Naturally Prevent / Cure The Flu or Cold

Flu season is about over, or is it? Every time I turn on the news I hear about how many new cases of flu there is and how it is not too late to get a flu shot. Isn’t it odd that there are so many cases of the flu this year and yet they are also encouraging you, the viewer, to get a flu shot? Wouldn’t it be better to naturally prevent, avoid, or cure the flu or a cold rather than taking a flu shot? Is it possible the flu shot is what is making people sick? Could the flu shot is reducing the immune system instead of building it up?

Depending on which media outlet you listen to, or which one you believe, this years flu shot is only 10 to 30% effective. Yet the media and doctors encourage each of us to get the shot. They say even if you get the flu, the shot may, key word “may”, help make the flu symptoms so they won’t be as bad if you get the flu.

No Flu Shot, No Flu

First of all, I’m not a doctor, and this article is not medical advice, do you own research, you and you alone are responsible for your own health.  With that said, I am a person who has NOT gotten a flu shot in over 20 years. In those 20 years I have not gotten the flu. However, 20 years ago, when I did get the flu shot every year, I got sick, every year. Humm, flu shot, got the flu, no flu shot, no flu, interesting. Not to mention, over the years I have noticed that those around me, friends and co-workers, who have gotten the flu shot have gotten the flu, or a very serious cold, every year they have gotten a flu shot.

What Our Mom’s Taught Us

There are the normal common sense things to do to avoid getting the flu or a cold, you know, the basics our Mom’s taught us such as:

  • Washing your hands often and avoid touching your face, use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash with soap and water. Avoid touching your face! (yes I know I said that already but it is very important)
  • Avoid sick people, yeah this one may not be as easy as it sounds, but if you are in a store and someone in front of you is coughing and/or sneezing, turn around, take a different isle. Hold your breath a bit to avoid breathing in their sick air. Cover your own nose and mouth with your sleeve or top inside of your shirt.
  • Eat healthy, avoid eating a lot of processed foods and sugars
  • Get as much sleep as possible every night, seven to nine hours. This is how your body refuels and stays strong.
  • Get outside in the fresh air and sunshine as much as possible throughout the day.
  • Take natural supplements to boost your immune system.

Natures Flu Shot Elderberry Sambucus

So what do I do now to avoid the flu, or even a simple cold? In addition to what Mom taught me, I go the natural supplement route.  I don’t take all of the supplements below every day. I use common sense, and listen to my body. One thing that I do take every day during flu season is Elderberry.  Personally, I believe it is natures flu shot.

Most of these supplements are about building up a your immune system. They can also be used to fight off cold and flu if you get sick, but in order for that to work you have to take them as soon as you feel even slightly sick. Wait a day into getting sick and they won’t work as well.

First and foremost, I drink lots of purified water, stay well hydrated!  I do my best to drink at least 64oz a day, most days I drink around 90oz. I only drink water that I have purified through my Berkey filter. I talk here how I always have purified water with me.

Legacy Food Storage

Supplements I take to avoid getting the flu or a cold:

Elderberry – If I have not been around anyone sick at work I take two of these elderberry capsules three times a day. If I have been around someone sick or if I feel even slightly like I might be getting sick, I jump up to the liquid form and take three tablespoons a day. I swear Elderberry is natures flu shot.

Vitamin C – I take 1000 mg every morning regardless of the time of year.

Multi-vitamin – I take this everyday like clockwork, good idea if you don’t have a well-balanced diet.

Ginger – I take two of these three times a day, great immune builder, also good for an upset tummy if you have one.

Tumeric – Another good immune builder. One to two of these a day along with a coconut oil pill which helps turmeric absorb in through the system. Tumeric as well as ginger is also good for inflammation.

Emergen-C – During cold and flu season or when I am around someone who is sick, I take one or two of these a day.

Garlic – I take a garlic pill at least once a day.

Oregano Oil – This is once of those I only take when I think I might be feeling like my system is trying to fight off a bug and I think it needs a little extra boost. Works like a charm. Don’t take this for a long period of time.

Echinacea – Helps boost the immune system. Again I don’t take this everyday but will dose up two to three times a day if I am around anyone who is sick or if I am out and about a lot like at the malls or shopping. Never take this consecutively for longer than six to eight weeks at a time without taking a long break.

Olive Leaf Extract – This is another good immune system builder. Keeping your immune system up and strong is the best thing you can do to avoid colds and flu.

Stomach Enzymes and Probiotics – Yes, sounds odd, but gut health is key to a healthy immune system. I take stomach enzymes three times a day and a probiotic every evening. These along with DGL licorice has also gotten my gerd/acid reflux completely under control.

Again, this is not medical advice and you should research in detail before you take anything and ensure it will not interact negativity with any other medication you may be taking. Also, always keep all supplements/medications out of reach of children.

These are the supplements I use and have been successful with to avoid getting the flu or a cold and if I do think I may be coming down with something I use these to help my system fight it off. I have gone to bed thinking “oh, I am getting sick” dose up, get a good nights sleep and by morning I am 100% well and ready to go again.

I’m sure I have missed something, please share what natural supplements you take to avoid getting colds and the flu.

 

 

Legacy Food Storage