Corona - (hand) hygiene & immune boosters

What a bizarre time. Hopefully once in a lifetime that we will experience a situation like this. On the other hand, it may also bring us something. Let's take a moment to think about what really matters. And new things arise from the restrictions that are necessary now.

Because we get questions about it a blog about hand hygiene - what to do and what not to do. With some tips to boost your immune system right away.

Personally, I am not in favor of hand sanitizer gels that disinfect, but strip your protective layer from your skin at the same time + kill the protective bacteria on your skin as well. At least that's what I've concluded from research. Around me I hear from many people - due to frequent use of disinfectants and a lot of hand washing, that the hands feel dry and show cracks. But what does science say about this? And are there any alternatives?

Washing with soap and water is better

That's what scientists say about the use of antibacterial or disinfectant hand gel due to corona. An antibacterial hand gel does not help against the corona virus. The gel helps kill bacteria, not viruses! says Professor of Microbiology Marcel Zwietering. Disinfectant, antimicrobial and hygienic hand gels may help against a few bacteria and viruses, but it is unclear whether these help against a new virus such as covis-19, says the same professor.

Excessive use of disinfectants is also dangerous, the Health Council already indicated in 2016. Read more in this newspaper article

Expert Peter Molenaar of the RIVM indicates that alcohol in the hand gels does kill viruses. Check whether your hand gel is permitted by the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb).

But even if you use a hand gel, you must first wash your hands well, so that dirt and grease are off your hands and the gel can do its job against viruses.

The disadvantage of the hand gels is that they usually kill the healthy bacteria on your skin. (Hard) alcohol in the gels dry out your skin. And strip the skin of its natural protective layer. Fortunately, there are a number of pure alternatives.

Soap

Try a 100% natural and organic soap from, for example , Werfzeep . This only uses saponified oils, plant and herbal extracts and essential oils in a number of soaps. Nothing else. No aggressive, drying foaming agents, ingredients that affect your protective skin layer, synthetic perfumes, ingredients from the oil industry, synthetic preservatives or other ingredients that are less pleasant for the skin ( read more ). For example, the oat scrub soap (with lavender) or the lavender soap . Because lavender naturally has an antiseptic effect. Dr. Bronner also has fine liquid soaps. For example, Shikakai tea tree or lavender. Normally in stock with us, but now sold out, but still plenty to find online.

Natural soaps should not dry out your skin, but take care of it in addition to washing it clean. Still a drier, chapped skin? Use a hand balm or hand cream to keep the skin of your hands soft & supple. Preferably no products with paraffinum liquidum or petrolatum (such as Vaseline). They put a layer on your skin so that your skin can no longer perform its own protective function and becomes drier and drier and can no longer dispose of waste products properly.

Given my sensitive hands, I use soap, but only pure - from saponified oils, without aggressive foaming agents, synthetic preservatives or perfumes. At the moment Werfzeep or Shikakai soap. And as a hand cream the dr Baumann SkinIdent Handcare . Years ago, when rinsing many glasses during part-time jobs in the hospitality industry, the skin of my hands was damaged to such an extent that they have become a kind of feelers for chemicals. If I use something with a less fine ingredient for the skin, I notice this immediately. I prefer to avoid that.

Hand gels
dr Alkaitis Soothing Gel or Abloom Soothing Lotion are antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic. But gentle on your skin! One of our favorites for many applications. The Crystal Sanitiser from Pinks Boutique is also antibacterial and viral. And we have been using it in the salon for years. This was developed by a specialist in manicure and pedicure products who was looking for an alternative to the skin-aggressive antibacterial/viral products. Botanical Beauty has a lavender spray - a hydrosol. This one is anti bacterial and not directly anti viral!

NB: Difference hard & soft alcohol. Mild alcohol is used in the Soothing gel and Cyrstal Sanitiser. This does not strip your skin / is not aggressive to your skin, unlike hard alcohol that is used in many, less pure products.

tea tree
Essential tea tree oil is antiviral - kills viruses. Drs Roy Martina advises putting a drop in a liter of water and drinking a glass of this water every 15 minutes during the day. To fight possibly corona virus in your lungs. We have tea tree oil from BalmBalm. Eucalyptus and peppermint oil also have a strong antiviral effect. Manuka honey is honey from the flowers of the tea tree (tree). Also with a medicinal effect (provided it contains at least 100+ MGO - the active/medicinal substance in the honey).

Immune boosters

An immune system booster includes Immunopolis from LaVieSage/Nutramin. With vitamins, plant extracts, probiotics and minerals. I started taking it just to be sure to give my immune system an extra boost during this time. PUKKA has a fine Elderberry (elderflower) & Echinacea tea that strengthens your immune system.

In China, it turned out that vitamin C in very high doses was able to fight the Corona virus. In the case of a 'normal' flu or cold, we also have the experience that taking 6-8 x 1000 micrograms daily improves complaints. What has been administered in China will be a much higher dose. But taking extra vitamin C can't hurt now,

Possibly a pre- and / or probiotics provides a stronger resistance from your intestines.

Slow juice immune boost juices

Rainbow cocktail juice supper rich in vitamin C + cleans liver and intestines (from therapist Michale van Straten) - to make with the slow juicer

• 2 oranges, peeled but white skin not removed
• 1 lemon, remove thick skin only
• 1 lime, peeled
• 1 peeled red grapefruit, do not remove white skin
  
  

Tropical invigorator (photo above) - super rich in vitamin C, A and caretenoids - for anti-viral and antibacterial substances with a direct effect on the immune system - 1 purée with peel and core, quartered

• 1 mango peeled without pit
• 1/2 pineapple unpeeled (organic pineapple!)
• 150 grams of blueberries
• 150 grams of strawberries

In this blog from Holistik 7 foods to recover faster from the flu or a cold. Which can't hurt in the case of Corona either!

Knowing more? Webinar with drs Roy Martina

Thursday, March 19, drs Roy Martina will give a webinar with background and tips related to the Covis-19 virus. In a short video he already gives the tip to have tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil at home. And Elderberry. As well as a liver and kidney supporting tea (which are usually available at the organic store). He also recommends the Healy frequency program - to strengthen your immune system against the corona virus. A unique, user-friendly, scientifically based system (from €505 for home use). On people & health you can read more about cleansing the liver and kidneys in a natural way.

Sources: nu.nl , Roy Martina, Supersap-Michael van Straten, LaVieSage