Whereas last year seemed to be the Stomach virus/bug that never ended (everyone seemed to get bad 24 hour to 3 weeks worth of Stomach upsets throughout 2010), and the dreaded "swine flu" -  this year - the nasty "Head Cold"/"Chest Cough"/"Achy/Chilly Flu" - has hit hard. People have been laid up for days/weeks and the first thing to remember - REST! SLEEP! REST! 2-3 DAYS IN BED WILL SAVE YOU 2-3 WEEKS OF MISSED WORK! HIT IT UPON ONSET - DON'T LET IT GET INTO YOUR CHEST - HIT IT WHEN FIRST SYMPTOMS BEGIN!!!!
Hit it with all it is worth and don't let up! Just watched "Flyboys" - great action movie set in 1917 WWI - keep firing on the enemy and don't give up!
YOUR ALLIES:
1. FRESH GARLIC:
 is a potent antiviral/Antibiotic/Antifungal - use crushed/raw - it won't win you any friends but it is your ally.
Ex. JUICE (get yourself a juicer and give yourself infusions of potent vitamins/minerals - to ward off bugs:
Recipe:  4 carrots, 2-3 oranges, 2 cloves of garlic, 1/2 inch of fresh ginger - drink daily (it doesn't taste as bad as it sounds!)
Ex. SALAD DRESSING - crushed garlic in your home made salad dressing (I make this for supper on days when I am treating lots of sick people) - crushed garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt/pepper, and a bit of dijon.
2. ECHINACHEA/GOLDENSEAL TINCTURE (antiviral/antibacterial) - for sore throat/swollen tonsils - mix 1-2 dropperful with oz. of water and gargle 30 seconds then swallow. Repeat every 4-6 hours. If you have the fortitude - you can apply directly to tonsils Warning: this stuff tastes aweful!
3. STEAM WITH TEA TREE OIL/EUCALYPTUS (tea tree is antiviral/fungal/antibacterial and eucalyptus opens up nasal passages and bronchials) - add a few drops to shower and breathe deeply, or add to bowl of water and steam under a towel. I actually put a drop of tea tree on a 1-tip and used in my nostrils - pretty drastic but worked.  Also nice: chest r ubs
4. LOAD UP ON VITAMIN C - emergen-C, lozenges, chewables, fresh orange juice, too much can cause stomach upset - but I haven't reached that point yet
5-7.ZINC, ELDERBERRY, ISATIS ROOT - look for them in wellness formulas
8. STAY AWAY FROM SUGAR, DAIRY, SOY, WHEAT - causes mucus and will make you more congested and works against you. Allies include - stews/soups/veggies/fruit - easy to digest foods
9. HOMEOPATHIC FORMULAS - this is not my forte but sinusin and cold calm are used in my family as adjunct care.We love:   OCCILLICOCCINIUM - 1 vial every 6 hours - when you start with chills/achyness.

OTHER IMPORTANT BATTLE STRATEGIES:
1. DISINFECT YOUR TOOTHBRUSHES OR BUY NEW ONES - You will continue to re-infect yourself and wonder why you can't kick the bug or why you keep catching "new" ones.
2. WASH HANDS OFTEN
3. SNEEZE/COUGH IN THE FOLD OF YOUR ELBOW (Teach your kids to do this too!)
4.  CHIRO - A Cervial Chirpractic adjustment often helps if done at the beginning when you are just starting to feel run down - sneezing/runny nose/congestion/fatigue.
5. ACUPUNCTURE & HERBS- Acupuncture/BRT treatment is helpful as well.
6.  CHINESE HERBAL FORMULAS THAT HAVE HELPED THIS SEASON - Evergreen Herbs: Respitrol Cold/Respitrol Heat, Pinellia XPT, Respitrol CF, Lonicera Complex, Herbal ABX, Magnolia Clear Sinus, Pueraria Clear Sinus (need to see licensed practioner for perscription)

***NOT RECOMMENDED: TO TAKE TONICS - you will "strengthen" the enemy. Save tonics for after active infection to boost system.

CAVEAT/NOTE: ALL THESE BATTLE STRATEGIES HAVE BEEN USED IN MY HOUSEHOLD BY MYSELF, MY HUSBAND, AND KIDS, AND HAVE BEEN PASSED ON WITH SUCCESS TO MY CLIENTS/PATIENTS. I OFFER THIS BLOG TO EMPOWER YOU, TO EDUCATE YOU ON ALTERNATIVES BEYOND CONVENTIONAL OVER-THE-COUNTER PANACEAS "COUGH SUPPRESSANTS"/"FEVER SUPPRESANTS", ETC. I BELIEVE IN TREATING THE CAUSE AND SYMPTOMS - NOT MASKING SYMPTOMS. MAKE SURE TO CHECK WITH YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH PRACTIONER/DOCTOR TO SEE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH,
acumom