My Defensive Line for Cold & Flu Season

Cold and flu season is here in full effect. What is keeping some people from catching a cold or the flu this season? A strong and boosted immune system. Things like processed sugar, fast food, poor quality dairy and meat as well as alcohol suppress your immune system making it harder to fight off any type of illness. In addition to having a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and organic meats, there are some additional steps to take to make sure that your immune system is a powerhouse during flu season, especially if you plan on traveling.

Start by making sure that you wash your hands often and keep your hands away from your ears, nose and mouth. Staying hydrated is very important also, you can do this by drinking water as soon as you wake up and carrying a reusable water bottle with you all throughout the day. Herbal teas like green tea and Echinacea contain powerful antioxidants that will boost your immune system into overdrive to rid of any harmful germs. When I travel, I build myself up with Amazing Grass Green Superfood for Immunity everyday for a week before and during my travels, they have travel size packets or an 8oz. container. In addition, taking supplements like Vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea with Goldenseal and Oil of Oregano can really be helpful for immune boosting, but always check your doctor to make sure that these will not interfere with any medications.

If you start to feel a cold come on, Cold Snap is a Chinese herb blend that can be found at Whole Foods. Take two a day to help ward off your cold and also nasal rinse a few times a day to get rid of congestion, you can purchase a Neti pot or use the bulb syringe nasal cleaner for babies. Fill it with lukewarm salt water and squirt it up one nasal all the mucus will come out the other side, repeat on the other side.

Another great way to relieve your congestion is using a humidifier and adding Eucalyptus essential oil to it. This oil is great for lung health and to break up mucus. If you don’t own a humidifier boil water, take the pot off the burner and add 5 drops of Eucalyptus oil. This oil is highly effective for treating respiratory problems. Being mindful of the scorching pot, put a towel over your head and the pot, breathe the steam in and out through your mouth, this will help break up the mucus and control your cough.

Lastly, increase your intake of raw garlic and ginger. Both of these plants have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. You can mix 3 bulbs of minced garlic with raw, local, organic honey in a glass jar and let it sit overnight. Take a spoonful a day. As for ginger, I like to boil 4 inch long chucks of ginger in filtered water for 30 minutes and drink this 3 times a day for a week to reap the benefits. You can also add lemon and raw natural honey for adding benefits and sweetness.

I hope this article helps you to stay healthy through flu season, if you have any questions please email me at whynotwellness@courtneytitus.com.

Cheers to being healthy and well, now and always!