Natural Flu Remedies and Immune System Boosters

 
With the upcoming fall season, many people anticipate a flu season “on steroids”, thanks to the swine flu.  Flu shots are recommended for high risk candidates, such as children, health care providers and those with compromised immune systems  or chronic health conditions.  While I’ve been blessed to not have contracted the flu in the last 5 years, some of that may be due to eating healthy (…most of the time), exercising daily and taking anti-oxidant and immune system boosting supplements.  But once once September arrives, I add a couple of additional tools to my flu prevention arsenal for good measure.  This is based on my own personal experience, so I am not making any claims or guarantees.  For your safety, be sure to check with your physician before incorporating anything you read here or anywhere, for that matter!.

Black Elderberry Tincture:

Black elderberries grow on a bush native to Europe and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.  They include beneficial bioflavonoids, such as quercitin, which is an anti-inflammatory with antihistamine properties; they are also full of powerhouse anti-oxidants called anthocyanins, which protect from cell damage.  They contain amino acids, carotenoids, vitamins A, B and significant amounts of vitamin C, to name a few.  Black elderberries are believed to have immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.  They are used to help reduce – and perhaps prevent – flu symptoms, nasal / chest congestion, coughs, bacteria & viral infections etc.

My personal favorite is a premium Elderberry “Super Strength” tincture made by Great American Natural Products, Inc.  The black elderberries (sambucus nigra) are extracted in a base of organic grain alcohol and distilled water.  The tincture comes in a brown glass bottle with a “eyedropper-like” dispenser.  Starting in September, I generally take 12 drops twice daily.  If I’m traveling or starting to feel run down, I take the same dose every couple of hours for a few days. You can order this product by calling Great American Natural Products at (800) 323-4372.

 
Anti-Bacterial Spray:

I prefer to make my own using essential oils because the ones in drugstores aggressively go after every living organism.  IMHO, this is similar to antibiotics that kill all the bad AND good bacteria.  This aggressive approach has the potential to weaken our immune systems.  My recipe is included below and can be used as both a hand sanitizer AND a surface disinfectant.  Because the essential oils used are very potent, I recommend using a glass bottle over plastic.  A tinted glass (such as dark brown or cobalt blue) helps protect the essential oils from the light, although is unnecessary if the spray will not be exposed to sunlight.

1)  In a 2 oz bottle, combine 1/2 oz. grain alcohol with the following essential oils:

3 drops Clove Bud
15 drops Lemon
3 drops Cinnamon Bark
3 drops Cinnamon Cassia
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Oregano
2 drops Thyme

2)  Add 1/4 oz. vegetable glycerin, secure top and shake vigorously

3)  Top off with distilled water, secure top and shake vigorously again

Wait 24 hours for the blend to “meld” before you start using it.  and be sure to shake well before each use.

In Health,
barbara-ann