Natural Flu Prevention: The Best Medicine
Top things to do to prevent an exposure:
1. Handwashing, Handwashing, Handwashing
2. Good Sleep
3. Multiple Vitamin and Fish Oil
4. Exercise
5. Stress Management, Meditation
6. Minimize contact with crowds
7. Good diet with sufficient protein
8. Adequate hydration.
Top things to eat:
Bananas for upset stomach, Citrus for Vit C, Blueberries are high in natural aspirin, Carrots for beta carotene (which supports immune system), Chili breaks up mucous in lungs, Cranberries for your bladder, Mustard and Horseradish break up mucous in airways, Onion clears wheezing, Rice for diarrhea, Tea natural antioxidant.Treating Colds and Flu Naturally
Top ten things to do:
#1 Count on your body’s own wisdom and do what it's telling you (like RESTING!)#2 Blow your nose often (the right way)
#3 Use a neti pot – also a little baking soda
#4 Stay warm and rested
#5 Gargle
#6 Drink warm liquids
#7 Take a hot steamy shower
#8 Apply hot or cold packs around your congested sinuses
#9 Sleep with an extra pillow
#10 Don’t fly unnecessarily
Top herbs to use:
Ecchinacea (alcohol tincture 1:5 – 3+ teaspoons per day) Dose is important, reduced length of illness by 30%, doesn’t seem to prevent colds but proven to raise wbc, stimulate lymphocytes. Raises TNF so not a tonicAndrographis (6+grams daily)Proven to reduce fatigue, sore throat, sore muscles, runny nose, headache, and swollen glands. VERY BITTER.
Ginseng (Panax 200mg daily of standardized 4-7%, Eleuthero 400mg daily of standardized) *ask your pharmacist if you are on meds. Study with placebo: fewer colds (15 vs 42) AND better response to flu vaccine
Licorice – antiviral releases interferon, expectorant, antiinflammatory
Yarrow Root reduces fevers, helps with inflammation
Catnip – antiviral, reduces fevers, muscle relaxer
Garlic antiviral
Ginger over a dozen antiviral compounds pain relieving antiseptic, reduces pain and fever, works on mucous membranes too
Berberines (Goldenseal, Bearberry, etc)antiseptic, stimulationg activates macrophages increase blood supply to spleen
Other Herbs:
Anise and Sage soothe sore throats, use as an antiseptic gargle with sage, cider, vinegar, and honey, or use as an inhalant in steamy water.Peppermint VALUABLE expectorant reduces fevers, painkiller, migraines, decongestant
Lemon Balm reduces fevers through sweating
Blackberry cleansing tea, smooth muscle relaxant
Borage feverish, chesty colds : expectorant
Cinnamon nausea as tea, oil is anti-bacterial
