Flu remedies

This is the BEST site for flu info, lots of pro's on here, but this is the critical section for winter.
make sure to read up on "cytokine storms", is critical if you are using elderberry or mullien.
While excellent for prevention, they can cause overshoot once you are actually sick.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=78b3c3c296125db3f74ca32d99b6f1ee&f=165

some decent prepardness info in there also. check out the alaskan 6 month list, of what was required for 6 months trapping in snowed in Alaska too.

Zinc is needed to balance the TH1 and TH2 cell function in the immune system which will prevent the cytokine storm. It's also very helpful to those with autoimmune disorders as it reduces inflammation, supporting the immune function which has been overly stimulated. I feel I need to mention this as well: those with autoimmune disorders should be avoiding things that stimulate the system and instead look for modulators or adaptogens. Echinacea is a stimulator (and doesn't work for everyone), astragalus is a modulator and an adaptogen, oregon grape is a modulator. Modulators balance and support the system, allowing it to work as it should. I use ionic zinc drops but lozenges can work as well. The liquid ionic form of zinc sulfate is, I think, more easily usable by the body, better absorbed into the system.


http://www.advance-health.com/zinc.html


http://www.ajcn.org/content/68/2/447S.full.pdf

Taking mixture of ginger juice,honey and tulsi juice before sleeping are very helpful to cure flue.Do not drink water after taking this mixture.

• Eating antioxidant rich foods (lots of fruits and vegetables), which is also a diet rich in Vitamin C, beta-carotene and essential minerals is helpful.

• Increase immune system supportive nutrients such as vitamin C with bioflavonoids 500 mg in the AM and PM at minimum. If someone is sick they usually take vitamin C up to bowel tolerance. (This is the amount that causes your stools to become slightly loose.) Once they reach bowel tolerance they lower the dose slightly so they don't have loose stools. Also zinc, about 15-30 mg per day. If taking zinc for more than 3 months you should take copper in a ratio of 8 parts zinc to one part copper. So if taking 15 mg zinc per day you would take 2mg copper also. Last but not least consider vitamin D (sunshine, supplements (needs to be D3-check lab levels to decide on amount to take-see below), cod liver oil) . A multiple B vitamin can be helpful in addition for general cellular energy production.

• Getting a 25-hydroxy-vitamin D test is a good idea as many people do not have adequate levels of vitamin D, and often these people find they can prevent flu with just this one change. Research shows that low levels of vitamin D predispose one to getting the flu as well as the common cold. Until recently there was not a reliable measurement of vitamin D available. The vast amount of new research has shown we need much more vitamin D than thought previously. People who test low in vitamin D usually need to use D3 supplementation to raise their levels to within normal limits. The amounts necessary are often between 3000 IUs to 8000 IUs per day. One should not take large amounts of Vitamin D without testing occasionally to check for toxicity. Although it is best to work with a professional health care worker, many cities have independent labs that will let you order this test without a physicians order.

• Immunomodulating herbs such as Echinacea and Garlic help prevent colds and flu. I use a lot of fresh as well as cooked garlic in my food during flu season. If I am around others who are sick or if I feel I am starting to get sick I take one teaspoon to one tablespoon of Echinacea every few hours for 2-3 days to keep from getting sick. This works well for me. Yes it is a lot of Echinacea, but I find for myself this is what is necessary. (This is not the herb for everyone, there are other choices - this herb fits me well used short term like this.) Although, some use it long term to prevent the flu, this is not always best either. We are all different.

• Get as much sleep as possible. This is necessary for your body to stay healthy.

• Homeopathic flu solutions called Dolicoccil or Occilococcinum are helpful.

This is an excerpt from a blog I wrote last year. If you want to see the full influenza article or access the link in the article for a full run down on herbs used for the immune system, the link is here: http://dreamingabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/2010/10/prevention-of-influenza-flu.html

The whole poop and nothing but the whole poop on the flu, the #s of cases and where it's happening right now in real time!!

http://www.google.org/flutrends/

Google.org is the philanthropic 'arm' of the google guys.

Echinacea purpurea, lomatium (Lomatium dissectum), astragalus, (Astragalus membranaceous), reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).


Helps to shorten the duration and severity of colds and flu.
Effective relief for sore, irritated throats.
Antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Enhanced immune function.

Vitamin D and zinc to boost the immune system.

Manuka honey lozenges for sore throats.

The best thing I have found for the flu is elderberries and vitamin d3.

Here's my remedy for the flu. Don't get it!! I have a cut up onion sitting above my sink. It collects all the bugs and bacteria to it, then I throw it away. I actually slice a bit off each day to expose a new cut bit and throw that away. Works a treat, I've had no colds or flu this past (southern hemisphere) winter. One thing, don't eat a cut onion sitting out or even sitting in your fridge. They are loaded with bacteria!

Sometimes things are debunked. Sometimes things are debunked several times. Sometimes things are debunked again and again and again....

http://www.snopes.com/medical/swineflu/onion.asp
Paraphrasing:
"Biologists assert that it is highly unlikely. Viruses require a living host to replicate and can't propel themselves across a room to an attractive, cut onion...."

Ah well, it works for me so I am going to continue with the practice! I'm more likely to trust my experience at my age.

I deleted a post.


I want to make it clear that pointing out somebody's fallcy is, in itself, a fallacy. Fallacy is deceptive argument: your argument is wrong because of a logical error. Or because it appeals to emotion rather than appeal to logic. Many people familiar with fallacy make the mistake "if I point out your fallacy, my argument must, therefore, be right." Nope. The first person could still be right, even if their logic is flawed. It's just that their argument is not particularly persuasive.

Next: Pointing out that somebody has used a fallacy is saying that somebody is using a deceptive argument, therefore suggesting that that person is deceptive. I do not allow people on permies.com to suggest that anybody on permies.com is anything less than perfect.


Finally: I wish to hear many positions. I discourage people from discouraging the things I want to hear.

I've deleted more posts.

Remember, I do not allow people to state "the truth" but rather "my position".

you may also try this site out:

http://www.flu2013.com

it is only new but the guys behind it have an ambitious vision for it.

flu can be very discomforting and everyone needs all the help they can get.

I have always had success with Echinacea.

had great results with oil of oregano...the secret being...put it on the soles of your feet before bed, and add socks to keep warm.

Other than a ton of rest and care from a loving wife, I have also used a combination of an echinacea tincture Immune Boost and a garlic tincture Anti-Plague.

Patrick Thornson wrote:
Vitamin D and zinc to boost the immune system.

100% agree. We get lots of sun and zinc, and we also eat primal with almost no grains and a ton of raw homegrown dairy (very high in vitamins D and A) and zero processed food. I haven't had flu in a decade and my youngest had it for one day several years back. I don't care as much about herbal cures because I prefer to focus on not getting sick to begin with.

Interesting D study: "Of the 18 participants who maintained vitamin D levels of 38 ng/ml or higher during the study period, only three (16.6 percent) developed viral infections. Of the 180 other participants, 81 (45 percent) developed viral infections. Those with the higher vitamin D levels also experienced a marked reduction in the number of days ill."

If you must supplement, take D3 in the morning as D3 (never take D2) tells your body the sun is up and it's time to get moving. You also need to supplement with A (not beta carotine) as D and A are antagonistic.

Besides keeping our D levels very high (we live in SoCal so it's easy for us), we also:

Avoid All Sugar

Avoid All Processed Foods

Get Plenty of Sleep

Keep Stress Levels Low

Exercise

Hope that helps. Be well!

greg patrick wrote:

Patrick Thornson wrote:
Vitamin D and zinc to boost the immune system.

100% agree. We get lots of sun and zinc, and we also eat primal with almost no grains and a ton of raw homegrown dairy (very high in vitamins D and A) and zero processed food. I haven't had flu in a decade and my youngest had it for one day several years back. I don't care as much about herbal cures because I prefer to focus on not getting sick to begin with.

Interesting D study: "Of the 18 participants who maintained vitamin D levels of 38 ng/ml or higher during the study period, only three (16.6 percent) developed viral infections. Of the 180 other participants, 81 (45 percent) developed viral infections. Those with the higher vitamin D levels also experienced a marked reduction in the number of days ill."

If you must supplement, take D3 in the morning as D3 (never take D2) tells your body the sun is up and it's time to get moving. You also need to supplement with A (not beta carotine) as D and A are antagonistic.

Besides keeping our D levels very high (we live in SoCal so it's easy for us), we also:

Avoid All Sugar

Avoid All Processed Foods

Get Plenty of Sleep

Keep Stress Levels Low

Exercise

Hope that helps. Be well!

So you saying its not the spicy peppers I eat that keep me from getting sick, but all the extra milk I get? Lol

Have to agree with elderberry use. The syrup is my weapon against any flu virus. Taken everyday as a preventative, or at the onset of symptoms it shortens the duration by dulling the spikes on the virus so they can't take over the healthy cells and replicate. It supports the immune system function very well. The option of not getting it all through healthier diet is of course the ideal option. I can't agree with the cut onion option as I have never tried it and prefer to eat my onions, and have them help keep me fed and healthy

looks like they are finally working on the cytokine storm problem, and have done a study on the Naloxone , a lipid



http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2013/05/candidate-sepsis-drug-could-prev.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid_A

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%28%2B%29-Naloxone


and Naproxen an nsaid is helpful too - don't know if related, looks like it is a different attack model.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-pain-reliever-naproxen-anti-viral-flu.html

Yarrow tea for me in case of cold or flu

Also rose hip tea tons of vitamin c