While there is no known cure for the flu, the old
adage, "prevention is the best cure" applies to our most common
infectious disease as much as it applies to anything else. If you take the
right precautions, you can drastically reduce your chances of catching a flu.
These are the top 5 flu prevention tips as recommended by natural therapists.
Tip
One: Avoid Contact
Viruses spread through contact. When a flu epidemic
occurs, the best protection is avoidance. Avoid coming into close contact with
others who may be spreading the virus. Experts say that viruses and germs can
live hours or even days outside the body. After using public facilities, wash
your hands to help eliminate the possibility of picking up a flu or cold. Also
avoid touching your face. Flu viruses enter the body via the nose and mouth, so
if you've picked something up on your hands, touching your face is like giving
it an invitat.
Tip Two: Eat Fruits and Vegetables
If there is a best time to start eating more fresh
fruits and vegetables, it's flu time. Many fruits and vegetables contain
anti-viral properties, with dark green vegetables and fruits like apples and
quinces having been shown to be particularly effective at helping prevent flus.
The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables also help scavenge free radicals and
give your immune system an overall boost.
Tip
Three: Drink Plenty of Fluids
Water flushes out the system, removing waste and
toxins. Green tea contains antioxidants, giving it even more benefits for flu
prevention. Herbal teas with a touch of lemon are another way to get flu
preventing antioxidants and other anti-viral ingredients into your system while
re-hydrating at the same time. A good way to know if you're drinking enough
liquids is to check your urine. If it is clear or close to clear, you're
drinking enough. If it is very yellow, you need to drink more.
Tip
Four: Exercise Regularly
Aerobic exercises that make you breathe harder,
increase blood circulation and work up a mild sweat help prevent flus in a
number of ways. Not only does your increased metabolism help cleanse the
system, aerobic exercise has been shown to increase the numbers of the body's
natural flu fighting cells.
Tip
Five: Take Natural Herbal Supplements
Your herbalist can suggest a variety of
flu-preventive and flu-fighting herbs and other plants. One powerful natural
treatment that has been used for centuries is garlic. Use garlic in cooking,
take it raw or get a good garlic supplement if you want to avoid "garlic
breath." Other herbs recommended for prevention or treatment of flus
include:
Echinacea is believed to boost the immune system in general and help prevent and treat colds and flus in partricular. Used by Native American cultures for centuries, echinacea has been rediscovered and is available wherever herbal remedies are sold.
Echinacea is believed to boost the immune system in general and help prevent and treat colds and flus in partricular. Used by Native American cultures for centuries, echinacea has been rediscovered and is available wherever herbal remedies are sold.
Ginseng
has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years.
Considered an "adaptogen" (a substance that helps the body adapt to
environmental circumstances), ginseng is used as a general tonic as well as an
immune system booster.
Follow these 5 top flu prevention tips and you may get through the cold and flu season unscathed. If not, you'll probably find yourself experiencing milder symptoms and faster recovery times. If you do come down with the flu, give your body a break and allow yourself to get plenty of rest. This will help your immune system shake off the flu faster and minimise the severity of your symptoms.
Follow these 5 top flu prevention tips and you may get through the cold and flu season unscathed. If not, you'll probably find yourself experiencing milder symptoms and faster recovery times. If you do come down with the flu, give your body a break and allow yourself to get plenty of rest. This will help your immune system shake off the flu faster and minimise the severity of your symptoms.
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