Ah, January, the time when you pack away the holiday lights, put away the presents ... and get ready for the flu season.
Flu activity usually peaks in the U.S. in January or February. According to this week's FluView report posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza activity is on the rise for the season in the U.S., with 29 states experiencing high levels of influenza-like illness.
Ten states including California report low or minimal flu activity. These levels of influenza are comparable to those of moderately severe flu seasons in the past.
What can you do to prevent the flu? Practice good hygiene including washing your hands frequently, including before you touch your face or eat.
If you have not been vaccinated against the flu, you should do so now. If you have severe influenza illness, or are at risk for influenza illness-related complications, you should get the influenza antiviral medications (regardless of whether you've had the flu vaccine).
In addition, there are a number of holistic interventions you can do to boost your immunity before or during a flu or upper-respiratory infection.
Here are our top holistic immunity-boosting tips for the flu season:
Decrease your intake of processed carbohydrates and sugary foods. Even small amounts of sugar can suppress the immune system and make you more likely to get an infection, or more sick when you have one.
The herbs Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpura are for prevention and long-term immune support. Doses generally used are 2.5 grams of root taken preventively, and can be tripled to head off an impending infection.
The herb Androgrophis paniculata is used in acute viral or bacterial infections. Doses used are typically 1,000 milligrams per day of extract, or about 6 grams of the herb.
The herb Ashwgandha is considered an adaptogen, and can help the body respond to stress and ward off illness. It can also help insomnia related to the flu
if taken in the evening. Doses of Ashwgandha are around 1,000 miligrams a day, or a couple pills a day when the pills doses are around 400 to 500 milligrams.
Fresh ginger steeped in hot water to form a hot tea can be a natural immune booster, and can help against nausea, congestion and abdominal bloating. You can add a little fresh lemon and honey to the tea to calm a sore throat.
Nasal saline rinses, or nedipots, used daily can help wash out viruses and bacteria in the nasal passages.
Garlic, raw, cooked or in the form of supplements can boost immunity and has been shown to reduce cough and congestion.
Doses of garlic recommended are 2 to 5 grams of fresh raw garlic, 0.4 to 1.2 grams of garlic powder or 2 to 5 milligrams of garlic oil daily.
Garlic can be taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
Exercising in moderation has been shown in many studies to be a natural immunity booster, and may reduce the incidence and severity of viral infections.
If you think you have the flu, contact your physician.
If you don't have the flu, make sure you have had the flu vaccination, eat healthfully and exercise daily.
Try these holistic remedies if needed, in conjunction with your physician's advice. We hope you have a healthy flu-free winter.
Showing posts with label flu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flu. Show all posts
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Friday, December 02, 2011
Preparing for the Winter Season
From a western medicine perspective, bacterial and viral infections are the main cause of winter ailments. Lack of sunlight and low temperatures in the cold seasons provide an ideal setting for viral and bacterial infections, which can give rise to colds, coughs, sore throats, flu and other winter illnesses. Furthermore the body’s immunity also tends to get weakened during the colder season and therefore it is more susceptible to attacks from various viruses and bacteria. These infections are also highly contagious and can be passed on easily from one person to another by simple actions like coughing or sneezing. This is one of the main reasons why common colds and coughs spread so easily. People who suffer from various allergies also have a difficult time during the winter months. These allergies also tend to last longer because most people prefer staying indoors when the temperatures are lower. Winter ailments can affect people of all age groups but tend to affect older individuals sooner than others because of their lowered immunity. Even pregnant women and individuals who suffer from immune system disorders are more prone to winter ailments because of a weakened immunity. People who have unhealthy eating habits and follow a sedentary lifestyle are also more at risk from different types of winter ailments. Poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity can directly impact a person’s immunity and raise the risk of succumbing to winter diseases. Therefore it is very important to follow a healthy balanced diet that can provide the body with all the essential nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy. Regular exercise can also help a great deal to increase your general fitness levels, boost your immune and help prevent not just infections, but minimize allergic reactions as well. Winter ailments like chilblain can also be avoided with the help of a good diet and regular exercise.
Chinese Medicine Model of Winter Disease
In Chinese medicine, each one of the seasons necessitates we modify our lifestyle and diet. Each season is characterized by a primary significant pathogenic factor. The winter months provide a stronger opportunity for the Cold pathogenic factor to affect our bodies. Cold affects the body by stagnating Qi, Blood and Body Fluids. Cold transforms active energy in the various organs and their associative acupuncture meridians and channels and converts the activated energy to potential or stagnant energy. Potential energy in the body is energy that is waiting to be activated. Chinese medical theory recognizes that activated energy in the body is required to maintain good health, increase longevity, boost immunity and minimize disease symptoms. Unfortunately, the Cold pathogenic factor of the winter season deactivates the body’s energy by stagnating it. An important precept of Chinese medicine is when all the body’s subtle energies are moving harmoniously then health will be manifested. Conversely, when these energies are stagnant then the disease process and accompanying symptoms will be manifested.
If you suspect that you’re experiencing a Cold Invasion, here are a few of the typical symptoms: chilliness, cold and weak knees, cold limbs, fatigue, low back pain, swelling or edema in the lower body, reduced appetite, desire for warm places, food and drinks, lack of thirst, loose stools, abundant clear urine, white tongue coating, pale complexion, blue tinged lips, fingers, toes or extremities.
Combating the Cold pathogenic factor can be accomplished in two major ways: diet and exercise.
In winter the selection of whole foods is sparse compared to the abundant choices we have during the summer. However, the foods that are readily available are perfectly suited for winter. Some excellent food choices for the winter season are shown below.
Spices/Herbs: basil, bay leaves, black pepper, capers, cardamom, cayenne, chives, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, dill seed, fennel seed, garlic, ginger, mustard seed, nutmeg, pine kernel, rosemary, spearmint, anise, fenugreek
Foods: cherry, chestnut, chicken, dates, goat, lamb, leek, lychee, longan, mussel, mustard leaf, mutton, onion, peach, scallion, shrimp, squash, sweet rice, trout, turnip, vinegar, walnut, lobster, venison
The exercises that you would normally engage in during the other seasons can be done in the winter. However, more emphasis should be placed on strengthening exercises rather than cardiovascular exercises. Winter is the Yin time of year. This is the time of year that is more consolidating and less active. It is a time for rebuilding and nourishing the body’s energy, instead of expending energy. In nature, this is a quieter, less active time and should be reflected in our lives, as well.
Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are great ways to boost your immune system as well as treating winter diseases and disorders, without the side affects typical of western drug therapies.
Caution! Do not self medicate. To determine the correct herbal combinations for your specific conditions (bronchitis, influenza, respiratory infections, ear infections, etc) obtain an herbal consultation with an Oriental Medical practitioner to get an accurate diagnosis and proper course of treatment recommendation.
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