Stop Colds & Flu: Best Practices to Keep Yourself Well

BEST PRACTICES TO KEEP YOURSELF WELL DURING THE COLD & FLU SEASON

Influenza or “flu” refers to the many strains of viruses that are more intense than the viruses that cause the common cold. Symptoms include fever, aching muscles, headache, fatigue, and may involve the digestive tract, causing diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

IMMUNE SUPPORT IS THE BEST DEFENSE
The best defense against flu is to support your immune system. Make sure to get plenty of rest. Adequate sleep is essential to revitalize the body and mind; about 7 to 9 hours a sleep a night. Take time out from the busy holiday schedule to relax. Skip a party or two. Schedule time for activities you truly enjoy.

EAT WELL
Give your body the proper nutrition it needs. Avoid sugars, refined foods, and caffeine; they create a strain on one’s health. Eat plenty of fruits and dark green leafy vegetables. Winter is the time for citrus, apples, and pears. Raw fruits have natural sugars, fiber, antioxidants, and Vitamin C. Dark leafy green vegetable such as spinach, kale, and chard naturally eliminate toxins from the body. All leafy vegetables have important minerals that regulate the body’s temperature. Winter squashes are a great source of Vitamins A, C, B1, B5, niacin, folate, and omega 3 fatty acids. Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables is key. Ensure you buy the freshest fruits and vegetables; look for produce that is locally grown.

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS
Vitamins B12, C and D are especially important during the winter months. Look for vitamins that are balanced blends derived from food sources.

Astragalus is a Chinese herb known to improve the immune function and prevent colds and upper respiratory infections. Studies have shown that Astragalus has antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system.

WASH YOUR HANDS
Hygiene is important, wash you hands. Cold & Flu viruses can be transmitted from direct contact with people who are sick. Avoid spreading viruses; cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze with a tissue or by using the crook of your elbow. Wash your hands following a cough or sneeze. Hand sanitizers may have ingredients that irritate the skin. Check Cosmetic Safety Database if you have questions about hand sanitizers.

HOMEOPATHIC SUPPORT DURING FLU OUTBREAK
What can you do homeopathically? Taking your homeopathic constitutional at a lower potency is always best. If you don’t have one or if you are concerned about getting the flu here are some remedies you can find in most natural food stores. The homeopathic remedy, Influezinum 9C, once a week during flu outbreak. Every year homeopathic pharmacies create a new version of Influenzimum designed for the most current strains of flu viruses. Remember, Influenzimum is not recommended if you have had a flu shot. As an alternative to Influenzinum. Consider Oscillococcinum 200C; it can be the perfect thing to throw off an oncoming virus.  I carry a product that is a combination of both homeopathic remedies in one convenient spray called, Ohm Flu Spray.  Contact me, if you want more information.

FEEL THE FLU COMING ON?
If you think you are coming down with a cold or flu take homeopathic Ferrum Phosphoricum 6X. Four pellets in warm water every hour for the first 12-hours. Children ages 1-6 should take two pellets.

HAVE THE FLU?
If you do come down with the flu, it is important to take care of yourself. Rest. Drink lots of liquids. Stay warm — wear a hat, scarf, and slippers. Use black elderberry herbal syrup to soothe a cough and sore throat. Try a neti pot or saline spray to open blocked sinus passages.

TWO HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES TO CONSIDER
Aconite napellus 30C is a likely choice when a fever comes on suddenly after being exposed to a chill.

Dull, dizzy, droopy, and drowsy? Increased desire to urinate with only dribbles. All you want is to be left alone to sleep; Gelsemium sempervirens 30C is great for flu that comes on slowly with a dull headache, dry mouth, and fever.

Quick Guide for the use and indications of other helpful homeopathic remedies. If you need more than that there are many homeopathic remedies that can help you. Remember when choosing a homeopathic remedy it is essential to match the remedy to the symptoms that you are experiencing.

BARLEY WATER FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
If young children or infants develop a fever, give barley water. Make barley water by soaking rinsed, organic, whole-grain barley over night in water, pour off the water and keep in a container in the refrigerator or, if you are in urgent need you can boil the barley for a half-hour and reserve the liquid.

Learn more about natural treatments for children who have come down with the flu can be found in an excerpt from Flu: Alternative Treatments and Prevention by Randall Neusteadter, OMD.

GET MORE INFORMATION & HELP
Learn about the remedy packages I put together for the 2010-2011 cold and flu season.

If you have gotten the flu or a cold and you can’t seem to recover, it is time to a professional homeopath. I offer consultations for colds and flu to my clients. Give me a call 925-826-3858.

Remember, if you are under the care of a homeopath, consult with your homeopath first before taking any homeopathic remedy.

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Myra Nissen Homeopath Metabolic Balance Coach

Myra Nissen, CCH

Copyright © 2011 –, Myra Nissen.
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This article was brought to you by Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified Classical Homeopath. Myra teaches women how to recognize their body’s unique needs and cues and uses Homeopathy to help empower women to take control of their bodies, health and well-being. Find out more, she regularly publishes articles with home care tips for health and well-being in several venues. Visit her blog www.myranissen.com/blog.

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