Influenza Tips

I have a whole illness and immune support blog post, but wanted to address influenza on its own. We have handled this virus a few times naturally and there are so many holistic options to help you through if you are to get sick. I decided to write this after an ad for theraflu came through in my stories and the ingredients made me cringe (see last slide). I want to empower you with options so that you can make the choices that are right for you. Support the immune system and it will treat you well.


Over the past 10 years I’ve taken my western medicine training and dove head first into learning about holistic remedies. I learned quickly that there is a whole world out there that can assist and support our bodies during illness. Not only does it help in the prevention and recovery but the impact it has on our mental health through the feelings of empowerment are priceless.


Not all herbals and botanicals are right for everyone. For example, those with autoimmune conditions can have their conditions exacerbated with botanicals like echinacea and astragalus, which stimulate the Th1 system (part of the immune system).


Here are a few things you can do on a regular basis to support your immune system and overall health.


Basic Health Foundation Tips

  • Get adequate sleep (not always easy, but one of the most important things you can do)

  • Drink adequate water/electrolytes (LMNT & Redmond's Relyte) and eat a well balanced diet, limit sugar

  • This could be a blog post all itself, but I'm a huge proponent of a whole foods style way of eating. Limiting processed foods as much as possible.

  • Move your body!

  • Get outside.

  • Wash your hands!

    • Simple soap and water is sufficient! Steer clear of antibacterial soaps. I like to make my own and use glass self foaming bottles.

    • If it isn't easy to wash with soap and water, hand sanitizer is another great option and I like to make my own. We also use Briotech while out and about. It's effective at combating viruses and bacteria, but doesn't disrupt natural microbiome.


Some of my favorite ways to support a body with a fever are:⁣

  1. Homeopathy - it’s important to use appropriate remedies based on symptoms. @the.enlightened.homeopath is a great resource on Instagram.

  2. Epsom Salt Bath Soaks - provides magnesium and helps cool the body down while drawing out toxins.

  3. Essential Oils -I love rubbing diluted peppermint oil to the spine or bottoms of feet.

  4. Electrolytes/Fluids - It is important to make sure the body is replenished with key electrolytes when running a fever. My top choices for electrolytes are Redmond’s Relyte, LMNT and Seeking Health Optimal Electrolyte.⁣

  5. Cool rag. Don’t underestimate the power of this!


INFLUENZIUM (Prophylaxis)

What is the Flu Remedy?

We use the homeopathic remedy Influenzinum, made from THIS YEAR'S flu v, to reduce your susceptibility and ease anxiety about illness. Using homeopathic remedies this way is called Homeoprophylaxis, and is safe for people of all ages, even pregnant women.

Homeoprophylaxis works by "educating your immune system." By administering a remedy that is energetically similar to the disease, it stimulates your immune system to reduce your susceptibility to the illness, in a way that is safe and natural. Flu remedies in past years have shown over a 90% success rate.

And YES, if you get the flu v, the remedy is a great idea because it can help your body to do its “work” with the v more efficiently, helping your immune system recover quickly so that you are ready for the season.


OSCCILLOOCCINUM

Oscillococcinum works with your body to help temporarily relieve fatigue, headache, body aches, chills & fever.

Homeopathic remedies do not cause side effects or interfere with medications, and they are safe for newborns and during pregnancy, which has been a huge reason I’ve used them. We all know when babies get sick it’s hard to know how to help them. I have used this on my child younger than 2, but as always check with a homeopath to determine what is right for you.


ELDERBERRY

Elderberry syrup has been around for a very long time and is one of the top antiviral herbs. It is great for boosting the immune system and contains ample amounts of vitamins A, B, and C. It has shown to cut the duration of a viral illness down substantially, which is beneficial for sinus infections and influenza. I like rotating on and off. Options include one week on, one week off or take during week and not on weekends.


IMMUNBIOTIC by Earthley

Earthley’s Immune-Biotic utilized nature’s immune boosting herbs and is a must-have in your natural remedies cabinet. It helps your immune system kick into high gear, so that you can fight off whatever little sniffles, tummy aches, and other yucky germs come your way. Every herb is chosen specifically to help your immune system work its hardest and to make you feel better fast! Each immune boosting herb has antiviral, or antibacterial properties to help your body naturally fight off whatever is bothering you.

Ingredients:

organic elderflower

organic astragalus root

organic echinacea angustifolia root

organic calendula

organic dandelion root

VITAMIN C

If you remember hearing from your mom or grandma to take Vitamin C when sick, they were right! But, you may have noticed it didn't really do much and here is why. You weren't taking enough! When you first get sick, you need to find your bowel tolerance with vitamin C. To do this you will need to take one dose (I recommend 500-1000mg) of vitamin C every 1-2 hours until you reach the point that your stools are loose, and, if you were to continue taking more C, you would then have diarrhea. Once you've reached this point, you figure out how much Vitamin C you've taken TOTAL, and divide that into equal doses which you take every day while you're sick. The range of Vitamin C tolerance can be as low as 3000mg/day or as high as 40,000! Everyone's tolerance is different so it's important to ensure effectiveness that you do this "test". It should also be noted that it can change with each illness so I would do this test each time you are sick.

Lypospheric tends to be easier absorbed, so that is why you will see that option as well. I generally recommend 500-1000mg of Vitamin C daily.

Here are the brands I recommend for Vitamin C:

Whole Foods Options (a great option, but crucial to also get ascorbic acid)

Ascorbic Acid Options:

MAGNESIUM

It is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body and impacts blood pressure, metabolism, hormones, immune function, and many other aspects of health. Extremely important for Vitamin D levels. Obtaining Multiple forms of magnesium is also important which is why I love the Smidge morning magnesium. Boron is also extremely important for max absorption, which is why I love the Smidge Morning Magnesium. If you are taking another version without boron you can always take it seperately. Trace Minerals Research has a great boron (on fullscript).

OPTIONS

Morning Magnesium from Smidge- 3 types of magnesium (Taurinate, Orotate and Malate) along with boron for optimal absorption.

Evening Magnesium from Smidge- glycinate

Bioptimizer Magnesium- This doesn’t have the boron for absorption but does have 7 types of magnesium, it will do if not able to get Smidge mag.

Mother Earth Labs Ionic Magnesium - Liquid which is great for kids.

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes - magnesium is well absorbed topically. I love using these flakes to make my own lotion. First you will make magnesium oil by mixing distilled water and magnesium flakes. It will produce an oily-feeling clear liquid. Dissolve one part magnesium flakes in one part distilled water. Then in 8 oz of lotion add 4-6 Tbsp. of mag oil. Mix with hand mixer for 2 minutes.

VITAMIN D3/K

For daily use I recommend getting Vitamin D from sun, beef liver and cod liver oil. If need to supplement make sure you are getting adequate Vitamin K. There is some strong evidence that Vitamin D deficiency is a result of a magnesium deficiency so it is extremely important to get adequate magnesium. For illnesses Vitamin D (a hormone) is an incredibly effective antimicrobial agent, killing bacteria, fungus, and viruses. There's some significant evidence that vitamin D deficiency is an underlying cause of colds and flus I always encourage people to get levels checked as more is not better and proper dosing is important if you are going to take Vitamin D!

There is also some preliminary info showing that adequate vitamin D levels is beneficial for reducing covid severity. More research needs to be done, but this is promising! (1)

ZINC

There have been some studies showing it can reduce the duration of a cold by 24 hours, as well as reduce the severity of cold symptoms. Zinc improves and aids immune function. Zinc is an essential trace element in the body and is vital in over 300 enzyme reactions. World Health Organization estimates that up to 80% of us are mildly zinc deficient and there are very definite symptoms associated with this. Fatigue, lowered immunity, loss of libido, macular degeneration and a host of skin conditions can manifest in this zinc deficient state. Too much zinc can, for example, lead to copper deficiency.

Copper deficiency can affect energy production and neurological processes in the brain. For daily intake, be sure to use a natural form like oyster zinc which will have iodine, selenium, b12 and copper.

Daily

For Illness

XLEAR NASAL SPRAY

Reduces tissue inflammation and naturally opens airways. Xylitol helps to reduce swelling and allergy symptoms by reducing bacterial adhesion on you nasal tissue. Perfect for nasal symptoms due to cold, sinus infection or allergies!

BIOCIDIN THROAT SPRAY

The nasal/pharynx region is said to be one locus of infection for upper respiratory disorders, and addressing this area directly is an important part of supporting healthy respiration, Biocidin Throat Spray provides immediate relief from sore throat pain, is indispensable for winter wellness and irritation due to seasonal allergies and respiratory support while traveling. This is one of my big hitters when anyone gets the first sign of a scratchy throat, something is coming on.

Shop here.

INGREDIENTS

Bilberry extract, Noni extract, Milk Thistle, Echinacea Purpurea extract, Echinacea Angustifolia, Goldenseal, Shiitake extract, White Willow Bark, Garlic, Grapeseed extract, Black Walnut (hull and leaf), Raspberry, Fumitory extract, Gentian, Tea Tree oil, Galbanum oil, Lavender oil, Oregano oil

References

  • Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw. 2001 Apr-Jun;12(2):290-6. PMID: 11399518.

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/pdf/nutrients-08-00182.pdf

  • Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40. doi: 10.1177/147323000403200205. PMID: 15080016.

  • Krawitz C, Mraheil MA, Stein M, Imirzalioglu C, Domann E, Pleschka S, Hain T. Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011 Feb 25;11:16. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-11-16. PMID: 21352539; PMCID: PMC3056848.


BEE PROPOLIS THROAT SPRAY

Our nasal and oral mucosa are points of first contact with many pathogens/allergens. If we can be proactive at early onset of symptoms these sprays can potentially help reduce severity. We use these often in our house!

Natural germ fighting properties, lots of antioxidants, and 300+ beneficial compounds, we like to think of propolis as nature’s ultimate defender.

Adult Immune Supplements (fullscript)

Kids Immune Supplements (fullscript)


*This is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your medical provider.

Tara Woodland