My friend Chad Hamilton of Health By Hamilton recently shared these tips for avoiding the flu. Hope you enjoy and stay well all winter! To contact him directly visit: www.HealthByHamilton.com.
I’d like to preface this by stating that I will not in any way acknowledge Swine Flu/H1N1 in this post.
We all have a hard time making it through the colder months without harboring some sort of critter, attacking invader, virus in our upper respiratory tract. Now, I won’t go into causes and deep explanations, just things you can implement into your daily life that will support you through this season and the looming winter. Now, I won’t inundate you with a long list, but more of a “must have”, if you will.
Food stuffs
- Stock - Chicken, Fish, Ox-tail, Veggie (roots). The base of all home wellness programs for millenia has begun with this simple remedy.
- Kale - Harvested in the colder months, kale’s hearty, dense nature is loaded with vitamins and minerals in a highly agreeable form. Put it in soups and stews,saute it, blend it…just get it in you. Kale has about a trillion times more vitamin C than any citrus fruit - which, by the way, should never be consumed in the winter.
- Root Vegetables - being a seasonal delight right now, this category of our plant world offers the antidote to the cold months. Their warm and grounding nature will bring the fireplace to your plate - bringing the warmth of a blanket to your belly…and soul.
- Miso - added to your stock before serving can boost the already outstanding benefits that reside in your favorite bowl.
Herbs and Homeopathy
- Oscillococcinum - a homeopathic dilution that once began as a duck liver and heart is probably the favorite among all flu remedies. Note: If it’s not the flu, then it doesn’t work. It’s ineffective against the common cold. (The raw material used in Oscillo’ is also used in a few other homeopathic dilutions - and are also a bit more cost effective.)
- Astragalus (Jade Screen) - is an ancient Chinese Patent formula that is in my book the end all of herbal cold and flu remedies. Traditionally taken during the change of season.
- Propolis - the most sterile environment found in nature is the inside of a bee hive. Propolis is a substance that is gathered from tree buds, sap, and other organic matter and then is mixed with a secretion secreted by worker bees which is used to line the inside of the hive. Critters and virus’ cannot inhabit an area where propolis is found. Sold in tincture, get the “thick” variety and drop it down the hatch whenever you feel that first little tickle. Yes, it tastes terrible, don’t be a wimp.
- Reishi/Maitake - I could talk all day about the immuno-modulating benefits of these fungi. You can buy in supplement form or go for the hardcore method and throw into your stock.
Take care of yourself.
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