Me Vs. the Flu

echinacea plant, backyard garden

I have become determined to keep my family healthy this flu season. We have decided to not get either flu vaccine, and Storey will continue at this point in her life to be vaccine free. However, this does not mean I am not proactive against the flu. I have chosen to turn to Mother Nature for help and guidance, as well as some research from what I believe to be credible resources. (After all, Mother Nature does not lie :)).

Our daily regimen goes as follows. I hope you will be able to take some info for yourself and little ones to stay healthy this season:

*Resist any temptation to touch any part of your face, with unwashed hands:: The portals of entry for the virus is the nose and the mouth or throat. This can be challenging for toddlers :). Also, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hand. Viral particles are easily passed from hands to eyes and nose even if you use a tissue.

*Washing hands frequently:: The best method is to wash with warm water for at least 30 seconds. It is the friction of rubbing your hands together that help kill germs. I also keep a bottle of anti-bacterial hand wash in the car to use after outings.

*Using warm salt water to help stop proliferation :: H1NI takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate. Gargling and using a neti pot with warm salt water to clean these areas can reduce viral population.

*Water.

*Eating foods rich in Vitamin C:: citrus fruits as well as broccoli, red/yellow/orange peppers, tomatoes

*Raw garlic clove:: natural immune booster, natural detoxifier

*On to the herbs::

-Wish Garden Daily Immune for Storey (once every other day for it to last longer)

-Elderberry extract- enhances immune system; taken when feeling the slightest bit run-down; can also be used in treating the flu as it prevents the virus from invading respiratory tract cells

-Echinacea root- stimulates immune system; take on the first onset of infection to heal faster; some sources say to not use as a preventative but with first symptoms

Some of the sources I have gathered my information from:

http://www.botanical.com/site/column_susun/susun_flu_season.html

http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/Flu/Flu_herbal-medicine.htm#Echinacea

May you stay well this flu season.