That’s Prevention, with a capital P. You know, if you just look around a little bit, there’s quite alot of information and suggestions for preventing the dreaded flu. In my field, we focus on prevention and lifestyle, using herbal formulas, supplements, diet, acupuncture, moxibustion and specific exercises to help build and maintain the immune, respiratory and digestive systems. However, if you do get a cold or flu, there are a variety of approaches, depending on your condition, to help you recover as painlessly and quickly as possible. 

Bear in mind this list is not exhaustive nor prescriptive. If you do anything radically different from YOUR norm, expect a radical response, sometimes known as a “healing crisis”.

Nutrition:

• It’s very simple actually: low fat, low sugar, low alcohol, low dairy, low animal protein, unrefined, whole fresh foods, complex carbs, ingest little that comes from a box or can. 
• Avoid seafood containing mercury. 
• Avoid these oils which suppress immunity and increase inflammation: corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean, canola, and peanut oil.
• Eat at least 2 servings of COARSE, leafy green vegetables (kale, mustard, chard, beet, etc.). Spinach and lettuce don’t count. 
• Eat garlic, radish and onions.
• Peppermint (cooling) or cinnamon tea (warming).

Lifestyle suggestions:

• Get plenty of sleep, exercise, meditation/reflection, and play, balanced with your work demands.
• Give and receive love daily. 
• Reduce stress, remember to breathe and smell the roses.
• Receive regular massage, take a yoga or chi gong class, spend time in nature.

Herbs

• Astragalus, Atractylodes, Cordyceps, Ganoderma, Reishi, Andrographis, Elderberry and more
• I recommend Chinese herbal formulas such as Immune Plus or Jade Windscreen, because of their immune enhancing properties, anti cancer activity, bacteria growth inhibiting factors, and natural, safe boosting of energy and vitality.

Supplements:

• Vitamin D3 : protects against microorganism invasion, boosts your immune response, also helps build bones and teeth, and studies showing cancer prevention. 
• Calcium Lactate: anti fever and builds bones
• Vitamins: A, B, C, E, and Zinc
• Chlorella or Blue Green Algae: 1 tablespoon a day helps to detox heavy metals and mercury

In the event that you come down with any kind of flu or cold, consider taking the following. A word of caution, depending on your state of health, a flu can progress quickly and deeply and these may not be the appropriate herbs/homeopathics of choice. Consult a qualified health care practitioner. 

• Yin Chiao San or Lonicera Complex: anti viral, exterior releasing, toxin clearing
• Cold Quell or Minor Bupleurum Formula: boosts your immune sx while expelling the pathogen
• Oscillococcinum: helps reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu symptoms, including H1N1. 
• Influenzinum 30C:  homeopathic flu remedy
• Drink lots of fluids, esp. water to help flush your system.

You can find many of  these products at local health food stores, White Crane Herbal Pharmacy, People’s Pharmacy, and of course, Dr. Pea’s Active Health Center. 

I hope that you enjoy great health this holiday season, enjoy a few indulgences, and commit to a lifestyle that brings more energy and vitality to your day to day.