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Your head feels like it’s in a vice. Your stomach is doing flips
(not the excited kind). Each time you open your mouth it feels like
someone shoves sandpaper down your throat. Thankfully, your medicine
cabinet offers instant reprieve—or does it?
If all you have are band-aids, cough syrup and aspirin, it’s time to
re-arm your wellness arsenal for flu season. Yes, there is definitely a
time and a place for today’s mainstream medicine, but unfortunately it
often overshadows the time-tested benefits of Chinese herbal,
homeopathic and other “alternative” preventative and curative remedies.
Consider this: In ancient China, it was considered a disgrace if a
doctor’s patient fell ill. Insane? No, healthy! Back then, the doctor’s
role was to keep patients well, not scramble to heal them. So give your
medicine cabinet a face lift with a few of our favorite all-natural remedies.
Astralagus, a Chinese tonic herb, enhances the immune system,
bolstering your body’s power to ward off illness. During flu season,
take one-to-four capsules, two-to-three times per day.
Sage helps slow bacterial growth and infection, is antibacterial
and a decongestant. For a sore throat, boil sage leaves in 2 cups of
water, breathe in the steam for 5 minutes, and then drink as a tea.
Zicam is a homeopathic nasal gel that helps reduce the length
and strength of cold symptoms. At the first sign of a cold, squeeze one
pump full or use a pre-soaked swab to coat the inside of each nostril.
Repeat every two-to-four hours and continue through until 48 hours
after symptoms subside.
The pungent garlic herb is antiviral, antibacterial and
antifungal. Its detoxifying properties have been known to reduce the
duration of colds and flu. Chop or crush two whole raw cloves to
release allicin, a sulfur compound with antibiotic properties, and eat
at the onset of flu symptoms.
The homeopathic medicine Oscillococcinum is a flu season
must-have. Millions of people depend on it to reduce fever, chills and
flu. Take at the first sign of illness and let a tablet dissolve under
the tongue three-times per day.
The Herbal Max Flu, Cold and Cough formula is based on an
herbal formula that’s been used by the Chinese for thousands of years
to help ease symptoms of flu and cold. When you first notice symptoms,
take six capsules, three times daily.
The homeopathic Similasan remedy soothes and clears itchy, red eyes. Use it like any other eye drops for relief.
Ginger is great for a sore stomach or congested head. Peel and
grate one piece of ginger, then boil in two cups of water. Strain and
drink as a tea, sweetening with honey and lemon to taste.
Echinacea is a plant native to North America that’s antibiotic,
antiviral, and boosts the immune system. Take at the first sign of cold
and flu.
The antiseptic goldenseal reduces the duration of sore throats. Gargle with a goldenseal/salt water solution four times per day.
You can find most of these herbs at a well-stocked pharmacy or natural foods store; for more information, we like www.DragonHerbs.com.
Finally, keep germs at bay with a Green Tea Goods Natural Hand
Refresher that relies on an ancient Chinese formula of herbs like green
tea, mugwort and pepper, plus 12% alcohol, to keep hands clean without triclosan, a so-called “antibacterial” that’s really a toxic pesticide.
--Laurel House
Laurel House is a published author, nationally recognized magazine
writer, healthy living spokesperson, national and local morning
television show expert, and healthy living advocate. The founder of GreenIQ.com,
an online calculator that measures your carbon footprint, and
spokesperson for companies like Nature Made Vitamins, Laurel is a
contributing editor to Healing Lifestyles and Spas and Fit Yoga
magazines, the co-author of books such as The Gurus’ Guide to Serenity
(HarperCollins 2004) and author of hundreds of articles printed in an
array of publications including Women’s Health, Spa Magazine and
Vegetarian Times, among others. More than anything, Laurel is an
advocate for a balanced green lifestyle.
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