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Any suggestions?

 
Posts: 92
Location: Portland Maine
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I have not had a cold or the flu or anything in years. This year I caught a nasty one. After about three weeks, I succumbed to my wife's nagging and went to a doctor. He, of course, prescribed an antibiotic. After taking it for five days (the dosage was for ten) nothing had changed. I called him. He stated that it was probably a viral infection and it would have to run it's course but to keep taking it until the doage was done. (typical response)
It's now been six weeks, I am mostly done with the coughing and usually wake up with almost the same amount of energy that I had before the cold but it doesn't last. Late morning to noon, I am usually exhausted. To the point where I will take a nap if I can.
Is there any tea, supplement, spring tonic that can bolster me back up. I have a 100 mile hike at the end of May and I need to get my stamina back.

Karl
 
Posts: 225
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First suggestion: give up the idea that you have to do a 100 mile hike in about a month. If your body is worn down, pushing yourself might cause relapse or other problems.

There are many ways to convalesce or rebuild, but it is hard to treat a non-specific condition with any specificity.  Some general options include:

Probiotics to restore gut flora after taking antibiotics (I like kefir as a probiotic food, but there are many choices - yogurt, kim chee, cheeses, natto, probiotic supplements, etc). Herbs and foods for the immune system (anthocyanins come to mind, doesn't have to be elderberry, most berries are good). Raw onions and garlic, basil and oregano.  Do meditation and yoga. Tonics or nourishing herbs might be good if you have really gotten over the initial bug that caused the imbalance, but some are not good too early - ginseng or ashwagandha come to mind there.  If you have a persistent, low grade virus (epstein barr, etc) then antiviral herbs might be good (anthocyanins, st johns wort (causes photosensitivity in higher doses, beware if outdoors so much), lemon balm, etc.). 
 
                                
Posts: 62
Location: Western Pennsylvania
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I agree with the probiotics, and I would do a lot of immune boosters.  Garlic supplements, echinacea, elderberry or elder flower.  Also, ginger syrup in your tea (green tea).  Milk thistle for your liver (take for one week once a month as a general boost).

As for diet, I would back off heavy dairy and meat and go for lighter, fresh greens and veg.  A good chicken noodle soup with veggies is always refreshing and comforting.

My husband has been on garlic for several years now, and his chronic back pain and arthritis in his hands have pretty much disappeared.  As a woman, I have to watch my garlic intake and stop taking it about 7 days before my cycle or I have a flow from hell.

A new one that I have recently read about, but haven't tried myself yet is oregano.  It is antiviral. antibacterial and antifungal. 

A good addition to your ginger syrup green tea is a few sprigs of lemon balm.

Good Luck!!
Tami

oh, keep up on your magnesium and B complex as well!!
 
Posts: 125
Location: Westport, CA Zone 8-9; Off grid on 20 acres of redwood forest and floodplain with a seasonal creek.
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Hi Karl,

A lot of good suggestions here. Within reason do not be afraid to mix and match until you find what is optimal for you.

One additional suggestion would be to look into an adaptogen as well. If your are not familiar with them or that word please do a bit of research to make sure they would benefit you and to better understand what they do. The two I will suggest are potent but not harmful if taken in the listed doses. I would suggest rhodiola rosea, or schisandra chinensis. The rhodiola would be my first choice based on experience with both, however be cautioned since you are still recovering not to push it. Both of these adaptogens can give you a false sense of health/stamina when you are not still 100%, they will also aid in speeding up recovery times. Both are quite useful in the same manner when fully healthy also.

A personal example of usage of both:
When sick but well enough to work I take a dose of one or the other in the morning; I do not mix them. Rhodiola makes me feel like I am not sick and I get through the day. Schisandra on the other hand for me is not as strong but makes the ups and downs of being sick sort of level out, not extra energy like the rhodiola but steady energy.

I also use both (again not at the same time) when totally healthy if I know I am going to be pushing myself a bit harder than normal or having to go without sleep etc.

Jeff
 
Karl Teceno
Posts: 92
Location: Portland Maine
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thanks for the suggestions everyone!
 
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