Best Flu Remedies, From a Holistic Nutritionist

We’ve all been sick before. The coughs, the runny nose, the sore throat...it never gets easier. During this time of stress, the body needs extra support to help it fight off the invaders. The body is an incredible mechanism and it knows exactly what to do when it comes down to healing. It is best not to suppress the natural responses (like many over-the-counter cold medicines do) but rather support them and help your body do its job. With that being said, I’ve narrowed down my favorite immune support remedies for cold & flu season.

Let’s start with my absolute favorite, black elderberry, or Sambucus. This one is quite popular and many store shelves become bare as people flock for Elderberry during cold & flu season. Elderberry can be found at most stores nowadays, but it is recommended to find the most concentrated source with limited additives & sugars. Elderberry has a very bitter taste and is often cooked (mostly into syrup and/or tea) before utilization. Various parts of the plant have been used throughout history for many issues such as digestive problems, inflammation, infection, headache, and more. Elderberry is especially high in vitamin C & antioxidants and possesses anti-microbial properties; therefore, being the go-to today for the common cold or flu. Elderberry works best at the onset of symptoms while it reduces viral replication and may prevent the progression of illness. Potentially harmful cyanide found in the plant can be eliminated by cooking, which is done in all retail formulas. Excessive elderberry intake may cause digestive discomfort. Despite those unlikely risks, elderberry is definitely my top pick for immune support.

My other favorite packs a lot of heat; and that is...cayenne pepper! Cayenne is loaded with capsaicin, a compound known to aid nasal clarity and inflammatory pain. Cayenne enables you to maintain a clear nose and potentially a burst of clean energy. Combine it with apple cider vinegar & lemon and you’ve got a powerful tonic. Apple cider vinegar is high in potassium and feeds the gut’s probiotics, which are essential for immune function. Lemon is loaded with vitamin C and possesses anti-inflammatory & anti-microbial properties. Next time you’re sick, try the apple cider vinegar, lemon, and cayenne remedy and see how it works for you. Cayenne is definitely my favorite for clearing a stuffy nose.

Another well-known immune modulator is Echinacea. It is an antimicrobial, antiviral, lymph mover, and immune booster. Echinacea activates the immune system and interferes with the bacteria and/or virus’s ability to replicate. It even speeds up lymph flow to clear the system and allows you to feel better faster. This powerful herb is best taken at the onset of a cold or flu. I prefer to purchase liquid remedies with elderberry and Echinacea for extra relief.

My final favorite is turmeric. It has gotten a major spotlight in recent years for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Studies suggest that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, can help with Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, allergies, and more due to its modulating effect on the immune system. Curcumin may also increase antibodies to help fight off illness. I like to add turmeric powder to the apple cider vinegar, lemon, and cayenne remedy above. This is such a powerful drink and it definitely helps me through any sickness.

It is important to understand that not everyone reacts the same way to these remedies. Some experience more benefits than others. However, these will unlikely do the body any harm and can potentially serve incredible benefits outside of immune support. While many report better results from over-the-counter medications, these drugs work to suppress the body’s natural responses and may actually end up prolonging your illness or leaving you with harmful side effects. Take a cough medicine, for example. This works to turn off the pathway in your brain that tells you to cough, allowing irritants to stay in your lungs, throat, and sinuses. While coughing can be irritating, it is a natural response to fighting off a cold by eliminating harmful microbes. Many cold medications trick you into thinking that you are feeling better when in reality, your body is suppressed in a harmful situation and cannot react as it naturally does. Read all those harmful side effects on the box too and then decide if it is really going to help you.

There you have it; my favorite natural immune supporters. While I only listed a few, many others bring great results as well. We are lucky to have such an ample source of natural remedies. Next time you feel the onset of a cold or flu, try out these natural remedies and see how they work for you.

https://rrfitness2u.com/blog/f/best-at-home-flu-remedies-from-a-holistic-nutritionist