It’s that time of year again…the sickness approaches. For many people, the change in the weather brings on all kinds of respiratory and immunity issues. But there are always things that we can do to mitigate these problems. And today, we’re going to dive into several different holistic approaches to fighting off those icky colds and flu blues.
1. The Master Tonic – This concoction has been utilized for millennia to fight off colds, fevers, drug-resistant bacterial infections and more. It is sometimes referred to as “the modern day plague formula”. It’s components stimulate maximum blood circulation, while putting the best detoxifying herbs into the blood. Always choose fresh and preferably organic ingredients when making this tonic. You will need garlic cloves, white onions, ginger, horseradish, cayenne pepper and raw apple cider vinegar. To make, you fill a jar 3/4 full with the solid ingredients, either grated or finely chopped, and then cover the whole mixture with apple cider vinegar, filling it to the brim. The tonic is then left to sit for 14 days. It can then be strained, bottled and stored in dark glass bottles. Then when you feel the ick coming on, you take a tablespoon orally, twice daily, until no more ick.
2. Honey Lemon Ginger Tea – This one is easy to prepare and a real life saver. Use fresh, organic ingredients and local honey for the best results. Add 1 teaspoon of honey, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, a few slices of lemon and a few thin slices of ginger to a mug and cover with boiling water. Let the brew steep for a few minutes, steep if needed and enjoy. You can use this remedy several times a day, as needed.
3. Garlic – The healing qualities of garlic are widely known. While most people use garlic for cooking, it is also a great medicinal herb. Garlic has been shown to clean and tonify the blood. Garlic can be fried, steamed or eaten raw. But for most people, taking it in capsule form will do the trick when you start to feel under the weather.
4. Echinacea + Goldenseal – According to herbalists, the combination of echinacea and goldenseal can be quite effective at keeping colds and the flu at bay. When taken in combination, in mega doses, for at least 3 times per day, at the first sign of a sniffle, this formula can kick the ick to the curb. Studies show that goldenseal has antibacterial effects and can even fight off MRSA infections. It should be noted though that goldenseal should not be taken long term and only used when illness begins.
5.Ginseng – Ginseng root is more commonly considered as a tonic, adaptogen and energy booster, but North American ginseng is showing considerable potential as an anti-cold herb. A recent trial found that when taken daily, ginseng had both a preventive effect on colds and a reduction in symptoms.
6. Oregano + Reishi + Echinacea – When these three powerhouses are combined into a tincture, they can really knock it out of the park. Oregano has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Reishi is a mushroom superstar that has been found to be effective against influenza, HIV, herpes, diabetes and breast cancer cells. Echinacea has been shown in studies to be effective against the common cold, as well as colon cancer. Using already tinctured liquids, you just add 20-30 drops of each into 4 oz of warm water and drink this concoction 4 times per day. It is bitter, but much safer than any over the counter cold remedy.
7. Red Light Therapy (RLT) – In numerous studies, red and near infrared light therapy have demonstrated that they benefit the immune system. Immune cells appear to be strongly affected by RLT. The application of RLT seems to be an immune nutrient that supports optimal immune function in a wide variety of different scenarios and health conditions. RLT positively affects immune function, regardless of whether someone has low immune function during an infection or has an overly active an imbalanced immune system due to an autoimmune condition. The sweet spot for RLT is about twice daily for 15-20 minutes at a time.
8. Acupuncture – I tell patients this all the time, but somehow it still gets overlooked…at the first sign of a cold or the flu, get in for a treatment to boost your immune system. Acupuncture strengthens a weakened immune system by increasing the production of red and white blood cells and T cells. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. We know that emotional distress negatively impacts immunity, so an acupuncture session does double duty, relaxing you and supercharging your resistance. A single session may cause a rise in levels of interferon, one of the immune system’s messenger hormones, for 24 hours or more. Interferon is a protein released in our cells, usually in response to the entry of a virus, which inhibits the virus’ replication. Acupuncture speeds up healing. It also promotes anti-inflammation effects and enhances anti-cancer functions. Studies in Crohn’s Disease patients demonstrated that acupuncture assists the repair of damaged tissue in the colon and may restore the balance of immune cells in the intestinal lining. This is especially important because we now know that 70-80% of our immunity resides in our gut.
With so many holistic options to choose from, there’s really no reason why anyone should be sick for very long. The body can heal itself when given the right tools. Give these remedies a try and please feel free to reach out if you would like more information.