Beating the flu - NATURALLY!

By Carol Harblin (CHHC)

What's the one thing that we have all heard about within the past couple weeks? The flu shot. The TV media addresses the flu shot as the only means to combat the flu - but this is bogus.

I am so sick and tired of hearing people drone on about the shot. It's flu shot this, flu shot that...it seems to be their only way to "prevent" the flu. I have news for you, getting the shot is not the means of preventing the flu. In fact, for every shot you receive, it actually lowers your immune system. The more drugs you inundate your body with, the less your body works on its own accord.

So what can we do to keep our bodies strong and resist the flu virus?

• Put the sugar away. Sugar from fruit juices (and of course candy) actually impairs immune function! So basically, both vitamin C and sugar compete for the transport sites to go to the white blood cells....but the sugar is the bully of the school yard and vitamin C is "beaten up" (reduced) by the sugar which results in lowering the white blood cell function. Darn that sugar!
• Take more vitamin C.
  
• Take more Zinc (and guys, zinc also helps sperm function and motility! So it's win-win for you!) The best way to take zinc is in lozenge form when you have a sore throat. It is soothing to the throat and easy to take. But you may take it in supplement form too.
  
• Don't forget good ol' Echinacea. It is a wonderful way to give that immune system a boost. You can drink it in tea form or take it in supplements. Drink some Echinacea tea when it first starts to get cooler out (early October, possibly) and drink it twice or three times a week while you are still healthy so that you won't get sick.
  
• Get plenty of rest. When it comes to the cold/flu season, we tend to not acclimate our bodies to the colder season and we still resume our summer schedule and run, run, run. Well, this sort of schedule is doomed. You need stop the summer hustle and tone it down a notch.
  

What to do when I already have a cold or flu?

• Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy that you take at the early signs of the flu. You place it sublingually and allow it to dissolve under your tongue.
  
• Continue the Echinacea tea and supplements.
  
• Any nasal congestion? Take goldenrod.
  
• Sore throat? Zinc lozenges and even mint tea can be quite soothing.
  

What about food?

• Keep hydrated, of course.
• Avoid sugary foods.
• Add more dark green veggies, fruit, garlic, cilantro, onion, and whole grains to your plate!

Garlic holds a lot of power. It is an antiviral, antibiotic, and an antimicrobial. There's even a wonderful hot beverage you can enjoy.

• Mince a couple of cloves of garlic - add to mug
  
• add a few tablespoons of honey -add to mug
  
• pour hot water into mug
• stir
• drink
  

And, alas, don't forget to meditate. Meditating reduces stress and allows you to be in the present.

So, don't think that the only way is the flu shot way...because it really isn't the only way.
Reminder: When you take any supplements, read the bottle to find out how much to take.

Smile!