Flu Prevention and Treatment
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It’s only January but we are already seeing the highest flu levels in 25 years. Experts are telling us that this year’s strain could be tougher than in years past. Many of us don’t need to be told this because we have already experienced the flu this year! We are going to give you some ideas so that you can naturally prevent, fight, and recover from this year’s tough flu virus or nurse a loved one while they are struggling!
Mainstream experts will tell you that the best thing you can do to prevent the flu is the flu vaccine. Many of us have gone that route and been disappointed to find that the vaccine, which tries to target a specific strain, has been ineffective. Many mainstream voices will also tell you to take antiviral medications, but what we are trying to bring to the table is a natural approach that isn’t reactionary or counting on it being a good year for the flu vaccine. Instead we are emphasizing natural flu prevention and treatment that will strengthen your bodies’ immune system, not only for the flu, but for all the pathogens that come your way!
So, let’s begin with prevention. Some of these things may seem simple but in the busyness of life it’s easy to forget these basic ways of preventing the spread of disease.
1. Wash hands! Scrub vigorously with soap for 20 seconds before rinsing. Also go for unscented and chemical free soaps.
2. Stay hydrated! We need to stay hydrated internally for our immune systems to be able to transport nutrients, remove waste, have optimal cellular function and maintain mucosal barrier integrity (the first lines of defense against pathogens). Something we don’t often think about is the air around us being dry. Cold air can hold less water vapor, so winter air often dries out our skin and, more importantly for our discussion, nasal mucosal linings. This slows the body’s process of cleaning pathogens out and makes us more susceptible to infection. So, drink 8-10 glasses of water a day and take steps to make sure the air in your home is at a healthy level of humidity. Some ways to do this would be to run a humidifier on low, keep a steaming pot of water on your wood stove, or use an essential oil diffuser.
3. Get outside! The winter sun being so low in the sky means we are getting less vitamin D. But if we compound that by staying inside because it’s cold and wet we are getting even less. In the winter, get outside every day, especially at midday, the fresh air and light is essential to keep your immune system in fighting shape!
4. Eat nutrient dense foods! Gut health is an oft-forgotten but essential piece of immune health. Nutrient dense foods like bone broth, high quality meats, eggs, and dairy, healthy fats, fermented and cultured foods, vegetables and fruit are rich in the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants your body needs to stay healthy. In the winter we often crave unhealthy comfort foods but we need to be proactive in keeping these nutrient dense foods a large part of our diet all year long. There are so many comforting and nutrient-dense foods we can turn to!
5. Eat less sugar and alcohol in the winter! Both weaken the immune system-something your body doesn’t need when its fighting off pathogens.
6. Prioritize sleep and de-stress where you can! Both stress and lack of sleep also weaken the immune system, making your body more susceptible to infection.
7. Herbal Remedies! Incorporate herbal teas and oils into your routine as a preventative measure. Herbs like echinacea, elderberry, garlic, ginger, mullein and oregano are all great herbs to turn to for immune boosting effects. They are antimicrobial and antiviral, high in antioxidants, they help with cytokine production, and promote respiratory health. Homemade teas are an easy and inexpensive way to work these herbs into your diet. Here are some other options we offer for herbal remedies:
a. Fire Tonic - The Fighter 16oz – Heart + Sol
b. Echinacea Goldenseal – Heart + Sol
c. Black Elderberry Extra Strength Gummies (COG) – Heart + Sol
f. Oil Of Oregano – Heart + Sol
g. Mullein Garlic Oil – Heart + Sol
8. Supplements! It’s so hard to get all that our bodies need from food. Whole food supplements are a great way to fill in any gaps we might have in our diet. These are also effective in restoring an immune system after a sickness. Some ideas for daily immune health:
d. Everyday Immune - Mushrooms & Herbs – Heart + Sol
e. 3 in 1 Immune Formula - 2 oz. – Heart + Sol
Prevention is key, but it’s not always a guarantee. What if you come down with a virus? How can you care for yourself and help your body fight?
1. Rest! Your body is working hard to produce cytokines, proteins that fight infection in your body. Trying to push through and maintain daily levels of productivity is only going to set you back. Sleep extra, take naps, and do restful activities while your body does the hard work of fighting the virus.
2. Steam inhalation! Use a diffuser or even a pot on the stove to add moisture to your nasal passages. Add eucalyptus or peppermint essential oils for a decongestant. This will loosen mucus and decrease inflammation and irritation.
3. Sleep elevated! Sleeping with extra pillows or a wedge under you can relieve congestion and post-nasal drip at night-two factors that often prevent us from getting a restful night sleep when we are sick.
4. Healing food and drink! It’s amazing that while we are sick our body knows what we need. We often crave food that will help us recover.
a. Chicken soup has been proven to reduce inflammation, clear nasal passages, and support respiratory health. It also contains an amino acid called cysteine that reduces inflammation and thins mucus. Just be choosy, not all chicken soups are created equal. The best is a base of homemade bone-broth with pastured chicken and lots of healing vegetables.
b. Herbal teas! Teas have many benefits. They lessen the chills associated with a fever, soothe a sore throat, open nasal passages and reduce congestion and coughing. Ginger, peppermint, chamomile, and licorice root will all bring healing benefits. Drink your tea with a spoonful of raw honey, it will soothe your throat, has antimicrobial compounds, is anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant rich.
c. Lemon Peel! Add lemon slices (including peel) to simmer in water and stir in a spoonful of raw honey. Lemon peel is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and has antimicrobial properties. It is also high in flavonoids, plant compounds that help regulate our immune system and are anti-inflammatory.
5. Supplements! Supplements can be a great way to get high concentrations of the vitamins, minerals and herbs the body needs, especially while you or a loved one are fighting a virus. Higher levels of vitamin C, D, echinacea, zinc, elderberry, oil of oregano and holy basil will strengthen your body to fight the virus quickly and have fewer lingering effects. Here are some ideas of supplements and homeopathics that are especially helpful when sick:
a. Andrographis Complex – Heart + Sol
b. Ashwagandha 700 – Heart + Sol
c. Vitamin D3-K2 Emulsion – Heart + Sol
d. Immune Lozenges – Heart + Sol
e. Black Elderberry Syrup - Extra Strength (COG) – Heart + Sol
f. Immune Rapid Defense Gummies (COG) – Heart + Sol
g. Energetix Homeopathics – Heart + Sol
h. Oscillococcinum Boiron Homeopathics – Heart + Sol
j. Immune Activator – Heart + Sol
Supplements specific to kids:
k. Chestal Kids Meltaway Pellets – Heart + Sol
l. GaiaKids Black Elderberry Kids Daily Gummies (COG) – Heart + Sol
m. GaiaKids Black Elderberry Syrup - Kids Daily (COG) – Heart + Sol
n. Congaplex Chewable – Heart + Sol
We hope this has given you some tools in your arsenal so that you know how to prevent and treat viruses that may invade this winter!
Know we are here to help and provide specific recommendations for your unique symptoms and concerns!
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The flu is on the move! We are here to help you know how to prevent this year’s tough flu virus. Swipe for more!
1. Don’t neglect the basics! Wash your hands, stay hydrated, get outside, sleep, and de-stress!
2. Eat nutrient dense foods! Nutrient dense foods like bone broth, high quality meats, eggs, and dairy, healthy fats, fermented and cultured foods, vegetables and fruit are rich in the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants your body needs to stay healthy.
3. Eat less sugar and alcohol in the winter! Both sugar and alcohol weaken the immune system-something your body doesn’t need when its fighting off pathogens.
4. Herbal Remedies! Incorporate herbal teas and oils into your routine as a preventative measure. Herbs like echinacea, elderberry, garlic, ginger, mullein and oregano are all great herbs to turn to for immune boosting effects.
a. Fire Tonic - The Fighter 16oz – Heart + Sol
b. Echinacea Goldenseal – Heart + Sol
c. Black Elderberry Extra Strength Gummies (COG) – Heart + Sol
f. Oil Of Oregano – Heart + Sol
g. Mullein Garlic Oil – Heart + Sol
5. Supplements! It’s so hard to get all that our bodies need from food. Whole food supplements are a great way to fill in any gaps we might have in our diet.
d. Everyday Immune - Mushrooms & Herbs – Heart + Sol
e. 3 in 1 Immune Formula - 2 oz. – Heart + Sol
Prevention of the flu is key, but it’s not always a guarantee. What if you come down with a virus? How can you care for yourself and help your body fight?
1. Rest! Your body is working hard. Sleep extra, take naps, and do restful activities while your body does the hard work of fighting the virus.
2. Steam inhalation! Use a diffuser or even a pot on the stove with eucalyptus or peppermint oil to add moisture to your nasal passages.
3. Healing food and drink! We often crave food that will help us recover-chicken soup, herbal teas, raw honey and lemon peel tea, fruits and sourdough toast.
4. Sleep elevated! This can relieve congestion and post-nasal drip at night-two factors that often prevent us from getting a restful night sleep when we are sick.
5. Supplements! Higher levels of vitamin C, D, echinacea, zinc, elderberry, oil of oregano and holy basil will strengthen your body to fight the virus quickly and have fewer lingering effects.
a. Andrographis Complex – Heart + Sol
b. Ashwagandha 700 – Heart + Sol
c. Vitamin D3-K2 Emulsion – Heart + Sol
d. Immune Lozenges – Heart + Sol
e. Black Elderberry Syrup - Extra Strength (COG) – Heart + Sol
f. Immune Rapid Defense Gummies (COG) – Heart + Sol
g. Energetix Homeopathics – Heart + Sol
h. Oscillococcinum Boiron Homeopathics – Heart + Sol
j. Immune Activator – Heart + Sol
Supplements specific to kids:
o. Chestal Kids Meltaway Pellets – Heart + Sol
p. GaiaKids Black Elderberry Kids Daily Gummies (COG) – Heart + Sol
q. GaiaKids Black Elderberry Syrup - Kids Daily (COG) – Heart + Sol
r. Congaplex Chewable – Heart + Sol
We hope this has given you some tools in your arsenal so that you know how to prevent and treat viruses that may invade this winter!
Know we are here to help and provide specific recommendations for your unique symptoms and concerns!