Friday, February 19, 2016

Avoid Colds and Flu

During the winter months, we experience a great amount of stress, and this can lead to colds and the flu.  In natural medicine, we think of colds and flu as the body's way of eliminating mucus that may be caused by viruses or bacteria that we were exposed to during a time that our immune system was susceptible.  It is no mystery why colds and flu abound around the holidays when lots of people get together, sharing germs, while partaking in eating foods that are not typical throughout the year.   Some of the things that lower the body's natural immunity include:

-excessive eating
-drinking alcohol
-eating junk food
-lacking rest
-overwork
-temperature changes
-conflict
-worry
-​changing of seasons

Viruses are responsible for 90% of colds and flu and prescription antibiotics do not kill viruses.  

Bacterial infections
 respond to prescription antibiotics, and your physician can take a throat swab or sputum culture to check.

To protect ourselves against seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, it is helpful to eat wholesome foods, boost your nutrient intake with vitamins and get enough rest.  

If cold or flu symptoms begin, be prepared and respond quickly. At first sign of symptoms, begin providing the body with additional nutrition needed to support immune function.  Taking some of each hourly can make a world of difference to speed recovery and minimize severity.

-Vitamin C complex

-Zinc
-Liver
-Chelate
-FermPlus Pro Probiotic
-Agarigus Superbiotic - an herbal blend of natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-biotics. 
-SH Zeolites

Soak in a hot bath, with 4 cups of Epsom Salts, to support the body’s magnesium needs and open the pores.  Prevent germs from spreading by covering your mouth with disposable tissue when coughing.  While sick, keep toothbrush soaking in hydrogen peroxide.  When well again, boil toothbrush to sanitize. 

Avoid crowds. Wash hands frequently, especially after using the restroom, coughing or touching face.

Eat light, soups, lean meats and vegetables, to alleviate the body’s job of digestion so it can direct energies towards healing.

Do not eat sugar, dairy or gluten while sick.  Each are mucus forming foods and sugar shuts down the immune system for a minimum of three hours after eating. No smoking or drinking alcohol during illness.

Dress warmly, even wearing scarf and hat indoors, to avoid body heat loss. The body uses energy to regulate body temperature, and during illness it is best to take some of this burden off of the body so that it may direct more energy to activate healing mechanisms. 

Use a vaporizer, to moisten the air that you breathe.  In the winter, with heaters, fires and furnaces, the air becomes dry and causes mucus to collect. 

Contact your physician, if symptoms are severe or persistent. 

​For more information call 859-282-0022.  


Disclaimer: These recommendations are dosages are based on the opinions of Victoria Smith, Practitioner. The following statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.