Tips To A Healthy Flu Season

Posted on October 11, 2009 by eresko

Flu season… yep, it’s here and on every corner there is a “Get your flu shot here” sign.  As far as vaccines go, well that’s a whole other discussion, but I thought I’d share some quick basics for preventing illness and making it through this season with your health intact.   On a side note, while I’m not going to get into the topic of the vaccine,  I think it’s important for us to be educated in the decisions we make regarding our health and this article does a good job of pointing out some interesting statistics about the flu vaccine:  Flu Vaccine Exposed 

Here are some quick and easy ways you can boost your immunity and prevent the flu this season…EO

  • Wash your hands whenever you can or for convenience sake, I just started carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer around with me.  I recommend EO, it has a nice lavender scent so you don’t smell like alcohol all day!
  • Elderberry is anti-viral and you can take it in tincture or pill form.  There was even a study published recently on its effectiveness in treating the infamous H1N1 virus; otherwise known as The Swine Flu.  Check it out here: Elderberry Flavanoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro
  • Vitamin C, D, A & Zinc all boost the immune system
  • Antioxidants; don’t forget to eat your colorful fruits and veggies
  • Echinacea; I just got some yummy Immune boosting tea w/ Echinacea, Lemon & Ginger
  • Limit sugar
  • Don’t stress; nows a perfect time to get started on your Qi-gong practice if you don’t already have one!  There are lots of ways to limit stress, yoga, meditation, walking outdoors, & other forms of exercise just to name a few, for more info check out one of my previous posts Here
  • Get plenty of sleep; sleep is so important!
  • Drink lots of water and get lots of fluids to help flush out the body and keep hydrated
  • Limit dairy, as in Chinese Medicine, it creates a lot of phlegm, which creates a nice breeding ground for sickness.
  • Eat lots of garlic & ginger
  • YinQiaoSanAlso some good Chinese Formulas if you are starting to feel the beginning’s of a flu coming on:  Yin Qiao San, Gan Mao Ling or ‘Perilla Pearls’ (for more information on, the pearls click here to link)  **Of course, please consult your Acupuncturist when choosing the right formula!

So there you go, some quick bits of knowledge you can live by this flu season!  Here’s to a healthy season!  Take care!

Here is another great article on Boosting the Immune System using Chinese Medicine and another great Integrative Medicine Source with info from Naturopaths and Licensed Acupuncturists.

Sources:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/26/Flu-Vaccine-Exposed.aspx;  Pubmed Aug 2009; Kuoch, David J. Acupuncture Desk Reference, Acumed West Inc., 2009

About eresko

I am a licensed Acupuncturist and NCCAOM Board certified Diplomat of Oriental Medicine. I live in Hailey, Idaho, where I have an Acupuncture practice, Erin Hill Acupuncture as well as a type of Integrative Wellness Care practice, Tune Up. I am also a Level I & II certified Kettlebell Instructor and teach private classes in the Wood River Valley, Idaho. I have been very active in sports and athletics since I can remember. I received my BS in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado @ Boulder. In my practice I utilize all modalities to help get you where you want to be, whether with Acupuncture, Nutrition, or Kettlebell training. I am well versed in treating Sports specific conditions; pain, injuries, strains & sprains and use my knowledge of the body both from a Chinese Medical standpoint and a traditional Western one; a concept that most of my patients are familiar with. In addition, I incorporate my knowledge of the physical body & how we move, where restrictions, pain, or tightness may reside and how that, in turn, affects the internal organs or vice versa. For each individual that walks through my door, I am able to assess what each person needs as far as therapy to achieve their goals. Each person is different, inside and out and treatments should reflect that. Among my modalities, I use Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Tuina (a type of Chinese bodywork), Japanese style Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Nutrition, and Lifestyle coaching as well as my Kettlebell training for rehab and for improving one's fitness level.
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