Winter is slowly approaching, and influenza season is knocking at our door. 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 combat seasonal flu. Here's how.
Seasonal flu: Identifying the symptoms
In popular parlance, 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 infections. Although the two viruses may have similarities, the flu, caused by the influenza virus, manifests itself with specific symptoms, including :
- High fever
- Cough (usually a dry cough)
- Severe muscle and joint pain A, B
People who have contracted influenza often also have :
- Headaches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Sore throat
- Inflammation of respiratory mucosa with runny nose and sneezing
- Feeling of general malaise A,B
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may accompany flu symptoms, particularly in young children. A
Generally speaking, the flu does not pose any major health risks or complications. When there are no predisposing factors, herbs can help relieve symptoms and provide immune support.
Seasonal flu: Prevention and cure
Like anything else, it's better to prevent seasonal flu than to cure it. By adopting good basic hygiene, including frequent hand-washing, transmission is reduced. Diffusing antimicrobial essential oils in frequently visited areas, such as the home and workplace, can help to purify the ambient air and reduce the spread of the virus.
However, the best way to prevent influenza and its complications is to have a strong, healthy immune system. Here are a few tips to help you stay germ-free this winter:
- Consume your daily dose of vitamin Dan immuno-fortifying vitamin (for dosage, click on this link) ;
- Take a supplement of vitamin C every day, as it is an excellent antiviral agent;
- Take probiotics on a regular basis to fortify the intestinal flora, the nest of immune health ;
- Address any iron deficiency and/or maintain stable iron levels;
- Consume sufficient protein every day at a rate of 30g 2 to 3 x/day;
- Avoid skipping meals, as this leads to nutrient loss and weakens immunity;
- Avoid stress, especially prolonged stress. Addressing sources of stress as needed;
- Have a good sleep hygiene and get enough sleep.
However, if these recommendations fail to prevent the flu, medicinal plants will come to the rescue, thanks to tinctures. Drastix. Traditionally used in Western herbalism to treat colds, flu and respiratory tract infections, mother tincture Drastix mother tincture mother tincture is a liquid concentrate of organic medicinal plants created to fight viruses and boost immunity.
The tincture Drastix is the ultimate flu buster, created by the herbalists and apothecaries of La Clef Des Champs and composed of :
- Fresh organic Echinacea root (E. purpurea)Immune tonic
- Fresh organic Echinacea root (E.angustifolia)Immune tonic
- Fresh organic Canadian goldenseal root (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 recommended dosage:
- 10 to 30 drops, 1 to 3 times a day, for a maximum of 15 days
Seasonal flu: When should you worry?
Getting the flu is generally harmless and without risk of complication in healthy people. Herbal remedies are of great help in alleviating uncomfortable symptoms. However, important precautions should be taken with :
- Pregnant women;
- Babies aged 6 to 60 months;
- People aged 65 and over;
- People with immune disorders;
- People with pre-existing chronic medical conditions (cardiac or pulmonary disorders, morbid obesity, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes);
- cancer patients A, B
Anyone in 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 immunity-boosting recommendations in this article. As soon as the first symptoms appear, turn to the botanical flu buster Drastix available at La Boite à Grains and our online store.
About the author
Naturopaths of La Boite à Grains
Team of licensed and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau, Outaouais.
Original article written by Véronique Cousineau, 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: Équipe d'enseignement du DUMENAT Phytothérapie, faculté de médecine Paris-XIII, Bobigny (2003). Les médecines de la nature - 200 plantes pour se soigner. (Adapted from La Santé par les plantes). Canada, Montreal: Sélection du Reader's Digest. P.
