Flu Protection

Flu Protection: LOTS of information!!

Whether you are one who gets a flu shot yearly or not, and/or have had reactions to the flu shot, you can still protect yourself and family in many ways; including if you’re susceptible to getting the flu. Why wait to do something when you can take measures to help to prevent it? Being proactive is key, whether medical, natural, or combining both forms of medicine!

First understand your opponent:

The flu is a virus. So, antibiotics won’t work, and can potentially make things worse by suppressing your immune system and killing off good bacteria with the bad bacteria in your gut.
The flu can be transmitted through the: mouth, nose, and eyes by a direct or close enough sneeze, getting to close to someone who is already infected, coughing without covering your mouth or covering your mouth and then touching something or someone can also spread it. If your child or you’re someone who constantly touches your face, you might want to break that habit.
The flu virus has about a 6 foot reach. That’s how you can be in public and just happen to pick up the flu somehow.
People pass the flu before they even know they are sick. Adults are typically “sharing” one day before they have symptoms and for about a week after. Kids can transmit the virus even longer. So, drinking after someone -not a good idea during flu season!
Bathe! When you are sick it is BEST to bathe in the evening BEFORE you go to bed. I know my morning bathers it’s not your mojo, but keep this in mind – you are in contact with an enormous amount of germs everyday, if you only shower in the morning…think about how many of those germs you go to bed with! YUCK! YEP – you sleep with them and so does your spouse /partner. When you are sick it is BEST for you to wash off as many germs as you can before heading to bed. When you sleep -you’re healing /fighting…kinda hard if your system is being bombarded..right!?!? You can still shower in the morning too. Just saying!
Make sure you REALLY have the flu. There are SEVERAL infectious diseases and other illnesses that mimic flu symptoms. Flu symptoms” is a set of symptoms such as fever, chills, malaise, dry cough, sore throat, loss of appetite and body aches. However, these common symptoms are often lumped into one symptom when describing other diseases or conditions. Some of the most well known diseases that exhibit flu symptoms include Meningitis, Food Poisoning, Strep Throat, Hepatitis, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Hodgkin’s disease, Leukemia, Cat scratch fever, Pneumonia, Upper Respiratory Infection, Common Cold…the list goes on.
DON’T panic! How many YEARS did we fight the flu when we had no shot, with rest, fluids, and allowed it to run it’s course?? My family physician told us NUMEROUS times to go home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and allow the body (Immune system) to do it’s job! I cannot tell you how many times I had the flu growing up -it was a LOT, let alone my brother, parents, and friends.
STAY HOME! Whether you have the flu or other illness, it is common sense to STAY home until you are no longer sick. When we quarantine ourselves to our home, we are no longer SPREADING the illness to others. When you go to work, grocery, church, etc. sick and/ or you send your children to school when they are sick – you are CAUSING and RESPONSIBLE for spreading the illness and getting others’ sick too. Including, MAKING it last LONGER!! This is NOT a smart or good idea! You should allow your body the time it needs to heal and be thoughtful of those around you. If everyone would take time to rest, heal, and stay away from others; think about how short the “season” would become!! When people continue to spread illnesses…they last a LONG time and frankly it’s VERY inconsiderate! Listen to your Doc and STAY HOME!

So what do we do? My professional advice is to have faith in your immune system God gave you! We were made to fight off viruses and bacteria -Germs are actually GOOD for us – we NEED them. However, with that being said, there are things we can do to HELP protect ourselves and things we can do to help our immune system to work more effectively and efficiently; especially when it’s over worked and/or we are. NOTE: If you’re immune compromised then I recognize that your immune system works slower and much differently, I have a LOT of knowledge and experience with immunocompromised systems; so you should be proactive in your prevention, and/or talk with your doctor about what is the best form of protection for you. With that being said, you can also utilize information on this page. I have children who are immunocompromised -totally understand!! There are also things you can do to help prevent the flu or to help you while you are recovering – see below.

How can you help your immune system and help prevent the flu?

70%+ of your immune system is in the gut. Taking a high quality probiotic and/or prebiotic can go a long way in supporting a health immune system. For children Nature Sunshines Probiotic Power!
Sleep is where you get a healthy overhaul for all your systems. If you feel like you’re getting sick, go take a nap and let your immune system do its thing! Best is going to bed by or before 10pm and getting up by or before 8am.
Elderberry is a great helper for your immune system and does SO much more! You can purchase the berries on Amazon click on Elderberry. For children Nature Sunshines Elderberry Chewables are GREAT!
Echinacea has been widely used for hundreds for years to fight infections, especially the common cold, flu, upper respiratory infections etc. Echinacea boosts immune functions and can protect your family fall through winter months, e.g., add echinacea to soups, stews, crockpot meals, on salads etc. around ¼ to ½ tsp is all you need; although you can add more if you want.
A high quality multiple vitamin is great too, contact Dr. Hartman. Kids Nature Sunshines Multiple Vitamin & Minerals.
Vitamin D is a MUCH needed nutrient that helps balance your immune system and help with viruses! In the winter our family, supplements with at least 2,000 IU daily. For children Natures Sunshine (4pk) Calcium Plus D3.
Zinc & Vitamin C are also powerhouses to keep your immune system working as it should too.
Vitamin A is necessary for immune function and is used to treat many viruses…the flu being no exception.
Sliver Shield ® – protects and helps fight against bacteria and viruses. Our family has used it for years! Take for prevention and/or if you come down with something. We take 1 tsp weekly for protection starting Oct through March. It’s safe for children too! Contact Dr. Hartman. To learn more: https://www.naturessunshine.com/content/us/sku/factsheet/silverbottles.pdf?V=sept2016li>
Ginger Root is GREAT at boosting the immune system, all you need is a piece the size of your pinky nail! You can use it as a tea, soups and stews, or juice with 5 carrots and 1 apple.
Take a Soda baths! YES baking soda baths. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup in a bathtub, soak for at least 20 mins. Soda baths are known to “drawl out toxins”, alkalizes the body, eliminates toxins, and help detox your system. You can do this severals times a day.
Use a Neti Pot was developed hundreds (or perhaps even thousands) of years ago and is known to be a nasal purification technique. It’s used as needed to alleviate nasal stuffiness or daily as a preventive method of keeping nasal passages free and clear of invaders that sneak through. Flu germs often settle first in the nose and sinuses. Then the body’s normal infection-fighting system is to pour out mucus into the nose and sinuses. The Neti Salts or Himalayan Neti Salts are used in the Neti Pot are soothing and help to purify the sinus cavities while flushing out all the junk! Try it! It’s an inexpensive way to help prevent many aliments! *Resent research showed Neti pots: can prevent the flu by keeping nasal passages and sinuses clear, ease symptoms like congestion, pressure, and facial pain, particularly with ongoing (chronic) sinus troubles and/or chronic rhinosinusitis (congestion and inflammation of the sinuses for greater than 12 weeks), reduced antibiotic use, decrease in the frequency of colds, improve symptoms to allergen exposure…among much more!
Echinacea –is known to boost your immune system and help fight infections. Use the loose herb in teas or make your own tea.
Astragalus : is an antiviral and immune-strengthening herb.
Juniper: similar to Elderberry, Juniper berries boast a powerful antiviral compound known as deoxypodophyllotoxin. For upper respiratory tract infections and several others. Don’t use if your pregnant.
Eat lots of veggies – dark green are the best! Along with eating a good healthy diet too. Eat good quality meats, fruits, veggies, and grains. When you’re not eating junk food, processed foods or drinking all the sugary soda/pop; your immune is healthier and so are you. Sugar lowers your immune functions – suppresses it. Did you know 1 T. of sugar takes MONTHS to get our of your body?? All the processed foods have numerous chemicals in them which hinders your immune system too. Whole Food supplement for children by Natures Sunshine.
Using high quality grade Essential Oils that are antivirus etc. in your lotions and hand soap is a HUGE help in protection – 2-4 drops are ALL you need. For example: Thieves and Tea Tree Oils from Young Living protects against the flu and others’. It is AMAZING!
Wash your hands! Simple Right?? Yes! Washing your hands before meals, after going to the bathroom, after being in public- you know you touch several things other people touch right??, and anytime you get the urge to touch your face. Also keep in mind, a few years ago we were “taught” to sneeze and/or cough in the pit/grove of our elbows – BAD idea! Think about how many people touch your sleeves, arm, near or at the elbow!! If you’re not spraying Lysol on your clothes /sleeves – the germs are there! I’ve said for YEARS – use a Kleenex -NOT your clothes.
If you think you’re coming down with something – do something about it! Don’t wait until it’s full blown illness. There are SEVERAL ways you can start helping yourself right off the bat!

**Research before you decide to do anything. It’s ALWAYS best to know what you’re doing and putting into your body – even if it’s natural.** Check out Prevention next to this page for recipes and additional help.

Things to help you if your sick or you coming down with something:

Oscillococcinum® is a Homeopathic medicine you should keep on hand to nip flu symptoms in the bud. There’s over 65+ yrs of Clinical research studies show that Oscillococcinum helps reduce both the severity and duration of flu-like symptoms. Take it at FIRST sign. If you REALLY have the flu it will work within 24hrs or less without all the horrible symptoms. Here’s a Video: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shp_9Iup5rQ li>
To learn more: https://www.oscillo.com
Sliver Shield ® – protects and helps fight against bacteria and viruses. Our family has used it for years! If you took it as prevention but still come down with something or you start to feel like you’re coming down with something up the intake. I take 3 to 4 tsp. daily until I feel better. Then I go back to 1 tsp a week for a couple weeks or through the “sick” season. Children will of course have a lower intake. Click here to learn more: https://www.naturessunshine.com/content/us/sku/factsheet/silverbottles.pdf?V=sept2016li>
VS-C ® Liquid or Caps work to help boost immune function, protect, and fight off viruses. When I do not feel well I will take 1-2 tsp daily or even 3 tsp. Children of course will have a lower intake. Read More here: <https://www.naturessunshine.com/us/Printable/GetProductDetailsPdf?productID=3167li>
Children’s Cold and Flu by Natrabio – We’ve taken this for YEARS and it works GREAT! We love the flavor and Yes I take it too when I need it. Homeopathics are a safe and effective way of helping with symptoms and works quickly to combat the root cause.
Umcka Cold and Flu is an all natural and safe product that’s formulas combine two clinically-effective natural medicines to tackle both cold and flu and shortens duration and reduces severity of cough,congestion,hoarseness, sore throat, sneezing and stuffy/runny nose etc. associated with colds and flu; which symptoms can be so similar.
Sip Organic Bone Broth 8-10 ounces provides you with key immune supporting nutrients.
Chicken soup – YES that’s right! There is research that proves there’s something about eating chicken soup when your sick or feeling ill. Make homemade organic chicken soup – add garlic and ginger (a little slice of the root). YUMMY, protective, and healing!!
Drink plenty of fluids. NO I don’t mean soda/pop and sugary drinks. Purified water – better yet add a lemon to your water, it’s a great cleanser.
Raw Garlic. Take a clove (cut up) eat it raw or put it in your meals.
Oil of Oregano (Recipe on Prevention page)
Rest, rest and rest some more. With any bacteria or virus your body comes into contact with, rest is essential for healing. SLOW down and take your time. DON’T rush it!
Essential Oils. Thieves is great for cleaning with, putting on the bottom of your feet etc. and is known to protect against the flu. Try using oils in a vaporize or put it in a bath. This helps to nick-it-in-the-bud! There are SEVERAL that ramp up the immune system. Plus, help your breathe and sleep well too. Read this for more information:https://draxe.com/essential-oils-for-colds/?rs_oid_rd=36680309471811
And SO MUCH MORE! Refer to the Prevention Page for additional help and recipes.

If you don’t want to supplement, Here’s a list of SOME foods:

Vitamin A

Eggs Yolk
Bone Broth.
Cod Liver Oil
Grass fed butter
Sweet Potato
Carrots
Cantaloupe
Spinach
Butternut squash
Pumpkin Seeds

Vitamin D

Cod Liver Oil
Salmon
Mackerel
Tuna
Sardines
Eggs
Mushrooms

Zinc

Lamb
Pumpkin Seeds
Grass-Fed Beef
Chickpeas
Cashews
Kefir or Yogurt
Organic Chicken

Vitamin C

Oranges
Pineapples
Kohlrabi
Mango
Brussels sprouts
Kiwi
Papaya
Bell Peppers
Broccoli

Here’s a couple GREAT recipes: Delicious Fall soup & Healing Chicken

Dr. Hartman’s Protection Cleaning Sprays:

Add 5 to 10 drops of Thieves Essential Oil in a spray bottle fill with purified water. Use to clean all surfaces. OR
In a spray bottle add 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 tsp peroxide with 3-5 drops of Tea Tree oil. Use to clean all surfaces. Option -can add Thieves oil instead or can add 1 tsp bleach – whatever you fancy.

Another Option: What are Flu Drops & what’s the difference between the Flu Shots/Mist?

Flu Shots/Mist/Tamiflu aren’t always effective and can be a hit or miss, as the CDC has admitted the past few years because of no knowledge of what “strain” is going around. As predicted, last years only worked 9-10%.
Flu Drops & Nosodes: contain ONLY the original influenza strain that all strains came from, carry and/or mutated from.
Flu Shots/Mist/Tamiflu can have side effects, as all medication.
Flu Drops & Nosodes: have no known side effects.
Flu Shots/Mist/Tamiflu have substances that are unnatural used as “additives.” http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf
Flu Drops & Nosodes: have NO unnatural additives.
Flu Shots/Mist/Tamiflu can suppress the immune system as any medication.
Flu Drops & Nosodes: WORKS with your immune system, boosting its function, and educates the immune system of the strains in the process; thus, making you less susceptible to the illness in the long run.
Flu Shots can be painful, and invasive.
Flu Drops & Nosodes: are non-invasive, inexpensive, painless, SAFE, and effective.

Who can use the Flu Drops? ANYONE vaccinated or not. The Flu Drops and Flu Shots, Mist, & Tamiflu all work in VERY different ways and are NOT the same. The Flu Drops & Homeopathic Nosodes help protect you and if you’ve got your Flu Shot, it adds extra protection for you. Both are a good ideas because you can still get the flu after having the Flu Shot, Mist, and/or Tamiflu- although nothing is a 100% guarantee.

For those who choose NOT to take measures of prevention, PLEASE reconsider and do something to protect yourself and/or child/children and the general public; especially if you or your child are immunocompromised! There are SEVERAL things you can do!

To learn more about any of the above, or to schedule an appointment Call Dr. Hartman 765-860-2144 OR Email Dr.Renee@comcast.net

NOTE: All products, vitamins, supplements etc. can be purchased on AMAZON , Doctor Supplement Store, Wellevate, Full Script, etc. (See under products for links)

References You May Want To Research:

10 Tips for Preventing the Cold & Flu Naturally

12 Flu Natural Remedies

https://www.drweil.com/videos-features/photo-galleries/10-ways-to-prevent-and-treat-the-flu/

https://www.up-nature.com/blogs/news/20-of-the-best-essential-oils-for-colds-and-relieving-the-flu

Prayer for healing:

“Jesus, you did not make our bodies to be infected by a flu virus. You have given us an immune system to fight these invasions. When you walked the earth you healed many. Nearly every page of the Gospels shows you restoring someone’s body to health. We know that you are with us today eager and able to do the same. We ask for your power to bolster our strength to battle this sickness. Embolden our immune system now. We join you and curse this vile virus. For those now battling this sickness give them hope and strength. For those who have been exposed, give them resistance. Thank you for your healing. In Jesus…”
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/prayerplainandsimple/2013/01/flu-a-prayer-for-healing.html#vr8CeeGwhBsUQ1CA.99

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