Originally published October 18 2005
Doctors give advice on homemade flu prevention
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Astragalus and Asian mushrooms are immune system stimulators that you can ingest to prepare your body for flu season.
By the time you're sick, it's too late to get the flu shot.
What if you're not a fan of prescription meds?
Get adequate rest and sleep and take vitamin C. Immune system boosters such as astragalus and Asian mushrooms are available at health food stores.
While neither of these has been studied specifically for flu, research has shown they both increase the number and effectiveness of white blood cells, key players in the immune response, says Dr. James Nicolai, director of the Franciscan Center for Integrative Health at St. Francis.
Esberitox, a mix of echinacea and other herbs, also can help, says Charles Lindstrom, pharmacist and owner of Nora Apothecary & Alternative Therapies.
During the first two days of symptoms, reach for some Sambucol (elderberry extract), Nicolai says.
This remedy actually has science behind it.
A 1995 Israeli study showed that 90 percent of the subjects who took daily doses of Sambucol were cured within two to three days, while those who did not take it suffered a few days longer.
Not only does the soup often contain garlic, but animal-based broths also will improve your hydration, always an asset in battling the cold or flu, Nicolai says.
� For a sore throat, squeeze juice from limes, gargle with it, and swallow, Logan recommends.
Or gargle with a few drops of oil of oregano in fresh water.
� Steam up your life with a castor oil pack, Logan adds.
Apply a castor oil pack to your chest area and place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the pack for detoxification.
� One traditional remedy that experts frown on: A hot toddy.
Sure, it may help you get some rest in the short term, but in the long term, alcohol tends to depress the immune system and dehydrate you.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml