Cold and Flu: What Works?

During this change of season, everyone is concerned about the cold and flu. How do I avoid getting sick? How do I keep my children from getting sick? When the cold and flu season strikes, it can disrupt work and make raising children tougher than it already is. There are two components that I would like to address. One is the prevention of infection. The other is the treatment of a pending infection.

First of all, infection needs to be defined. Infection is either caused by a virus (the most common) or a bacterial infection, like strep throat. Although bacterial infections normally respond well to antibiotics, viruses do not. This means, without stimulating the body’s ability to contain a viral infection and eliminate it, the infection can cause problems for quite some time. Most sore throats, coughs, and ear infections are due to viruses. Therefore, stimulating the body’s own immune response is crucial. Also, there are wonderful herbs that are proven to have an anti-viral affect. If a virus takes hold, a person should be able to eradicate it with the appropriate herbal medicine in the first twenty-four hours. If it progresses past that time, one may greatly reduce the time it takes to resolve this infection with the appropriate herbs. However, it is important to realize that Echinacea alone is not effective to treat an infection and most of the “stuff’ found in the store is not going to be effective. It really does take more complex herbs and aggressive treatment that is not a common knowledge.

Typical flu symptoms of aches and pains, fever, and fatigue respond well to a homeopathic treatment of oscillococcinum. Try to say “oscillococcinum” real fast. Hydro-therapy, done correctly, is also another treatment proven to be very effective in treating cold and flu.

What about prevention? First of all, don’t get all freaked out about the “shortage” of flu vaccine. The fact is the flu vaccine does not guarantee illness-free anything. Did I say that right? The majority of people I have spoken with who actually had this mystery serum injected into them got sick anyway. In addition, some people actually had a real hard time shaking the infection. So, why is the flu shot pushed on the public? Use your imagination.

Back to the point… Prevention is accomplished by immune system stimulation, modulation, and common sense. What the hell is modulation? Modulation is what a flu shot does not do. It is the balancing of the entire body’s immune function. Increased immune function is accomplished with nutrition, herbs, and proper rest. The immune system decreases with stress, sugar intake, poor nutrition, and lack of rest. The key is to know how to support your body during times of unavoidable stress with supplements and herbs. Also, learn how to eat conveniently and cheap without the 99 cent cheese burger or the frozen pizza delights. Eating well is not challenging when planned. Allow time to rest and unwind. An Epsom salt bath with 4-5 cups of Epsom salt and essential oils is the cheapest in home spa available. Visit your local seed and feed shop for an inexpensive 50 pound bag of Epsom salts. Try it out!

For the people who are all “freaked out” by the flu shot shortage, there are homeopathic preparations of the strains of pathogens that the flu shot targets. The advantage with this is that you’re not getting a bunch of mystery junk pumped into your arm. Find out more about how to stay healthy and what works and doesn’t work at the St. Johns Health Center. 503-286-4400

For more information or to schedule an
appointment, please call St Johns Health Center:
503.286.4400