Take Steps Now to Beat and Avoid the Swine Flu 

Is the current Swine Flu epidemic the next great worldwide flu?  It appears to be still too early to make that call, but the current outbreak appears to be rapidly spreading and the next pandemic is overdue.  While this particular flu does not appear to be as deadly as the HN51 avian flu that has had the world nervously watching for the past few years, or the horrific Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-19, it nevertheless appears to be a potent killer and it is chilling to note that the new flu evidently contains four different influenza strains, including an avian flu (along with two swine flu strains and one influenza A strain).

The good news is that you do not have to rely on questionable vaccines or mainstream medicines to try to avoid the flu or even to address it if you do acquire the flu.  As is true for most conditions, nature has answers aplenty and there are steps you can take to help you avoid the Swine, Bird or any other influenza as well as quickly beat them and recover if you do happen to get the flu.

NOTE: Since it appears that the new hybrid swine flu may be spreading rapidly, taking immediate steps to begin boosting and modulating the immune system is especially important.  In the the horrific Spanish Flu pandemic, mankind was exposed to a strain of flu that was new and which we had no natural antibodies for.  As a result, the healthiest and most robust were even more susceptible than the weak, very young and aged as their strong natural immune systems literally poured a biochemical cascade of immune cells and immune system bio-chemicals such as interferon, interleukin, monokines and cytokines into the lungs to try to combat a pathogen the body did not recognize.  The result was often that the lungs were literally eaten up.

To beat and avoid the flu, you should first of all do endeavor to do the things that help protect against 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.

 

Avoid the Flu with Daily Vitamin D and Boosting the Immune System:

 

When it comes to avoiding influenza, perhaps nothing is as important or effective as getting adequate daily amounts of Vitamin D. A group of scientists from UCLA published a remarkable paper in the prestigious journal, Nature which confirmed two other studies in recent years that the natural steroid hormone known as Vitamin D was, in effect, a potent antibiotic. Instead of directly killing bacteria and viruses, Vitamin D increases the body's production of a class of proteins called antimicrobial peptides. The 200 known antimicrobial peptides directly and rapidly destroy the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including the influenza virus, and play a key role in keeping the lungs free of infection.

 

Vitamin D does not exist in appreciable quantities in normal human diets. The best form, by far, of Vitamin D is naturally occurring Vitamin D3, which is produced by sun exposure on the skin. A single, twenty-minute, full body exposure to summer sun will trigger the delivery of 20,000 units of vitamin D into the circulation of most people within 48 hours. However, thanks to all the scare stories about avoiding too much sun and today's modern lifestyle of living, working and shopping in enclosed buildings, the vast majority of people do not get nearly enough Vitamin D3.

 

To make sure that you have enough Vitamin D in your system, get daily sunshine whenever possible and supplement with at least 2000 mg of Vitamin D3 regularly when you cannot. The several hundred daily units the U.S. government recommend as "adequate intake" is woefully inadequate and it should also be noted that the paltry 100 mg of Vitamin D in a fortified glass of milk is not only so small as to be virtually useless, it is also not a naturally occurring form Vitamin D and thus much less beneficial or bioavailable to begin with.

The best immune booster of all in my opinion is oleander.  Oleander extract was proven to have six times the immune stimulating activities of the most powerful patented immune stimulators known to man in European studies in 1986-87 - which is no doubt a large reason that it has been so effective against cancer, HIV, hepatitis-C and other conditions.

Note:   The raw oleander plant is quite toxic, but that is not the case when it has been properly boiled and strained according to exact instructions.  No one should attempt to make their own oleander remedy without knowing what they are doing (See Oleander Soup) and the best bet would be to purchase oleander in supplement form, such as Sutherlandia OPC.

 

 

Some of the other very best immune boosters are:

·        Echinacea (Forget the flawed mainstream studies!)

·        Pau d’arco

·        Suma

·        Astragalus

·        Medicinal mushrooms

·        Beta glucans

·        Aloe vera

·        Alkygycerol

·        Lactoferrin

·        Bovine colostrums

·        Glutathione

·        Mangosteen

Be Sure to Add Natural Anti-Virals: 

The next thing you should do, is to also take one or more good natural anti-viral agents, ESPECIALLY if the Avian Flu is involved.

The best natural pathogen destroyers are:

·        Colloidal Silver

·        Garlic

·        Olive leaf extract

·        Oil of wild mountain oregano

·        Grapefruit seed extract

A top quality colloidal silver (like that made by CureZone sponsor Utopia Silver) will usually knock out the flu bug in short order.  Be sure to take plenty (two to four ounces twice a day).

 

As noted by Colloidal Silver blogmaster Steve Barwick:

 

“Not only has colloidal silver been demonstrated to decimate many of the viruses associated with deadly viral flu infections, but it has also been proven to decimate most of the well-known bacterial pathogens that cause serious secondary infections during a viral infection, including the following:

 

Streptococcus pneumonia

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Haemophilus influenzae

Bordetella pertussis;

Mycobacterium (Tuberculosis)

Inflammatory conditions of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat

Spring Catarrh

Pneumococci Pneumonia

 

It is these secondary bacterial infections that often kill the infected individual, once the flu virus has sufficiently weakened the body.”

 

Use Magnesium and Other Immune System Modulators:

 

Like anti-virals, immune system modulators can play an important role in both warding off and beating the flu as well as in protecting the body from an excessive response from its own immune system.  One of the very best natural immune system modulators is magnesium – and it has been estimated that as many as 95% of the people in the U.S. are deficient in magnesium, which plays a vital role in modulating the immune system.  Magnesium is at the heart of the inflammatory process, and deficiency in magnesium contributes to an exaggerated response to immune stress.  As mentioned earlier, what made the 1918-1919 human Spanish Flu pandemic so virulent was the viral triggering of cytokine-mediated lung inflammation. Magnesium literally puts the chill on inflammation and plays a crucial role in natural and adaptive immunity.

 

Other powerful immune modulators include:

 

• Curcumin
• Blackseed Oil (Nigella Sativa)

 

Fight Infection with Plenty of Vitamin C:

 

Vitamin C helps prepare the body for an aggressive attack of influenza of any type. If vitamin C levels are low, the body will be more vulnerable to complications. Also, an attack of the flu will lower already dangerously depleted vitamin C levels. Whole food vitamin C is often better tolerated than pure ascorbic acid in addition to the fact that whole food vitamin C comes with the necessary.  Take at least 1000 milligrams daily to be prepared for the flu season.

 

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 C’s 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.

 

Guard Against the Spread of Flu and Airborne Viruses:

 

The fourth thing you should do is endeavor to stop the spread of airborne viruses during the flu season:

Use colloidal silver in humidifiers and spray misters.

Nothing destroys pathogens like colloidal silver, as recognized by the Hong Kong metro subway system, which uses a colloidal silver spray to protect ithe 2.5 million daily users against the spread of colds and flu through contacts with common surfaces.

Use essential oils to prevent the spread of viruses.

·        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:

 

·         ravensare - 3 parts

·         naiouli or eucalyptus - 1 part

·         lemon - 1 part

·         rosewood - 1 part

·         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.

Another option is the famous Vinegar of the Four Thieves Formula

During the time of the Black Plague a family of perfumers robbed the dead. As perfumers they knew well the antiseptic essential oils, and they infused them in vinegar and rubbed them on their bodies; by doing so they protected themselves from certain death. The doctors of the time used the same herbs and essential oils to to protect themselves while tending so many who were contagious. They wore big cloaks over their heads that reached down well below their shoulders. Attached to the cloak over the nose and mouth was a 10 inch long canoe-like shaped beak full of antiseptic herbs and essential oils.

Here is the famous Vinegar of The Four Thieves recipe; it is sometimes called Grave Robber's Blend. Use it wherever you would normally use disinfectants.

Place a small handful each of dried lavender, rosemary, sage, rue and mint in a large jar, and cover completely with organic apple cider vinegar. Cover tightly and set for six weeks. Strain into a spray bottle. Whereas no home can be made to be sterile, spray the powerfully antiseptic Vinegar of Four Thieves recipe in areas of concern, such as on cutting boards and door knobs, always making sure to avoid your eyes.

Note:  The above sprays are not technically disinfectants (disinfectants have to be registered with the EPA as pesticides), but sprays with anti-bacterial properties. 

Though no one can guarantee that any measures will afford 100% protection against virtually any, the above steps should help everyone avoid and beat the Swine, Avian or any other kinds of flu.

Other Anti-Flu Measures and Information to Consider:

Hydrogen peroxide ear therapy for Flu:

For many years people, in the know, have been attacking the Influenza(s) Virus & Common Cold where they begin their breeding process and not where they have already have spread to and that's the inner-ear (middle). It IS important to begin treatment as soon as symptoms appear.

In 1938 German researchers had great success using hydrogen peroxide in dealing with colds and the flu. Their data has been ignored (maybe surpressed) for over 60 years.

Remarkable results have been reported in remedying the flu and colds with 12 to 14 hours when administering a few drops of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (h2o2) into each ear, (sometimes only one ear is infected). The h2o2 starts working within 2 to 3 minutes in killing the flu or cold; there will be some bubbling and in some cases mild stinging occurs. Wait until the bubbling & stinging subside (usually 5 to 10 min) then drain onto tissue and repeat other ear. A bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide in 3% solution is available at any drug store for a couple of dollars.

For an even more effective version of this natural remedy, add a few drops of extracts of Echinacea and Goldenseal to the h2o2. The anti viral, anti inflammatory, anti-bacterial action of these herbs is well documented in clinical literature.

Although this method is perfectly safe for infant/children to use, the loud bubbling and stinging frightens them, they'll need someone they trust to put the hp in their ears. (don't get h2o2 in the eyes- if you do, flush with water)

To get rid of the flu you'll need to repeat this process two or more times at one or two hours intervals until there is no more bubbling when putting hp in ear(s)

 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 this. 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 for the Flu:

 

Herbal remedies cannot cure a cold or flu. But they can bring relief of symptoms, stimulate the immune system and speed recovery. We will describe several herbal remedies useful for colds and flu. Later we will describe important herbs for treating 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."

·         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:

·        Cough

·        Fatigue

·        Fever with slight chills

·        Headache

·        Nausea

·        Red eyes

·        Runny nose

·        Skin rash

·        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 3–5 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 body’s 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 body’s potent fighters against viruses. This, in turn, can help prevent or shorten the duration of colds and flu. Astragalus also 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 boneset’s 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 includes 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 & Herbal 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        ¼ 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 for the Flu:

·         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 C’s 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 A’s 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 didn’t get any supplementation. Don’t 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)

NOTE:  According to PubMed, in the event of an actual HN51 avian flu outbreak, it may be best to avoid the following items:

 

• Elderberry juice (Sambucal) - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. This substance is very effective against the common flu but may not be desirable for the H5N1 virus. Increases in these cytokines may trigger a lethal cytokine storm. (Isr Med Journal2002 Nov;4:944-6)
• Micro Algae (Chlorella and Spirulina) - AVOID - Increases production of cytokine TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 11731916)
• Honey - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID12824009)
• Chocolate - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID 12885154, PMID 1091792
• Echinacea - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. Although it is often used for normal flu, research shows that it may increase the chance of cytokine storms for H5N1. (Pubmed PMID 15556647, 9568541)
• Kimchi - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID15630182)
• Dairy products & Bananas - AVOID - These foods increase mucous production.
  
  (search using Pubmed ID number listed after each food)

 

Sources included:

 

http://www.tbyil.com/Flu.htm

http://www.breitbart.com/

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/