FIGHTING the FLU ~ 3 Ideas to help prevent

It's already 'that time' when the weather has changed and the cooler temps prevail. I feel like I am surrounded by people fighting one virus or another! I have written an entire eBook on this topic, packed with ideas for dealing with cold + flu prevention and symptoms. Today, I thought I'd share a few thoughts to help you ensure you are ready, with this post Fighting the Flu ~ 3 ideas to help ~ promoting self-reliance, self-care + generally 'best health' practices. I will included some more general ideas at the bottom of this post, in the interest of 'completeness'.

Perhaps the most important of all -- personal habits need to be remembered:

• STOP touching your face (pay attention. we touch our faces 100s of times daily!)
  
• Wash your hands often and for up to a minute, with very warm soapy water
  
• Take action to encourage best immune function. Don't FEED worry + fear.

My FAVOURITE "winter" Homeopathic Formula for Fighting the Flu:
It may look like an impossible word to pronounce; it sure is a mouthful ~ Oscillococcinum, is a homeopathic remedy which I've used with great success over many years.
Manufactured by Boiron, Oscillo (as it's affectionately called by those not wanting to tackle the full name!!) is taken like any other homeopathic remedy—sublingually (allowed to dissolve under the tongue)  30 minutes before or after eating or drinking anything except water. I always have a package of this amazing remedy in my purse when on the go. I can't tell you the number of times it has saved me from going down that road to achy, feverish flu symptoms. It's probably as close as your local health food store but here's my affiliate link if that is helpful, and easier --> online Oscillo here

Oscillococcinum

The standard dosage is three vials; each vial contains tiny pellets. As soon as I any of my 'pattern' of personal flu symptoms, I take a vial of Oscillo. It's important to take a minimum of 3 vials ~ take the 2nd vial six hours alter the first, and take the third six hours after the second.

I have an entire regimen ready to go "at home" but it's rare that the first feeling that 'something' is 'off' occurs  in the vicinity of my winter medicine chest! With this in mind, I always have a small  immune support kit within easy reach.

Note: These recommendations are offered as my personal experience only, and with 20+ years as a practicing traditional 'western' herbalist, not as a medical recommendation.

ELDER is a 'go to' for Fighting the Flu:
Every year I make a big batch of my "FLU FIGHTER" and clients stand in line to get their "supply" before cold & flu season. Elderberry Flu Fighter is a delicious concoction and a very effective remedy to prevent flu AND shorten the duration of that flu  if taken as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms.

Elderberries

• are powerful anti-oxidants (5 times those of blueberries + twice those of cranberries)
• contain more vitamin C than tomatoes or oranges
• are a good source of Vitamin A, B (niacin + thiamine)
• contain 3 times the protein of blueberries
• are a good source  of iron + calcium

Check out my recipe here for elderberry syrup (several versions!) and a wonderful traditional tea recipe using Elderflowers to soothe flu and fever!

WHY ELDERBERRY?

Probably the most common use of elderberry medicine comes to mind for the treatment of the flu virus (aka influenza, e.g. H1N1, SARS). When Elder medicine is used, colds and flu seem to be able to move more quickly through the body. Elder supports the body’s natural fever responses, strengthens and tones mucous membranes and provides supportive energy ~ at the same time!

Israeli researcher and world renowned Viralogist, Madeleine Mumcuoglu, PHD of Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center found that elderberry extract disarms the enzyme which viruses use to penetrate healthy cells in the lining of the nose and the throat. She found that if taken before infection, it prevents infection. If taken after infection, it prevents the spread of the virus throughout the rest of the respiratory tract and into the rest of the body. Her clinical trials found that there was:

20% significant improvement within 24 hours
70% improvement within 48 hours
90% symptom free within 3 days

In this study, those taking the placebo needed 6 days to recover

This study and many more like it, prove that there are compounds in elderberry which bind to viruses before they can penetrate the walls of cells, effectively stopping the viruses before they can spread!

Research indicates that after a virus enters a cell in our body, it replicates quickly and within a 5 hour time period, that initial virus now numbers in the thousands. Replication takes place every 20 minutes or so. This is the reason that herbalists recommend that we take our herbal remedies every 10 – 15 minutes in the acute phase of an infection.

NOTE: Always take herbal remedies frequently, especially at the beginning of an attack, whether it’s a sore throat, body aches, earaches etc. Also, for the best results, always take the remedies for 2-3 days after all symptoms have cleared.

Read more about elderberry medicine here.

Where to get Elderberry ?

Commercially, several good sources exist, with a focus on fresh or dried elderberries as well as elderflowers and other supportive herbs. Elder medicine is very tasty!! If fresh berries are not available, try your local herbalist for ideas. Otherwise, many make the syrup with dried elderberries,  purchased online like these organic berries from Starwest Botanicals

If you are looking for a good source and don't have time to make your own, here's one I've shared with clients, when I've run out of my own supply, and they need to get it quickly from health food store or online:
Nature's Way has several versions. Here's one with additional components of Echinacea, Zinc + Vitamin C.

Herb-infused HONEY offers good support for Fighting the Flu:

This is SO easy to make! This version features the healing attributes of garlic but you can make this with ginger, thyme, rosemary and ..the list goes on! This winter health remedy tried & true!

5 from 11 votes

Print

Garlic Honey

Learn how to make garlic honey and be super ready for winter's challenges!

Course Condiment

Cuisine Herbal Medicine

Keyword #coldkickerhoney, #condiments, #fightcoldsandflu, #rawhoney, garlic

Ingredients

• Garlic fresh, local if possible
• Honey raw, local if possible

Instructions

Canning jar (125ml or 250 ml) with a tight-fitting lid.

1. Fill the jar with garlic cloves.
2. Pour honey over the garlic and fill the jar.
3. Use a wooden spoon or a chopstick to ensure that the
4. garlic is totally covered (this also removes any air bubbles)

5. Put the lid on the jar and don't forget to label the jar with the name + date

To relieve symptoms of flu, colds, coughs, and sore throats, take 1 teaspoon of this infused honey three-four times a day or add to your tea and sip throughout the day. Add a slice of lemon too.

 As promised above, here are some general lifestyle suggestions:

• REST. This can be so hard but is so important
• STOP touching your face
• WASH hands often
•  Keep hydrated. Drink quality water, herbal teas, clear broths

• Eat plenty of infection-fighting foods  - soups, simple grains, veggies, and light meals.

• Add herbs to meals to increase the power of your 'fuel' (aka food!) Read here.
• Avoid mucus forming foods such as oranges and dairy
• Avoid sugar, famous for feeding viruses

There are many other healing ideas, concoctions and condiments that, when added to your 'everyday' routines, can ensure that adults and children alike, can stay strong + healthy!

Here's to your health!!!
Check out my ebook here  packed with LOTS of  DIY ideas for you!