Cold and Flu Tips

What’s the difference between Colds and  Flu?

Colds: usual duration 3-7 days.  Symptoms: sneezing, stuffy nose,  and sore throat. Complications are milder and are mainly upper respiratory, sinus, ear aches or bronchitis.

Flu: duration is longer from 5-14 days.  Symptoms are stronger: body aches, chest pain, fever, complications can be more severe- pneumonia.

Optimal precautions/prevention: frequent hand washing lasting 20 seconds; “hands off face” approach unless you have washed your hands, gargle 2x day during cold/flu season or if others around you are ill- with warm salt water or dag (a stronger gargle from our office); drinking warm liquids see (teas below) this washes off proliferating viruses from the throat and stomach.

Natural Remedies

1.GSE-grapefruit seed tablets-(citricidal) or Olive Leaf Capsules ( both are natural antiviral, antibacterial)- always taken with food (discuss dosage with Dr G)

2.Teas- ginger-(if you feel cold)-slice ginger root into thin slices, place 2 slices into boiling water and sip, Peppermint tea- (if you feel warm), you can drink at room temperature or fresh mint leaves in hot water- sip (for sore throat and to clear sinuses)

3.Beiler Broth-2 zuccini, 10 string beans, 2 stalks celery, handful parsley. Steam them, then put in blender with some of the steamer liquid or some chicken or vege broth. A bit of salt or garlic is optional to add.

4. Hot/spicy soup (found at Chinese restaurants)  or Chicken soup-El Pollo Loco- made fresh daily

5.Potassium Broth: fill a pot with water, add root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, burdock, daikon, potato) and others, leave skins on. Cook, then sip the broth throughout the day.  Basmati rice or brown rice can be added to either the Beiler broth or the potassium broth to soothe stomach and  calm diarrhea.

6.Steamed or baked pears or apples with cinnamon and a bit of powdered ginger.

7. Bath-Epsom salt (1 cup) with a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil ( 10-15 min only) longer depletes qi/energy when we are ill.

8. Facial steamer– water in unit with 2-3 drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil, inhale throught nose, then mouth, keep eyes closed.

9. Eucalyptus for travel– put this oil on a small cloth in a baggie, then inhale on and off throughout your flight, it has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

10. Acupuncture and Chiropractic move lung qi/energy and congestion in the chest, along with specific Chinese Herbal Formulas to treat and  prevent colds, flu, bronchitis and pneumonia.   In addition these treatments facilitate lymphatic drainage while boosting immune function.