Natural Support For The Flu Season by Renata Trister DO
Natural Support For The Flu Season
Renata Trister DO
The flu, or influenza, is a viral illness that affects the respiratory tract including your nose, throat, lungs and bronchi. Mild cases of the flu can be confused with the common cold, however, the flu usually causes a more serious illness. Although it’s tempting to rely solely on natural remedies, the flu can be very serious, and one should always talk with a qualified healthcare provider if you think you may have the flu. Completely avoiding getting sick during the flu season ay be unrealistic, but there are ways to support your body naturally. The goal is to have a recovery plan and good sign of health is the recovery process itself.
Healing Herbs & Supplements
There are a variety of powerful supplements you can use as weapons against a flu virus.
Olive leaf is great for anyone who is starting to feel sick and noticing flu-like symptoms.
Echinacea and goldenseal are two supplements to incorporate when you are fighting a flu. Echinacea has been used for immune system support for hundreds of years.
Oregano is a great herb for flu viruses. Oregano oil is very powerful and should only be used short-term.
Elderberry syrup is another incredible flu-fighting supplement.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a herb that has a long history of use as a folk remedy for colds, sinus infections, and the flu. In preliminary lab studies, elderberry extracts have been found to fight off viruses. Researchers believe that anthocyanins, compounds found naturally in elderberries, may be the active component that strengthens the immune system and blocks the flu virus from sticking to our cells.
Propolis can be a powerful immune system support and can be great supplements to take if you start to feel the beginnings of a flu arise.
All different kinds of teas can provide benefits for someone suffering with flu symptoms. Steeping a strong cup of rose hips tea and adding in ample lemon juice can be particularly powerful and incredible for sore throats. Rosehips provide a great source of bioavailable Vitamin C. A simple lemon, honey & ginger tea provides soothing minerals to support you while you are healing.
Lots of rest & sleep. Sleep can help us immensely, it is very important for healing.
Hydration & lots of fluids. This is critical. Hydration allows the body to flush viral toxins out of the body and to keep the mucus thinned out. Staying away from heavy cooked foods is also helpful so that you don’t use up too much energy on digestion, which can instead be focused on healing.
Healing Foods & Recipes
Healing Broth
This healing broth is great while fighting off a flu. This healing broth can be nourishing, supportive, and help keep you from picking up any unwanted virus. Thus its useful to have all winter.
4 carrots, chopped or 1 sweet potato, cubed
2 stalks of celery, roughly chopped
2 onions, sliced
1 cup parsley, finely chopped
1 cup of shiitake mushrooms, fresh or dried (optional)
2 tomatoes, chopped (optional)
1 bulb of garlic (about 6-8 cloves), minced
1 inch of fresh ginger root
1 inch of fresh turmeric root
8 cups of water
Optional: Chili peppers or red pepper flakes
Place all the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and allow to simmer for about an hour. Strain for a light soothing drink or leave the veggies in to enjoy as a light healing soup.
Congee
This simple rice soup is easily digested and assimilated, it harmonizes the digestion and is extremely nourishing.
1 cup rice, 1 garlic clove, 3 inch piece of ginger, 6 cups water.
Combine the rice, ginger, garlic and water in a large saucepan. Stir well. Cover and cook on low heat for approximately 1.5 hours until the rice is very soft and the congee has thickened.
Turmeric Ginger Garlic Orange Juice Shot
This is a powerful combination of flu fighting ingredients
2 oranges, 2 garlic cloves, 2 inch piece of turmeric, 2 inch piece of ginger
Run the ingredients through a juicer. Drink like a shot. This is a very powerful preparation.