The best strategy for avoiding or at least minimizing the effects of getting or managing a cold or flu, is to strengthen your immune system. Here are a number of strategies that can help you.
1. According to Chinese medicine, the lungs do not like cold or dryness. The mucus membranes protect us from the germs. Japanese doctors say that taking a few sips of water every 15 minutes will wash any oral virus down into the stomach where the acid will kill the virus. Drink warm immune boosting teas, throat coat tea and eat warm soups.
2. Humidity: get a hygrometer to measure your room’s humidity. Ideal is 40-60%. Air out rooms to prevent mold. Use humidifier and add Thieves oil blend (or 1:4 parts hydrogen peroxide to water in the humidifier)
3. Be mindful of getting chilled. It weakens your Wei Qi, or your protective qi (Chinese for ‘vital energy’). We all know how uncomfortable it is to sit under an air vent. Wear a scarf around your neck and wrap around your mouth to breathe warm air if you go out in the cold.
4. Take mushroom immunity blend (OM brand). Take an adrenal formula (Vital or Power Adapt by Natura)
5. Take Chinese herbal immunity blend, such as Jade Windscreen or at least astragulus.
6. Use xylitol with grapefruit nasal spray nightly to prevent the germs from multiplying overnight.
7. Use saline eye drops, saline or xylitol nasal spray, and gargle every 2-3 hours. This prevents your mucus membranes from drying out and rinses out any germs trying to multiply.
8. Walking or bouncing on a mini trampoline like the Cellerciser increases the lymph flow which helps your body to detox.
9. Use a dry brush for a lymph massage – helps your bod to detox.
10. Supplements: Body Health Greens (I take 1-2 shots per day) concentrated food for keeping the body healthy. A-Omega fish oil helps strengthen the cell wall, which helps protect against the viruses from penetrating the cell.
11. Strengthen your gut- 70% of your immune system is in your gut (use Megaspore)
12. Other supplements to consider: Vit C (lipospheric), Zinc, garlic, colloidal silver, and Vit D3. Doses depend on your individual needs.
13. Reduce sugar. Sugar impedes the immune system. see above interview
14. Come in for immune boosting, calming acupuncture treatments.
Remember the lifestyle basics to nurture immunity: sleep, exercise, meditation, laughter, eating whole foods and minimizing stress (including less news and social media). Practicing gratitude (see my new Journal below!) will help to you stay centered and calm. And remember, if all else fails, just breathe!
