Healthy Tips for Flu Season
by Dr. Radka Ruzicka

We all know that with the change in seasons comes cooler weather and the possibility of cold or ‘flu. The following are some tips to help get you through the ‘flu season!

Keep your immune system boosted by taking good doses of vitamin C (a minimum of 500mg daily for kids; up to 3000mg for adults). Other supplements that are beneficial include zinc (30-50mg daily – also available in lozenges), and beta-carotene (25,000IU-50,000IU daily).

            Garlic, garlic, garlic! It’s a natural antibiotic and can be used as a preventative to colds and ‘flu, and to give the immune system a good boost. It can also be taken if you do get a cold – you’ll just need to take a LOT more!
           
            As a preventative: Take one clove of raw garlic (or 2 capsule) daily; and add garlic into your cooking. If you add it to food just before the cooking is complete, you’ll have retained more of its natural antibiotic goodness.

            During illness: If your body is hollering at you, get it back on track by increasing your intake of garlic. The best way to take large amounts of raw garlic is by making garlic toast – simply toast up 2 slices of good bread, spread with butter, and the spread on 2-3 cloves of garlic PER slice of bread. Yes, that much! If the “burn” of garlic bothers you, top your toast with slices of tomato or avocado (not cheese, as it’s mucous forming and will just add to stuff nose symptoms).

            Once you’ve eaten the toast, make some fresh ginger tea (about an inch of cut up fresh ginger root, into a mug of boiled water; add lemon and honey to taste), then soak in a hot bath for about 15 minutes. After that, put on some warm PJ’s and go to bed. You will likely sweat during the night – a good thing – and should wake up feeling pretty good in the morning.

Taking immune-supportive herbs (yes, even as a preventative) will help get you through cold and ‘flu season. Good immune support herbs include: Echinacea, Reishi mushroom, Astragalus, Myrrh, and Goldenseal. Most of these herbs are available from health stores

And finally, remember to get plenty of fresh air, activity, sleep, and rest!

Written by Dr. Radka Ruzicka, D.N.M., N.C.P. at the LIVING ENERGY Natural Health Centre www.livingenergy.ca

Any content included on this article is intended as a guide only and should not be used as an to seeking professional advice from either your doctor or a registered specialist for yourself or anyone else.