Hakg Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 I'm asking this question from those in the northern hem, as we in the southern hem are encroaching on winter. Media are advising of a nasty flu season ahead (they usually do). If you chose not to vaccinate against the flu, would you care to share what the most successful, natural, immune boosting products you used this past winter (aside from probiotics and highly nutritious diets) were? :bigear: :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 I read a few years ago that Vit D3 was as effective as the flu shot. I don't know if that's true. But dh and I do take D all winter. The two kids at home caught the flu this winter but dh and I never did. I also take C as a matter of course. (I do wonder about the kids having the flu. There was a no nose swab done on the one who went in to the doctor and they both bounced back very quickly.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Honeysuckle tea. Apparently it's better than tamiflu - it blocks viruses from reproducing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 We stick to the basics of hand washing, healthy eating, good multi vitamins, wiping down everything we touch on a regular basis(door knobs, light switches, faucets etc . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 I made elderberry syrup this winter and it helped tremendously. I have an elderberry tincture going right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Eat healthy, get exercise, make sure you get enough sleep, and practice good hygiene. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Nothing special. If we get sick, we use Emergen C and elderberry syrup. But we haven't had the flu in 6 years. We just let it run its course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hakg Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Thanks for the responses. What I want to do is avoid getting the flu this year (we all had it last year) and it was nasty. Or IF we get it, ensuring we are strong and immune systems are healthy so it doesn't hit so hard. We do the usual things like avoid crowded shopping centres, keep hands away from face, take a multi, use a probiotic, eat nutritiously, and are conscious of hand hygiene etc not only in winter but all year round (as I am a bit of a germaphobe). What I was curious about is what supplements and additional nutritional steps were taken during the north hem winter that fended off the flu. Elderberry is something I am hearing brought up in discussions about immune boosting supplements. I haven't heard about honeysuckle tea, will have to look into that. wapiti - what is NAC? I have an asthma boy too who doesn't sleep well so he is prone to picking things up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 we never get the flu shots, when my kids were little and had a lot of asthma, I relied a lot on elderberry tinctures. Now, they are older and I rely on first- handwashing! I also hand out wipes as soon as we get in the car after being out in public like target or the grocery store. Wipes-not hand gel, the gel isn't as effective. Other than that, I give vitamin C and have real yogurt and cream cheese available always, with live cultures. That's it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pehp Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 We have never done flu shots either. I have had the flu once that I can remember as an adult. I'm 37; that was when I was about 26-27. Before kids!! My kids have never had the flu. Other than the normal stuff you mentioned---I take vit C, zinc, and Vit D. I have no idea if these work--I just do it. I also do use hand sanitizer in the car after we are 'out and about'. I like my elderberry with zinc, too--it's a syrup of some sort that I get at the health food store. It could just be that we are lucky. My friend whose family caught the flu in December rinsed with a neti pot twice a day for 2 weeks and she never caught it!! So that could have helped, and I plan on doing that this winter with my family! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Thanks for the responses. What I want to do is avoid getting the flu this year (we all had it last year) and it was nasty. Or IF we get it, ensuring we are strong and immune systems are healthy so it doesn't hit so hard. We do the usual things like avoid crowded shopping centres, keep hands away from face, take a multi, use a probiotic, eat nutritiously, and are conscious of hand hygiene etc not only in winter but all year round (as I am a bit of a germaphobe). What I was curious about is what supplements and additional nutritional steps were taken during the north hem winter that fended off the flu. Elderberry is something I am hearing brought up in discussions about immune boosting supplements. I haven't heard about honeysuckle tea, will have to look into that. wapiti - what is NAC? I have an asthma boy too who doesn't sleep well so he is prone to picking things up. You may have thought about this, but my kids, especially the one with dust and other environmental allergies, started sleeping so much better when we wrapped their mattresses and pillow cases and started washing bedding regularly. We also make sure to vacuum under the bed reg. now. Pretty sure we have dust mite allergies here due to the dramatic improvement in sleep. Regarding immune support: Vitamin D One of these a day for preventative measure: http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Organic-Echinacea-Purpurea-Herb-400-mg-180-Capsules/1974#p=1&oos=1&disc=0&lc=en-US&w=echinacea&rc=771&sr=null&ic=5 For a family of 6, it would only be aobut $10 a month. For people with breathing issues, Echinacea is incredibly helpful too. It is a well researched herb. OR an ech/goldenseal combo: http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Echinacea-Goldenseal-450-mg-180-Capsules/1967 I personally like goldenseal for when we do get sick. It's antibacterial AND antiviral. http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Goldenseal-Root-570-mg-100-Capsules/1920 I buy better, more potent brands when I can afford than those linked about, but that's not necessary. The others still work well. I did just buy some oil of oregano to try when we get sick, as well. Friends rave about knocking out the flu with it. http://www.bio-alternatives.net/buyoregano.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Sambucol. Sambucol. Sambucol. http://www.amazon.com/Sambucol-Original-Liquid-Black-Elderberry/dp/B001ESA36I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428979739&sr=8-1&keywords=sambucol Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518 http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20031222/elderberry-fights-flu-symptoms *I* would only use the brand Sambucol. They have a proprietary way of getting the extract. AND only the syrup. Others can disagree, but Sambucol has worked the best for our house, my friends house, her friends house, my relatives... you get the idea. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Oh, and I'm sure you know this but my number one rec. for recovering from an illness quickly and avoiding secondary infections (ear, sinus), especially with congestion, is to eat an anti-phlegm diet. We've been through pertussis with abs. no complications. But, we were diligent about no sugar (so important) and only eating things that don't increase mucous and especially stuff that REDUCES mucous. That's always my biggest suggestion. Cutting out dairy at least is so important. http://www.livestrong.com/article/398029-foods-that-reduce-mucus/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Sambucol. Sambucol. Sambucol. http://www.amazon.com/Sambucol-Original-Liquid-Black-Elderberry/dp/B001ESA36I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428979739&sr=8-1&keywords=sambucol Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518 http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20031222/elderberry-fights-flu-symptoms *I* would only use the brand Sambucol. They have a proprietary way of getting the extract. AND only the syrup. Others can disagree, but Sambucol has worked the best for our house, my friends house, her friends house, my relatives... you get the idea. I have a friend who makes her own, and it works well. She uses these: https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/elder-berries/profile Sambucol is good though! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 A $15 bottle of Sambucol lasted 24 hours in this house. Now I can make 2 cups worth for $15. It worked really well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonwood Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 fermented cod liver oil from blue pastures. we are rarely sick but even still, the overall health of our family improved incredibly once we started using this. we also make elderberry syrup and take high doses of d3. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hakg Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 You may have thought about this, but my kids, especially the one with dust and other environmental allergies, started sleeping so much better when we wrapped their mattresses and pillow cases and started washing bedding regularly. We also make sure to vacuum under the bed reg. now. Pretty sure we have dust mite allergies here due to the dramatic improvement in sleep. Regarding immune support: Vitamin D One of these a day for preventative measure: http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Organic-Echinacea-Purpurea-Herb-400-mg-180-Capsules/1974#p=1&oos=1&disc=0&lc=en-US&w=echinacea&rc=771&sr=null&ic=5 For a family of 6, it would only be aobut $10 a month. For people with breathing issues, Echinacea is incredibly helpful too. It is a well researched herb. OR an ech/goldenseal combo: http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Echinacea-Goldenseal-450-mg-180-Capsules/1967 I personally like goldenseal for when we do get sick. It's antibacterial AND antiviral. http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Goldenseal-Root-570-mg-100-Capsules/1920 I buy better, more potent brands when I can afford than those linked about, but that's not necessary. The others still work well. I did just buy some oil of oregano to try when we get sick, as well. Friends rave about knocking out the flu with it. http://www.bio-alternatives.net/buyoregano.htm Yes we have the dust covers and wash bed linen weekly in 90 degrees (I know that heat isn't necessary to kill dustmites). Thanks for the immune support tips. I'll be looking into all those suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hakg Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Sambucol. Sambucol. Sambucol. http://www.amazon.com/Sambucol-Original-Liquid-Black-Elderberry/dp/B001ESA36I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428979739&sr=8-1&keywords=sambucol Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518 http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20031222/elderberry-fights-flu-symptoms *I* would only use the brand Sambucol. They have a proprietary way of getting the extract. AND only the syrup. Others can disagree, but Sambucol has worked the best for our house, my friends house, her friends house, my relatives... you get the idea. Thanks this looks good too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hakg Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Oh, and I'm sure you know this but my number one rec. for recovering from an illness quickly and avoiding secondary infections (ear, sinus), especially with congestion, is to eat an anti-phlegm diet. We've been through pertussis with abs. no complications. But, we were diligent about no sugar (so important) and only eating things that don't increase mucous and especially stuff that REDUCES mucous. That's always my biggest suggestion. Cutting out dairy at least is so important. http://www.livestrong.com/article/398029-foods-that-reduce-mucus/ So true! great article - thanks. Naturopath told me that eating sugar weakens any probiotic being taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Honestly, it's boring but I think the " biggest bang for your buck" is a healthful diet heavy on F&V, sleep and exercise/movement regularly. Everything else combined probably isn't as powerful as those three things. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hakg Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 Honestly, it's boring but I think the " biggest bang for your buck" is a healthful diet heavy on F&V, sleep and exercise/movement regularly. Everything else combined probably isn't as powerful as those three things. I completely agree, but I have a child with asthma (who is also a poor sleeper) so he needs a little something extra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 I think ample sleep and enough water go a LOOOOOONG way in improving general health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.