Natural Home Remedies: Cold and Flu

Seasonal Cold and Flu:
Here are some natural home remedies that are helpful in easing the symptoms associated with the cold and flu. Chinese Medicine is amazing at treating colds and flu! In addition to using many of the methods below, Chinese Medicine uses Acupuncture, Herbs, Gua Sha, and Cupping to help with the cold and flu. I also incorporate Healing Touch therapy, which has immediate results at clearing congestion! Children especially, respond quite well to Chinese Medicine. So, before going to the doctor to get a shot or antibiotics, try the natural pharmacy in your body first!!

Spinal Pinch: This is great for immune boosting! Pinch the sides and center of the spine from the base of the spine to the neck. You can do this several times a day.

Nutrition and Supplements:
Stay away from dairy, wheat, sugar. Eat bland foods; not heavy, spicy, or greasy. It is important for your food to be easily digestible, that way your body can expend the energy it needs to heal, instead of digesting.

Grapefruit Seed Extract: This is a natural antibiotic (great for cold, flu, viruses and bacteria), but because it's properties are bitter and cold-which can aggravate the digestive system, it is important to take probiotics along with the grapefruit seed extract.

Garlic: This is a great antibacterial remedy.

Probiotics: These serve to help replenish the healthy flora and fauna in the gut! Especially when taking Antibiotics or grapefruit seed extract.

Here are some great recipes for Healing Foods at the onset or during your cold/flu. 

1. Water!! (with Lemon) Water is essential in everyday life, especially when someone is sick! The lemon is detoxifying and kills bacteria. You can drink some hot water with lemon and this helps support the body's function, while cleansing.
   
2. Miso Soup:Get some miso paste and a LOT of scallions (you can add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, seaweed, mung beans, etc) and eat this at the onset of any sickness. Eat 2-3 bowls a day. This helps rid the body of the pathogen.
3. Pears: (Cough, Sore Throat, Chest Congestion) Pears are very good for nourishing the Lungs. Cut pears in half, core and place honey within the center. Sprinkle cinnamon and bake for 15 minutes.
4. Ginger Tea: (Nausea/Vomiting) 3-5 fresh slices of ginger; 4 qts of water. Boil water and ginger together. Add sweetner to taste. (Evaporated cane sugar, agave, honey, stevia leaves). Drink 1 cup 3x/day until N/V resolved. 
   

Symptoms:
Fever: If there is no sweating with a fever, the goal is to make the person sweat. 

• Spinal Pinch from back of neck where the head meets the neck all the way down the spine-especially the back of the neck. Fever will decrease.
  
• Take a Hot bath/shower to create sweating.

Sinus Congestion:

• Boil stockpot of water with essential oils in it-such as peppermint, eucalyptus, wintergreen. Place pot on safe surface: hold your head over the pot hot water and cover your head with a towel. Slowly breathe, taking time to fill the lungs.
• Take your hands and cup them. Gently tap on the back/chest over the area of lungs. If you are cupping your hands correctly, it will resonate a hollow sound.

Cough:

• Honey:Slowly Swallow a teaspoon of honey 3-5x a day until throat is eased. Not only does it soothe and coat the throat, honey is a natural antibiotic.
  
• Boil stockpot of water with essential oils in it-such as peppermint, eucalyptus, wintergreen. Place pot on safe surface: hold your head over the pot hot water and cover your head with a towel. Slowly breathe, taking time to fill the lungs.
• Take your hands and cup them. Gently tap on the back/chest over the area of lungs. If you are cupping your hands correctly, it will resonate a hollow sound.
  

Body Aches:

• Hot epsom salt bath-try to create enough heat to sweat. No longer than 15 minutes for people with hypertension.
  
  

Nausea/Vomiting:

• Ginger Tea: (Nausea/Vomiting) 3-5 fresh slices of ginger; 4 qts of water. Boil water and ginger together. Add sweetner to taste. (Evaporated cane sugar, agave, honey, stevia leaves). Drink 1 cup 3x/day until N/V resolved.
  

Sore Throat:

• Honey: Slowly Swallow a teaspoon of honey 3-5x a day until throat is eased. Not only does it soothe and coat the throat, honey is a natural antibiotic. Also helps with allergies!
  
  
• Lemon: Cut thin slices of ripe lemons, add a pinch of salt and eat whole with the peel. This is an astringent and kills bacteria.
  
  
• Cleanser: 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 3 parts warm water. Gargle for 1 minute 2x/day. This helps disinfect the throat and kill bacteria and viruses.
  
  
• Child's Tea: Boil 1 tsp. Honeysuckle, 1 tsp mint, 1 tsp licorice root in 12 oz water for 15 minutes, and add 1 tsp honey. Strain, and drink as a tea 3x/day.

 Please contact me with any questions or comments you might have!!