Influenza, Natural Prevention and Treatment

 

Once again it is the time of year when we begin to hear about the Flu and getting flu shots. The purpose of this article is to help you understand the other side of the story and to realize that there are options to getting flu shots if you are allergic or choose not to do the flu shot or nasal mist. You should also know that these natural treatments work well if you have had a flu shot, but still get influenza. Remember early treatments give the best results. But prevention is even better.

 

Each year the big boys at the CDC travel to the oriental countries in May and collect Flu Virus from people who are ill there.   From those samples they make the seasonal flu vaccine.   They just hope the virus does not mutate between May when they collect the samples and December when the Flu usually reaches the US.

 

Bird Flu (H5N1), Swine Flu (H1N1), and seasonal Flu are caused by a virus.  This virus is covered with spikes.  One kind of spike acts like a hook, Neuraminidase (this is where the N comes from) and attaches the virus to a cell in the nose or lungs.  The other kind, Hemagglutinin (the H) pierces the cell membrane and injects its viral code (RNA) into the cell.   The cell’s DNA is then used to make more viral code, which is then used to make thousands of new viruses which then are released to invade more cells and reproduce more viruses.

 

It is our body’s own immune system that creates all the symptoms.  The mucous is used to protect cells and prevent hooking up and penetration by the virus.   The coughs and sneezes expel the virus from the body.   (This spreads them, via air, to others, so learn to cough and sneeze into your sleeve.)   The fever kills the virus.  (Most viruses cannot live over 100.5, so do not treat the fever unless it is over 102.  Take hot baths when ill.)   The body aches keep us in bed.  That is where you belong if you get this illness.   While good hand washing is important, these viruses are spread through the air, so the fanatic use of hand sanitizers is not necessary and may be detrimental since it kills the good micro-organisms on our skin.  Use plain soap and water.  Do not become a nut about this.   Gargle with warm salt water twice a day and use saline (salt) nasal spray 2-3 times per day.   This helps break down the viral cell membranes if they are in your nose or mouth.

 

First and very important, if you get the flu do not use Aspirin, Motrin, Alieve, etc. to combat fever.  There is some evidence from bodies frozen in Alaska from the 1918 Spanish Flu that there was a Reyes Syndrome-like effect occurring with the Flu and perhaps the Aspirin caused many more problems that it solved.   Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or homeopathic Belladonna 30C are much better options to treat high fevers.

 

The two mainstay homeopathic remedies are Oscillococcinum and Gelsemium.  In all, there are about 25 influenza remedies, depending on the symptoms that one has, but the two listed are the main general remedies.  Oscillococcinum is available in most health food stores and some pharmacies.   If you cannot find it locally, you can get it from our website.  It can be used for prevention and is taken when flu is in your area.  Six vials of Oscillo, costing between $12-18 can protect a family of four people for 12 weeks.   The usual dosage is one half vial of granules once per week for prevention.  To extend that, add one half vial of granules to four teaspoons of water, and then give one teaspoon to each of the four family members once per week.   Gelsemium and the other remedies are taken after one gets sick with the flu and can be purchased at most health food stores or online.

 

Take lots of Vitamin C, 500 mg three or four times per day.  O blood types should take Vitamin C from Rose Hips; other blood types should take Vit. C from Acerola Cherries. Cheap Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, has benefit, but is usually hard on the digestive tract and often causes diarrhea.

 

Preventive remedies include Herbs and Essential Oils.   Echinacea/goldenseal at onset of cold symptoms or taken every day, day 1-25 of each month with 5 days off, seems to work quite well.   Nature’s Sunshine Products, Elderberry defense, Immune Stimulator, and VSC all help with viral infections in general.   The Essential Oil Thieves in lozenges or tooth paste or direct application to a mask will help kill the flu virus.

 

If you do get the flu of any kind, H1N1 or seasonal, there is good treatment available using homeopathic medicines.   Pick the one that best fits the symptoms.   Oscillococcinum 200 C, one dose 3-4 per day until better, up to 8 doses.   Symptoms are body aches, fatigue, fever, cough, runny nose, and headache.  Gelsemium 200C one pellet twice per day for 5 days, or 30C one pellet every 2-3 hours until better, is good for flu with fever, chills, body aches, dull feeling, droopy eyelids, and extreme weakness.  Arsenicum 30C is good for flu with vomiting, burning diarrhea, headache, restlessness and anxiety.   Byronia 30C is good for slow onset, severe headache, irritable, wants to be left alone, Belladonna 30C is good for rapid onset, very high fever, headache, red face, dilated pupils. Ipecac 30C is good for vomiting.   Podophyllum 30C is good for diarrhea

 

So do not be afraid, you can prevent and treat influenza without having a flu shot.

 

Here it is again in outline form.   Clip this out and save it.
For Prevention of Influenza:    (only do two or three of these at a time)

— Oscillococcinum 1/2 vial once per week if flu is in your area
— take lots of Vitamin C, 500 mg three or four times per day.

(When using Herbs–take day 1-25 of each month with 5 days off)
— Echinacea/goldenseal
— Elderberry defense
— Immune Stimulator
— VSC
— Essential Oil Thieves in lozenges, tooth paste, or apply to a mask

For Treatment:

— Oscillococcinum 200 C, one dose 3-4 times per day until better, up to 8 doses.
— Gelsemium 200C twice per day for 5 days or 30C every 2-3 hours until better
–Arsenicum 30C vomiting, diarrhea, headache, restlessness and anxiety.
— Byronia 30C slow onset, severe headache, irritable, wants to be alone,
— Belladonna 30C rapid onset, very high fever, red face, dilated pupils.
— Ipecac 30C is good for vomiting.
— Podophyllum 30C is good for diarrhea

 

Remember never use aspirin or aspirin containing products when you think you have the flu.   It may cause a serious Reyes Syndrome-like complication in adults and children.

 

Put Your Health in Your Own Hands.