Echinacea
Protect yourself against swine flu and the impact of its symptoms with alternative approaches. Along with the recommended precautions, such as staying out of crowds as much as possible, washing your hands often, staying home if you are feeling ill, there are natural remedies you can try.
Boost your immune system
One of the best ways to protect yourself against swine flu is to maintain a healthy immune system. Here are a few suggestions:
• Probiotics: A healthy immune system depends on a nutritious diet and a digestive system that functions well. Probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing the health of the intestinal tract, which is directly associated with immune system health. A suggested dose of probiotics is 5 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) with each meal. The probiotic supplement should contain at least five different species of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. casei, Bifidobacterium longum, and B. bifidum.
• Echinacea: Some experts say this herb can stimulate the immune system. A recent Canadian study found that Echinacea promoted the activity of key factors in the immune system, including macrophages. Suggested dose is 15 drops of Echinacea extract added to herbal tea as a preventive measure. If you begin to experience flu symptoms, take 300 mg of Echinacea three times daily until symptoms disappear.
• Garlic: Research shows that garlic stimulates the infection-fighting white cells and enhances antibody production. Garlic also is an antioxidant. These benefits are usually credited to garlic’s sulfur-containing compounds, sulfides and allicin. A suggested dose is 250 mg twice daily of a supplement containing extract of allium sativum standardized to 0.6 percent allicin.
• Zinc: This mineral increases the production of disease-fighting white cells and also helps these cells release more antibodies. A recommended daily dose is 15 to 25 mg.
Fight flu symptoms
If symptoms have already taken hold, here are some natural treatments.
• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): An infusion may relieve fever, clear congestion, and ease aches. Simmer 1 cup boiling water with 2 teaspoons of dried boneset for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink one cup several times a day.
• Ginger: Ginger has antiviral properties, and when you use it as a tea, it also helps break up mucus and congestion. To make the tea, boil 2 tablespoons of grated fresh ginger in 16 ounces of water for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes. Drink several cups per day as needed.
• Tea tree oil: To relieve congestion and disinfect dry air passages, add 10 drops of tea tree oil to a bowl of hot water or vaporizer and place it next to your bed overnight.
• Sage tea: Gargle several times daily with sage tea to disinfect your mouth.
You can find the natural remedies mentioned in this article at many Phoenix-area natural food stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies, including Sprouts Farmers Market, Healthy Habit Health Foods, and the Natural Medicinary, which is part of the Southwest College of Natural Medicine.
Note: Swine flu can cause serious illness. If you suspect you have swine flu or you have been diagnosed with swine flu, you should follow the advice of your physician. The alternative remedies discussed in this article are meant to complement conventional treatment.
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Comments
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Great article. Echinacea would be my first choice, Start now.
Echinacea would be my first choice. Start now.
Echinacea - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. Although it is often used for normal flu, research shows that it may increase the chance of cytokine storms for H5N1. (Pubmed PMID 15556647, 9568541)
A quote from the Peacefulvet, this virus is immune to 2 cytokines that the body produces (TNF-a and IL-6). Cytokines are compounds produced by the body's immune system that attack and remove foreign bodies. The problem is that when a foreign body is immune to certain cytokines, the body sees that its immune response is not
working and tries even harder, which can lead to what is called a cytokine storm, where the body becomes flooded with these compounds and they eventually destroy the body itself. Foods such as Echinacea actually stimulate the production of these specific cytokines; hence consuming it is not a good idea if one suspects they may have the virus.
During the 1918 Spanish Flu many healthy young people died from cytokine storms due to their immune syste
Rosalee and Paul D are you brain dead? Didn't you read Chucks comment? he is correct Echinacea is the last thing you would want to take for swine flu.
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