Here is a recent article in Scientific American. As I read this I thought of its implications to Aromatherapy. It gives anecdotal support to the effectiveness of Aromatherapy. The aroma from Essential oils has long been used in healing and to help change your state of mind. Here is some research that finds that scents can instill emotions.
The view from my window looks like we are still in mid-winter, except for seeing some of my favorite birds, like bluebirds. Most of them migrate south for the winter, but they have been coming to cheer me up lately. I have also seen a few red winged black birds, my mother- in- law always said they were a sure sign of spring. And then there are the critters in the barn. When Spring comes they all start shedding their winter coats which makes them all itchy and scratchy. The goats favorite response is too rub up against the stall walls. But Caddy likes the fence. He leans up against it and pushes against it back and forth up and down the length  of the fence. When I go out to take care of them I see his hair on the ground all along the fence. That’s how I know Spring is here even though the weather isn’t too convincing.
In a previous blog I shared an article about preventing the norovirus and how biofilms protect it. I recently read this article that talked more about biofilms and how essential oils can help combat resistant diseases. Personal Care Truth is a great resource for real information, backed with research and facts not scare tactics. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I’m watching the goats, I know, what else is new right? They are all huddled in the calf hutch. That’s a white plastic thing, like a dog igloo that is made as a shelter for baby cows. So I’m wondering why they are all taking shelter this time of the day, it’s not snowing or raining. Then I see them stretching their necks out and upward to watch a sinister silhouette flying above in the sky. It’s a bird- it’s a plane it’s… yeah it’s a bird!  Actually  it’s just a hawk, not sure what kind, too small to be a red tailed hawk. But even if it was the larger red tail, it is still no threat to these full grown fat and happy goats! Silly goats ~ I’d love to know what they are thinking!
Although the flu is still widespread this season, it has at least started to peak in some areas. Â But now we seem to have a particularly virulent strain of the norovirus. This year it is the sydney strain that was first detected in Sydney, Australia
“The best way to avoid the norovirus is to wash your hands often using soap and water,”
said Mary E. O’Dowd, state health commissioner. “Alcohol-based hand cleansers are not effective against this virus because of their special lipid shell.
“Noroviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses and are highly infectious, requiring as few as 10 viral particles to infect, Dr. Blaney pointed out. They are stable in the environment and are spread by the fecal-oral route.
Noroviruses spread quickly in crowded, closed places like long-term care facilities, daycare centers, schools and colleges, hotels, hospitals, restaurants and cruise ships. Basically, any place where food is prepared or handled by others, officials said.
This year’s strain,  causes the familiar agonizing symptoms — vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. It may also cause low grade fever, chills, headache, body aches, and fatigue. It typically lasts between 48 and 72 hours and is not associated with influenza.
Patients with norovirus are contagious from the moment they get sick to three days after they recover and possibly longer if they have a compromised immune system. The virus is found in the stool and vomit of infected people and is easily transmitted when proper hygiene is not used.
While ill, patients should sip clear liquids to prevent dehydration and when they can tolerate solid food, start with the BRAT diet — bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.