So today, our discussion is what those of us who choose NOT to get the shot can do to protect our health and that of our families during what may or may not be a particularly volatile flu season. The following suggestions are just that, and are not to be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your doctor or other healthcare practitioner if you are ill.
Echinacea and goldenseal are two widely known immune protective plants that are sold in tincture or tea form, and should be part of any naturopathic medicine cabinet. In addition, oregano oil (a highly volatile and pungent essential oil with a very strong taste) is extremely helpful when used at the first sign of illness. One to two drops in a glass of distilled or high quality filtered water is taken several times a day until symptoms abate. Camu, an Amazonian rain forest plant, is one of the most potent plant sources of Vitamin C on the planet. A quarter teaspoon dissolved in water or juice supplies a substantial dose of this important vitamin. Homeopathic companies formulate nosode flu formulas for each season, and this one is no exception. Once again, when taken at first sign of illness, these formulas help the body to combat colds and flu.
Salt water solutions can be gargled and used to cleanse the sinus passages on a daily basis when we are in active flu season, or when loved ones are sick. Neti pots are small “teapots” used for flushing sinus cavities, but if this is too extreme for you, a quick salt water rinse up the nose is quite sufficient. Sea salt and distilled water are best for this.
Make sure you get plenty of sleep. Our bodies require more rest during the winter months, when energy is deep and still.
Last, and by no means least, make sure you and your family are washing your hands with soap and hot water on a frequent basis. Carrying a hand cleaner is highly recommended for those times when water is not available. Our noses and mouths are the two entryways for viruses to come in, so ensure that your hands are clean when touching your face.
Now that we have covered the basics of preventive care with plants and supplements, an obvious next step is to look at the food we eat. When our bodies are laden down with processed foods, excess sugars, dairy, and other animal products, the liver, kidneys, heart, stomach, pancreas and intestines end up working incredibly hard. Energy that would normally be reserved for protecting the immune system is diverted into managing what is moving through our guts. Increasing plant foods, drinking plenty of good quality water, and decreasing meat, dairy, sugar and processed food will go a long way in helping us maintain our health over the long term. If you eat meat and dairy, make sure it is high quality, hormone free, and organic whenever possible. Choose lamb, rabbit, turkey, venison or goat over beef, chicken, and pork, unless you know exactly where your meat is coming from. Eat wholegrain breads and cereals with no added sugars (cane juice is sugar by another name, and is increasingly present in packaged food). Adopt the European habit of eating large amounts of plant food with very small servings of meat or fish. This can help a strained budget tremendously. Many of my clients lament the high cost of buying organic and sustainably raised food, but when we look at the cost of a dominantly plant based diet, and the larger cost of losing our health, the investment doesn’t seem so untenable.
A favorite recipe for this time of year is the Cold and Flu Season Soup, a long-time friend in both preventive care and helping viruses move out of the body. Simple Miso Soup is another helper, and the addition of a pinch of cayenne helps stimulate circulation.
