Beating The Bug Naturally - Organic Flu Remedies And Prevention

We have plumbed the ocean depths, climbed the highest peaks and even left our footprints on the moon. We claim an absolute right to self determination and resolutely forge the world to fit our needs. Yes indeed, man is top of the pile. Yet a tiny bug continues to confound and defeat our best efforts to bludgeon it into submission. Influenza or the common or garden flu, still resists all of mans best laid plans to relegate it to a dusty exhibit in the natural sciences museum and probably will for all time.

Flu lays millions of people low each year and is believed to affect up to 50% of the population of countries such as the US every winter. The virus is predominantly airborne and can survive, un-hosted, in that environment for hours. Using the one medium we cannot survive without as a transfer vehicle, influenza has a sure fire survival and propagation mechanism and has proven exceptionally difficult to contain. So, what do we do about this pesky parasite? Do we just resign ourselves to the sneezing, sore throats and coughing, or is there something we can do to strengthen the ramparts and keep the little beast at bay? And even better, a way to do it that doesn't soak us in enough antibiotics and other drugs to cause us to glow in the dark? Fortunately there are several natural flu remedies and preventative measures.

Flu, like most bullies, will seldom pick on the brawny star linebacker. It will first seek out the weak and the vulnerable among us, so our first line of defence should be our own immune systems. A strong, normally functioning immune system is no guarantee that you will not contract all flu strains, but will definitely ward off most. As a matter of fact, boosting or assisting or immune systems should be a life long standard in our quest for better health. Let's take a look at a number of non drug based, natural flu remedies.

Detoxification: This is an essential first line natural flu remedy. Fighting off elevated toxicity levels drains our immune systems and can become a chink in the armour allowing flu to take hold. Try embarking on a detoxification program in The Fall and spring. This will lighten the load for your immune system and make it easier for you to resist opportunistic infections.

Sugar: Try and cut down or even eliminate sugar altogether from your diet during the run up to flu open season. Sugar can suppress the immune system by raising insulin levels which in turn inhibit the release of growth hormones. It also competes with vitamin C for absorption by the white blood cells which are our main defence mechanism at a cellular level. Not only is this a good natural flu remedy but an essential overall health tip.

Diet: A diet rich in fruit and vegetables is also an excellent natural flu remedy. They are a ready source of immune system boosting vitamins and minerals that go a long way to bolstering our body's natural defences.

Hydration: Keep your body hydrated. An adequate supply of clean water assists our bodies to eliminate toxins and can prove to be the simplest natural flu remedy.

Exercise and Sunshine: Daily exercise aids in the promotion of general physical and mental health and strength. Sunlight causes our bodies to produce vitamin D and one should take a vitamin D supplement if getting out into the sun on a regular basis is not an option.

Sleep: Adequate sleep allows for our bodies, in particular our immune systems to recharge. Most of our sleep related healing takes place between 10 pm and 3 am so the old adage about early to bed holds true. Sleep derivation is also not something you can make up for so don't get into the habit of burning the candle at both ends.

Vitamins: Vitamin C is one of the most effective weapons in our bodies natural defence arsenal. A good, reputable vitamin supplement is an essential natural flu remedy.

If our persistent little viral friend does penetrate your defences and you do come down with flu, there are a couple of organic or natural flu remedies one can keep in mind.

Oregano oil: A drop of oregano oil in an ounce of warm water can be used as an inhalant to clear nasal congestion. 3 to 5 drops of the mixture in a gel or veggie capsule can be taken orally as an analgesic. Oregano oil is an effective anti-bacterial, anti-viral and pain killing natural flu remedy.

Hydration: Yet again, keep up your fluid intake. Plenty of fresh vegetable juice or pure water keeps up fluid levels, replenishes vitamins electrolytes and minerals and flushes out toxins.

Fruit: At this point in the battle your body needs all the vitamin C it can get so plenty of fresh, vitamin C rich fruit can aid in banishing the flu bug in short order. Avoid juicing the fruit which can lead to insulin spikes. Rather eat the whole fruit.

Natural Liquorice Extracts: Liquorice tablets, capsules or liquid are good natural flu remedies as they act as an expectorant and aid in relieving throat and nasal irritation. Liquorice root can also be taken in an infusion as a herbal tea.

Echinacea: Echinacea tablets or tea addresses sore throat and coughing and can also boost the immune system shortening the duration of infection.

Not surprisingly many, if not all of these remedies are also basic good health tips. One thing is for sure though, if you keep your bodies natural defence mechanism operating at its peak level, flu is not the only nasty bug you are likely to be seeing a lot less of!