What Herbs Help Fight Seasonal Flu?

Winter is slowly approaching and the influenza season is knocking at our doors. From October to April, the threat of seasonal flu is ever-present. Rather than approaching the flu with fear and suspicion, focus on prevention and natural healing. Support your immunity and use herbal remedies to fight the seasonal flu. Here's how to do it.

Seasonal flu: Identifying the symptoms

In popular language, the words flu and cold are often used interchangeably. Many people use the word flu to refer to what is really a cold. Both the flu and the common cold are viral respiratory tract conditions. Although the two viruses may have similarities, the flu, caused by the influenza virus, has specific symptoms including

• High fever
• Cough (usually a dry cough)
• Severe muscle and joint pain ^{A, B}

Often, a person who has contracted the flu also has :

• Headaches
• Chills
• Great fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Sore throat
• Inflammation of the respiratory mucosa with runny nose and sneezing
• General feeling of discomfort ^A,B

Sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may accompany flu symptoms, especially in young children. ^A

Generally, the flu does not pose significant health risks or complications. When there are no factors that predispose to complications, herbs can relieve the symptoms of the virus and provide immune support.

Seasonal Flu: Prevention and Cure

Like anything else, it is better to prevent seasonal flu than to cure it. By practicing good basic hygiene, including frequent hand washing, transmission is reduced. Diffusion of antimicrobial essential oils in frequently used areas, such as the home and workplace, can help to clean the air and reduce the spread.

However, the best way to prevent influenza and its complications is to have a strong and healthy immune system. These tips will help you stay germ-free this winter:

• Get your daily dose of vitamin Dan immune-boosting vitamin (for the dosage, click on this link) ;
• Take a supplement of vitamin C every day, it is an excellent antiviral;
• Take probiotics on a regular basis to fortify the intestinal flora, the nest of immune health ;
• Address any iron deficiency and/or maintain a stable iron level;
• Consume enough protein every day at a rate of 30g 2 to 3 x/day;
• Avoid skipping meals, as this leads to a loss of nutrients and weakens immunity;
• Avoid stress, especially prolonged stress. Addressing the sources of stress as needed;
• Have a good sleep hygiene and get enough sleep.

If, however, the implementation of these recommendations does not prevent the flu, medicinal plants will come to your rescue thanks to the tincture Drastix. Traditionally used in Western herbalism to treat colds, flu and respiratory tract infections, the mother tincture Drastix is a liquid concentrate of organic medicinal plants created to fight viruses and strengthen immunity.

The tincture Drastix is a flu breaker par excellence created by the herbalists and apothecaries of La Clef Des Champs composed of :

• Fresh root of organic purple Echinacea (E. purpurea)Immune tonic
• Fresh root of organic Echinacea (E.angustifolia)Immune tonic
• Fresh root of organic Canadian Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)Antiviral, antibacterial, immune tonic
• Myrrh resin (Commiphora myrrha)Powerful bactericide, reduces and expels secretions from the respiratory tract;
• Organic propolis resin: Antiseptic ^C

For best results, start taking the flu buster Drastix as soon as the first flu symptoms appear and follow the indicated dosage:

• 10 to 30 drops, 1 to 3 times a day, for a maximum of 15 days

Seasonal flu : When to worry?

Getting the flu is generally harmless and without risk of complication in a healthy population. Medicinal plants can help relieve the uncomfortable symptoms. However, important precautions should be taken with :

• Pregnant women;
• Babies aged 6 to 60 months;
• Persons 65 years of age and older;
• People with immune health problems;
• People with a pre-existing chronic medical condition (heart or lung condition, morbid obesity, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes);
• People with cancer ^{A, B}

Anyone who falls into one of these categories should receive medical follow-up to monitor the evolution of the virus and prevent complications.

This year, focus on preventing the flu by adopting healthy lifestyle habits and implementing the recommendations in this article to strengthen immunity. As soon as the first symptoms appear, turn to the botanical flu buster Drastix available at La Boite à Grains and on our online store.

Good health!
The team of La Boite à Grains

________________________

Research and writing :
Véronique Cousineau, certified naturopath

Sources:

A: Government of Canada. Public Health Services. Diseases and Conditions. Flu (influenza): For health professionals. Date modified: 2019-08-16.

B: World Health Organization. Seasonal Influenza Fact sheet. 6 November 2018.

C: DUMENAT Phytotherapy teaching team, Faculty of Medicine Paris-XIII, Bobigny (2003). Les médecines de la nature - 200 plantes pour se soigner. (Adapted from La Santé par les plantes). Canada, Montreal: Reader's Digest selection. P.