As a Naturopath, I find that those with a suppressed immune system, high stress levels, excessive inflammation, overload of toxins and nutrient deficiencies may be more prone to catching the flu or a cold. Below are valuable solutions to help you support and modulate your immune system.
So far this season, if the media reports are accurate, influenza has caused the deaths of at least 53 children, rivaling the death toll of the especially severe 2014-2015 flu season. (Source). Keep in mind, we don't know the details on those statistics, if they had a flu vaccine (which can make them more susceptible to the flu and have a lowered immune system) or if they already had a lowered immune system, etc..
What Is the Flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. These viruses spread through the air from person to person. A virus may be behind many confusing or mysterious health issues you may be facing.
Signs and symptoms of flu may include:
- fever
- cough
- runny nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Naturopathic Solutions For Colds & The Flu
These suggestion are excellent for prevention of illness or if you have an acute situation and currently have a cold or flu and perfect for travel.
1. First.
See a Naturopathic doctor/practitioner to be tested to look for your unique deficiencies and toxicities. It's always important to get a baseline of your exposures to get to the root cause of why your immune system is lowered. Here are the state-of-the-art BioScan Assessments I run on clients in West MI and if you are NOT in West, I have instructions on how to locate someone near you.
2. Fast.
Stop eating at the first sign. Drink only liquids and avoid all sugars for about 24 hrs. Water, herbal teas, green juices, vegetable and bone broths are all good choices. Fever: If you have a fever drink only fresh squeezed grapefruit juice diluted with 2 to 3 parts water until the fever is gone for 24 hours.
3. Bowel Cleanse.
Clean your bowels by drinking 15 grams of Vitamin C, and also implement coffee enemas.
4. Hydrotherapy.
Take a bath with 3 cups of epsom salts.
5. Cancel Everything.
Cancel work and go to bed. While you are sick reflect deeply on this question, “What am I doing that is making my body a friendly environment for this virus? Specifically, how am I eating, moving & resting, thinking and relating? How can I learn from my flu/cold how to strengthen myself through these activities? Am I under extreme stress; mentally and emotionally?
6. Tea.
I love love love tea. You'll find me sipping on herbal tea all throughout the day, whether I am under the weather or not. It is a super effective way to get herbs into your system very quickly and the act of drinking tea helps to raise your vibration. You can buy some great herbal medicinal teas or you can make your own. Here is one of my favorite recipes.
Lemon Ginger Tea Recipe
Ginger has been used for thousands of years to soothe tummy aches, nausea and indigestion. And according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it has also history of use for soothing “flu-like symptoms, headaches, and painful menstrual periods.” Lemons are also helpful because they’re rich in vitamin C, which supports immune function.
This tea is amazing for easing nausea and other cold and flu discomforts as well as supporting immune function.
Pour boiling water over the ginger and allow to steep for ten minutes, then strain and add in a squeeze of lemon. I also add in the lemon peel if it is organic. Sweeten the tea with honey before sipping on it.
7. Strong Probiotics.
There are so many reasons why I love Just Thrive, here are a few. It remains stable in the presence of antibiotics, it inhibits the production of histamines and there is a particular strain in this formula that is especially important for kids on the Autism Spectrum and the strains help produce TWELVE naturally occurring antioxidants in the body and help with leaky gut! Its’ specialized bacilli formulation guarantees the survivability of the probiotics through the stomach and upper digestive system. It not only provides digestive system support and immune system stimulation, it also delivers antioxidants directly to the GI Tract via the patented probiotic strain known as Bacillus Indicus HU36®. It is excellent for acute infections, especially of the head, nose, throat and lungs. I have seen it first hand.
8. 100% Grass-Fed Hydrolyzed Collagen.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and plays a key role in numerous bodily functions. Yes, collagen is important for healthy and youthful looking skin, but collagen’s health benefits are not just skin deep. It helps; improve skin health, helps promote younger, firmer skin, it supports joint health, helps improve gut function and digestion, helps keep excess inflammation in check, builds and restores muscle, supports a healthy metabolism, keep appetite in check, promotes healthy brain function and helps promote deeper sleep.
Use Coupon Code: NATUROPATHMELISSA10 with Perfect Supplements at checkout to save 10% OFF your entire order.
You also get additional discounts of 25-30% for buying more than one supplement (you can mix and match) and you can stack the discount.
9. Liver Detox Support,
This gentle supplement is a natural, doctor formulated herbal formula that is designed to help support and maintain healthy liver function along with immune function. A unique combination of clinically studied herbs are packed in this small bottle. Superfoods such as milk thistle, artichoke, broccoli sprouts, turmeric, cilantro and chlorella all have the potential to support and enhance healthy liver detoxification. Perfect Supplement’s Liver Detox Support comes in pill form making it easy to supplement.
10. Desiccated Liver.
Desiccated Liver is a nutrient-dense source of naturally occurring protein and iron and one of the highest forms of bio-available Vitamin C on the planet. It is literally a SUPERFOOD. The health benefits of desiccated liver are many. Liver helps boost energy, immune system, and metabolism. It also helps improve digestion and respiratory strength. Liver also has the potential to maintain healthy cholesterol, blood sugar and overall cardiovascular health. Perfect Supplements carries desiccated liver in pill form (easy supplementation) and powder (easy add-in to smoothies & soups).
11. Bone Broth.
Bone broth is one of the most nutrient-dense, healing foods for the digestive system and therefore a great way to heal the body from pathogens and bugs. It has been hailed “liquid gold” for a reason! It's loaded with vital minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. Powder and Liquid broth.
12. Perfect Aquatic Greens.
Perfect combination of 100% pure, organic, and fairly traded spirulina and chlorella, two highly nutritious, microscopic, freshwater algae. Perfect Aquatic Greens is the perfect combination of 100% pure, organic, and fairly traded spirulina and chlorella, two highly nutritious, microscopic, freshwater algae. Both of these super-foods have been widely used as a nutritional supplement for centuries. To make the nutrients in chlorella more digestible, Perfect Aquatic Greens contains “Broken Cell Wall” Chlorella.
Spirulina gets its name from the Latin word “spirula” which means “small spiral shell”. It is a cyano-bacterium (another word for blue-algae). Spirulina grows in warm water and doesn’t have roots, leaves or stems. It adapts to heat which ensures that Spirulina retains its nutrients and has a long shelf life.
Chlorella’s name comes from the Greek word “chloros” meaning green and the Latin word “ella” meaning small. This super food was named chlorella because of the large amount of chlorophyll it contains. A single-celled green algae that grows naturally in fresh water, chlorella is a very popular food supplement throughout Asia. Spirulina and Chlorella are complete food sources. Scientific research suggests that spirulina and chlorella could be used as the foundation to achieve food security, and greatly improve the world’s health conditions, especially for heavy metal detox and pathogen detoxification.
13. Vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps with immune system function and boosts white blood cells. I recommend 5-10 grams of vitamin C spread out over waking hours. If you are under a lot of stress, it may also be a good idea to give yourself a loading dose of 5 grams in half a glass of water. If this gives you loose bowels, cut the dose back. Eating vitamin C rich foods like acerola cherry powder, camu camu, bell peppers & citrus fruits can help too. I have a whole page of nutrients including SUPERFOODS here.
Dr. Suzanne Humphries {MD, Author, Lecturer, and Board-Certified in Internal Medicine & Nephrology, as seen on The Truth About Vaccines}, is known for her research on the importance of Vitamin C and how it helps to heal the body. Here is an excellent video of her conclusions – game changer!
The RDA for men is 90 mg/day and for women is 75 mg/day. When scientists attempted to change the RDA of vitamin C to 200 a day, it was rejected by the authorities according to Dr. Humphries.
“I make none of my own vitamin C and I am told that I only need 75 mg/day or 1.2 mg/kg/day. This is a gross underestimation of what we should take every day. The science behind this estimate is flawed.” – Dr. Humphries states.
When a person develops an illness (ANY illness), the vitamin C reserves can be depleted very quickly. Dr. Humphries stresses that the RDA levels for vitamin C are to prevent scurvy, NOT promote optimal health.
“Different parts of our bodies need different amounts of vitamin C. The adrenal and the eye need very high amounts, for instance, muscle is somewhere in between.”
The need for vitamin C can be divided into categories; anti-oxidant, anti-histamine and enzyme co-factor.
Vitamin C acts as an electron donor and fixes the damage that is done by the oxidants in our environment, such as, car fumes, environmental sprays or from any poison. Vitamin C also acts as an anti-histamine, and protects people from pollen and allergies.
Dr. Humphries states that she has found this in clinical practice and evidence in medical literature. She continues that vitamin C, “Is a co-factor for many enzymes. Some of them make collagen, neurotransmitters, hormones and carnitine.”
14. Vitamin D3.
Mounting research suggests vitamin D deficiency may actually be a major cause of influenza. People with the lowest vitamin D levels report having significantly more colds or cases of the flu. (Source) Vitamin D3 is produced in the body by sunlight and regulates the expression of over 2,000 genes, including those of the immune system. Recent research shows that low vitamin D3 levels are linked to higher rates of cold, flu and respiratory infections. Many physicians believe that current recommended daily amounts of vitamin D are far too low, and that 2,000 rather than 200-400 units per day is a better choice. If you have a cold or the flu, take 2,000 units per kilogram of body weight once a day for three days. I do recommend testing your vitamin D levels.
“Vitamin D Is More Effective Than Flu Vaccine, Study Says” read Dr. Joe Mercolla's article.
15. Echinacea.
This herb can help your body fight off infections, but it is best to take it at the first sign of illness. An extract of echinacea was tested in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in 2013. Researchers found that the echinacea effectively treated respiratory tract infections in the short- and long-term, and didn’t cause the same resistance as a popular flu medication, oseltamivir, often causes when treating this illness. (Source) Echinacea acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce bronchial symptoms of cold and flu. Echinacea directly attacks yeast and other kinds of fungus.
16. Zinc.
Zinc supports immune function and has an antiviral effect. It works best when taken at the first sign of illness. Zinc may lessen the symptoms of the cold virus but excessive amounts aren’t good for you. Zinc pills and sprays do not seem to be effective. Take 50–100 milligrams of zinc daily for prevention and while having cold and flu symptoms.
17. Silver.
This bio-active silver formula works to boost the immune system, helps fight infection (bacterial, fungal and viral), and improves skin conditions. The product can be taken internally or applied externally. Those low is silver tend to have immune challenges. This is also excellent for all dental concerns.
18. Homeopathic Suggestions.
- Aconitum 200 + Bryonia 30 (take together), every 15 minutes until you start to feel relief, and then spread out every 3 hours. (helps with rapid onset with fever, intense chilliness, and restlessness or fear., red face and the pulse rate may be rapid, short cough, dry, and intense with a loud and sharp quality)
- Rhus tox 30 or 200 (if super achy)
- Bryonia 30 or 200 (if discomfort is worse with movement, congestive headache, body aches but also some sharp stitching pains anywhere in the body)
- Gelsemium 30 or 200 (great weakness, difficult to keep the eyelids open and mental dullness)
- Causticum (intense dry, teasing cough, body aches, stress incontinence)
- Oscillococcinum (if you feel the flu coming on strong with fever)
- Lycopodium 30 (digestive and liver issues)
- Eupatorium 30 (extreme body aches)
- Nux Vomica 200 (digestive concerns, cough and fever with extreme chilliness and shivering)
- Pulsatilla (sinusitis, cold symptoms, and body aches)
- Spongia (dryness, croup type symptoms, barky cough)
- Sulphur (hot, thirsty for cold, long lasting paroxysms of cough)
- Belladonna (fever, red face, and intense cough, very sore and swollen throat, and loss of the voice)
Sourced from one of my favorite reference books: What's The Remedy For That?: The Definitive Homeopathy Guide to Mastering Everyday Self-Care Without Drugs
19. Use Essential Oils. One of My FAVORITE Ways to Boost the Immune System.
For boosting the immune system, I HIGHLY recommend thieves and frankincense essential oils. Diffuse, or use topically. TIP: I love putting a few drops of thieves or frankincense on a cotton ball and placing in a zip lock or simply opening up the bottle and breathing in deeply. Thieves is a blend of cinnamon, clove, lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary! Individually, these oils pack a punch, but when you put them together, there's something about the synergy of them that makes this blend SUPER effective at supporting our immune systems and keeping us well!
20. Quality of Food Matters
- Avoid sugar and high amounts of carbohydrates and starches, as they suppress the immune system
- Eating good quality proteins & fats like pastured eggs, grass fed butter, coconut oil, avocados, salmon & bone broth
- Include herbs such as cilantro, oregano, parsley and lots of green leafy vegetables
- Special immune superfoods like Ningxia Red a living, enzyme-rich super food, great for anti-aging and tastes delicious, medicinal mushrooms, and/or raw garlic.
Flu Vaccine Information
Flu vaccines are by their nature a tricky business because influenza viruses are constantly evolving and public health officials have to guess at least six months before the flu season starts which type A and B influenza virus strains will be predominantly in circulation so drug companies can manufacture the vaccines. When the strains chosen do not match the strains actually causing most of the disease in any given flu season, the vaccine's failure rate significantly increases.
Even when there's a good match, the flu vaccine's effectiveness is estimated to be between 40 and 60 percent, meaning that, at best, public health officials believe you have a 60 percent lower chance of not getting sick with influenza if you get a flu shot. But it could be as low as 40 percent. Put another way, it is still a coin toss no matter which way you look at it. (Source)
Scare tactics. I believe the media and big pharma are trying to use scare tactics to push everyone to get a flu shot and in doing so, could be spreading the flu more and more with each flu shot they give. I highly recommend boosting the immune system, versus suppressing it.
What natural remedies do you use to help beat the flu or other illness? Share below!
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