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18/01/2011
Natural ways to protect yourself from flu
Foods that feed your immune system really help. Fruit and vegetables containing Vitamin C improve resistance to disease and prevent flu symptoms when 1,000 mg doses are taken every six hours. Adding plenty of fresh onions, garlic, ginger and herbs such as thyme and rosemary will all help you fight off infections. These have all been shown to inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria.
Ginger contains ten antiviral compounds and can reduce pain and fever, act as a cough suppressant and can help heat the body up, helping you to ’sweat it out’. Drink hot ginger tea (chopped ginger root infused for at least ten minutes) after a hot bath and then get into bed.
Fresh garlic has been proven to destroy several viral infections on contact. I’ve just read that you need to take around 4 cloves a day as a preventative measure, and around 16 cloves a day once you have flu, for it to be effective! Some parsley and cardamon seeds afterwards will help keep your breath fresh!)
Our bodies are 80% water so drink plenty of water each day to stay hydrated and to allow the body to flush toxins from the blood and the liver. Drink pure water, not soda or juice, for best results.
Supplements can help too. Echinacea, vitamins C, E and beta-carotene, zinc, and elderberries enhance the immune system. During a flu epidemic Israel in the 1990’s, scientists carried out clinical trials on the elderberry with excellent results.
The homeopathic remedy Gelsemium was very successful in the Spanish flu outbreak in 1918, reputedly saving many lives. Do some research. It's easy to get hold of and worth having in the medicine cupboard.
Some aromatherapy oils are very potent and useful for boosting immune systems. These include eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary and juniper. During the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic which killed around 20 million people worldwide, a number of hospitals tried to stop airborned infection spreading by spraying vapourised essential oils into the atmosphere of flu wards. These included juniper. A spray of essential oils, diluted in water, in your home could help protect your family from flu when someone in the house is suffering.
Sleep will improve your resistance to any disease. Your body knows how to heal, and it does this best when sleeping. Get adequate rest on a daily basis, and if you begin to feel fatigue during a time of increased stress to your immune system, take naps, rest more and let your body do what it does best: restore and rebuild.
Exercise will increase your resistance by stimulating blood flow, getting more oxygen in your body and increases your natural stress reducing hormones. Science has shown that walking daily is good for your health and well-being.
Spend time outdoors as fresh air will cleanse our lungs and the vitamin D from sunshine is great for general health.
Be happy! Research has shown conclusively that if you’re feeling low, your immune system will also tend to be low.
By improving your lifestyle, diet, and supplementing with natural herbs, homeopathy, and vitamins, you can improve your immune system and your resistance to infection. Do your best to be as healthy and resilient as you can. Seek medical help if you think you have flu and do check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking supplements or drastically changing your diet if you have any health problems or you’re taking medication.
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