(NaturalNews) At the very first sign, that very first cough with a tickle in the throat, or whatever it is that alerts you to an impending viral attack, you can help your body's defenses.

Gargle with Apple Cider Vinegar

Gargle now. Use organic, raw, apple cider vinegar and gargle every fifteen minutes for the next two hours. After that, gargle whenever you think of it.

Every time you gargle at the onset of a viral infection, you are cutting the viral load at the point those little suckers are trying to mass produce. You are actively killing them off their armies each time you gargle. Even if the cold or flu takes hold, you will have a milder case if it if you gargle a lot in the beginning.

Get warm

Heat can help your body fight infection. That's why we run fevers, which you can simulate yourself. A hot bath, a sauna, a steaming shower can knock out a nasty infection quickly. And you can also add some essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint to help clear out lungs and sinuses.

Fluids

No, I am not talking about sodas or juice, with one or two exceptions. Make cranberry lemonade sweetened with stevia, hot or cold. Or cranberry lemonade sweetened with stevia with or without added cayenne. Drink lots of it made with pure water

You do not want to drink sodas or juice right now. (Hopefully you never drink another soda in your life, but we can talk about that later.) Viruses, bacteria, and fungi all thrive on sugar. Don't feed them.

Also, know that conventional sugar (like what you find in sodas) actually repress your immune system.

Garlic

Eat garlic, lots of raw garlic. Chop it up, slice it, press it, or dice it. To more benefit from garlic, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes after cutting and before eating. Eat at least 2 cloves daily; 6 would be better. 10 Would be better still. You get the idea.

Echinacea

Echinacea will make your tongue feel fuzzy. If it doesn't', it's not Echinacea or it's very weak and not of any use. Few things work as well as high quality Echinacea to strengthen the immune system quickly and effortlessly. Take it often, but only take it for three weeks and then stop for a week (less it loses its effectiveness).

Zinc

Zinc may work for you. It is thought to hinder the cold virus's ability to multiply. But be careful with zinc. Too much can be toxic.

Vitamins

Vitamin D supports your immune system while C, A, and E help the body fight viruses. Lots of vitamin C can be helpful, but if you do take a lot, titrate down. Don't suddenly stop taking it. Your virus might bounce back.

Doc Shillington's Total Tonic Recipe

Here's a recipe that you can do at home. Always have it on hand to knock out infections, and it's also great for heavy metal chelation and almost everything else that ails you.

• 1 handful of garlic cloves
• 1 handful of chopped onions
• 1 handful of chopped ginger
• 1 handful of chopped horseradish
• 1/2 handful of chopped habanero peppers
• Raw apple cider vinegar

Throw in a blender and cover with an inch or two of organic raw apple cider vinegar. All ingredients should be organic, but don't let that stop you from making this great formula (as long as the garlic is not from China). You can use the mash right away or wait two weeks and allow it to turn into a tincture.

Conclusion

The bottom line is, if you eat right, and have been eating right for some time, cold and flus shouldn't even affect you. If you think this isn't true, you're not eating right. No single herb or natural remedy compares to a diet with a low toxic load and daily salads with 14 different vegetables, turmeric, garlic, etc. See the first two sources below for my own salad and vitamin C recipes. If your immune system is susceptible to infection, or you just like to the idea of having a crazy powerful immune system, be sure to check out Bullet Proof Your Immune System and also take a look at these Natural Antibiotics.

Sources:

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://truthwiki.org/Garlic

http://truthwiki.org/Ginger

About the author:
Allene Edwards first became interested in alternative medicine and holistic treatment modalities when she successfully used diet therapy to manage her children�s ADHD. Later when she became chronically ill with an auto-immune disease that multiple doctors could not identify, much less cure, she successfully treated both the symptoms and the cause through naturopathic treatment and nutrition. She is the Managing Editor of Organic Lifestyle Magzine and a regular contributor.