How to Prevent H1N1 Flu Naturally

I thought I would like to share the mind-body-spirit measures that my family and I are taking in preventing flu caused by the H1N1 virus with you today. Over the four weeks in June, not a day would pass without a front page article in our local papers about the swine flu.

(photo by The Artifex)

While the virus is not as lethal as once feared, the number of confirmed cases continued to climb. Concerns heightened even more as kids were due to return to school this week.

I have been compelled to make a few changes in my kids’ schedule, that in turn caused a disruption in my publishing routine to this blog. In coming up with a preferred approach for preventative flu measures, there were a number of factors that we took into consideration. You may like to consider the same too!

Conventional Western Medicine?

Firstly, my husband and I are not too keen on the idea of taking flu vaccinations. Flu vaccines are cocktails of heavy metals and synthetic chemicals. Consuming excessive drugs reduces the body’s defense system. It lowers your immunity. In the long run, your vulnerability to viral attacks also increases.

I prefer to adopt approaches that are holistic for the purpose of strengthening the immune system, rather than on relying on short term measures. Furthermore, there appears to be no guarantee that taking a flu vaccine can fully prevent a H1V1 viral attack.

Mind: Emotional Stress

If you have been following reports in the news diligently about the swine flu, it is not unexpected that you will become alarmed. News about the H1N1 virus hogged headlines every single day in June, or at least in our papers. As a cosmopolitan and pretty open country, we have visitors and tourists flying in from many parts of the world everyday. The fear was importing the virus from an affected country, which eventually became a reality.

What is perhaps most toxic of all, in my opinion, is creating and thriving in an environment of worry and anxiety. Most physical breakdowns have a root emotional cause. Too much worry and stress can wear down your body’s resistance. You also bring about ill health, when you focus on your fears. How healthy the emotional state of your mind is has an impact on your well-being.

Physical Body: Food

1. To fight flu, Vitamin C is vital. If you suspect that you are not already having an adequate supply of Vitamin C through your food and drinks, consider the option of taking additional supplements. Please check with your doctor on dosage and recommendations, before doing so.

2. Drink lots of water. Add a drop or two of fresh lemon juice into your water.

3. Instead of coffee which is dehydrating, switch to herbal teas.

4. If you are brave enough, consider consuming raw garlic cloves. Garlic contains selenium, a natural immune system booster. Alternatively, add lots of garlic into your cooking. Or consider taking garlic supplements.

Physical Body: Herbal Supplements

I paid a visit to my Naturopathic Doctor for a health update last week. As a specialist in the natural health field, he has always espoused the philosophy of using drug-free options. I ended up purchasing a whole range of products including some organic formulations that were mixed specially on the spot.

So that you can check them out at retail stores, here are two ready-to-buy herbal products and supplements that I bought:

1. The Hildegard’s Flu Powder. This “magic” potion contains the anti-viral, anti-parasite and anti-bacteria herb pellitory. What is wonderful is that we can easily sprinkle the powder over our meals. My picky kids do not realize that there has been anything added to their food.

2. MEDIHERB’S Andrographic complex. The supplement is to be taken if you experience the first or ongoing symptoms of flu, sore throat, infection and fever. The pre-mixed herbs are all anti-viral. MEDIHERB’S Andrographic complex is also great to carry with you prior to an overseas trip.

You may, on your own, check with your local practitioner for some recommendations on anti-viral herbal supplements. While good quality supplements may not be cheap, I consider the money spent as an investment to good health. It beats paying expenses for hospitalization or flu vaccinations, if the untoward happens.

Physical Body: Others

The following tips are already widely known but are nonetheless helpful in the overall prevention strategy to the H1N1 virus:

1. Practice Good Hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly after bathroom use. Refrain from sneezing openly but blow your nose with tissue paper.

2. Avoid Crowded Places. I doubt that it is possible to avoid going out altogether. Life still needs to be carried on!! However, it is best to avoid crowded places especially if we are ill. I have no problems with following this guideline since I pretty much do not like crowds. For as long as I can remember, I am not able to last long in shopping centers as I can feel energetically drained.

3. Regular Exercise. Stay healthy through regular exercises. Although my recent vacation was meant to be a relaxing one, I was not merely spending time lounging by the swimming pool. I did aerobics, yoga, table tennis and kayaking during my Club Med holiday last week.

4. Improve Respiratory Health. To combat flu, you may also like to use exercises that improve respiratory health. I am currently looking into the practice of Qigong, an ancient Chinese art form that involves directing the flow of “Qi” or life force energy through breathing techniques and slow graceful movements. The benefits are improved circulation, balanced health and a closer connection to Universe/Source.

Mind-Body-Spirit: Aromatherapy

Burning essential oils for air purification or adding them into your baths are excellent ideas that you can adopt. Oregano, cinnamon and lemon are great for boosting the immune system. They are antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal. Eucalyptus is known to be good for the respiratory system.

Using essential oils can also be great for calming your soul. Light some white candles and play some relaxing music to go along.

Spirit: Shields of Protection

My friend, Nat, reminded me the importance of shielding ourselves with spheres of protection before going out for the day. Nat is an NLP coach and a clinical hypnotherapist who always has a wealth of ideas to share whenever I call him. He suggested using protective shields against swine flu. I thought that it was a good suggestion to teach my kids too!!

There are many ways of visualizing protective shields. A shield in the form of an egg-with-reflecting-mirrors is one that Nat recommended. It will be fun and easy for kids to apply as well. In case you are interested, here are the steps:

1. Take three deep breaths.

2. Visualize that you are in a shield which looks like an egg or a sphere. Your shield is completely sealed.

3. Visualize that the egg or sphere has protective mirrors all round. The mirrors are one-way. You can see the outside from where you are but energies on the outside cannot penetrate in. In fact, with the mirrors, all negative energies are reflected outwards. Hence, all viruses will not be absorbed.

4. Call up this shield at any time by having the focused intent of “I am placing a shield of protection around me”.

Summary and Conclusion

Prevention is the best defense. The preferred approach I am taking is a mind-body-spirit one, that includes using energy work and totally drug-free. In summary, my tips include:

- Reduce Emotional Stress;

- Boost with Flu-prevention foods;

- Take Anti-viral Herbal Supplements;

- Exercise to Improve Respiratory Health;

- Practice Good Hygiene;

- Avoid Crowded Places;

- Use Aromatherapy; and

- Protect With Energetic Shields.

Of course, always stay home to rest if you are coming down with a flu, fever or infection.

Should we be called to action only when there is a threat of an outbreak? Well, taking care of our health is something that we ought to be doing on a daily basis. If anything, the spread in swine flu is a firm reminder to us about not neglecting our bodies. All small measures count towards overall health!

Share Your Tips

What are your thoughts about using flu vaccinations?

Any thoughts to my suggestions?

Do you have any tips that you would like to share on protecting ourselves against swine flu?

Popularity: 4% [?]