Natural Flu Fighters

Natural Flu Fighters

Influenza is a sudden, severe and, in some cases, deadly viral disease characterized by high fever, chills, muscle aches and pain, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and fatigue. The virus has a short incubation time, so people usually show symptoms just one or two days after being infected. The flu typically lasts a few days, but can last as long as two weeks. Each year, approximately 20,000 people in the United States die from influenza or its complications, such as pneumonia—more than 90% of these people are age 65 or older. The peak incidence of the flu is in the late fall, winter and early spring. The flu virus is spread via respiratory secretions from infected individuals, who transmit it when they sneeze or cough. They can also pass it along by touching uninfected individuals, who then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. there are preventive measures that should be employed during cold-and-flu season, the first of which is hand washing. Be sure to wash your hands after having contact with others, and keep your hands out of your eyes, nose and mouth.
There are three types of influenza viruses, called A, B and C. Types A and B are associated with severe, large-scale outbreaks. Type C can cause mild illness, and is not connected with epidemic outbreaks. When a widespread outbreak occurs, it actually is called a “pandemic.”
Pandemic influenza outbreaks usually begin in Asia. In the past, there have been some very severe outbreaks; the worst in modern times was the influenza pandemic of 1918. It is estimated that approximately 30 million people worldwide, including 500,000 people in the United States, died of the flu that year. The virus was particularly strong and caused pneumonia very quickly, often within a few days.Unfortunately, most of us will come in contact with an influenza virus this flu season. Preventive measures, such as hand washing, getting plenty of rest, reducing stress and optimizing immune function with nutrients and herbs can help your immune system resist the viral onslaught. If you do end up getting flu symptoms, the following four remedies can help to decrease symptoms, shorten the duration or even ward off the flu itself. natural therapies are, many times, safer, gentler, cheaper—and better for your body in the long run. These nutrients strengthen your immune system—something the flu drugs cannot claim to do.
Homeopathic medicines can have profound effects on the body. Once you come down with the flu, there are a few remedies that can help, but if you can cut the virus off before it gets a foothold, you can stop a flu attack. I have found one remedy to be very useful—it is called Oscillococcinum. It is made from goose liver and is taken in homeopathic pellet form. When it is taken at the first sign of the flu, I have seen it stop the virus from progressing any further. You may experience a few minor symptoms, or not get sick at all.
Dosage: Take at the very first sign of the flu. Follow label instructions for dosage.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea or angustifolia), an often-used remedy for colds and flu, is a native American herb known as purple coneflower. Studies of echinacea have demonstrated that this flowering perennial is an immune stimulant that makes immune cells function better and probably will lessen the symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu.
One type of immune cell, the macrophage, engulfs and destroys viruses. One study showed that these cells, after being incubated in a solution containing echinacea juice, released higher levels of the chemicals responsible for attracting other immune cells that fight viruses. A recent animal study supported these findings. Mice given echinacea had higher numbers of NK cells and monocytes, both indicators of an anti-viral immune response.
Dosage: Take 1,000 mg three times a day. For extracts, take 1 to 2 teaspoons of the liquid two to three times daily. It is sometimes easier to give the liquid form to kids, if it doesn’t taste too bad. Kids are usually okay with echinacea, although the liquid often contains some alcohol. If you put it in a hot beverage and let it sit for five minutes, the alcohol evaporates. Glycerine-based extracts, which contain no alcohol, are also available.
Elderberry: Nature's Flu Used with success for millenia, this ancient herb can help to alleviate your symptoms and get you back on track — FAST. Elderberry, an ancient herbal remedy—and the same berry used to make some types of wine—has re-emerged as a modern cold-and-flu fighter. Sound too good to be true? The truth is that herbs do work. They were the first medicines used by our ancestors—in fact, archeologists have found evidence of their use in 60,000-year-old settlements.
elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has one of the longest recorded histories. Hippocrates, regarded as the father of medicine, wrote about elderberry in the fourth century B.C. For centuries, in Europe and North America, elderberry extracts have been used to treat colds


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