People are dropping like flies – Calling out of work sick, not being able to show up for class, and everywhere you go in the distance you can hear the sound of people coughing, sneezing, blowing their noses left and right…and in that moment, you realize flu season is officially upon us.
At the end of the day there is only so much we can do to protect ourselves, boost our immune systems, and avoid any contact with germs/illness. I’m sure most of you have heard about taking high amounts of vitamin C during this time, drinking a ton of water, washing your hands throughout the day, etc. However, even with these resources, many may still fall ill. What many may lack in this situation is essential information regarding herbal supplements, how to use zinc and vitamin C to your benefit, and how to truly avoid the “unavoidable” – getting the flu.
Given that there are germs and viruses everywhere you go (heightening during flu season) it is crucial to practice good self-care. This means not only washing your hands regularly throughout the day and maintain good hygiene, but also getting adequate sleep, managing stress levels, eating healthy, drinking a lot of water throughout the day, etc. My top tips are to carry all-natural hand wipes or hand sanitizers on you while you are out, prioritize sleep, meditate every night, and add lemon, mint, cucumber or some fresh fruit to your water to encourage you to drink more frequently throughout the day. Eating out at restaurants should also be limited during this time. If you do end up going out to eat, I recommend opting for piping hot dishes instead of a salad, as the high heat will help to kill off any viral bacteria that may have gotten in contact with the meal before being served.
Taking supplements year-round is crucial in order to build your immune system to prevent illness and encourage speedy recoveries if one does get sick. Our immune systems take a hit each time we get stressed, each time we travel, are around different people, are in heavily populated public places, and need that extra support. Some supplements and herbal remedies I recommend are liquid zinc sulfate, vitamin C, B-complex, chaga mushroom, cat’s claw, lemon balm, and spirulina. When you feel like you’re slightly coming down with something and feel a vague tickle in your throat, taking liquid zinc sulfate multiple times throughout the day is essential and will wipe it out before it even starts. By doing these things and taking care of ourselves throughout the year, the flu can ultimately be avoided.
In addition to taking supplements to boost your immune system and prevent illness, there are so many additional herbs and supplements you could take as direct weapons against the flu. Olive leaf is great supplement to take if you feel fatigued and run-down and can help stop the flu dead in its tracks. Echinacea and goldenseal are powerful “natural antibiotics” that are great to take when you are battling strep, tonsillitis, sinus-infections, etc. Eyebright also helps with knocking down flu symptoms and strep infections. Elderberry syrup and Cherry bark are also great flu-fighting supplements which help with coughs, combat sore throats and congestion. Lomatium root and Mullein leaf both can help alleviate respiratory and sinus related flu symptoms. Propolis, red root, and rose hips are also great to take to boost the immune system and offer so many healing benefits.
While you are sick, it is important to eat very healthy and drink tons of water to flush the virus and toxins out. Adding in fresh cucumber juice, celery juice, or any green juice can help you heal at a faster rate by providing the body with easy to absorb nutrients. Ginger/lemon water is also great to sip on throughout the day to heal, clear out congestion, soothe sore throats, settle your stomach, clear out toxins, aid in detoxification, and more. During this time and while you are sick with the flu, it is important to avoid dairy products (which can produce excessive amounts of mucus and feed viruses), eggs (feed pathogens), and chicken (including chicken broth –flu viruses can feed off of birds ex: avian influenza). If you are not willing to give these products up, make sure to take extra herbs and garlic.
Hello Health 