeric is a super anti-inflammatory with antibiotic compounds that not only destroy bacteria, but encourage the body to use its own natural defenses to heal itself. You can consume fresh turmeric via food or tea, take supplements, or mix turmeric powder with honey and milk for a super antibiotic potion!

Oil of Oregano

A chemical compound in oregano oil, called carvacrol, is such a powerful antibiotic that it has been known to work in cases where antibiotic resistant bacteria refused to budge! You can mix a few drops of this healing oil in water to bathe wounds, help stop skin problems, treat foot or toenail infections, and much more! For cough or flu symptoms, add a few drops to a pot of boiling water and breathe in the healing steam.

Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaves have good antimicrobial benefits, as well as a natural anti-inflammatory action. You can consume this one via supplements, or make your own tincture for external use by filling a jar with fresh olive tree leaves and covering them with vodka. Leave in a dark place for 4 to 6 weeks, then strain out the leaves. This makes a terrific wash to cleanse wounds or cuts.

Goldenseal

This is another herb that has been used by the Native People of America for centuries. It works well for both internal and external bacterial infections and activates the white blood cells of the body so they can fight infections naturally. This is very powerful medicine, however, and should only be taken for 3 or 4 weeks at a time. You can take supplements or make a tea from fresh leaves and flowers. Be careful if you harvest this plant wild, however, as it is on the endangered list due to over harvesting. Consider growing your own!

Ginger

You might already know that ginger is a natural way to stop nausea and vomiting, but did you know that it can also help to stop food borne bacteria, such as salmonella? Drinking ginger tea after each meal ensures not only proper digestion, but will kill any unwanted bacteria and pathogens in your food.

Neem

Sometimes called Indian Lilac, neem is another powerful plant that fights bacteria without the bacteria building up a resistance to it. Neem oil is the perfect answer for oral problems such as gingivitis and bad breath. You can also use the leaves or powder to take care of most skin problems.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

These tiny but powerful seeds are terrific for their antifungal, antiseptic, and antiviral compounds. Grapefruit seed extracts have been shown to be effective in fighting more than 800 types of bacteria and viruses. You might want to consider taking these supplements during the cold and flu season this winter!

It was the father of medicine, Hippocrates, who once said “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food”. He was absolutely correct! Mother Nature has already provided us with almost everything we need to live a healthy, natural life; if only we would take advantage of it.

Best 10 Essential Oil Diffusers on the Planet!

September 30, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

If you are just getting started with essential oils, one of the easiest ways to use them is a room diffuser. These work especially well during the cold and flu season as they kill viruses and bacteria that float through the air.

For those of you who have recently discovered that (most) scented candles release dangerous toxins into the air, but love having a home with a sweet smell, essential oil diffusers are what you have been looking for.

The two basic types of diffusers are nebulizing and ultrasonic. Nebulizing diffusers attach directly to the bottle. There is no need to add water or do anything else. You simply turn it on and you are ready to go. Some brands offer timers, which is helpful in case you forget that you turned it on.

However, nebulizing diffusers use more essential oils than ultrasonic ones. The concentration is greater inside the room, however. They can be louder than ultrasonic ones as well.

Ultrasonic diffusers use a mix of water and essential oils to cook up a mix that is released into the air. These are very quiet, cost a little less than nebulizers, and can double as a humidifier.

However, these types of diffusers take longer to set up, must be cleaned on a regular basis, and you cannot use citrus essential oils in them, such as lemon or orange.

There are pros and cons to both of these diffusers and which is the right one for you will be your decision.

We want to clue you in on the 10 best diffusers we have found this year, so that when you make your decision, you can find the best possible one for you and your family.

Top 5 Ultrasonic Diffusers

The Whisper Premium Silent Misting Diffuser

This diffuser is so pretty, no one would guess it was also good for your health. It uses no heat and says that one diffuser covers about 1,000 square feet. The automatic low water level shut off is great as you never have to keep going back to check the water level. Comes in several colors to match your décor as well!

Mist Aroma

This is a Zen looking little diffuser, made from sustainable bamboo. It runs up to 8 hours on the high setting and 12 hours on low. Shuts down automatically if the water level runs low. It has a small strip of LED lights that goes around the diffuser. There are 7 different light colors to choose from. You can have the colored lights change colors, set it to one color, or turn the lights off completely. If you want a really sound sleep and a night light combo, this is the diffuser for you.

ZAQ Noor LiteMist Ionizing Diffuser

This diffuser is white with a top that changes colors. Lights can be turned off completely, if desired. Runs for 4 hours and shuts off when finished. This model is super quiet! Made from BPA free plastic, this compact unit covers about 300 square feet. If you don’t need a great deal of humidity, this is the perfect unit for you.

CO-Z Ultrasonic Diffuser

This one is so inexpensive and easy to use; you can put one in every room! This one also has 7 color changing LED lights that have a low and high setting. This one is praised for its ease of use. This allows you to run a timed mist cycle (30 seconds on, 30 seconds off) or continuous use. Made from BPA free plastic, this diffuser will run for 3.5 hours if set on the continuous mode and 6 hours on the timed mist cycle.

Zen Breeze Diffuser

This is brand new to the market and it’s going to be a huge best seller. Made from BPA free plastic, but looks like hardwood! Has 14 color LED lights, which can be turned off, and uses to heat. This model has a timer that you can set for 60, 180, or 360 minutes. It runs about 10 hours with each fill and is super quiet. This is a cool mist humidifier, which you will really appreciate this winter.

Top 5 Nebulizers

VereLily Nova Diffuser

Wireless and waterless, the Nova diffuser charges lithium-ion batteries just like your cell phone. Unlike plug in diffusers, you can take this one anywhere you like- in your car or in the garage. This diffuser has 3 separate aroma intensity levels and is completely spill proof. This model is so quiet; you will probably forget that you have it on!

Herba Terra Cold Air Nebulizer

This tall, silver beauty offers advanced NANO technology that uses no heat and no water. NANO particles will not leave that white residue on your furniture. This unit uses far less essential oils than other models. Even when set on the continuous 8 hour mode, it uses less than 1ml per hour. While it might weigh a bit more than other units (about 3 pounds) it is super heavy duty and will last for years. Comes with a remote control so if you put it on a shelf, you can change the settings or turn it off and on from your bed! How easy is that?!

ArOmis Orbis Nox Vitis Professional Diffuser

If you like things a bit different than the every day, this might be the diffuser for you. This diffuser looks very much like a candle in an old fashioned holder! It has a natural Beech wood base and all glass top for true purity. This diffuser has an auto shut off after 4 hours, as well as a 10 minute on/10 minutes off timer to help save money on essential oils. Uses no heat or water and is for indoor use only. This model is very lightweight at 1.2 pounds and is best known for never clogging up! One diffuser will clean 900 square feet.

Smiley Daisy Gardenia Nebulizing Diffuser

If you are a no nonsense, just want the basics kind of person, then this might be the perfect diffuser for you. The Gardenia model is made to maximize the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, without the fancy, schmancy stuff. This plugs into an outlet or a USB port, so you never have to worry about running out of batteries or recharging it. It uses no water and is very lightweight. This model features a timer and covers about 500 square feet.

doTerra Advanced Aromatherapy Diffuser

doTerra is the number one brand of therapeutic grade essential oils, so it only makes sense that they would have just the right diffuser for them! This is a powerful, yet compact model which offers state of the art cold diffusion. This means no water and no heat is needed! Easy to use controls right on the front of the diffuser make this one a no-brainer! doTerra has included 2 bottles, so you can pour your oils directly into the bottle and insert it into the diffuser. No more wondering if your essential oil bottle will fit! Covers 300 square feet. This one costs more than others, but the doTerra name means quality, so you can count on this one working for many, many years.

Essential oils can bring a beautiful scent to your home or work area, keep the air clear of viruses and bacteria, while keeping humidity levels at levels that will stop dry hair, skin, and throats. Everyone wants the best for their family and diffusers are one way you can do that with almost no effort on your part.