Flu Prevention

[IrisRavenstar]

Hi Everyone,

I thought with this dreaded Swine Flu running amok, it might be a good idea to post what I know about flu prevention. Whenever there is any kind of flu or bad cold I do what I term boosting my immune system herbs. I take most of these all the time in a low dose, but when there's actually a flu around, I increase them. I take Astragalus, Vitamin C (500mg.), and Garlic daily, but double up on them when I know there's a flu or cold in the air. When I boost them, I also add Echinacea and Goldenseal, which should only be taken for up to two weeks at a time, not daily. It's also good to take extra care to get adequate sleep, drink lots of water, and follow all the President's good advice last night about hand-washing, etc.

GMA said this morning to wash your hands long enough to sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself. It's fine to eat pork, and Chris kindly ate bacon to reassure us... lol! (And I suspect because so many are afraid of eating it, I found wonderful pork chops on sale for half price yesterday... those will be popped into the freezer in meal size portions today!) Those masks don't do any good at all, so don't torture yourself! The holes in them are too big and allow the germs through.

Boosting immune system herbs is also a good idea prior to traveling into new germ pools, so I prevent illness when traveling that way. I hardly ever get sick since I started doing this, so I know it's working for me!

If you do actually catch a flu, Elderberry is an herb that is good for flu.

Hope this helps someone! I know I'm going into an area next week to sell jewelry where the flu has been diagnosed in two girls just returned from Mexico, so this is on my mind this morning. I started my herbs today!

[Zuludawn]

You hit on something important, getting the right amount of sleep; don't run yourself down so that you become susceptible to the flu.

[IrisRavenstar]

Yep, kinda cool, isn't it... we can help ourselves avoid the flu, and have more time to dream at the same time! Don't you just love multi-tasking?

[IrisRavenstar]

I just had a funny thought, given that puns are extremely common in dreams. Does the fact the whole world seems to be getting the Swine Flu (up to seventeen countries now, ABC news just said) mean the world has finally reached the point where PIGS FLY??? You know, that means all those things that people say will happen "when pigs fly" are about to come true!

I actually have a cute little stone carving of a bright pink Rhodonite pig that I bought at a gem and mineral show... it has wings! Maybe it will be a good totem to use to ward of the Swine Flu. Pink is the color of healing too.

Yikes! A pig just flew/flu past my window!

[hazelflame]

Hi, I actually started taking Echinacea about a week ago, the directions say 2pills twice a day.So can you explain what u mean by 2weeks at a time and not daily?
Also, I want to add Elderberry because I heard it helps to prevent any strands of influenza virus....but "how" do you know what your allowed to MIX what herbs with what? Ive heard that sometimes combining different herbs can have effects....so I dont know what to do.

How do you take herbs, all at the same time or different times?

Thanks

[IrisRavenstar]

Originally Posted by hazelflame

Hi, I actually started taking Echinacea about a week ago, the directions say 2pills twice a day.So can you explain what u mean by 2weeks at a time and not daily?
Also, I want to add Elderberry because I heard it helps to prevent any strands of influenza virus....but "how" do you know what your allowed to MIX what herbs with what? Ive heard that sometimes combining different herbs can have effects....so I dont know what to do.

How do you take herbs, all at the same time or different times?

Thanks

Hi Hazel,

Well, I have spirit guides who help me with herbs and dosages, because I have a big problem with allergies to all kinds of things. Generally, they have me avoid the directions on the bottle, and start with just one or two a day of whatever I'm taking. IF I take only one, it's usually in the morning. If I take two of something, I take it one in the morning, and one in the evening. Some things, like my anti-inflammatory herbs, I take only when I'm in actual pain and need them, or when I have a dream or vision of fire, which tells me I have some inflammation coming on.

Some herbs lose effectiveness over time, so you only want to take them for a limited time so they retain their strength, which is why Echinacea and Goldenseal are only supposed to be used short term. So I save those for when I know I've been exposed to something, or when I go on trips out of town and am moving into a new germ pool, or when I actually get sick. Astragalus on the other hand doesn't lose effectiveness and can be taken long term, every day, and keep right on helping your immune system.

So with the Echinacea, take it daily, but for no more than two weeks, then take at least two weeks off of it. If you question the dose on the bottle before you go to sleep, you might get a dream telling you the correct dose for you. I do! Just ask God/dess or your own inner guides/angels. Some call that incubating a dream, and do it more formally. I just ask for inner guidance. It comes, ususally very clearly, more so than a lot of dreams.

It's a good idea to research any herb for yourself, always, and even my spirit guides want me to do this. My favorite book is available at most drug stores even... _Prescription for Nutritional Healing_ by James and Phyllis Balch. He is an M.D., and she is a Certified Nutritionist. She has also written a separate book on Herbal Healing, which goes even more into the herbs. I'm very comfortable with their work as far as herbs and nutrition are concerned, though because of my allergies, I avoid the other supplements they talk about.

[IrisRavenstar]

Oh, and the Balch's cover combining herbs or more importantly herbs with medications. I find my guides only usually recommend the safest herbs for me, things with very few if any cautions. I think the only thing I take that I have to be careful with is Ginkgo Biloba, which I take for Tinnitus in my right ear. It's a natural blood thinner, so I have to not take it and Garlic at the same time, and not to take either if I'm ever put on a prescription blood thinner, though I doubt that will happen. If the Gingko works, why take a prescription drug? I don't take any prescription drugs at all currently, and that's unsual for my age (62). The only over-the-counter drugs in my cabinet are Benadryl for allergies, and I only take a child's dose as an adult dose is too strong, and Tylenol, which I take rarely, and usually end up dumping half the bottle because it expires. I really do most of my self-healing with nutrition, herbs, and Reiki.

Elderberry is a food, actually, and I've eaten Elderberry Jelly my whole life. The tea is good too. It should not give you any problems with Echinacea. Echinacea (Purple Cone Flower) is related to Chamomile, and both cause allergic reactions in some people, like hay fever symptoms, so that's about the only thing I know of to watch for with it. I am allergic to Chamomile, but so far the Echinacea only affects me slightly. If I need it, I still take it.

[Zuludawn]

What about just washing your hands a lot and not touching them to your face or mouth and avoid shaking hands or contact with others. Oh, and don't forget an apple a day.

[mwyna]

Has anyone tried Bach flower remedies? I have been thinking of these as they sell them at the place where I usually get my herbs. Though I'm guessing they are more helpful for everyday then for flu.

[Wolfjk]

Originally Posted by mwyna

Has anyone tried Bach flower remedies? I have been thinking of these as they sell them at the place where I usually get my herbs. Though I'm guessing they are more helpful for everyday then for flu.

Hi,
I hope non of us will get this dreaded contagion! However it is better to stick to "tamiflu" You count the maladies suffered by the person recomending the herbs! It is more likely the herbs are causing them than curing or preventing them! Besides, garlick and all those smelly herbs don't do anything for ones sexlife!
Cheers Wolfjk