With nutritional home remedies for flu it is possible to be over the worst in 48 hours or less by mixing together this cocktail of herbs.

When you have flu it is important to boost your immune system as quickly as possible in order to treat the condition quickly and easily to beat the infection.

Flu and in particular swine flu is more dangerous for people with an underlying medical condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive disease (COPD), diabetes, bronchitis, heart or kidney complaint or any lung related problem in which case then your physician will recommend the annual seasonal flu shot, more particularly if you are over sixty five years.

During a flu infection the body creates a fever condition naturally as your immune system works best when in a warm environment. Hence the recommendation to wrap up well when you have a cold or flu-like condition.

Immune Boosting Herbs

There are many different foods and herbs which you can mix together as a power cocktail for an immune system boost. The most popular which are recommended by alternative practitioners as a liquid boost are:

Echinacea

This is the Native American snake root which later became known as ‘snake oil’ which was sold by travelling salesmen in the Wild West days. Surprisingly it did sell well because it worked, but no one at the time realised its full potential.
As it has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties it is an excellent tonic for upper respiratory infections and it also increases the production of the white blood cells. Take two droppers of the tincture,
Tincture of Propolis

Not as well known as Echinacea, but it still has more properties being ant-viral, anti-bacterial and antibiotic all at the same time.
Propolis which is produced by the bees from various sources was named by the ancient Greeks, pro meaning before and polis refers to the city, a more apt translation being ‘In Defence of the City’. Used by the bees to repel invaders of their hives by sealing all cracks in the hive and at the same time keeping their environment sterile, As propolis is also an anti-inflammatory it helps to reduce the inflammation of the lining of the lungs and respiratory tract, also soothing any sore throat or cough.
Two droppers (If you are allergic to bee stings, honey or pollen take care as it could induce an adverse reaction)

Garlic

It contains allicin, a substance which contains similar immune system boosters to propolis. Chop two cloves in a blender to release the active ingredients.

Cat’s Claw

An anti-fungal, antioxidant and immune boosting herb from the Peruvian rain forest and was used for centuries by the natives of the Andes. Well known by alternative practitioners and has proved to boost immune function,
Include two droppers of the tincture.

Mix all the ingredients in a blender as a cocktail with 250 ml of tomato or organic vegetable juice and the juice of a lemon. The lemon acts as a liver cleanser to clear away the toxins produced by the infection.

The mixture should be sipped slowly twice a day morning and evening whilst the flu lasts.

Water

Now that your body is in a’ fever’ condition you will need to drink copious amounts of water both to flush the toxins from your body and of course to re-hydrate. Drink what you feel comfortable with but aim for at least 3 litres per day

 
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As the world’s medical organisations recognise that modern pharmaceuticals are becoming ineffective at combating illness causing viruses and bacteria such as colds and flu, they began to look for alternative treatments and remedies.

One such alternative natural research began in the 1960’s in Denmark and France with studies by Dr.Remy Chauvin and Aagard Lund. Lund was the one of the first in the West to recognise the properties of Propolis a resinous compound produced by bees as an immune stimulant, with antibacterial properties. Chemical analysis reveals that it is a complex amalgam of plant resins, beeswax, aromatic oils and bee pollen.

Lund was the first to develop a process for preserving propolis. His process is still used by many producers today to ensure the integrity of propolis’s healing and antiviral properties.

Chauvin, who conducts his research at the Sorbonne in Paris, now considered as the world’s foremost authority on propolis. He states,” Scientists believe that nature has a cure for every disease it’s just a matter of finding it.” He also points out that propolis bestows a significant amounts of vitamins and minerals when taken internally, while antibiotics do the opposite causing deficiencies in the important nutrients.

We might use this analogy in describing propolis use for colds and flu: If our bodies were a castle and in danger of being invaded by an army of marauders, it would make more sense to reinforce the walls surrounding the castle, rather than setting off a bomb which would indiscriminately destroy the wall and marauders alike.

Studies in Brazil, Australia and Bulgaria have shown that propolis does work in conjunction with synthetic antibiotics by boosting the efficacy of penicillin and other antibiotics by one hundred percent.

So, what are the chemical compounds of this miracle healer? Forty to fifty percent of propolis is made up of resins, which are rich in flavonoids. Flavoniods exist in all blossoming plants, but they have different properties when found in propolis. Experts believe that the enzymes excreted in bee saliva when the bees process propolis produce a chemical change in the flavanoids.

There are many different types of flavanoids, but the most important ones are Pinocembrin and Galanin, which have significant therapeutic properties. They are shown to strengthen the protein shell surrounding cold and flu viruses, which renders the virus and bacteria harmless. It also stimulates interferon which stimulates the immune system.
Flavanoids comprise as much as twenty percent of the biochemical properties of propolis, which might explain why it’s such a powerful natural healing agent

Consumer research shows that a high proportion of users, as I do, take propolis on a regular basis to stay well, to maintain a strong immune system to ward off coughs, colds and flu. I always take 2 x 2 gram capsules; double my dose prior to a long haul flight for several days before departure, just to boost my immune system. Bye the way, propolis is readily available in all good health food stores.

Propolis can cause an allergic reaction in some people (about 1 in 2000). So, if you are allergic to bee stings or honey then take care, and only start with small doses. Some beekeepers develop a rash when attending their hives in summer, but their rashes soon disappear in the winter when there is no hive activity.

Pregnant women are advised to check with their physician before taking this supplement.

In the latter part of the 20^th century, bee product remedies used as immune system foods were mainly discarded in the West in favor of chemical medicines, but, their uses are now in the forefront of popularity, as modern antibiotics in particular are proving increasingly ineffective against mutating strains of bacteria and viruses.

Just like many people, I was tired of spending year after year on the miserable merry-go round of seasonal contagious illness battling against coughs , nasal congestion, sore throats, sinus infections, body aches and fatigue of colds and flu.

I tried vitamin C, garlic. Echinacea and other herbs as daily tonics which seemed to ease the symptoms but did nothing to strengthen my immune system.

Maybe nature did have the answer after all. Surely there was natural tonic, or food, a magic bullet that would prevent me from contracting these illnesses and fortify my immune system and natural defences?

During my researches I did find my solution, a story which began my discovery. This was an amazing true event which happened thirty three years ago. Let me now tell you the *true* story,

In May 1976 a particular virulent FLU EPIDEMIC swept through the Town of Sarajevo. Professor Izet Osmanagic a local resident conducted a trial and chose a control group who were in particular danger of becoming exposed to this particular epidemic, namely, student nurses and teachers. Each was instructed to take the natural product Propolis (made by the bees to ensure that the hive remained sterile) along with honey every day for a certain period.

Sixty five Nurses and Teachers in the control group who were without symptoms took the product, and one hundred and fifty seven people shall we say, less fortunate people were not offered it.

The results were amazing……..Six of the nurses out of 65 became infected but only mildly, and of the 157, one in four contracted the epidemic. The teachers faired even better as only one in twenty five had a mild attack.

Although I have researched AND use propolis extensively now, during my research I have come across a wide range of benefits attributed to this amazing natural product, ranging from Acne to Ulcers!

In fact Dr. Remy Chauvin of Paris, who conducts his research at the Sorbonne, is considered the worlds foremost authority on propolis concurs. “Propolis works by raising the body’s natural resistance to infection as an immune system food.”

We all know that colds and flu are viral infections and that as a rule antibiotics are not medically prescribed, as they are of little value except in cases of severe respiratory infections. I have found, and other propolis users have also confirmed that one is less likely to catch seasonal flu and swine flu in particular, but if you do suffer it is not as severe.

It is important to note that propolis may cause an allergic reaction in some people (one in two thousand). You are more likely to be allergic if you have a reaction to bee pollen, honey and or bee stings.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should check with their physician before taking propolis.

Scientists have come to the conclusion that nature has a cure for every disease; it’s just a matter of finding it. Also remember that keeping the body free from diseases through natural healing can actually slow down the aging process and add years to the lifespan.

Dr. Remy Chauvin who conducts his research at the Sorbonne in Paris, and is considered the world authority of the natural product from the bees namely PROPOLIS actually states” The antibacterial, and antiviral propolis work to raise the body’s natural resistance to disease by internally stimulating one’s own immune system”.

Since Chauvin began to spread the word about PROPOLIS the immune system strengthener, scientific studies on the bee substance have risen dramatically, with over 350 studies between 1980m and 2006.

Continuing studies from reliable scientific sources verify what the ancients learned centuries ago: PROPOLIS is truly a miracle healer, found capable of eradicating both viruses and bacterial infections, something that no other natural substance is known to accomplish.

So what is this miracle of propolis and what is its value to the bees? The bees collect this substance much in the way they collect pollen and nectar to bring back to the hive for food, so they collect plant resins to make propolis to make the hives a sterile environment. In Northern regions, the resins are collected primarily from poplar, pine and balsam trees. In Southern climes, the bees gather resins from certain flowers as well as trees. After mixing it with a combination of saliva and beeswax they stash the mixture in their storage sacks for the journey back to the hive.

The philosopher and scholar Aristotle (around 350 BC) was the first to undertake detailed research into the antiseptic and healing properties of PROPOLIS. He built a glass hive to better observe the workings of the honeybee, but the bees, preferring to conduct their business in darkness, promptly coated the glass in propolis. Despite the bees desire to live in obscurity, Aristotle gleaned significant insight into their realm and made noteworthy advances in the knowledge of their industry. He chronicled the antiseptic and antiviral and immune system strengthener of propolis and recommended its use for a variety of ailments, including wound healing, bruises and sprains.

Hippocrates, holder of the illustrious title of, “father of modern medicine”, also prescribed propolis for wounds, sores and ulcers. References found in the Koran to the medicinal properties of honey and PROPOLIS,confirming that the ancient Arabic world was also in tune with apiarian remedies.

PROPOLIS contains essential minerals and trace elements such as calcium,    magnesium, copper, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, cobalt silica and zinc. Perhaps most importantly it can be taken regularly as a preventative, health boosting measure, ensuring good health and vitality and keeping illnesses at bay, by strengthening the immune system, no matter what the circumstance.

A piece of propolis slowly dissolved in the mouth is an age old sore throat remedy recommended by beekeepers. Propolis lozenges are sold worldwide to heal and soothe a sore throat. A tincture is regularly used by dentists to heal mouth ulcers and cure gum diseases.

Propolis may cause an allergic reaction, so experiment with small amounts before daily use. You may have an allergic reaction if you have a severe allergy to honey and or bee stings.

You should avoid using PROPOLIS if you are pregnant or nursing, just as you would take precaution when using any form of medication

As you learned from an earlier post, I want to tell you more about this remarkable immune system food substance made naturally by the bees to protect their hive from invaders.

What other alternative therapy brings together such a phenomenal array of curative properties to be found in propolis, including anti-fungal antibacterial, anti-inflammatory antibiotic, antacid and anti-tumour.

The Russians have probably carried out most of the research at the Kazan Vetinery Institute in 1947 to discover the amazing properties that this substance embodies. So much so that propolis came to be known as ‘Russian Penicillin’ prior to this date it was applied to slow healing wounds during the Boer War and again during the Second World War in Russia.

Reports in the use of this incredible substance have become legendary. Dr. Bernard Jenson Ph.D. visited the Caucasus people in Russia he found that in his own words” All the oldest men in the area were and had been beekeepers and used raw honey AND hive scrapings which contained propolis as a regular part of their diet.” He interviewed one of the beekeepers Shirali Mislimov who was reported to be 157 years old. It is a known fact that the incidence of Cancer in beekeepers is reported to be ONLY one in a thousand.

 Unlike antibiotics, we can take propolis daily as an immune system food to strengthen our immunity to a vast array of illnesses without the destructive side effects.

 With a fortified immune system we can keep ourselves healthy in even the most virus and germ infected environments. There are testimonials from people who used to come down with colds and flu every year. Since taking propolis they’ve breezed through the colds and flu system without sneeze, ache, sore throat or sniffle. Medical researchers, for whom modern synthetic drugs were once a Holy Grail, have tried to determine why propolis is able to treat not only immune disorders but also a vast array of other medical conditions.

 Researchers at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland have attempted to isolate the various chemical properties of propolis in the hopes of finding one active component that is responsible for its effects.

Because it has more than 150 chemical properties and because these components also depend on the botanical source, propolis is difficult to analyze. Nevertheless, researchers have found that no one component is responsible for its curative effects. In fact, when the chemical structures of propolis are isolated, they do not work effectively. Rather, propolis combines all of its properties to create a synergistic effect.

 Colds and Coughs

In 1989 Polish researchers gauged the effect of propolis on groups with the common cold. The group treated with propolis had the infection for a shorter period with complete recovery within 3 days. The untreated group took 5 days to recover. Researchers into its use showed that it is more effective as a prophylactic i.e. as an immune system food to prevent rather than cure. The old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ rings true.

Many people, including myself take propolis regularly for general health maintenance, thus decreasing the incidence of colds, bronchial infections and flu.

It is important to note that propolis may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Take small quantities at first to gauge any reaction. You are more likely to have an allergic reaction if you havea severe allergy to bee stings or you are allergic to bee pollen or honey. You should avoid using propolis if you are pregnant or nursing.

Do not stop using prescribed medication without consulting your physician

A little known cure for flu, Propolis, also known as “the Defender of the Hive”, which is a natural product given to us by the bees, and used centuries ago by the ancient Egyptians in one of their most sacred rites, mummification, has now found it’s way back as an immune stimulant to fight colds and flu.

This more or less unknown substance has amazed modern scientists and researchers over the last decade. They have found that this bye product from the bees is not only an immune stimulant, but has proven to be a natural antibiotic, having antibacterial, antifungal AND antiviral properties.

Although bee-product remedies were largely discarded in the West in favour of synthetic medicine in the latter part of the 20^th Century, their resurgence is burgeoning, particularly as modern antibiotics are proving increasingly ineffective against mutating strains of flu viruses and bacteria.

Bacteria and viruses have learned to survive on this earth longer than man or beast. In fact bacteria were the first forms of life on earth and have been around for four billion years. Like all living organisms they have their own innate intelligence and ability to evolve in a way that guarantees their survival.

Bees, it seems have found a way to beat bacteria at the survival game with a miraculous substance in Propolis created from plant resins. If we want to protect ourselves from constantly evolving cold and flu pathogens, we can take a lesson from the bees and turn again to Propolis to safeguard our most precious possession, our health,

So, what is Propolis? Known as bee glue or bee putty is a mixture of tree resins and bee secretions used in the construction and maintenance of the hive.

Bees use the sticky substance to line the walls of the hive and stop up cracks when constructing their habitat. Virtually every surface in the hive is coated with a thin layer of the sterilizing substance. The hive needs to be sterile, as thousands of bees living in the hive have to establish an environment which is free from disease and fungal infections.

Interestingly, the bees encase the hive entrance with this ‘sticky’ substance, and in order to access the hive the bees must crawl through the entrance which cleanses them of any bacteria and keeps the hive safe for its inhabitants. If by chance any foreign body which they are unable to physically remove such as a spider or mouse enters the hive it is first immobilised and then swathed in a cocoon of Propolis, in effect mummifying them to ensure the continued sterility of the hive.

Healthcare providers are constantly seeking new ways to cure flu and fight off potential catastrophic epidemics which modern pharmaceuticals are finding it difficult to treat. The latest H1N1 swine flu virus is a case in point. Could it be that a centuries old product from the hive will re-emerge as the magic bullet they’ve been looking for?

Unlike antibiotics, we can take Propolis daily as a cure for flu and as a preventative measure to strengthen our immunity to a vast array of illnesses. It is now available worldwide from good health stores.

Be Aware

At the time of this article, clinical trials with Propolis on pregnant women has not been evaluated, so it would be wise to check with your health provider first.

If you are breastfeeding, then the same applies.

Also, if you are allergic to bee stings or honey then Propolis could induce a serious reaction. Other side effects similar to a sting are inflammation and redness of the skin.

Many people can’t believe that there is one miracle cold cure substance found in nature that possesses the key to fighting infection. This substance not only kills pathogens, but strengthens the immune system.

Modern research has found that this is the only natural product in the world that’s proven to be antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal AND anti-viral all at the same time.

 An amazing cold cure bi- product from the bees that has been used for over 3,000 years ago in preserving the bodies of the dead in the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and has now been proven through modern scientific research to accomplish all of the above.

 Many people think that the chances of a natural cold cure substance successfully fighting anti-biotic resistant bacteria and killer viruses is about as likely as a pet donkey winning the Kentucky Derby or the Grand National. Read on and you, like me, will have a new understanding of this miracle cold cure from the hive.

 Everybody knows that bees make honey, but few know the crucial part that Propolis plays in the life of the western honeybee (Apis Mellifera). The fact is that without propolis there would be no bees, no hives, no honey, and no harvests.

 So what is Propolis? It is a mixture of tree resins and bee secretions used in the construction and maintenance of the hive. It is sometimes referred to as bee glue or bee putty. Just like bees gather pollen and nectar to bring back to the hive for food, they collect plant resins to make propolis.

 Propolis known as the defender of the hive is to bees what penicillin is to various forms of bacteria, or at least what penicillin was before bacteria learned to outsmart it. But the difference is, we don’t encase our homes in penicillin to ensure that the stay disease free. Bees, those clever little engineers, do seal their homes with propolis to keep them sterile.

 Because as many as 70,000 bees can live in a single hive, it’s imperative that the warm, dark, humid environment be kept free of mold, fungus and disease.  And what bees have figured out in the 125 million years on earth, is that propolis is the most powerful antibacterial substance found in nature,

 It is believed that primitive humans enjoyed the fruits of the industrious honeybee, dining on royal jelly honey, honeycombs and larvae. However it was the Greeks who gave proplolis the name we use today. Pro, meaning before and polis, refers to city. Thus ‘Before the City’ acknowledges that the bees line the entrance of the hive with propolis, keeping it safe from intruders. Some say, that a more apt translation is,’In Defence of the City’, so, this substance truly is the defender of the city of bees, the hive.

Because of the increased awareness of the vast healing properties of propolis as a cold cure, it is now available in a variety of forms in health food stores and pharmacies.

 If you are allergic to bee stings and honey, then be very careful if you try this product. Also, it is important that you take medical advice before you take propolis when you are pregnant.

Prevention is better than cure!

Doctors and physicians are facing a huge problem in convincing pregnant women to agree to have the H1N1 swine flu jab when it becomes available in October this year. Due to the frequent media publicity, pregnant women have latched on the fact that the vaccine will be largely untried and are worried about its effects to the unborn child.

At a recent poll nearly thirty percent of pregnant women surveyed stated that they were likely to refuse the vaccination when it becomes available in October. They are more concerned about the swine flu vaccine than they are about the vaccine itself. Nearly half of those polled with children under five said that they would not have them vaccinated.

The drug manufacturers are under tremendous pressure to produce millions of doses in the shortest time possible, and they agree that the vaccine will only be marginally tested for its efficacy, but have assured the doubters that it will be safe with few after effects.

Normally, pregnant women have always been advised to try and avoid all medications as much as possible including those readily available as over the counter herbal remedies. However, they are being made aware of the fact that their immune system is not as efficient during pregnancy, making them more vulnerable to illness and infection and recommend avoiding close contact with those with flu-like symptoms whenever possible, and to take other precautions such as regular hand washing, a good diet, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, which contain vitamin C, and to drink plenty of pure water.

So, what could be the reported side effects of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine? They should be not dissimilar to those expected from the seasonal flu vaccines. The most common side effects following vaccination are expected to be mild, for example, soreness, tenderness and redness or swelling in the area where the jab was given.

Later, some people might experience headache, muscle aches, fever, some nausea and light-headedness. Like any medication, vaccines can cause serious problems and allergic reactions, particularly if patients who have shown reactions to egg products.

 As a result of a recent poll carried out by Mumsnet, pregnant women are likely to reject the new swine flu vaccine when it becomes available in October this year. Out of 1458 who responded to the survey including 562 pregnant women who stated that they would probably or definitely NOT have the jab once it is available. The study also found that 46 per cent of those with children aged under five said that they would not take their children to receive the vaccine.

A recent letter leaked to the Daily Mail Newspaper recently written by Professor Elizabeth Miller, head of the Health Protection Agency warning neurologists about the swine flu vaccine of 1976 which was linked to a devastating neurological condition Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). “The vaccines used to combat an expected swine flu pandemic in 1976 were shown to be associated with GBS and were withdrawn from use”. As a result thousands of people sued believing that they suffered side effects from this vaccine.  Following the 1976 mass vaccination against swine flu in the US, a retrospective study found a possible eight-fold increase in the incidence of GBS. More people died of the flu jab than from swine flu, as a result the vaccine was withdrawn after just 10 weeks.

 There are now concerns about the fast track testing procedures and doctors have been told to monitor the vaccine to detect any side effects in particular the deadly (GBS) which causes respiratory failure and death.

 The drug companies making the Tamiflu vaccine are under enormous pressure to produce millions of doses as quickly as possible; as a result they will only be marginally tested for quality. This fast track approval has been authorised by the FDA for the H1N1 vaccine, both in the USA and Europe.

 Governments face an uphill task to convince pregnant women to agree to have the swine flu jab. According to reports many more are worried about the vaccine itself rather than the virus. The fact is that the vaccine has yet to be tested on children and pregnant mothers, which are one of the main groups to be targeted for the first flu shots.

 The new flu treatment using Tamiflu could possibly put some patients at an increased risk of a stroke.

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have received more than 400 reports of Tamiflu vaccine side effects since the start of the swine flu outbreak, and now doctors have been notified that Tamiflu can interact with the anticoagulant Warfarin and prove fatal to those taking their daily Warfarin medication. The combination can cause uncontrolled internal bleeding which can result in a stroke

Warfarin is a blood thinning drug taken by millions of patients worldwide, including those who have had heart surgery. Doses are usually monitored by a blood test on a regular basis depending upon their clotting ratio known as the International Normalised Ratio (INR). A ratio of between two and three is the norm, that is to say that the ‘stickiness’ of the blood can be up to three times thinner than the average person, the higher the INR rate the thinner the blood. The worry is that Tamiflu could thin the blood even further, causing a stroke or excessive bleeding.

 The situation is disturbing as Tamiflu medication for H1N1 flu treatment can be purchased on the internet without a doctor’s prescription and even prescribed via telephone in the UK and delivered to designated collection points.

 Oxford University researchers last week said that children should not be given the anti-viral drug as those who were otherwise in good health could suffer more harm than benefit from taking Tamiflu or Relenza the alternative anti-viral. Over half of all children who received it have had side effects including.  Sleep problems,

• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Psychiatric problems, including nightmares, and unusual behavior.

 As a result the MHRA stressed that anyone who is already taking medication for an underlying condition should check with their medical practitioner before embarking on Tamiflu flu treatment course.