Compromised immune systems were due to poor hygiene, poor diets, leading to micronutrient malnutrition, and vitamin D deficiency. During this same time, the original “junk food” became a staple in the American diet with the introduction of white flour and sugar. Bleached flour was a new concept and the necessity to “enrich” the wheat with nutrients that had been stripped from its source had not been realized yet. As early as 1900, average Americans were consuming 4-5 ounces of white sugar each day. The average person consumes a lot more these days and we now know that excess sugar consumption is a major culprit in lowering immune function.
Boost your immunity.
If you do come down with the flu, then focus on building your immunity. Along with the recommendations from part one of this article consider the following interventions.
Rest: The average course of any flu virus is 10 to 14 days. Even though you may feel better after 3 days or so, allow the virus to run its course and your immune system to rebuild itself by resting. Many deaths from the flu occur during a relapse period after someone returns to his or her normal routine without the proper rest period.
Eat simply: If you have an appetite, eat only organic brown rice and steamed vegetables (especially greens). The more simple your diet, the better. Rich foods are hard for your body to digest and then your energy is used for digestion rather than fighting pathogens.
Take Additional herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements to provide some symptom relief and support immune function:
Herbal tinctures (may be added to teas): Meadowsweet, Japanese Knotweed or Turmeric. 2 droppers full, three times daily.
Vitamin C- 2000 mg daily
Colloidal Silver- 2 squirts three times daily
Sleep Aids/Pain Relief: Add 10-15 drops of valerian, chamomile, white willow bark, lemon balm or St. John’s Wort tincture to your cup of herbal tea.
Take a warm/hot bath: Add 10 drops of lavender essential oil, 10 drops of rosemary essential oil and ¼ cup of sea salt to the water. Note: if you have a high fever, use lukewarm water, if your fever is not too high, hot baths are okay. Remember that fevers are our bodies’ way of heating up to kill pathogens. Very high fevers can be dangerous, so monitor them and call your doctor if a high fever persists beyond 4 hours.
Be well and take good care of yourself!
