As the flu season starts to rev up, it is difficult to control how quickly it spreads thanks to our transportation systems. Concerns over medicine shortages, public areas, and children bringing the flu home from schools will continue until the weather changes. Now, what can you do about it in the home? Let’s go over a basic list of some foods and herbs that can help you safeguard from illness.
Firstly, keep in mind: each strain of influenza varies. Secondly, there are articles I’ve written in the past pertaining to HFV’s (Hemorrhagic Flu Viruses) that it would benefit you to read or refresh upon. There are two factors: TNF-a, and IL-6, that are Tumor Necrosis Factors and Interleukin factors, respectively. These are cytokines that are crucial in white blood cell production to fight illness. The problem with HFV’s (to recap) is that they stimulate these two factors to overproduce: the body literally fights “itself” in what is termed a cytokine storm.
Beat the Flu with These Holistic Remedies
The Ebola Virus and the Avian Flu virus (commonly known as “bird flu”) are examples of HFV’s. I also did an article on what foods and herbs not to take. So, what’s a body to do? There are holistic boosters that you can take that will not raise the levels of these two cytokines during this flu season. Let’s list them here:
1. Garlic (Allium sativa) – simply put, the #1 herbal “broad-spectrum” holistic antibiotic. We’ve put together plenty of articles on it, and 2-3 cloves per meal will help strengthen your immune system and fight viruses, bacteria, parasites, and Dracula. As mentioned before, garlic tends to thin the blood and lessen clotting factors, so don’t use it just before or just after a surgery, or if you regularly have complications with clotting.
2. Vitamin C and Vitamin E: These two are mentioned together because they are complimentary…they each potentiate (or increase) the actions of the other. Preventatively, you can take 500 mg of Vitamin C per day…and (according to such notables as Dr. Linus Pauling) 4-5,000 mg during a time of illness. Vitamin C is water soluble: what you don’t use, you’ll excrete through the urine. Vitamin E you can take 400 IU per day, and it is good for tissue repair and potentiates the effectiveness of Vitamin C. As well, the elderly may benefit greatly from Vitamin E and it helps to protect their age group from pneumonia. It is a fat-soluble vitamin and will stay in your tissues longer than C. Both in tandem are excellent when a person is sick.
3. Fluid Intake: water is key. A person should take in anywhere from a ½ gallon to 1 gallon per day to maintain good hydration. Along with this, I did an article that mentions electrolyte packets you can take orally, available over-the-counter that replace Sodium, Potassium, and others…also containing Vitamin C.
4. Ginger Root: slice it up or dice it up, and throw about a teaspoon to a ½ tablespoon in a salad. It is very good for the stomach, and also aids against the flu.
5. Protein: Everyone who has been reading my articles know how much I emphasize the importance of protein in your diet. The building-block of muscle and of tissue repair, your protein levels become debilitated when you have the flu. Use high-protein sources, such as chicken breast, salmon, or lean beef or steak. You can combine any of these protein-laden foods with the next flu-fighter, that is………
6. Salads: Yes, green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and herbs such as cilantro. The latter removes heavy metals from the system, such as lead and mercury. The former two are packed with iron, potassium, and other vital minerals that you need to maintain fluid balance and to heal up.
7. Citrus Fruits: granted, we already mentioned Vitamin C, but the citrus fruits have more than just C. The principle of Herbalism is that the whole herb or food is always more effective than any of its individual parts. The whole fruit also contains other vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, an important part of your digestion (that normally slows down considerably during the duration of an illness such as the flu).
These are all guaranteed to give you a good start when combined with adequate rest and sleep. I want to close by stressing the importance of exercise and physical training as a preventative measure against illness of any kind. It has been proven time and again by physicians and scientists that the better shape you’re in, the more your immunities and the overall system will fight illness when it comes along. Here’s to your health, and stay in that good fight! JJ out!
