HEALTH WISE
(05/01/2009) By Valerie Greguire,
Certified Herbalist, Natural Health Consultant

The Flu Virus… Lessening Its Fury
The news headlines are full of warnings once again; a rather vicious flu has shown up in Mexico, New York and California, and may be headed our way. This is a new mutated flu strain called the A/H1N1 swine flu and any vaccines you got a few months back will be ineffective in protecting you from it. If you want to protect yourself agaisnt this flu, what you really need is a “natural vaccine” called a strong immune system.

A powerful flu is a serious problem, the virus doesn’t respond to medications so we can’t run to the doctor in hope of a cure. The solution lies in your immune system; this is your sword and shield against invading bacteria and viruses. The absolute best way to fight and conquer the flu is to build your immune strength before you are exposed to the virus. If you found yourself coming down with frequent colds this past winter and you suffer from spring allergies, then your immune system needs to be built up. I recently attended a lecture on Chinese medicine from a well respected herbalist. He mentioned that the average time it takes for a person to reverse their health concerns and rebuild their health and vitality is five years. That may seem strangely long to you, but he is talking about overcoming health issues not just controlling or covering them up. So in talking about strengthening our immune system, a diligent effort is needed if you want to build some level of protection in a short period of time.

So what steps can you take to make an immediate impact on improving your immune system’s strength? To begin with cut back on sugar intake. Sugar consumption can depress immune system function by 50%. Alcohol and white flour all convert quickly to sugar so be aware of their consumption as well. High sugar also depletes calcium and B-vitamins needed to keep the immune system and adrenal glands healthy. Your adrenal glands are your stress fighters; if they become weak your immune system weakens as well. This means that now more then ever, you need to take time to find ways to counteract the stress in your life. Take simple steps to de-stress your life on a regular basis. For instance, forego watching an action packed high stress show on T.V. Instead drink a cup of chamomile tea on the front porch on a cool spring evening. Chat with an old friend, relax or read a book, take time to do some stretches, they really help release stress from the body.

Drink 2 quarts of water daily. If you don’t drink enough water your elimination channels become congested (kidneys, liver, colon, lungs, and skin). This results in mucus buildup, which congests the lymphatic system and makes you more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. There’s much to be said about hot chicken soup, make up a big pot and then freeze it in portions, so you can pull it out when anyone starts to get run down. The key is to put in lots of vegetables; carrots, beans, tomatoes, okra, celery, etc. pack the soup full of nutrients. Don’t forget to add several cloves of garlic it is a great immune protector in the body. Get plenty of rest; don’t push yourself until you’re run down. Your immune system is most active when you are sleeping. If you have trouble falling asleep, a natural sleep aid like valerian, kava kava, melatonin or Chinese Nervous Fatigue formula may be a good choice. Talk to the girls down at Nature’s Remedy to figure out which one of these remedies is best for you.

There are several supplements that are particularly effective at building resistance to the flu, as well as lessening the intensity and duration should you come in contact with it. You need adequate supplies of the vitamins A, C, E and the mineral zinc. These are antioxidants that build the immune system. Although your multiple vitamin formula will provide these, the average person needs additional supplementation to build a weakened immune system. The formula Defense Maintenance supplies all of these in a base of vegetables as well. Vitamin D3 is incredibly important to a healthy immune system. Intakes of at least 4000 iu per day of vitamin D3 are recommended. Elderberry Defense is a great formula to build protection against the flu. Elderberries have a mild diuretic and laxative function which helps to clear toxins from the system. This action helps to prevent the common cold by changing the environment of your body. Elderberry contains two active ingredients that actually help prevent the flu from taking hold in your body, by inhibiting the enzyme that the influenza virus uses to penetrate into your cells. Astragalus is another herb which is known to build resistance to the flu virus. Both Elderberry Defense and Astragalus should be taken on a daily basis well in advance of exposure to the flu.

I hope these ideas help you to point you in the right direction to build a healthier stronger immune system that can fight even the strongest flu.

For more specific information or to have your questions answered. Please visit Nature’s Remedy at 18 Monroe Street, Ellicottville NY or by calling 716.699.HERB (4372).

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this publication is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose illness nor prescribe treatment. Rather, this material is designed to be used in cooperation with your nutritionally-oriented health professional to deal with your personal health problems.