Archive for category: HEALTH + LIFESTYLE

By Heidi Kristoffer
Posted Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 12:24pm EDT

The flu season is upon us again and there are a number of ways to keep your family healthy. While the flu vaccine is usually touted as your best defense, the flu shot alone is not enough to help keep your family healthy, and many people wonder if it does anything at all.

Hydrate

What can you do? Well, at the onset of first symptoms, it is important to hydrate! Drink a lot of water; up to a gallon and a half a day! Any hot liquid will do really, hot tea or even homemade bone broth or soup broth will stimulate the immune system and stop the proliferation of the flu virus in the body.

You can also continuously sip hot herbal teas, hot water lemon and honey, and of course, sip chicken soup–always good for what ails you.

Add More Vitamin C

We have all heard the old adage, ‘Vitamin C staves off the flu.’ Well, it turns out it is true. Studies have shown that vitamin C can help get rid of the flu and a number of other viruses better than any over the counter medication.

At the first sign of the flu, taking a 500 mg supplement each day can help.

Get More Sun

Vitamin D can boost your immune system, too. Eating too much sugar can devastate your immune system and wipe out your vitamin D supplies, and heading outside can replenish them much better than popping a supplement can. Vitamin D deficiency is most common in winter months, when colds and flu and more prevalent, and research has confirmed that catching a cold or flu from someone actually has a lot to do with having a depleted store of vitamin D. So, head outside and catch some sunshine! (Of course, remember you can still grab that important vitamin D even with your sunscreen on, so be safe!)

Other Natural Remedies for Fighting the Flu

Other things you can do at home to prevent, or get rid of the flu include adding Oil of Oregano to your water. Oil of Oregano has both antibiotic and antiviral properties that can help stave off a number of ailments. You can add one drop to your water several times a day.

Adding organic apple cider vinegar to your glass of water can alkalize the body and reset your PH levels. This will kill any yeast that has been feeding your infection. You will need to add a full tablespoon to a glass of water. If you cannot stand the taste, you can add it to a glass of herbal or green tea to mask the taste a bit.

To really expedite the process, you will want to get rid of all carbohydrates in your diet. Eat healthy! Carbohydrates, especially sugars, feed the infection in the body and allows it to spread.

And of course, get plenty of rest! Note that temperatures above 104 do need a trip to the doctor.