Flu Prevention and Flu Care
The biggest thing in flu prevention is to wash your hands well, good old soap and water and sing Happy Birthday while washing to ensure you washed long enough. Wash after being out in public, shaking hands with people, touching doorknobs or sharing living spaces with those that have the flu. Do not use commercial hand sanitizers. They are toxic and they actually decrease immunity by decreasing the healthy flora in your Gastro Intestinal System, Your GI system represents over 80 % of your immunity. Washing with non antibacterial soap is a much more effective and healthier option than using these commercial sanitizers.
*Below, I give you a recommendation for a healthy hand sanitizer option when you're out and about and can't get to a sink to wash your hands. You can also put 1 drop of this powerful essential oil blend into each nostril to prevent inhalation of airborne flu particles.
REST- To have a healthy and robust immune system, you need to be having adequate rest every night. Your body repairs and heals itself when you're sleeping. Try to be getting 7-8 hours of sleep to keep your body at its best.
DIET- First thing diet wise for flu prevention is, decrease sugar, processed foods, and dairy products.
*If you get the flu, these foods should be completely avoided altogether until symptoms are completely gone. Eat fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, steamed vegetables, soups, stews, and above all else...stay well hydrated. You should be drinking 1/2 cup fluid every waking half hour...children, half that amount. This helps with fever, overall well-being, and to break up congestion in the lungs and rest of body. You do not have to force yourself to eat if you're not hungry, but make sure you are drinking...filtered water, broths, fresh juices, herbal teas, and diluted fruit/vegetable juices.
REMEDIES FOR FLU PREVENTION AND FLU CARE-
Oscillococcinum- You can purchase this now at any health food store, amazon.com, and some grocery stores. This is probably one of the most important homeopathic remedies for the flu. It has been shown to decrease flu symptoms and the duration of the flu significantly. You must start taking it though at the very onset of symptoms. As soon as you start with that feverish headache and chills, start taking it. Take 1 vial 4 times over a 24 hour period, this dose is the same for children and adults. The sand like pellets taste good, kind of like sugar pellets. As with any homeopathic remedy, nothing in your mouth 10 minutes before or after taking the remedy. I have included a link from amazon to show you what this remedy looks like but you can purchase it at your local store as well.
*To prevent the flu: take 1 vial once per week during flu season
https://www.amazon.com/Boiron-Oscillococcinum-Flu-like-Symptoms-Pellets/dp/B0078W0QOI/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1516225632&sr=8-1&keywords=oscillococcinum
Umcka ColdCare Syrup by Nature's Way-
This herbal blend has been shown to significantly shorten the severity and duration of colds, bronchitis, and throat infections. It also helps to clear mucus from the lungs. Dosage is: 1/2 tsp 3 times day for children 2-6- 1 tsp 3 times day for children 6-12- and 1.5 tsp 3 times day for children over 12 and adults. Purchase it at a health food store or on amazon.com.
Elderberry Syrup-
Elderberry has been shown and proven to also prevent the flu and shorten the duration of the flu if you already have it. I have included a link to the article I wrote about Elderberry Syrup, also the recipe as well:
Elderberry Immune Boosting Syrup
Elderberries are a member of the honeysuckle family. They have traditionally been used for their medicinal benefits for many years. These little berries are packed with antioxidants and flavonoids. Elderberries are also high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. They also have anti-inflammatory, anti- viral, and anti-cancer properties. Elderberry Syrups has been used for many years for colds and flus, sinus congestion aid, gas and upset stomach relief, arthritic pain, and conjunctivitis. Research has shown that taking Elderberry tinctures or syrups can shorten flu duration by 2-3 days. This recipe gives you a chance to make your own potent syrup. It is easy and is much cheaper than purchasing it from a health food store. I also add Echinacea to my recipe for an even more powerful blend. Echinacea is a wonderful herb for immune system health, cleansing to the blood and skin, and has anti-cancer and anti-infective properties. Below, I give resources where you can purchase good quality products to make an immune boosting tonic for the winter months. The Echinacea is an alcohol free tincture so children can benefit from this as well.
Elderberry Immune Boosting Syrup
RECIPE
1 cup Organic dried Elderberries
1 ounce Organic Echinacea Tincture (alcohol free glycerite)
3 ½ cups filtered water
1/2 cup grated or finely chopped fresh ginger root
½ tsp. cloves or clove powder
½ tsp. cinnamon
1/2-3/4 cup Raw Honey (try to use raw honey if possible for this recipe) – this is the variety we use and love
INSTRUCTIONS
In a medium saucepan heat the water and add the elderberries, ginger root, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a boil and cover, reduce to a simmer after boiling starts, and simmer for 40 minutes or until liquid has reduced by about half. Remove from heat and let cool. Mash berries into pot before straining through a fine mesh colander. Discard the solids and add in honey and Echinacea tincture. Stir well (raw honey is very thick, so you may want to add the honey in when the syrup is a little warmer than room temperature to melt it). Do not heat the honey or Echinacea though, doing this will reduce the medicinal benefits of both. When honey is completely mixed, pour into glass jars and store in refrigerator. This will last for about 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. You may freeze what you do not use within the 2-3 week period.
Recommended dosages:
Children 12 and under – 1 tsp. daily
Adults- 1 TBSP. daily
May take on weekdays daily during cold and flu season- rest on the weekend unless ill
Adults- If you do get the flu, take 1 TBSP. every 3 hours (only waking hours) for 1-2 days–do not exceed 4 dosages in a 24 hour period
Children would take the 1 tsp. dosage
VIRAL D Essential Oil
It is that time of year that the flu and other nasty bugs are going around. Please protect yourself with this essential oil blend called Viral D. Viral D is a blend of powerful anti-viral and anti-bacterial essential oils. This is what our family uses as a hand sanitizer to kill germs on contact. Place 1-2 drops in palms and rub hands together. Also, you can put 1 drop in each nostril when you're out and about to prevent inhalation of airborne germs from the flu. If ill, rub 2-3 drops on soles of feet to quicken recovery. I also place 7-8 drops in a 4 oz glass spray bottle with distilled water added and spray doorknobs, bathrooms, or sick rooms to clean and sanitize surfaces and the air. Using this oil will boost your immunity rather than suppressing it by using commercial hand sanitizers and disinfectants. You can purchase this awesome and powerful essential oil from Inshanti. Call 717-587-3990 or order directly from the website at: https://www.inshanti.com/allergies/373/viral-d-nose-plugs-neat-5. Use coupon code: HERBALSUPPORT10 to receive a 10% discount on your order. Please protect you and your loved ones this winter season!
BONE BROTH
Bone broth is extremely beneficial and healing to your immune system. Here is a link about bone broth and a video to make it as well. I have also included a Immune Boosting Soup recipe that is powerful against the flu, and healing if you already have it.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is made from slow cooked bones from healthy, pasture fed animals, vegetables, and filtered water. It is slow cooked at a low temperature in a crock pot or roast pan in the oven for 12-24 hours. The slow cooking process releases the minerals and nutrients from the bones and vegetables into the water or broth.
http://beautifulhealingjourney.com/recipes/bone-broth
Ancient Ginger and Garlic Soup
ANCIENT GINGER AND GARLIC SOUP This is a delicious soup recipe that has a high amount of medicinal value. We like to call it “medicine in a bowl.” Eat it when you have symptoms of a cold, flu, excess mucus, sinus infection, or just feeling under the weather. It’s also a wonderful soup to eat to boost the immune system in prevention of illness. This soup will be a health promoting friend to you through the entire winter season. BON APPETIT!
Ancient Ginger and Garlic Soup
RECIPE:
I entire bulb of garlic (peeled)
1 large onion
2/3 cup fresh ginger root (peeled)
2 quarts bone broth or chicken broth- vegetarians can substitute vegetable broth
1 medium to hot chili pepper (ends snipped and seeded)- serrano, jalapeno, and habanero all are great…just know that if you use a habanero, it will be extra spicy
2 TBSP butter, ghee, or olive oil
1 TBSP. turmeric powder
3 carrots (chopped)
2 stalks celery (chopped)
1 bunch of parsley
½ -1 head of cabbage (cored and chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a food processor, add onion, ginger root, garlic, parsley, and pepper and pulse until everything is finely grated. On medium heat, in a large stockpot, sauté the onion, pepper, garlic, parsley, and ginger in the ghee, butter, or olive oil until golden. Add the broth and all of the other ingredients. Simmer on low to medium heat for 15-20 minutes until veggies are tender. Add salt and pepper to your taste.
*Will keep for 4-5 days refrigerated
SUPER TONIC-
Super Tonic is an ancient tonic that is highly anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic. No bug will want to live in a body that takes this tonic regularly!
This is a wonderful and potent old fashioned tonic recipe to help ward off anything from the common cold to supporting and boosting your immune system! Once you taste the finished results you will understand the potency of this formula. You will understand why it is such a powerful master tonic, after reading all the health benefits of the ingredients used.
Here is a link to learn how to make your own:
http://beautifulhealingjourney.com/recipes/super-tonic-master-tonic
My sincere prayer is for you all to stay well during this season and every season! These recipes and recommendations are a gift from me to you...a gift for your body to be well and joyful!
Warmly, Rhonda
