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Make the rest of your years
The Best Years in Life
How to Beat and
Avoid the Avian and Other Influenzas
Written and compiled by
Tony M. Isaacs
Author of "Collected Home and Herbal Remedies" and
Cancers Natural Enemy
Are you worried about the possible outbreak of the Avian
Flu among humans? You should be! I hope that all of the
publicity about the Bird Flu proves to be a false alarm,
as well as the theories that it may be a deliberately
engineered flu, but I have to tell you that from what I have learned so
far about the Avian Flu, regardless of where it may
originate from, I think that the worst thing
any of us could do is to ignore it and hope it goes
away, because it may not and I shudder to think about it
ever mutating to where it can be spread from human to
human. Let's take a look at what we know so far about
the Avian Flu:
First of all, the Avian Flu has not yet mutated and
there is no need for panic, but there certainly is
plenty of reasons for concern and a need to be vigilant,
because the flu could easily mutate to one that is
spread by humans - and it is the very nature of viruses
to mutate. We should also be mindful of the fact that
the world is due for another outbreak of a widespread
and dangerous influenza epidemic of the kind that appear
to occur on a regular basis about every 30 years.
If the Avian Flu does mutate to a human flu and is even
partially as deadly as some predict, the resulting
worldwide pandemic could be an epic modern day plague
that changes the world as we know it and makes HIV,
9/11, the great Tsunami and the destruction of New
Orleans seem mild by comparison - and there would likely
be very little the world can do to prevent it. We can
only hope that the next big worldwide influenza outbreak
does not involve the current Avian Flu, or any other
avian flu, because such flu would be a type that humans
have not been exposed to and thus have no built in
resistance to. Owing to this lack of built in
resistance, such an outbreak involving that kind of flu
could prove to be uniquely horrific.
In a normal outbreak of influenza, the most vulnerable
are usually the elderly, the very young, and those who
are already ill or otherwise in a weakened state - in
other words, those whose immune systems are not strong
enough to successfully ward off and fight illness. While
a human version of the Avian Flu is likely to be every
bit as deadly or more so for those who are the usual flu
victims, unlike the usual varieties of influenza, the
Avian Flu would actually be even more deadly for the
group that is usually least affected by flu outbreaks:
the most robust and healthy among us, the adults in the
prime of life. That is because an avian flu like the
Avian Flu turns the body's own immune system against
itself and a strong immune system can become a deadly
instrument of death as it over-reacts to a threat it has
never been exposed to and releases a torrent of
chemicals to combat the new threat which end up
literally filling and eating up the lungs, suffocating
what had been a strong and vigorous individual.
Such was exactly the case in a previous outbreak of
another avian flu, one very similar to the Avian Flu.
The Spanish Flu of 1918-19 was the most deadly epidemic
in recorded history, killing 30 to 40 million or more
people in one year more than were killed in any war
including Great World War, more than were killed in the
4 terrifying years of the Plague of Black Death (the
Bubonic Plague) of 1347-1351, and more than were killed
by HIV-AIDS in its first 25 years of existence. In the
United States it infected 28% of all Americans, caused
the deaths of at least 675,000 and in a single year was
responsible for a 10 year drop in the life expectancy
rate. In 1918, the death rate for influenza and
pneumonia for 15 to 35 year olds was 20 times higher
than in previous years.
Many authorities fear that if the modern day Avian Flu
mutates to one that can be spread by humans, it could be
an even more deadly flu than the one in 1918-19. Indeed,
where humans have been exposed to infected birds and
contracted the Avian Flu so far, the death rate appears
to be significantly higher than it was for the deadly
Spanish Flu.
The picture becomes truly staggering when you add to the
expected high death rate the fact that the world
population is now 2 1/2 times greater than it was in
1918-19 and not only is the population much larger, it
is also much more concentrated with much more human
interaction. And then you have the fact that, unlike the
horse and buggy days of 1918-19, modern travel brings
humans almost instantly to and from all points of the
globe.
In all likelihood, only an immediate worldwide
quarantine and shutdown of all travel would have a
chance at stopping the spread of a worldwide pandemic,
and that is something that is both unachievable and, at
this point, unthinkable (although if the pandemic were
to turn out to be as dire as some predict, such measures
would probably be attempted out of desperation, but
would surely prove far too late to stop the spread of
the disease). Given the woeful response to the
destruction of New Orleans, and the shortage of flu
shots caused by the loss of a single facility only last
year, perhaps one can more easily understand the
estimates of many authorities and scientific figures
that forecast staggering death tolls, some as high as
300 million or more worldwide.
The world has largely forgotten the horrible death tolls
of the Spanish Flu, as well as the plague-like
conditions that led to quarantines, death wagons,
corpses lying abandoned in public streets, and
breakdowns of social order and lawlessness that broke
out in many places around the world. For those of us who
would like a reminder, I suggest a trip to an old
cemetery and take a look at the tombstones and grave
markers for the years 1918-19, see how many there are
compared to other years and how many times you will find
multiple deaths in the same family for those years. It
was a horrible time, now largely forgotten and to a
great deal overshadowed by the end of World War I, but
it is a lesson for us all if only we will open our eyes
and see.
Perhaps the nightmare scenario I have painted is merely
the stuff of dreams, and I certainly hope that proves to
be the case. But I strongly suggest that we all take
steps to prepare for the worst, just in case. Better
that than be like the old fellow on the side of Mount
Saint Helens who ignored all the warning signs,
disbelieved all the scientists and scoffed at the idea
of a deadly eruption right up to the point that he was
incinerated.
While there may be little the world's governments may be
able to do to stop the spread of a truly horrible
influenza pandemic, there are things that we all can do
to help avoid catching such a flu and to fight it off if
we do catch it. Common sense tells us to practice very
good hygiene and to avoid exposure to those who are
infected. If a vaccine is available, it is probably a
better idea to take it than not - even though vaccines
are likely to be in short supply, will likely be mere
guesswork since the virus has yet to mutate to a form
that can be spread by humans and is likely to continue
to mutate once it does, and is likely to contain mercury
due to the probable use of an agent called thimerosal
that is used to sterilize flu vaccines.
Beyond those obvious measures, I have also compiled the
following information for anyone who wishes to avoid and
combat influenza:
Avoiding the
Flu:
The good news is that you can take steps to help you
avoid the Bird Flu or any other flu when it comes, and
to survive it if you happen to catch it. Included in
these steps would be the things that you should do to
protect yourself from virtually all diseases and
illnesses: get plenty of rest, exercise, quit smoking,
eat a nutritious diet, avoid stress and, above all, to
make your body's natural first line of defense, your
immune system, strong and robust.
Some of the very best immune boosters are:
Echinacea (Despite the latest study)
Pau darco
Suma
Astragalus
Medicinal mushrooms
Beta glucans
Aloe vera
Alkygycerol
Lactoferrin
Bovine colostrums
Glutathione
Mangosteen
The next thing you should do is to also take one or more
good natural anti-viral agents, ESPECIALLY if the Bird
Flu does mutate and begin to spread from human to human,
because unlike other illnesses or flues, the Bird Flu
will use your own immune system to attack you. This is
because we have never been exposed to a strain of flu
like the Bird Flu and it is likely that biochemical
cascade of immune cells and immune system bio-chemicals
such as interferon, interleukin, monokines and cytokines
will literally pour into the lungs and eat your lungs
up. With the Bird Flu, it is essential to also include
good natural anti-viral supplements along with immune
boosters - and it is a good idea to do that anyway.
Among the very best natural pathogen destroyers are:
Garlic
Olive leaf extract
Oil of wild mountain oregano
Grapefruit seed extract
Colloidal Silver
A third thing to do would be to take regular
preventative doses of a natural remedy known as
Oleander Soup, which can be made at home according to
the instructions in the e-book Cancers Natural Enemy
(written by the author of this article).
Oleander extract has been proven in clinical trials,
decades of medical practice and literally centuries of
use as a folk remedy to be a very strong immune booster
and disease and illness preventer. It has also
demonstrated strong anti-viral abilities in the way that
it attacks and kills cancer cells, as well as its
effectiveness against hepatitis-C and HIV.
The fourth thing you should do is endeavor to stop the
spread of airborne viruses during the flu season:
Protect yourself from others by gargling daily with 1
drop each of the essential oils of tea tree (Melaleuca
alternifolia) and lemon in a glass of warm water; stir
well before each mouthful. Do not swallow.
Mix a blend of essential oils to use in your diffuser
or for use in steam inhalation.
Blend together:
o ravensare - 3 parts
o naiouli or eucalyptus - 1 part
o lemon - 1 part
o rosewood - 1 part
o lavender - 1 part
Ravensare and naiouli have antiviral properties, while
the other essential oils in the blend act as antiseptics
while at the same time providing a wonderful aroma.
Diffuser Application - Add about 50 drops of the above
blend to your diffuser at a time.
Fumigate the house with oils to help prevent the
spread of flu. Put 2-3 drops on a radiator to evaporate
or add 10 drops of essential oils to a small plant spray
filled with water. Spray the room frequently.
Natural Measures to Consider Should
You Get the Flu:
Hydrotherapy for Flu:
Promote sweating by taking hot baths, hot foot-baths
and other heat therapies. Keep the feet warm at all
times during sickness and as a preventive measure. Low
body temperature decreases resistance to viruses and
bacteria, while heat burns up and destroys the virus.
To warm feet, soak them for five to ten minutes in a
hot mustard bath. Dissolve I tbsp. mustard powder in 4
cups of hot water.
A hot bath followed by a cold mitten friction rub, two
to four times a day, loosens congestion, improves
circulation and strengthens the immune system, speeding
healing from the flu.
To do a cold mitten friction rub, proceed as follows:
Dip a small towel or washcloth into cold (50° to 60°F)
water. Curl one hand into a fist and wrap the cloth
around it. Use your fist to rub your other arm in a
vigorous circular motion, beginning with the fingers and
finishing at the shoulder. Dip the cloth in the cold
water again and repeat. Your skin should be pink. Dry
your arm with a towel using the same vigorous circular
movement. Repeat the process on your other arm and on your legs,
feet, chest and abdomen.
Juice Therapy for Flu:
Apple and dark grape juices are often recommended for
those fighting the flu. They have properties that work
against congestion and runny nose. Dark grape juice is
rich in tannins, substances that have been shown to kill
viruses under laboratory conditions.
Dilute the juices if they are too sweet. Drink them at
room temperature. Pear, cranberry and, especially,
pomegranate juices are also helpful for combating flu.
Naturopathy for Flu:
Hot Bath
Add 30-60 ml (2-4 tbsp) of Epsom Salts to hot water
and take a hot bath. After the bath go straight to bed.
Vitamins - As soon as the symptoms of flu start, take
high levels of Vitamin C to boost the immune system,
around 3,000-4,000 mg to start with, reducing over 3 -4
days to 500 mg until you feel completely better.
Diet - Drink fruit juices until the fever has passed.
Now eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
Cold Compress -
If very hot and sweaty, try applying a cool compress
to the chest and trunk.
Aromatherapy for Flu/Colds:
Steam Inhalation - Mix a blend of essential oils to
use in your diffuser or for use in steam inhalation.
Blend together:
o ravensare - 3 parts
o naiouli or eucalyptus - 1 part
o lemon - 1 part
o rosewood - 1 part
o lavender - 1 part
Add six to eight drops of the above blend to a bowl of
just-boiled water. Place a towel over your head and
inhale. Repeat this treatment two or three times a day,
if necessary.
Several oils have considerable anti- viral activity,
and help to boost the immune system. For maximum
effectiveness, it is important that you use them at the
earliest sign of influenza or in some cases before
contracting cold/flu to boost your immune system as a
preventative.
Essential oils of basil, eucalyptus, peppermint, and
pine help to ease nasal congestion. Choose one to three
of these oils and use them as inhalants or in steam
inhalation treatments.
For chest congestion, a steam inhalation treatment
made with basil, pine, and/ or tea tree oil can help to
clear mucus and ease breathing. Rubbing a massage oil
prepared with these oils over the chest may also be
helpful.
An aromatherapy bath prepared with elemi, myrrh, pine,
and/ or tea tree oil can help to soothe achy feeling all
over your body that accompanies flu. Use a lukewarm bath
for fever, a hot bath for chills.
For chills:
o Add 3 drops of rosemary and 3 drops of ginger or black
pepper essential oils to your bath.
o Mix 5 drops of ravensare and 15 drops of rosewood in ½
ounce of carrier oil such as olive or almond. This makes
an energizing massage oil blend.
Other Essential Oils Useful for Flu:
o Tea Tree oil
o Eucalyptus oil
o Lemon oil
o Lavender oil
If you come down with the flu, add 10 to 20 drops of
tea tree to hot water and take a hot bath. This may help
your immune system fight the viral infection and ease
your symptoms. Use a pure, unadulterated form of tea
tree oil; adulterated forms can be irritating to the
skin.
To help alleviate and disinfect dry air passages, add
10 drops of tea tree oil to a bowl of hot water or
vaporizer and leave in bedroom overnight. A small
handkerchief sprinkled with a few drops of the oil and
left under the pillow may help as well.
Caution: Do Not Overdo it!. Prolonged inhalation of
essential oils can cause an enlarged liver.
If you have a congested nose or chest, add a few drops
of essential oils of eucalyptus globulus (E. globulus)
or peppermint (Mentha piperita) to a steam vaporizer.
Caution: If you are asthmatic, be cautious the first
time you try this; if you have not been exposed to
essential oils before, inhaling the vapor may actually
precipitate an attack.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Flu:
Ayurvedic practitioners recommend the following
strategies to combat flu:
At the first sign of the flu, switch to a bland diet.
Eat soft-cooked rice (rice that has a very soft, moist
texture created by a longer cooking time with more
water) with a pinch of cumin, ginger powder and turmeric
for seasoning. In India, broken rice is used for this
purpose with generous amount of water so that we will
get a soup in the end. The ginger and cumin heat up your
body, so you can sweat out toxins. Turmeric has
antibiotic and antiseptic qualities. You can also add
few cloves of garlic cut into small pieces to the
mixture as garlic is very good for flu.
To ease the congestion that can accompany the flu:
o ½ teaspoon sitopaladi powder
o ½ teaspoon sudarshan
o ½ teaspoon of honey
Mix the ingredients well. Take a teaspoonful of this
mixture every few hours. Your symptoms will disappear
quickly.
For Severe Flu Symptoms - Take one tablespoon lukewarm
honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days.
This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and
clear the sinuses. A scientist in Spain has proved that
honey contains a natural ingredient, which kills the
influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the
immune system and protects the body from bacteria and
viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has
various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use
of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight
bacteria and viral diseases.
Herbal Remedies:
Herbal remedies cannot cure a cold or flu. But they can
bring relief of symptoms, stimulate the immune system
and speed recovery. Here are several herbal remedies
useful for colds and flu.
Corn starch, water and lemon. Mix together in a cup.
One cup should be enough.
Water, lemons, cinnamon sticks and honey. Put a gallon
of water in a large pot on the stove. Add four lemons
cut in quarters and two sticks of cinnamon. Bring water
to a full boil and then let steep for five or more
minutes. Drink one cup several times a day if you are
able to stay home and rest and one or two cups at night,
otherwise just drink at night. Best taken at the
beginning of flu symptoms. This remedy should help you
sweat out the flu, help ease any sore throat you may
have and also keep you hydrated.
Tea, lemon, orange juice and brandy. Works like a
charm. Just make a cup of tea, squeeze half a lemon and
half an orange into the tea and put two teaspoons of
brandy and you should feel much better soon.
One garlic clove and a sharp knife. Cut raw garlic as
thin as possible and put the garlic slices on your
tongue. Do not chew, just place on the tongue and then
swallow. Best when taken at the first signs of flu
symptoms
Eucalyptus, burnt sugar, lemon and water. Boil the
water and add eucalyptus, burnt sugar, lemon juice
and/or lemon rind, and continue to boil for five
minutes. Drink the tea hot, preferably just before going
to bed.
Colloidal silver. A half teaspoon of colloidal silver
for children and a teaspoon for adults can be swallowed
to ease or eliminate flu symptoms. If you take colloidal
silver regularly, you may never get the flu.
At the first sign of a flu, put a few drops of 3%
hydrogen peroxide into each ear, one ear at a time. Keep
the solution in for 10 minutes or until the bubbling
stops. Your temperature should start dropping within
minutes, and your flu should be gone within 12 to 14
hours.
Goldenseal tea. Use goldenseal tea bags (not pills or
capsules) to make tea. Drink a cup before bed (sweeten
with honey or Stevia if desired).
Herbal Fever Remedy
o 1 ounce dried Elder Flowers
o 1 ounce dried Peppermint Leaves
o ½ pint distilled water
Mix the herbs. Place in a quart saucepan. Pour 1/2 pints
of distilled boiling water over it. Cover and allow to
steep in a hot place for 10 to 15 minutes (do not boil).
When ready, strain into another saucepan. Sweeten with
honey if desired. This remedy drops high temperature
associated with flu quite effectively. In some cases,
the temperature has been reduced from 104 to 99 degrees
within two hours!! According to Dr. Dr. Edward E. Shook,
well known herbalist, "there is no remedy for colds and
fevers of any description equal to this simple
life-saving formula." More Information.
Psyllium - Boneset Flu Remedy: This remedy is useful
for flu as well as for backaches and headaches.
Peppermint-Rosemary-Elder Flu Remedy: This remedy is
good for colds with flu Symptoms.
Echinacea and goldenseal stimulate the immune sys tem.
Goldenseal also helps to soothe mucous membranes. Add
10-15 drops of a combination of echinacea and goldenseal
to herbal teas at the first sign of a sniffle to boost
the immune system. Take one dose of an echinacea and
goldenseal combination remedy supplying 250 to 500
milligrams of echinacea and 150 to 300 milligrams of
goldenseal three times daily for five days.
An infusion of boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) may
relieve aches and fever and clear congestion: Simmer 1
cup boiling water with 2 tsp of the herb for 10 to 15
minutes; drink a cupful every hour, as hot as you can
stand it.
A comforting herbal tea may be made from an infusion
of equal measures of elderflowers, peppermint and
hyssop. Caution: Take only small doses of hyssop (no
more than 1-2g three times daily).
To combat chills, try taking 30 drops of yarrow (Achillea
millefolium) or elder (Sambucus nigra) flower tincture
every four hours until your chills are gone.
Use a warming tea made of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum
zeylanicum), Cayenne (Capsicum minimum) and ground
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis).
To help yourself rest and relax, take a cup of
chamomile tea twice a day.
Use inhalations of chamomile, eucalyptus or thyme.
These help loosen mucus and heal the throat, nasal
passages and bronchial tubes.
Horsetail inhalations reduce swelling of mucous
membranes.
At the first sign of the flu, begin taking the Chinese
botanical formula Yin Qiao. (This remedy usually is not
helpful after the third day of symptoms.) Take two or
three tablets three times a day, up to twelve tablets in
a twenty- four-hour period, during the acute phase of
the flu. After the symptoms start to ease, reduce the
dosage to one tablet three times daily for one week.
In a 1995 Israeli study, elderberry extract was found
to reduce both the severity of symptoms and the duration
of flu (two to three days in the treated group versus
six days in the placebo group). Choose an extract
standardized to contain 5 percent total flavonoids and
take 500 milligrams twice daily.
Garlic helps to detoxify the body. Take 500 milligrams
(or one clove) three times a day for up to five days.
Take ginger tea. Ginger tea is antiviral and helps
break up the mucus and congestion. Ginger tea is
excellent if the stomach is affected. To make the tea,
boil 2 tablespoons of grated fresh ginger in 2 cups of
water for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and
steep for 10 minutes. Take a cup as needed.
Onion or nasturtium inhalations disinfect.
Ginkgo biloba leaf inhalations kill bacteria and heal
the cells of the damaged mucous membranes almost
immediately.
Inhale steam for fifteen minutes three times daily in
acute stage. When the condition is improving, inhale
steam in the evening before retiring for a week or so to
help heat the bronchial passages.
When feeling more feverish, induce sweating by taking
infusions of Catmint (Nepeta cataria) and/or Elderflower
(Sambucus nigra).
To help alleviate and disinfect dry air passages, add
10 drops of tea tree oil to a bowl of hot water or
vaporizer and leave in bedroom overnight. A small
handkerchief sprinkled with a few drops of the oil and
left under the pillow may help as well.
At the onset of a flu, drink lindenflower tea with 2
drops of lemon balm oil, thyme tea with honey, rose hip
tea or acerola juice. When you start to sweat, quickly
go to bed and continue sweating for one hour. Change
clothes, rub body dry and try to steep. This therapy
often stops the flu before it becomes full blown.
Gargle regularly with sage tea to disinfect mouth, and
use sage inhalations to reduce inflammation.
Wash body with an infusion of thyme or juniper
needles.
If you are suffering from muscular aching, use an
infusion of Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) alone, or
in combination with Catmint (Nepeta cataria) and/or
Elderflower (Sambucus nigra).
Chinese Herbal Formula for Flu - Gan Mao Dan (Common
Cold and Flu Pills)
This remedy expels Wind-Heat, reduces fever, relieves
chest congestion, and stops cough.
Symptoms:
o Cough
o Fatigue
oFever with slight chills
oHeadache
oNausea
o Red eyes
o Runny nose
o Skin rash
o Sore throat
Ingredients: Lonicera Flower (Flos Lonicerae), Forsythia
Fruit (Fructus Forsythiae), Gardenia Fruit (Fructus
Gardeniae), Phragmites Rhizome (Rhi- zoma Phragmites),
Red Peony Root (Radix Paeonia Rubra), Wooly Grass
Rhizome (Rhizoma Imperatae Cylindricae), Soja Seed
(Semen Sojae Praeparatum), Mentha Herb (Herba Menthae),
Morus Leaf (Herba Mori), Schizonepeta Herb (Herba
Schizonepetae), Aster Root (Radix Asteris Tatarici),
Platycodon Root (Radix Platycodi), Citrus Peel (pericarpium
Citri Reticulatae)
Dosage: 20 pills twice a day.
Important Herbs for Flu
Echinacea - Echinacea has been a traditional favorite
for colds and flu. Double blind studies in Germany have
shown that infections with flu-like symptoms clear more
rapidly when taking echinacea.1 Echinacea appears to
work by stimulating the immune system. Taking 35 ml of
tincture or 300 mg of dried root powder three times per
day is usually recommended.
Elderberry:- Elderberry is another herb that has been used in
treating flu. This herb contains two compounds that are
active against flu viruses. It also prevents the virus
from invading respiratory tract cells. A patented Israeli drug (Sambucol) that contains
elderberry is active against various strains of viruses. In a clinical trial testing Sambucol, twenty percent of flu sufferers who used it
showed significant relief of fever, muscle aches and
other symptoms within 24 hours, and another 73 percent
felt better after the second day. In three days, 90
percent were reported completely cured. In a similar
group that received an inactive treatment (a placebo),
only 26 percent were improved in two days, and it took
most of them six days to feel well again. Sambucol also stimulates the immune system and has
shown some activity in preliminary trials against other
viruses, such as Epstein-Barr, herpes and even HIV. In a small double blind trial, patients with
influenza2 were found to recover three times faster when
they took one capsule of elderberry extract four times
daily compared to patients taking placebo.
You can take the medication or take the herb by making
a tea from the herb: Make elderberry-flower tea by
steeping 3 to 5 g of dried flowers in one cup of boiling
water for 10 to 15 minutes. Take 1 cup of this tea 3
times daily.
Elderberry flower is generally regarded
as safe. Side effects are rare and consist primarily of
occasional mild gastrointestinal distress or allergic
reactions. Its safety in young children, pregnant or
nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not
established.
Astragalus - Astragalus root has been used to enhance
immunity for thousands of years in China. This herb is
considered by herbal practitioners to be a tonic that
strengthens the bodys resistance to disease. Astragalus
can stimulate practically all of the processes of your
immune system. It increases the number of stem cells in
bone marrow and speeds their growth into active immune
cells. Astragalus also may help boost levels of
interferon, one of your bodys potent fighters against
viruses. This, in turn, can help prevent or shorten the
duration of colds and flu. Astragalus alson boosts the
production of white blood cells called macrophages,
whose function is to destroy invading viruses and
bacteria. As soon as you discover the flu, take one 500-
milligram capsule of astragalus four times a day until
symptoms disappear. Then take one capsule twice a day
for seven days to prevent a relapse.
Garlic - Garlic is known to kill influenza virus in
test tubes.3 It also stimulates the immune system and
wards off complications such as bronchitis. Garlic
contains several helpful compounds, including allicin,
one of the plant kingdom's most potent, broad-spectrum
antibiotics. This herb's aromatic compounds are readily
released from the lungs and respiratory tract, putting
garlic's active ingredients right where they can be most
effective against cold viruses. Holistic practitioners
often recommend taking several cloves of raw garlic per
day during an infection. You can also take aged garlic
extract, or consume products such as hot garlic bread or
toast.
Asian ginseng (eleuthero) - Asian ginseng have
immune-enhancing properties, which play a potential role
in preventing infection with influenza. Boneset has been
shown in test tube and other studies to stimulate immune
cell function. This may explain bonesets traditional
use to help fight off minor viral infections, such as
the flu.
Wild Indigo - Wild indigo contains polysaccharides and
proteins that are believed to stimulate the immune
system. It is used traditionally to fight the flu5 in
combination with herbs such as echinacea, goldenseal, or
thuja.
Forsythia and honeysuckle - These herbs are used by
Oriental Medicine practitioners to treat colds, flu and
other viruses. They have real antiviral benefits. At the
inception of cold or flu, mix honeysuckle and forsythia
with lemon balm tea (lemon balm also has antiviral
properties.) Take this tea before going to bed.
Mullein - A tea made with mullein flowers provides
throat-soothing mucilage and also has an expectorant
effect. Herbalists think that this plant contains
compounds that inhibit flu viruses. You can also make a
tea with mullein leaf.
Other Herbs:
o Bayberry
o Boneset
o Calendula
o Ginger
o Goldenseal
o Lemon balm
o Oregon grape
o Thyme
Nutrition for Flu:
If you don't feel like eating, do not force yourself.
For a day or two, consume only liquids-water, juices,
teas, and soups. Digesting liquids requires a lot less
energy than digesting foods. This means that your body
has more energy to fight the flu.
Consume easily digested foods such as juices, lemonade
(hot or cold), herbal teas, applesauce, and lots of
nourishing broth and homemade soups. Miso and chicken
soup are good choices.
Take mushrooms soup. Mushrooms of choice include
shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms. They are shown
in studies to boost the body's immune response.
Getting plenty of fluids, including soups, is
particularly important. Drink at least six to eight
glasses of liquid daily. Fluids help to thin secretions,
making it easier for the body to clear them, and also
help to prevent constipation and flush toxins from the
body.
Sick People Soup - Here is a great soup to take when
you are down with cold and flu. It comes from Rosita
Arvigo, author of "Rainforest Home Remedies."
o 1/2 head cabbage, chopped
o 1 onion, chopped
o 1 head garlic, chopped
o 3 carrots, sliced
o 3 pieces celery, diced
o 6 Tbsp ginger, grated
o Ό c miso (soybean paste)
o 2 qts water
o juice of 1 lemon or lime
Boil the vegetables in the water until tender (about
thirty minutes), then add ginger and garlic and allow to
boil another five minutes. Remove from heat. Take a bit
of the hot soup from the pot and mix with the miso to
form a thick liquid. Add to the soup and serve. Squeeze
a bit of fresh lime juice into the bowl. For added
health boosts, add sliced agaricus, reishi, shitake or
maitake mushrooms to the boiling vegetables and sprinkle
crushed garlic on the soup before serving.
When there is fever, take liquids only.
Recommended liquids: Warm broth, vegetable juices and
herb teas.
Avoid dairy products and sugar. They increase and
thicken mucus. Avoid a milky drink at night if you have
chest problems, since this can contribute to congestion
of the chest by morning.
Red beet juice makes the flu virus inactive.
Condensed grape juice strengthens the heart muscles.
Parsley, celery, watercress, garlic, lemon, carrot and
coconut juices are nourishing and help to cleanse and
promote healing.
Drink fruit juices after diluting. Limit the intake of
sugars.
Increase the proportion of vitamin C-rich foods in the
diet, such as tomatoes, raw green peppers, carrots,
strawberries and citrus fruit. This vitamin is easily
destroyed by the process of oxidation, so do not leave
peeled, chopped fruit or vegetables to stand for a long
time before eating. Overcooking also leads to loss of
vitamin C, especially if fruit or vegetables are boiled.
Vegetables and fruit are best eaten raw, and if
vegetables must be cooked, steam them, which preserves
essential nutrients.
Eat fresh, raw fruit and vegetables, whole grains,
garlic, pulses, beans, small helpings of fish, nuts and
seeds. These foods appear to increase resistance to
infection and improve vitality.
Use unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil as a salad
dressing. Flax seed oil is an excellent source of the
omega-3 essential fatty acid and also contains the
omega-6 essential fatty acid. These fats help strengthen
cell membranes, thereby speeding healing and
strengthening resistance to infection. In the body.
Eat sea plants or algae. These can re-mineralize the
body after overexposure to processed foods. Spirulina,
alfalfa, chlorella or seaweeds can be added to soups or
juices in powder or capsule form.
Garlic can also help ward off a cold by inhibiting the
growth of staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria.
Avoid food and drinks that put extra strain on the
liver. The liver is responsible for efficient
detoxification of the body. The foods to avoid include
convenience foods containing substantial amounts of
chemicals such as colorings and preservatives, and
alcohol, which also depletes the body of vitamin C.
Nutritional Supplements:
Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Bioflavonoids - Vitamin C is
well-known for treating and preventing colds. Studies
show that vitamin C can shorten the duration of common
colds and flu and even prevent them. Taken in large
enough doses, vitamin C can boost your immune system by
pumping enough fuel into white blood cells to destroy
invading viruses and bacteria. Vitamin C increases
interferon levels and has interferon-like properties
itself. It acts as a natural antihistamine that helps
dry up watery eyes and reduce nasal and chest
congestion. It is also a powerful antioxidant that can
help prevent the damage that your body endures when
viruses or bacteria attack your immune system.
Dockworkers given 100 mg of vitamin C each day for ten
months caught influenza 28% less than their coworkers
not taking vitamins. Moreover, the average infection was
10% shorter in those taking vitamin C.1 Other studies
have reported that vitamin C in high doses (2 grams
every hour for twelve hours) can lead to rapid
improvement of influenza infections.2, 3
At the first sign of cold or flu symptoms, take 500
milligrams of vitamin C with bioflavonoids or rose hips
four to six times a day. The bioflavonoids and rose hips
strengthen the vitamin Cs infection-fighting power by
35 percent, according to experts. Start taking Vitamin C
as soon as you can. There are no adverse effects from
taking high dosages of vitamin C. If you experience
diarrhea, reduce the dosage of Vitamin C. Use
bioflavonoids along with vitamin C for their synergistic
effect.
Vitamin A is a nutrient vital to the mucous membranes
throughout the respiratory system during a cold or flu.
It is known as the anti-infection vitamin. It battles
viruses and bacteria in two ways. By keeping the cells
healthy all along your respiratory tract, it provides a
barrier that resists microorganisms. If some invading
microorganisms manage to breach the barrier, you want to
have antibodies and lymphocytes ready to destroy them.
Vitamin A helps your body provide those reinforcements.
As soon as you notice cold or flu symptoms, take
100,000 international units (IU) of vitamin A daily for
three days, then reduce the dosage to 25,000 IU for one
week or until symptoms disappear.
Caution: These are very high doses, please check with
your doctor before taking this much.
Beta-carotene, Vitamin As precursor, is rich in
antioxidant power and antiviral properties. It bolsters
immunity and protects the thymus gland. It also protects
you from viruses by enhancing mucous membrane
secretions. By producing the secretions, the
beta-carotene prevents the virus from invading your
body. If you feel a cold or flu coming on, take 100,000
IU of beta-carotene for 10 to 14 days, then cut the
dosage to 50,000 IU a day to prevent future respiratory
infections.
Zinc - Zinc supplementation is recommended for immune
system support. Zinc lozenges soothe a sore throat and
help fend off a cold before it takes hold. Zinc
stimulates the immune system by generating new white
blood cells and whipping them into shape to battle
viruses. If you have too little zinc, your production of
white blood cells may drop, and that can increase your
risk of catching a cold, flu, or other upper respiratory
infection. In one study, children who got 10 milligrams
of zinc daily for 60 days were much less likely to get
respiratory infections than children getting less. In
fact, the children who got enough zinc were 70 percent
less likely to have fevers, 48 percent less likely to
have coughs, and 28 percent less likely to have mucus
buildup.
Take 5 to 10 milligrams of zinc five times daily for
five days to one week. Take zinc with food to prevent
stomach upset. Be careful not to consume too much zinc.
Doctors recommend taking no more than 15 milligrams of
zinc a day. Zinc gluconate in lozenge form has been
found to shorten the duration of cold symptoms. In a
study, participants who sucked on one zinc gluconate
lozenge (containing about 13 milligrams of zinc) every
two hours while awake got rid of their coughs, nasal
congestion, sore throat, and headaches three to four
days sooner than those who didnt get any
supplementation. Dont take them for longer than one
week, because they can weaken your immune system.
Garlic - Garlic is very beneficial especially at the
beginning of a cold of flu. It warms the body and acts
as an antiviral and antibacterial.
Thymus glandular extract boosts immune function by
increasing the number and activity of infection-fighting
white blood cells. Take 250 to 500 milligrams twice a
day. This is especially important for people over forty,
as thymus function declines with age.
Recommended dosages:
o Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg every few
hours throughout the day, up to bowel tolerance
o Zinc lozenges, with 3 mg copper, every few hours, up
to 70 mg daily during a cold and 30 mg daily as a
preventive.
o Garlic, 2 capsules three times daily
o Vitamin A, 25,000 IU daily (avoid during pregnancy)
Live long, live healthy, live happy!
Required disclaimer: The author is not a qualified
medical professional and the information in this article
has not been evaluated by the FDA. Nothing in this
article page is intended to diagnose or treat any
medical condition. Anyone who has a medical condition
should first see a qualified doctor, preferably a
qualified naturopathic doctor or one who has been
trained in integrative medicine.
-----------------------
The author is a natural health researcher and author of
books and articles about natural health and alternative
remedies including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and
"Collected Remedies" as well as songs and humorous
anecdotal stories.
Last year, Mr. Isaacs helped expose two fake cancer drug
schemes that resulted in indictments and a three part
special on Fox News. He is currently working as a
volunteer for NFL legend Isiah Robertson's Athletes for
a Drug Free America.
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