Cold & Flu Busters

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Misty L. Trepke

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Cold & Flu Busters: The Natural Approach

By Klaus Ferlow, Life-long Herbalist.

 

There are many theories as to how people get colds and flus as there

are treatments. When our immune systems are compromised it is a

challenge to fight these dreadful illnesses.

 

Colds cause clogged and runny noses, sneezing, sore throats and often

dry coughs. They will have a variation of symptoms in different

people, even if infected with the same virus. Flu symptoms are much

more severe and will cause high fever and chills, a feeling of

exhaustion and the whole body may ache. This includes headaches,

backaches and sore muscles. Flu viruses are stronger, more infectious

and more harmful than colds. But whichever one you may be plagued

with, there are natural alternatives to PREVENT and manage them. One

of the key considerations is to strengthen our immune system. The

following suggestions will help to give you an overview of the

NATURAL supports that are available WITHOUT any harmful und negative

side effects.

 

Diet is crucial! Unfortunately many of us eat " junk-food " - read the

book " America - Fast Food Nation " - and drink pop drinks which

contain the harmful artificial sweetener Aspartame and carbonated

sodas which further reduces our bodies healing power. It is essential

that you drink enough liquid, preferrably chlorine free water to

prevent dehydration. Add warm broth, vegetable juices and herbal teas

to our daily diet will provide additional immune system boosts. Beet

juice is very effective as is grape juice, parsley, celery,

watercress, lemon, carrot juice and coconut milk. You can also use

pure elderberry (sambuco) juice. Heat it up and add lemon juice and

honey. Drink it hot for maximum benefit as an immune booster. You may

get rid of your fever too overnight. That is how my mother

successfully treated my fever as a child!

 

Drink linden flower tea with 2 drops of lemon balm oil, thyme tea

with honey or rose hip tea with natural sweetener stevia concentrate.

Rest in bed as you work up a sweat from ingestion of the tea. After

about one hour, dry off from the sweat and change clothes. Try to get

more sleep. This process often stops the flu before it becomes full

blown.

 

Liquids are nourishing and help to cleanse our system and promote

healing. The addition of garlic to the liquid is believed to promote

further protection from cold and flu viruses. Raw fruit and

vegetables such as carrots, sauerkraut, and citrus fruits (containing

Vitamin A and C), unrefined cold pressed flax and hemp seed oil, are

excellent sources of omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids. And don't

forget our mothers favourite " secret " recipe - chicken noodle soup!

 

When using supplements for cold and flu relief, use high potency

liquid herbal tinctures such as Cat's Claw, Echinacea, Pau D'Arco

(Taheebo) and Grapeseed tincture/extract. Echinacea throat spray will

also provide immediate relief of your symptoms. Supplements such as

Vitamin C, Ester C and Vitamin A are very important and should be

started at the onset of a cold or flu. The same goes for the herbal

tinctures. Begin to incorporate these supplements as early as

September to give your immune system a boost, as you would charge the

battery of a car. When the first tickle appears in your throat, begin

using the Echinacea throat spray. It will kill the virus fast, often

with only a couple of sprays. You should never leave home without it!

 

Other cold and flu busters include cayenne pepper (capsicum) and wild

crafted Mediterranean oregano oil infused in hemp or olive oil or

grapeseed oil with mint flavour. Further, certified organic pumpkin

seeds (found to have a high percentage of zinc) and zinc lozenges are

highly recommended for cold and flu symptoms. Zinc has a long list of

health claims such as immune enhancing properties, anti-inflammatory

and is an aid to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, hair loss

prevention and prostate problems, just to name a few. Additional

dietary sources of zinc include wholegrain products, brewers yeast,

wheat bran and germ, oysters and meat. Zinc supplements can be found

under the names of zinc sulfate, acetate, gluconate, citrate,

dipicolinate, aspartate, orotate and amino acid chelates of zinc.

Zinc is especially important for the elderly! A zinc deficiency can

cause significant alterations in the immune system.

 

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 it in the

bedroom overnight. Another effective treatment is to inhale

chamomile, eucalyptus and thyme oils. This will loosen mucous and

heat the throat, nasal passages and bronchial tubes. Take a hot and

cold foot bath before retiring. It is relaxing and will help you to

de-stress and sleep better.

 

Gargle regularly with sage tea to disinfect your mouth. Use sage

inhalation to reduce inflammation. Wash your body with an infusion of

thyme or juniper needles.

 

If you have the opportunity to use a Soft Heat infrared sauna you

will reap tremendous benefits which include detoxification of heavy

metals and you will experience pain relief from arthritis,

fibromyalgia, sports injuries and other chronic pain conditions,

weight loss (burn 600 calories in 30 minutes), relaxation, excellent

results in the treatment of acne, eczema, cellulite and psoriasis.

Saunas may help you to arrest the beginning of a cold and flu.

 

WASHING YOUR HANDS OFTEN IS ALSO A KEY PRACTISE IN PREVENTING OR

SPREADING COLD AND FLU VIRUSES!!

 

Your body is going to need energy to detoxify and fight off the cold

and flu. Therefore, get lots of bed rest and if possible avoid any

stressful situations. Keep warm. Consider a juice fast. Even lemon

with cayenne and maple syrup in hot water can speed up recovery time.

Hot apple cider or ginger tea are also great to drink, as are

Japanese green tea and other herbal teas, such as elderberry blossom,

yerba mate, roibosch tea, etc. It is important to get plenty of fresh

air to clear your lungs, but avoid drafts. All in all, with these

cold and flu busters, a relatively healthy person can break a cold or

flu in a few days or eventually avoid it altogether!

 

If you follow the NATURAL way that Mother Earth provides us and as

suggested here, you will do no harm to your body and strengthen your

immune system. I am 67 years " young " , I have followed these rules

from childhood and therefore rarely suffered from a cold or flu.

These natural remedies have been part of my health regime for as long

as I can remember. You do not have to dread the cold and flu season,

just be prepared to support your bodies healing power with these

natural cold and flu busters.