Flu Season
How many of us followed our doctors’ advice and got our flu shot? How many of us who did that suspected that it would not help?
When they develop a flu shot they are combining past strains and there are concerns whether it is really helpful. Sure enough, the flu that is currently making the rounds here in the Tri-State area is hitting people who got their flu shot. It did not protect them after all.
So, with the possibility that the flu may hit you, there are a few things you can do to lessen not only the risk of contagion but also reduce the strength of how hard you might get hit.
Thanks to a post by Frugally Sustainable who shares her expertise with herbs:
Herbs have the greatest ability to help the body heal itself — by naturally boosting the immune system — when used at the first signs of an illness. A few of those herbs, considered anti-virals, include:
- Bayberry
- Cayenne Pepper
- Eucalyptus
- Garlic
- Lavender
- Lemon Balm
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
Flu Fighting Herbs
The herbs and remedies I use mostly in our home this time of year are as follows…
Elderberry
Elderberries are a convenient and frugal source of immunity. They are held in high esteem in areas all over the world and have received a considerable amount of positive research regarding their efficacy as an anti-viral. Known for their outstanding ability to ward off and cure the flu virus, elderberries make some of the most potent remedies and should be a part of everyone’s medicine chest! Click here to read more and find recipes…
Elderberry tea recipe: Using your tea infuser or tea pot…brew a cup of basic peppermint tea or this strong immunity tea. Add a couple spoonfuls of elderberry extract and a couple spoonfuls of echinacea tincture . Sweeten with raw, organic honey. Elderberry extract is available at the Wild Ramp market!!
Ginger
Ginger Root — because of it’s ability to warm the body and release toxins — has been used in herbal preparations since ancient times.
Traditionally used in the treatment of anti-inflammatory and digestive issues — like indigestion, acid stomach, and nausea — ginger has been included in many useful natural remedies for a variety of ailments.
Ginger helps to strengthen our immune system and is thereby powerful against the symptoms of the flu.
Ginger Root Infusions: A healing tea can be made by simmering sweet (true) cinnamon bark/sticks and chopped ginger root in water for 20-30 minutes. Additionally, you can make homemade ginger ale by mixing equal parts of ginger root infusion sweetened with honey and soda water.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon kills a variety of viral flu strains. It too warms the body, promotes sweating, and increases blood circulation therefore helping the body to release toxins. It is a very power — often overlooked — remedy for the common cold and flu. An awesome, easy to follow recipe like this one will show you how to make a simple remedy using honey and cinnamon.
Echinacea
Echinacea Root is well known as one of the most powerful immune system builders and stimulator’s! It works by first enhancing the quantity of immune cells in our bodies and then by stimulating them to action. The benefit…a shorter duration of the flu. Check out the following articles to learn more and find recipes using echinacea root:
- Herbs for Winter Health: A Recipe for Hot Echinacea Tincture
- Herbal Cold and Cough Syrup
- How to Make a Cold and Flu Tincture
Onion
It is well documented and recognized that the onion had an amazing effect against the flu epidemic of the early 1900′s. Placing slices of onion in areas around the house — especially at the bedside – has proven it’s ability to absorb the flu virus thereby reducing the likelihood of contracting the illness. Additionally, here are a few of my favorite recipes using the onion:
- Onion and Garlic Herbal Soup
- Onion Syrup
- Master Tonic also known as Fire Cider
The Wild Ramp market has a selection of herbal teas from Herbal Sage including some that will enhance your immune system as well as others that will help soothe some winter cold and flu symptoms.
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