Hi Gina

One of the most important things I learned at naturopathic nutrition college was about the directional movement of illness as related to TCM.

There is a pathway that moves from the Bowels - to Lungs - to Skin - to Head

So, whenever you experience some blocked feeling in the head, as with colds and flu, you work backwards down the pathway. (This also applies for those who get some brain fog)

1. Skin - SWEAT!!!!!!!! Get in a really hot bath - if you have it to hand, add a cup of epsom salts and some cayenne and ginger (tinctures or powders) - if you have the energy do do so, dry skin brush before getting in the bath to open up the pores. If you can't do the whole body, just concentrate around the major lymph nodes (armpits, stomach, back of knees etc. .. do a google for pictures) - other options are to have a sauna if you have access. Stay warm, sweating/creating a fever is a naturopathic way to turn on the self-healing mechanism.

2. Lungs - get some hot water in a bowl and use as a facial steam bath - Eucalyptus oil is cheap - you can add 5 drops into the water and BREATHE deeply into your lungs. If you have any olbas oil or Vicks, then you can also add those to the water and rub onto your chest/lung area. It will heat your lungs up so you can expel waste. If you can get it, grate a tablespoon of fresh horseradish and eat - it's hot but it will move your lungs.

3. Bowels - An enema when you have any type of cold/flu is a sure way to shift it quickly. You want to rid the body of toxic waste ASAP. If you don't do enemas, you could try a salt water flush or take enough magnesium to get the bowels moving quickly.

If you can stand the taste of garlic, get some fresh cloves, mash them up and rub them onto the soles of your feet - You will probably get to taste it in your mouth within 20 minutes!

Also, anything that you have to hand that is an immune booster or stress releaser - garlic, echinacea, pau d'arco, vit C & B etc. are very helpful.

Another thing, If you can, fast for the day - when the body has a cold or flu, it wants to spend it's energy in self healing. Digestion takes up a LOT of energy, so limits the amount of energy you can use for self healing when you are ill.

Drink LOTS of warm fluids - herbal teas, light vegetable soups and water. Do not drink any cold drinks. You want to create warmth in the body. A high temperature promotes a quicker healing response. 

There's lots more you could do, but I'm not sure what you have to hand.

Wrap up warm, especially around your neck.

Something I've noticed, is that when people have colds and flu, there has usually been some stress in their lives and this can be lived out in the body ... maybe consider using the next few days as "me time" - just to chill out, do some self nurturing work, watch some funny films etc. so you can start feeling really good about life and get back out into the world again.

Best wishes

Maya

 Any recommendations beside lots of tea? I'm wondering how do we know if it's the flu?

I feel like fecal matter and there's lots of coughing, sneezing, stuffy sinus's and lethargy going on.

H1N1 was mostly upper respiratory which sounds like a cold to me.

This does sound like a cold, not the flu. Flu is generally associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches as well.

Yes teas are great. Especially ones that help induce sweating like yarrow. Andrographis is the best herb I know of for colds, and horehound is also great. Both are intensely bitter though.

Hot soups are also good since they will help you to sweat and will also provide fluid and electrolytes.

Bundle up with a lot of blankets and sweat, sweat, sweat! But stay hydrated as well. Try this and get some sleep and you will be surprised at how well you feel when you wake up.

Sucking on zinc lozenges are also great for the sore throat and the immune system. I also recommend vitamin C sources. If you got some amla try a big dose. A friend of mine in So. California does this and his employees do this when they have a cold and he says the amla knocks it right out. He takes a heaping tablespoon of the amla.

Don't try to dry up your sinuses with antihistamines. The nose runs to flush out pathogens.