Home Remedies for Flu
Home Remedies for Flu
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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Pregnancy and Flu Update
Pregnancy and Flu Update
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.
Flu Pregnancy
Flu Pregnancy
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.
Flu Treatment
Flu Treatment
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.
The Best two Foods to Beat Swine Flu
THE BEST TWO FOODS TO BEAT SWINE FLU
We know that the chances of catching colds, flu and swine flu are more common in the winter months, as a result the World Health Authority (WHO) will be monitoring events in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly Australia 5,298 reported cases Argentina 2,485, Chile 7376, and New Zealand 1059.
There are many foods in the natural world which can easily be added to our everyday diets to boost our immune systems and as Dr. Nick Phin who is head of pandemic flu planning of the Health Protection Agency states that “A person who is malnourished is likely to be more susceptible to virus infections, and for most people, a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet will be an important factor in helping to maintain a healthy immune system.”
- Vitamin C helps to maintain a healthy immune system, and aids in neutralising pollutants, really acting as a first line in defence, by strengthening the cell walls to keep viruses out as viruses find it very difficult to survive in a vitamin C rich environment. Since the body is unable to store this vitamin we need to consume it daily. Here are some essential foods.
Foods that contain Vitamin C are Blackcurrants, Blackberries, Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Carrots, Cabbage, Oranges, Lemons, and limes, Kiwi fruit, Guava, Strawberries, Tomatoes, and Papaya. Fresh vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and all leafy greens, all of contain this essential nutrient.
This is not an exhaustive list but the latest so called super fruit is the GoJi Berry. Pronounced “go-gee”, it is reputed to contain weight for weight more than the following nutrients:
- More Vitamin C than one orange
- More iron than in steak
- More beta-carotene than carrots, and tomatoes
Swine flu illness
The recommended daily intake (RDI) of Vitamin C is 65 mg equivalent to an orange per day, and this is the dietary intake of a nutrient considered to meet the requirements of nearly all individuals. At the first sign of a cold or flu sand flu take liberal quantities of vitamin C in the form of a powder diluted with water, or capsules of between the equivalent of 5grams (5,000mg/10,000mg) to 10 grams daily. Smokers are recommended to add the minimum of 1,000mg to these figures and should increase their fresh fruit and vegetables. Medical advice should be sought when taking Vitamin C supplements if you suffer from a kidney disease.
- GARLIC: Well known for its antibiotic and antiviral properties. Cold germs hate garlic as it clears chest infections! And now not a day passes without some new use being discovered. Reputedly, 3,500 years ago the Egyptians insisted that their slaves be fed on it to keep them healthy and fit for work. Garlic eaten raw is an acquired taste, but it does leave your breathe smelling for a day or two! To keep the breath fresh you can use deodorized capsules available from your health store. Take3 grams daily to help clear the virus. Continued use may protect against blood clots and reduce bad cholesterol. Members of the garlic ‘family’ include onions shallots and chives which are also high in vitaminC.
To help eliminate the cold, and flu viruses drink plenty of fluids and green tea which helps the body detoxify faster, also you may have a fever with flu or swine flu so adequate fluids are essential.
This content is for information purposes and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation with a qualified medical practitioner.
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