A Natural Approach to Colds and Flu
Get Well Fast!
The first step is to develop a healthy life style that provides a solid base for a strong immune system. Steps toward prevention are key to your success when dealing with any potential threat to your health. Herbal medicine can be a strong ally to support your speedy recovery.
There are two basic types of common cold/flu presentations. One is developed from exposure to the elements and low immunity e.g. windy weather, cold damp air, seasonal allergies. The other is a viral contagion spread from human to human through the body fluids ejected when coughing or sneezing.
The first is considered a “cold type” and the latter a “heat type” with each having specific characteristics. Understanding these differences can put you on the fast track to recovery and save you a lot of misery.
COMMON COLD/ALLERGIES (Cold Type)
Symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, clear/white mucous, watery eyes, wheezing, chills, NO fever, clear or white mucous, nasal/sinus congestion, maybe cough
Nutrition:
Avoid cold, raw food and drinks, milk, eggs, shellfish, nuts, red meat, heavy foods, and all vinegar’s.
Eat plenty of clear soups, grilled/baked fish or poultry, light meals, lots of water, lemon, honey, ginger, garlic, mustard greens, grapefruit, cilantro, parsnip, green onion, cinnamon, and basil.
COMMON COLD/FLU (Heat Type):
Symptoms: Chills AND fever, sore throat, cough, body ache, yellow/green mucous, irritability, chest tightness.
Nutrition:
Avoid spicy, cold, raw food and drinks, fried/greasy, sweets, alcohol, seafood, processed food, dairy, eggs, red meat, heavy food.
Eat plenty of clear soups, grilled/baked fish or poultry, light meals, lots of water, lemon, honey, garlic, onions, water, vitamin c, peppermint, cabbage, chrysanthemum flowers, burdock root, cilantro, dandelion, and apples.
Prepared Herbs: Yin Qiao (Chinese herbal formula), golden seal & echinacea tincture, Kick Ass Biotics (Wish Garden Herbs), Kick Ass Allergy (Wish Garden Herbs), Deep lung (Wish Garden Herbs), Hylands Homeopathic Cough Syrup (night time).
Supplements: Multi Vitamin, grapefruit seed extract, zinc, vitamin c
Lemon honey syrup:
1 organic lemon
1-quart cold water
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root (NOT for “heat” type symptoms)
Simmer the whole lemon on low for twenty minutes. Remove the lemon with a spoon or tongs into and place it in a separate bowl. Cut the lemon in half and spoon out the flesh and inner rind. Blend it with the honey using a hand mixer or blender. The ginger root will give greater medicinal value.
Essential Oil diffuser: Peppermint, eucalyptus
Teas: Breathe Easy, peppermint, ginger
Self-Care: Rest, frequent hand washing, cough into elbow instead of hands, stay home if possible, disinfect everything you touch, cover your face if you have a cough. These measures protect others and keep contraction rates low.
CAUTION: This is a very basic guide for educational purposes. As always, I recommend doing your own thorough research or working directly with an herbalist who can monitor your care before taking any herbs or making any drastic lifestyle changes.