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Herbal remedies for the flu |
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Build immunity in spring and summer! Winter is over but the flu bug is trying to hang around. People are still coughing, sneezing, and fighting body aches. Complaints range from sore throat and earache to fatigue and nausea. Is it an allergy, a cold, this year’s strain of flu virus, or some new mutation? An answer to that question requires a visit to the doctor for lab tests and professional diagnosis. For less severe bouts of illness, there are lots of home remedies to treat allergy, cold, and flu symptoms. White willow bark tea helps fight feverish conditions. Ginger can help with nausea. Eucalyptus steam baths help relieve sore throat, runny nose, chest congestion, and cough. Hyssop can sooth the lungs. Mullein oil helps sooth ear ache and respiratory problems. The best thing is prevention! Summertime should be a time to build immunity. Ways to build immunity include good diet, drinking plenty of fresh water, breathing clean air, a good nights sleep, and living in as pure environment as possible (away from toxic chemicals and poisons like pesticides, herbicides, smoke, engine fumes, radon, etc.). Another way to build immunity in preparation for the “flu season” is to get on a schedule of taking herbal supplements. Yellowroot, ginseng, Echinacea, goldenseal, rosemary, licorice, astragalus, burdock, milk thistle seed, white willow, elderflowers, catnip, yarrow, boneset, hawthorn, garlic, dandelion, and mushrooms are good herbs to build immunity. One method is to start in May taking astragalus everyday for two weeks. Then switch to either yellowroot or ginseng everyday for two weeks. Then skip a week or try a new herb for a day or two. Then start over with the two weeks of astragalus. Do this on a regular basis all year long unless a virus strikes. Astragalus should never be taken during a feverish condition! If sickness takes hold, start treating the symptoms so patient can rest comfortably. The body will develop a taste for the herbs that it prefers. Your body has lots to tell you if you will just listen. Don’t wait for pain to lend an ear to your inner workings! If something stinks or makes you gag, do not take much of it. If you crave something, then by all means, take a little extra. It is hard to overdose on herbs in their original state. Do not take extra essential oils, tinctures, processed herbal “capsules”, over the counter products, or prescription medications! Allergies, colds and flu can be a nightmare. A little relief may be had by eating local honey throughout the winter and spring months. A spoonful a day can help build immunity to allergens that cause runny nose and watering eyes. Make sure to purchase local honey as it is made from local flora. There are several honey farms in the area and many sell their wares at the Union County Farmers Market, local festivals, and area stores. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy or supplement as a medicine especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking other medications. Also see colds |
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Janice Boling © 2010 - 2013 By Janice Boling - All Rights Reserved
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