Tips for natural protection against the swine flu

The response and investigation surrounding the outbreak of swine flu is evolving rapidly. Hundreds of cases have been reported around the world, and Mexico is reporting dozens of deaths. The World Health Organization has called the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern.” In the United States, the cases have been described as “mild” and have not lead to any deaths.

Swine flu is typically a respiratory disease of pigs, but the Centre for Disease Control say that this virus is spreading from human to human.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu including fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue. Doctors believe the spread of the swine flu virus is happening mainly through coughing or sneezing of people with the flu. Touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose may infect sometimes people. The best ways to prevent swine flu are washing your hands and avoiding people who are sick.

News about the new swine flu has concerned many people. The new swine flu has similar symptoms to most other flus. Fever and cough being the most common. Headaches, chills, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.

There are 200 to 300 different influenza virus strains, the medical vaccine usually contains antigens of only a few. More often than not the vaccine doesn′t contain antigens of the most virulent strains. There is no medical vaccine for the swine flu currently travelling the world.

So what can you do for yourself?

Keep your immune system strong.

Keep calm and stay relaxed about your own health where possible. Viruses attack the vulnerable and those susceptible. Avoid listening to the horror stories. If you stress, you release stress hormones which suppress the immune system and make it weak. Our Emotional Intelligence affects our health. Don’t underestimate how much your immune system listens in on your self talk and responds to it. All of us have to be in a vulnerable state to catch a virus. Staying centered and focusing on wellness is a great start for strong health.

Keep fit.

Walk, play swim, yoga, pilates, anything to keep your blood and lymph flowing.
Keep eliminating toxins accumulated throughout the day or ones that you may be exposed to. If you sit, you stagnate. Keep moving. Exercise at least 45-60mins a day.

Have a Homoeopathic kit on hand.

Use homoeoprophylaxis for protection. There is more than half a dozen homoeopathic preparations used for recuperation to the flu. There are also non-toxic homoepathic preventatives available. The Influenzinum nosode, taken weekly is most commonly used as a preventative to the flu. Some people need a specific remedy and will require Kinesiology to determine the specific homoeopathic needed. If you feel you are coming down with the flu homoeopathic Baptisia, Gelsemium, Pneumonococcal, or Oscillococcinum are commonly used depending on the symptoms. Muscle checking this is a sure way to evaluate what you need specifically. Kits for preventing and quickly clearing aches and pains flu,  chest flu,  fever flu,  gastric flu  or flu for the elderly are now available. For those interested in finding out more about this kit please contact me.

Eat healthy wholesome food.

Avoid the junk, the artificial and the saturated fat. Eat fresh foods. Cook lots of winter soups made from real stock (not from packets if possible), with real veggies and protein. Cook up some stews and freeze them. That way when you are too busy or too tired to cook you have something healthy on hand. Drink warming teas with cinnamon, ginger or lemon and Echinacea.

Supplements

Vitamin D is important for your immune system.

The connection between the amount of sunlight and the disease is now becoming obvious. Vitamin D is essential to immunity, and most of our vitamin D is made by exposure to UV-B radiation from the sun; there are no significant dietary sources of vitamin D. Unless we supplement in the winter, our innate immunity will be compromised. It is now believed that much of the population carries various strains of the influenza virus year-round. As winter approaches, vitamin D stores drop and the virus gains the upper hand. Vitamin D can prevent the onset of a flu or cold. An analysis of a randomized controlled trial showed 2000 IU/day essentially eliminated cold and flu cases altogether. A recent risk assessment put the safe tolerable upper intake level (UL) of vitamin D at 10,000 IU/day, i.e. five times the amount now believed necessary.

Vitamin C

Take 500mg of Vit C a day until you get loose stool.  Sounds weird doesn’t it. But it’’s a great indicator that you have enough vitamin C in your system. Then you know you have optimum levels. If you don’t get the runs your immune system is absorbing and using it. If need, ease off the amount until your digestive system is normal again. Continue this dose through the winter months.

Herbs

Echinacea is a common herb for blood cleansing, immune raising and eliminating mucus. Children and adults may take this in minimal forms over the winter months as a preventative. If you can not tolerate Echinacea then the five Chinese mushroom mix is available from me at renewyou wellness centre or from your local health foods store. There are also other alternatives to these herbs for those who need something more specific.

For more information on the Influenza virus and homoeopathic alternatives contact me by email renewyousorrento@bigpond.com