Over the past 3 days or so we have been hearing more and more about the Swine Flu that has killed 60 people in Mexico. This particular strain of swine flu has also been found in parts of California and the SouthWest. This time the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and WHO (World Health Organization) is watching. They are watching for a possible pandemic. The CDC has written answered the most frequently asked questions about the flu here. If you would rather see the statement on video Swine Flu on You Tube
I will not go into the conventional methods of prevention and treatment here. You are able to access that in many places. Being Medical intuitive and Holistic Healer this is a holistic perspective of flu and its prevention.
Three things you need to know about the flu
- Severe flu symptoms will not manifest in a healthy immune system
- Flu season occurs at the same time one is supposed to detox the body
- Heightened fear of the flu increases the chances of getting the flu
Let’s look at each of these items.
1. Severe flu symptoms will not manifest in a healthy immune system
A healthy immune system is a system that takes appropriate action when it perceives danger to the body. The key word here is appropriate. A child’s immune system has not yet been tested fully to fend off diseases. The elderly and people with chronic diseases usually have an under-reactive immune system. On the other hand people with allergies have an immune system that is over-reactive. In the case of the swine flu that has hit Mexico it seems that mostly middle aged, seemingly healthy people were killed by the flu. I would like to propose that their immune system over-reacted when introduced to the flu.
You can strengthen an under-reactive immune system with supplements, like Echinacea and Goldenseal.
Echinacea & Goldenseal Extract Organic
Other herbs which support the immune system; some of which can be used as a long term to enhance resistance to infection and others which are beneficial for the treatment of acute infections. Bayberry, Boneset, Echinacea, Elder Flower, and Elder Berry, are among the herbs which can be used for the treatment of a cold, flu, fever, and upper respiratory infections.
2. Flu season occurs at the same time one is supposed to detox the body
Maintaining your health with a detox or cleansing program twice a year in the spring and fall will prevent severe flu and cold. It is all the rage these days to go on a detox for 10 days eating nothing but lemon juice or raw foods. The spirit in which you do a detox is the difference between a maintenance program or a fly by night fad. Embracing your body’s need to clean toxins from your body during season change is the best way to do a detox and support your immune system. Eating raw food for a week or being on the master cleanse are good ways to do this. Each season, I change the type of detox I do. One season I will do a liver cleanse, the next a kidney cleanse and the next perhaps a raw food cleanse. I change the cleanses according to my intuitive sense of what my body needs. I also anticipate that my body might go through some minor cold/flu like symptoms so I am sure to take time to rest during the cleanse. I prefer to schedule my down time rather than have mother nature or my intrinsic nature create down time for me.
3. Heightened fear of the flu increases the chances of getting the flu
Sounds a little like the Law of Attraction, but I’m not coming from that perspective today. Fear creates stress in the body. A large amount of stress will always change the behavior of the immune system, either into over-reaction or under-reaction. It is always best to be aware of potential dangers, not ignoring and hiding from them and most certainly not being panicked by them.
As an aside, I am not a big fan of flu vaccinations, however for some people it may be the appropriate action to take to guard against the flu. There are also time when I have unscheduled cold/flu symptoms. When that happens I reach for my homeopathic remedy cabinet and take the appropriate homeopathic.
Boericke & Tafel Child Alpha Cold & Flu Tablets
Living a healthy lifestyle and having appropriate emotional, mental and spiritual behaviors and reactions does not guarantee that you will be dis-ease free, but it will allow you to have more energy and feel better for more extended periods of time in your life.
Disclaimer: the herbs and remedies mentioned in this article enhance the body’s response to an acute infection; however, they are not a substitute for medical treatment. Information and statements about the products on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, please contact your health care provider.
Added August 20th 2009: Swine flu is still making the headlines, it is still preferable to take a holistic approach to any flu. The fall is upon us and I would like to invite you to a Fall Detox/Cleansing. Please visit Fall Detox – Holistic Protection for Flu for details.
