My husband and I have been evacuated from our home in Ojai, CA since Tuesday 5 December 2017 due to the Thomas Fire. As of writing this on December 13th, the fire is 237,000 acres and is 25% contained. As most of you know, I am nearly 6 months pregnant which has made this time extra tender.
As we prepare to return home soon (hopefully) we are preparing ourselves to stay well protected from the ash and smoke in our beloved valley. Compiling this list helped me feel a little more calm about our return and clear on how we can keep our systems supported.
This list is a mixture of recommendations from various sources including Drs. (via posts in Thomas Fire community FB groups), 9/11 survivors who dealt with smoke for weeks, herbalists, and general wellness practices I use.
I wanted to compile this list to make shopping easier for all of us and as a means for easily referencing daily practices to help our systems.
This is a general list from many sources. This is not a comprehensive list and should be filtered through your own physicals needs.
There is a PDF of the list available for download at the bottom of this post if you would like to print and/or save this information.
General Supplements:
Vitamin C 1-3000 mgs per day in divided doses
Vitamin E at least 200 IUs
Alfa Lipoic Acid 2-600 mgs
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 4-600 mgs twice per day
Vitamin A 10,000 units
Vitamin D
Antioxidants in any form (greens, green powders, berry powders, green tea, etc.)
Any lung expectorant tonics/herb formulas you can fin
Herbal Lung Support:
Mullein
Osha
Eucalyptus
Lungwort
Oregano
Licorice Root
Hyssop
Red Clover
Nettle
Mushrooms for Lung Support:
Eye Support:
Pleo Muc homeopathic eye drops from Germany (available on Amazon)
Similasan eye drops
Very diluted Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in Filtered Water dropped into the eyes
General OTC drops like Visine can also help with inflammation and lubrication
Adrenal Support:
Trace Mineral Supplement (usually available as drops that can be added to water)
Magnesium
Herbs/Oil: Lemonbalm, Valerian, Passionflower, Lavender
Any herbs/tonics/herbs for anxiety and/or adrenal support
Serotonin Support:
5-HTP 50-100mgs taken in the evening
L-Tryptophane 500mgs taken in the evening
L-Tyrosine 500-1000mgs taken in the morning
Daily Practices:
Wear N95 Mask & Goggles outside
Beeswax Salve at bottom of nostrils (under N95 mask)
Coconut Oil Pulling
Salt Water Gargle before eating/drinking (or at least 2X per day)
Neti Pot Sinus Rinse
Stay well hydrated - more than usual
Nightly shower to rinse ash/smoke from hair
Shoes off before entering your living space
Wash clothing regularly
Vacuum living space regularly - preferably with a HEPA filter (dusting is not enough)
HEPA filter air purifier
Wash all food that has been on counter and/or outside thoroughly
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Safe:
Wish Garden makes nice pregnancy safe herbal formulas including Cold Season (good for respiratory health), Immune Boost, and Stress Relief (available on Amazon and *potentially* at Rainbow Bridge)
Mushrooms: Reishi
Herbs: Nettle Leaf, Wild Cherry Bark, Elderflower, Milky Oat Tops, Oatstraw
Immune Boost: Elderberry Syrup, Bone Broth, Probiotics, Apple Cider Vinegar shot with Garlic, Lemon, Onion
Vitamins & Supplements: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), Antioxidants (greens, green powders, berry powders, etc.)
Adrenal Support: Trace Mineral Supplement, Magnesium, Lemonbalm, Lavender, Chamomile, Plus the tools listed below
Eyes: *Very* diluted Apple Cider Vinegar in Filter Water as eye drops, I am not clear on the other eye drops listed above
All Daily Practices listed above are safe
Baby & Kid Safe:
If Breastfeeding: Breastfeed often - baby will get all good stuff through your milk.
If Bottle/Food Feeding: Keep liquids up
Diffuse: lemon, eucalyptus
Run Air Purifiers & Humidifier
Wish Garden: Kids herbal formulas
Infant Saline Drops & the Nose Frida
Since we have to stay indoors, it’s a good time to get creative with activities. Fort building, food art (potato stamps, macaroni art, yogurt finger painting for babies, etc.) scavenger/treasure hunts, cardio workouts to burn energy like jumping jack competitions.
Easy & Free Tools for Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System:
Speak Slowly
Move Slowly
Speak in a deeper tone of voice
Breathe deep and slowly if the air allows
Give a gentle shake/rock to your body (think of a baby being rocked to sleep)