How to Fight the Flu the Natural Way

Good health and hygiene are great ways to ward off the flu, or at least not let it wipe you out completely. Here are some tips that may help you fight off the flu this season.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Eat immune boosting foods. Chestnuts, which contain vitamins B6 and C, folate and potassium, strengthen the immune system which can help you fight off the flu and infections.

2. Use immune boosting herbs. Scientific evidence supports that ligustrum helps to increase white blood cell production and other cell activities that are important immune functions. Cherokee Rose, one of the highest naturally occurring sources of vitamin C, and Honeysuckle are also herbs that have been used for centuries by Chinese herbalists to fight pathogens (bacterial, viral and fungal infections) and increase resistance to illness.

3. Eat carrots, sweet potatoes, squash and pumpkins. Recent research has suggested that the beta carotene in these foods may enhance cellular immune responses.

4. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is necessary for a healthy immune system.

5. Wash your hands often and your body every day. Viruses can survive on your skin for several hours, so it is important to wash your hands several times each day, and to wash your body with soap on a daily basis.

6. Reduce your stress level. Stress is a known enemy of the immune system. Deep breathing, exercise, yoga and meditation are all great stress relievers.

7. Avoid touching and kissing.

8. Keep your home and work area clean. Sanitize surfaces, vacuum, dust and clean the floors on a regular basis. Don’t forget to clean doorknobs, cabinet pulls, telephones and remote controls. Washing bed linens on a weekly basis and following an illness is extremely important.

9. Keep anyone who is sick with the flu away from others, including in the home. A few days of isolation for one person, while it may seem drastic, is far better than an epidemic in the house.

10. Stay hydrated. Your body requires water to function properly. Dehydration can affect your ability to fight off illness and infection.

11. Buy new toothbrushes on a regular basis, and especially following an illness.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your doctor before taking any herbal remedies. Even though they are natural, they could interact with medications or aggravate certain conditions.

Resources

• How to Write and Implement a Flu Response Plan

[jenng]

on 10/28/2009 GREAT ARTICLE ON How to Fight the Flu the Natural Way 5*

[kristara]

on 10/28/2009 Great flu fighting tips 5*