Essential Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for Flu Season
March 02 2009
Your head feels like it’s in a vice. Your stomach is doing flips (not the excited kind). Each time you open your mouth it feels like someone shoves sandpaper down your throat. Thankfully, your medicine cabinet offers instant reprieve—or does it?
If all you have are band-aids, cough syrup and aspirin, it’s time to re-arm your wellness arsenal for flu season. Yes, there is definitely a time and a place for today’s mainstream medicine, but unfortunately it often overshadows the time-tested benefits of Chinese herbal, homeopathic and other “alternative” preventative and curative remedies.
Consider this: In ancient China, it was considered a disgrace if a doctor’s patient fell ill. Insane? No, healthy! Back then, the doctor’s role was to keep patients well, not scramble to heal them. So give your medicine cabinet a face lift with a few of our favorite all-natural remedies.
Astragalus, a Chinese tonic herb, enhances the immune system, bolstering your body’s power to ward off illness. During flu season, take one-to-four capsules, two-to-three times per day.
Sage helps slow bacterial growth and infection, is antibacterial and a decongestant. For a sore throat, boil sage leaves in 2 cups of water, breathe in the steam for 5 minutes, and then drink as a tea.
Zicam is a homeopathic nasal gel that helps reduce the length and strength of cold symptoms. At the first sign of a cold, squeeze one pump full or use a pre-soaked swab to coat the inside of each nostril. Repeat every two-to-four hours and continue through until 48 hours after symptoms subside.
The pungent garlic herb is antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. Its detoxifying properties have been known to reduce the duration of colds and flu. Chop or crush two whole raw cloves to release allicin, a sulfur compound with antibiotic properties, and eat at the onset of flu symptoms.
The homeopathic medicine Oscillococcinum is a flu season must-have. Millions of people depend on it to reduce fever, chills and flu. Take at the first sign of illness and let a tablet dissolve under the tongue three-times per day.
The Herbal Max Flu, Cold and Cough formula is based on an herbal formula that’s been used by the Chinese for thousands of years to help ease symptoms of flu and cold. When you first notice symptoms, take six capsules, three times daily.
The homeopathic Similasan remedy soothes and clears itchy, red eyes. Use it like any other eye drops for relief.
Ginger is great for a sore stomach or congested head. Peel and grate one piece of ginger, then boil in two cups of water. Strain and drink as a tea, sweetening with honey and lemon to taste.
Echinacea is a plant native to North America that’s antibiotic, antiviral, and boosts the immune system. Take at the first sign of cold and flu.
The antiseptic goldenseal reduces the duration of sore throats. Gargle with a goldenseal/salt water solution four times per day.
You can find most of these herbs at a well-stocked pharmacy or natural foods store; for more information, we like www.DragonHerbs.com.
Finally, keep germs at bay with a Green Tea GoodsNatural Hand Refresher that relies on an ancient Chinese formula of herbs like green tea, mugwort and pepper, plus 12% alcohol, to keep hands clean without triclosan, a so-called “antibacterial” that’s really a toxic pesticide.
