It's that time of the year when the bugs are running wild (the flu bug that is). With the weather changes, family and friends coming in from out of town It’s cold and flu season again and this year we have something new to be concerned about its MRSA (methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus).

Haven’t heard of it?

Well it’s the new "super-bug" that has been out-smarting even the most powerful drugs. Normally it’s a harmless staph infection found in the nose and on the skin the problems start when this staph enters the body through a cut. If this happens you may notice small pimple-like bumps or something that looks like a spider bite these can develop into boils that need to be drained. In very severe cases MRSA ac cause problems with the blood, the lungs, the joints and the heart.

So what can be done to prevent this?

If you have any cuts cover then with a bandage applying a salve using Goldenseal, Myrrh and Echinacea to help fight off any microbe from entering the cut. Wash your hands often especially if you work or visiting a hospital, if you belong to a gym, work or attend school. Heck everyone should be washing their hands often. This is also a good time to begin eating as organic as you can because of the over use of antibiotics in our foods. When animals are given antibiotics they develop a resistance to bacteria’s which gets passed to us making us resistant.

This is the time to incorporate herbs into your life because they are so complex they out-smart the bacteria. They do this because they can contain up to 100 compounds that fight ever changing bacteria where antibiotics contain one or two.

My personal favorite herb is Garlic; research has found that garlic can kill bacteria’s, viruses, parasites and funguses especially ones that are resistant to medications like MRSA is. If you are going to use fresh garlic try juicing one clove with some vegetable juice. You can also make a garlic honey by placing 2-3 cloves of garlic in one pint of honey letting it sit for at least two weeks taking at least one teaspoon per day. I prefer local wild flower honey to boost my immune system for its vitamins and minerals and its antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Other herbs used to support and enhance the immune system are Astragalus, Licorice, Eucalyptus, Boneset, Ashwaganda, Turmeric, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Ginger and Usnea the extra benefit to these herbs is they are also specific to the staph that causes MRSA.

A Rosehip and Astragalus jelly can be made by mixing 1/2 oz Astragalus powder with 2 oz. Rosehip chips in a glass jar pouring just enough organic apple juice to cover the herbs. The next day shake the jar vigorously until the herbs form a gooey substance which can be spread on biscuits, toast or eaten plain.

If you should have an out-break of MRSA on your skin mix finely powder Turmeric, Eucalyptus leaves and Echinacea angustifolia root; applying to the skin as needed by mixing with water or honey.

This is the time to be using herbs!