Has the winter got you worried about catching the flu or a cold? Are you getting a flu shot? Is the flu vaccine still available in your area? Perhaps you should consider strengthening your immune system naturally. I found a great article detailing the ups and downs of the flu vaccine and some positive information on how to support your immunity naturally. I provided a pointed summary below but you can read the full article here.

The most common way these viruses are transmitted is by hand-to-hand contact. Someone blows their nose, they touch a door knob, you touch the same door knob then you rub your eye – transmission complete. What’s important to note is the reason you catch a cold or flu is not solely due to exposure but a weak immune system. It’s important to be aware of lifestyle factors that can impair your immune system. Preventive medicine requires a bit of education and attention to self-care.

Knowing the difference – Common Cold/Flu Symptoms:

“Cold”: runny nose, congestion, cough, and sore throat, gradual onset

Flu: (tend to be more severe symptoms) rapid onset, high fever, body aches, lung infection i.e. pneumonia

In Chinese Herbal Medicine if you feel chills the diagnosed is a wind-cold invasion and warm medicinals are typically administered internally – herbals formulas like Gui Zhi Tang or warm-pungent herbs like cinnamon or ginger are used. If there is fever than the diagnosis is most likely wind-heat invasion and cool medicinals are typically administered internally – herbal formulas like Yin Chiao Tang or bitter herbs like jin yin hua (Japanese honeysuckle flower)or lian qiao (forsythia fruit) can be used. What’s tricky about treating an acute condition is that signs and symptoms can change rapidly and require a change in herbal application to counter these changes. All the more reason to practice prevention ahead of time.

Avoid factors that can depress your immune system:

• Excess sugar and grains consumption – sugar unbalances the gut flora. Dr. Mercola says, “Sugar is ‘fertilizer’ for pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and fungi that can set your immune system up for an assault by a respiratory virus.” 80% of your immunity lies in your gastrointestinal tract. To optimize immunity take natural measures to correct digestive problems such as heart burn, bloating, frequent gas, rumbling sounds, nausea, tiredness after eating, frequent burping, or irregular bowel movements.
• Vitamin D deficiency – studies show a correlation between low vitamin D levels and higher incidents of colds and flu. Risks are greater for those with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma. If you take a vitamin D supplement I recommend a whole food source for optimal assimilation and always follow up periodically for a blood test to make sure you’re not reaching toxic levels.
• Insufficient sleep – sleep equals rejuvenation – without restorative sleep your body’s natural defenses will decline.
• Insufficient exercise – regular consistent exercise strengthens the body making it a better defender against infection.
• Stress – constant daily stress wears down and weakens the body. Learning techniques to reduce stress such as meditation, qigong, tai chi, or yoga are wonderful ways to counter the adverse effects of stress.

Note: don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Dark yellow urine means not enough water. Light yellow in color is just right.

Food & supplement aids against colds & flu

Chicken soup with pungent spices like ginger are especially good with sinus and chest congestion. The warm soup and pungent spices help loosen the mucus and get it moving. Homemade is best as opposed to out of a can.

Garlic (antiviral, antibiotic and antifungal) – liberally add garlic to your foods. Compounds in garlic kill many organisms, including bacteria and viruses that lead to earaches, flu and colds. garlic, ginger, onions, thyme and lemon are a great combination to add to soups for an immunity boost.

Echinacea and Vitamin C are additional supplements I like to include to support my immune system.

When practicing prevention with supplements to strengthen your immune system you often need to take some supplements for several months before experiencing the benefits. I would also recommend whole food supplements. Choose a high quality supplement by a company that tests their products to ensure they contain the active constituents that make them effective.