I’ve been asked many times what I do when I get sick. So in the thick of flu season, I thought I’d spill the beans on the natural flu remedies I arm myself with.

When I was a teen, as soon as a cold or flu approached I armed myself with Codral cold and flu day and night tablets to help me solider on. I bought nasal sprays (not the natural kind) to clear the phlegm. You see, I didn’t grow up as a nature-lovin’ gal. I never took anything to help improve my immune system apart from the odd Vitamin C pill. As for diet – no one ever mentioned anything about that.

So when I was sick I ate as I always did – juices, smoothies filled with cow’s milk, toasted wheat bread sandwiches with cheese or a white bread roll with ham for lunch, biscuits and cakes for afternoon tea. You get the picture.

I was constantly sick as a teen and the colds would last over two weeks each time. I always had stomach aches and pains but thought that was all just normal – didn’t everyone? I couldn’t think straight but I felt I was doing all the right things to get through it. Now looking back I cringe at how hard I was making life for myself but I had no idea at the time.

So what do I do these days and how is the picture different?

 

REST

When I get sick I clear my day and rest. If I have my children with me I get them minded for at least one day so I can go to bed. It’s amazing how much that helps. I also organise to have time off work so I can rest further and recover. I don’t want to spread my germs any further.

You can really feel your body at work when you have the flu. Every muscle aches, your skin feels all tender and like it’s crawling, the head aches. I want to give my body the best fighting chance to get over it quickly.

 

BROTH

Then I start to make organic free-range chicken broth. I throw in a carcass, some carrots, celery, an onion and a knob of ginger, which is antibacterial, antiviral and gentle on your stomach. I slow cook that for 24 hours and start sipping out of it after a few hours. I then eat mainly this broth whilst I’m unwell as well as another Chinese favourite – congee. This is basically a rice, ginger and pork soup but you can use other meats, it’s up to you.

 

HYDRATION

I start drinking water like there’s no tomorrow to help flush out my body and hydrate every cell. When my throat is sore I gargle with salt and water and if I need a pick-me-up in between times to soothe a sore throat I go a warm lemon and honey drink.

 

PROBIOTICS

I increase the dose of my probiotics. I double it in fact. I start taking SB-Floractive by Bioceuticals to clear out any pathogens in the gut lining and help the good probiotics stick. I also take a high dose of a multi-stream probiotic UB-75 which also works a treat. (UB-60 or UB-45 will also be good but you’ll need to take more of them). When over 70% of your immune system is in your gut, you know you’ve got to give it a hand in times like these.

 

HERBS

When it comes to medicinal herbs, it is always best to get checked out by a Herbalist who knows your background, as sometimes herbs that really clear heat and boost your immune system work and sometimes they don’t. The reason they might not is if your underlying system is weak.

When I treat clients myself, I teach them which formula is good for what and when to use it – they have a couple on the go for different times during their illness, depending on what is mainly presenting. Usually you’ll have a pattern.

So at the moment, my system has been responding to strongly clearing heat and boosting my immunity because my gut is already in check. This might not be the case for you though.

In my most recent illness I started taking good doses of these herbs: Andrographis, Olive Leaf and Echinacea and I made sure that I upped my Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Zinc as they are all important when it comes to immunity.

Andrographis is a Chinese herb that is very bitter and good at clearing toxic heat. It’s antiviral, antibacterial and reduces inflammation. Since it is so bitter it is best to steer clear of it if you are breastfeeding as it could have an impact on your milk, especially if you’re a mum who has had issues with supply. In China, this herb mainly grows in Guangdong, Fujian, and other provinces and its Chinese name is Chuan Xin Lian. Besides its medicinal properties, it can be eaten too and so is considered a delicacy in Guangdong province.

Olive Leaf has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It is known to neutralise the effects of certain antibiotics so is best not taken at the same time. Olive Leaf extract is usually extracted from the leaves of the Mission and Manzanillo varieties of olive tree and most of these trees are found around the Mediterranean.

Echinacea strongly clears heat from the Lungs, Stomach and Blood, which means it’s anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial. It’s native to the Rocky Mountains in the United States and was used by the American Indians. It fell out of favour once antibiotics were discovered but is getting more of a look-in again these days as antibiotics have been overused. Knowing how cold it is, I would again avoid this when breastfeeding.

I’ve found the product ArmaForce by Bioceuticals – which contains these three herbs – to be very helpful; however, it may not be the right product for you. Get checked so you know what is most likely going to work for you.

The other herb I’ve been taking is Ling Zhi – the Reishi Mushroom. This mushroom is like complete awesomeness for your immune system. You know how Ginseng can improve your energy? Well same same for Reishi and your immunity. Not only that, it also provides neurological, metabolic, hepatic and vascular protection, among other functions. Traditionally it’s valued as a tonic herb that can pave the path to radiant health on all levels of your being. It is one of the most revered herbs in Asia. Cool huh?!

There are literally dozens of species of Ganoderma mushroom (Reishi) but only a couple are widely used to buy as herbs and they are Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma sinensis. Ganoderma lucidum is the most common. Both species can be collected from the wild. They grow almost exclusively on various kinds of hardwood trees in mountainous forests throughout Asia. The spores that are released from the mushroom when it is ready are very potent with healing properties. When buying a product with spores, you must make sure the spores have been cracked open or you won’t be able to digest the goodness.

 

NETI POT

And finally, the other thing I do every day during a bout of flu is rinse my sinuses with salt and water. It’s an Ayervedic technique that’s over a thousand years old. I put half a teaspoon of salt into my cup-size neti pot and dissolve it in boiling water. When it’s warm I place the spout inside one nostril and tilt my head to the side and the water goes up into my sinuses and comes out the other side. Then I blow my nose and do the other side. Check out my neti pot demo here.

 

So that’s it – that’s my regimen when I get sick. I’m not sick for over two weeks like I once was as a teen and young adult. I usually get over it in 3–4 days and by the time a week is up I’m almost 100%. It’s completely awesome what your body can do if you feed it right, rest right and give it a boost with natural flu remedies like probiotics and herbs.

So… Eat lightly, drink soup and be merry.

If you’d like to know what to do with your kids when they get sick then check out our A to Z of Home Remedies for Children’s Health. It’s packed full of goodness and ideas to help get you and your family thrive all year long.

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Empower yourself with the art of improving your child’s health naturally at home. Learn how to reduce mucus through diet, boost their immunity, improve their gut, enliven their spirit & calm them for great sleep. Feel secure in the knowledge you have a natural health plan for your kids. Join our online home study program: From Anxiety to Security – The A–Z of Home Remedies for Children’s Health.