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Using certain herbs, foods, and homeopathic remedies can help you avoid catching a cold or flu and build your immune system naturally. If you do catch a virus, they will help relieve the symptoms and shorten the duration and severity of the illness.
What most people don’t realize is how important your daily diet is on the strength of your immune system. If you or your child are eating sweets daily, processed foods, junk food, drinking soda or other sweetened beverages regularly, you are weakening your immunity and will be more likely to catch virus’s. One teaspoon of sugar (soda has about 9- 11 tbsp.) can weaken your immune system for 4-5 hours. I believe this is why so many people are now having an extreme difficulty fighting illnesses.
Try eating more vegetables, at least 4-5 servings a day. Along with eggs for breakfast, how about a few pieces of steamed asparagus, some spinach, squash or a few tomato slices. Have a salad with lunch, and at least two vegetables with dinner. Fresh fruit can also bolster vitamin C and help build resistance. Avoid white flour, sugary cereals, cookies, cakes, candy, and sweets. You’ll feel so much stronger than you realize.
We are exposed to so many hidden toxins every day in the food, air, water, and body care products we use. Even organic food is not ‘chemical-free’ because of chemicals in the air and water. Add a high amount of EMF exposure from all electronics, wi-fi, microwaves, towers, etc. and your cells have a hard time detoxifying. I highly recommend a spray in the mouth daily called Liquid Gold to help clean the blood, neutralize toxins, open the arteries, and improve our health dramatically! You can go to: https://liquidgoldrx.com/drjane to order.
It is very important to take a good quality, plant-based,multi-vitamin/ mineral supplement daily (not synthetic) which supplies you with a wide range of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, proanthocyanadines, bioflavanoids, green foods, enzymes and more. (Try Vitavescence Powder – just mix with water). I always recommend liquid form.
Taking 2000-4000 mg. of Vitamin C every day will help you fight infections, but make sure it is the ascorbate kind, NOT ascorbic acid which is not a true vitamin C, and is also acidic. (Check out our C+BioFizz Effervescent Powder)
Using Echinacea (purple coneflower) herbal extract regularly can help you avoid or reduce the severity and duration of viral illnesses. 40 drops for an adult taken 4-6 times a day at the first sign of a cold can help you avoid it completely. Usnea extract is made from a lichen and is proven 5 times more powerful than penicillin in fighting upper respiratory infections, sinus, strep and throat infections. Double up your Zinc to 30 mg. a day.
Strengthen Your immune system with Chaga, Reishi, and other medicinal mushrooms. Enjoy some Mushroom Coffee Mix!
My favorite 'go to' is a high-quality, high-strength Oil of Oregano. It is a very powerful agent against bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections. I recommend keeping some on hand. It’s an excellent general tonic and immune stimulant. You can take one or two capsules a day, or place two drops of the oil under the tongue to go immediately into the blood and lymph system. 4-5 drops can also be placed in juice and drunk several times a day. This can be your best defense against the flu!
Homeopathics - A recent clinical study of 100 patients showed that using the homeopathic remedy Influenzinum 9C resulted in 72 percent avoiding the flu or cold for two winters. Oscillococcinum is the most popular homeopathic flu remedy in France. It heightens the immune response to viral illnesses. It can be taken with other herbs and supplements.Other homeopathics to have on hand should you get the flu would include a set of three: Bryonia can relieve upset stomach, constipation, and fluid retention. Eupatorium is great for aches, pains, stiffness. And Gelsemium homeopathic can be used for tiredness, weakness, and discomfort.
Regular daily exercise and fresh air will also keep your lymph moving and your immune system strong. Be sure to wash your hands regularly with hot water and soap. And wear a hat when out in the cold. Getting plenty of sleep and daily relaxation to reduce stress will also help. Keeping your self strong and healthy not only protects you from the flu, but many other ills as well.
Jane Smolnik is a Naturopathic Doctor and Iridologist in Asheville, NC. You can reach her at 828-777-5263 or visit www.ultimatehealing.com. Many of the products mentioned are available in her online dispensary at a discount to all, plus free shipping.