Need to know how to avoid the flu? You’re in the right place.
It’s the holiday season, and although the nation is full of Christmas cheer, there’s one very big downside to this time of year: it’s flu season. Alas, every year thousands and thousands of people will get hit with the nasty flu virus, inducing irritating symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, chills, and headaches (among others).
And, although many people get over it in a few days, the terrifying fact is that many more don’t.
Every year, over 36,000 people die because of the flu. What appears to be an annoying but otherwise uneventful disease causes thousands to lose their lives, all across the nation.
And, unfortunately, those that are most susceptible to these fatalities are often the very young (less than a year old) and seniors ages 55+. Because their immune systems don’t tend to be as strong as those in other age groups, these demographics tend to get hit hardest by this virus.
Nobody wants to be sick on Christmas, but you especially can’t risk being sick with the flu (for obvious reasons). Not to mention, if you think the death rate for this virus is high now, just wait until an SHTF occurs, and we no longer have access to to the doctors, medications, and pharmacies that are so convenient today.
Luckily, even then, we can help treat the flu and increase our chances of survival with the help of natural remedies. That’s why it’s crucial you learn about these…
7 Natural Ways to Avoid the Flu
The Get-Well Drink
One of the best treatments to help get rid of flu symptoms is the all-natural “get-well drink.” This beverage includes four simple ingredients: hot water, cinnamon, honey, and lemon. The water will help hydrate you (a MUST when you’re sick with the flu), and the honey and cinnamon will work to prevent mucus from building up. The lemon juice also provides a nice burst of vitamin C to boost the immune system.
Essential Oils
Peppermint and frankincense essential oils can work wonders when treating flu symptoms. Rub these oils onto your neck and the bottoms of your feet to help support your overworking immune system.
Clove oil can also be very effective when treating the flu, as it helps prevent infection and speeds up recovery time.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for easing flu symptoms. That’s because it can dramatically boost your immune system, while supporting white blood cells. However, you need to make sure you’re consuming enough of it to gain the full benefits. Take 1,000 – 4,000mg of this vitamin every day to combat flu symptoms.
Fruits (especially citrusy ones) and vegetables are an excellent source of vitamin C. However, you can also buy Emergen-C and other vitamin C supplement powders at your local supermarket.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D primarily resides in sunlight, and greatly supports your immune system. Unfortunately, thanks to working in offices and staying primarily indoors every day, most Americans are significantly deficient in this vitamin. In fact, studies have proven that there is a direct link between low levels of vitamin D and higher rates of flu.
Physicians recommend you take in at least 2,000 units per kg of body weight every day for at least three days. However, nobody that’s sick wants to go walk around outside.
So, to keep your immune system healthy, invest in vitamin D supplements instead. This way, come rain or shine, your body is on its way to better health.
Echinacea
Many people know of echinacea because of its popular presence in tea. However, not many understand how many health benefits actually arise from this powerful herb.
Echinacea helps your body by fighting off infections – however, it’s most effective when taken at the first feelings of sickness. In fact, it’s so good at fighting respiratory infections that research has proven it’s just as effective (if not more so) as Tamiflu.
Echinacea is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, and is a killer of yeast and other fungi. As a result, this powerhouse herb is an essential to have with you in an SHTF situation.
For best results, take 1,000 mg two to three times every day. Some of the best ways to get your daily intake consist of:
- Echinacea extract tablets (6.78 mg each – two of these tablets 3x per day)
- Echinacea root tincture (900 mg daily)
- Echinacea tea (5-6 cups the first day of symptoms, 1 cup per day afterward)
Elderberry
Elderberry is a powerful herb – so powerful, in fact, that many people believe it has the ability to “deactivate” the flu virus. It does this by increasing your body’s immunity to illness, and relieve flu and sinus symptoms.
Elderberry is also a wonderful herb to have you in times of crisis, since it attacks flu viruses at the source and decreases bronchial inflammation. Studies have shown that, when taken at the first sign of illness, elderberry decreases both the severity and longevity of the flu virus.
Zinc
Zinc has is a very effective antiviral, and also boosts your immune system. It can greatly decrease symptoms of the cold and flu, allowing you to feel better faster.
However, zinc is at its most beneficial in small doses. When taken to excess, it can actually harm the body.
In addition, zinc pills and sprays have not proven to be very effective, so make sure to consume about 50-100 mg of zinc every day in the foods you eat. Some of the most zinc-rich foods include:
- Spinach
- Beef
- Shrimp
- Kidney beans
- Flax seeds
- Oysters
Here’s some more helpful tips to help prevent you from getting sick this season!
