Colds and Flus
We all occasionally get a cold or the flu. It is normal. In fact, it is not always a sign of health to “never get sick.”
Do we get sick because we are exposed to a germ? Or because we are run down and tired? Or because the season changed? Or because kids went to back to school and started sharing their bugs? It is truly a combination of many factors. Our individual physiology/terrain helps determine how we get sick. How well or poorly we adapt to seasonal transitions may make us more prone to getting sick at certain times of year. How intense of symptoms we get and how quickly we heal may depend on the bug, our own immune reactions, how depleted we are, and a variety of mental/emotional/physical factors. Knowing your own tendencies, challenges and seasonal patterns can really help you make decisions that support your body when it may be struggling to adapt.
Despite these illnesses being a “normal” part of life, we still want to engage in healthy activities that help keep us healthy and reduce the frequency and intensity of colds and flus.
Preventing frequent colds/flus:
Regular Exercise
Breathing
Play and Fun
Sleep
Creative Expression
Hydration
Healthy, whole, nutrient rich food
Sunshine and adequate Vitamin D
Adequate self-care/nourishment
Cultured foods to maintain a healthy population of gut bugs
Individual support as needed to help with seasonal adaptation
Mucococcinum: This is a homeopathic combination which can be very useful in preventing flu when used during the fall/winter season when the flu is more prevalent. Take 1 pellet once a week throughout flu season. If you develop flu symptoms, increase to 1 pellet 3 times a day. Check with your doctor to be sure this is appropriate for you.
So, if getting a cold or flu is a part of life on occasion, and the symptoms are showing up, what then?
First, give your immune system a huge high five. It is doing its job every day by first and foremost being tolerant, recognizing you and the things you need to be in interaction with such as your food and saying, “this is ok.” It is also regularly recognizing and removing pathogenic material without any symptoms arising. And, once in awhile, it is pulling out the big guns and using fever, phlegm and sometimes even rapid elimination to make sure you stay alive.
With all of these factors, the message from a cold or flu might be…. REST! I know, this never comes at a convenient time, but it truly is essential for healing.
1. REST is key! Rest your digestive tract. Eat simply when you are sick. Simple broths, water and teas are your friend. Juices may be useful if not too sweet. Steamed vegetables and light soups can be nourishing. But, let your body work to heal and not work overly hard to digest. Dairy, grains, fried foods and sugar are not your friend when you are sick.
Some recipes for teas and broths are here:
Ginger Tea: Simmer 1/2" of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced in 4 cups water for 20 minutes. Strain. Add lemon juice and a little honey and drink through the day.
Bieler Broth
2. Support a fever in doing its job efficiently. The mechanism of a fever is complex and pretty amazing. It is not the same as simply overheating your body. The body has beautiful, nuanced mechanisms for increasing the temperature in order to kill off bacteria while protecting your own cells from too much damage. This doesn’t mean that in some people, at some times, with some illnesses, fevers do need to be managed or controlled. But, in the majority of colds and flus, supporting a fever to be efficient can reduce the duration and intensity of the fever and allow it to do its work while supporting healing.
Fever strategies:
Magic Socks (do not use on children under 6 months or in the elderly if they do not have good circulation or temperature regulation)
Homeopathy: Belladonna 30C homeopathic remedy may be perfect for a fever that comes on suddenly, fast and hot. Ferrum phos 30C homeopathic remedy for a fever that lingers, low-grade, annoying, ongoing. Check with your doctor to make sure these are appropriate for you and your family.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause a fever to rise and stick around longer than necessary.
If you are having a hard time holding down fluids, take 1 Tbsp of water or broth every 15 minutes until your stomach settles and you can handle more.
Home Cough Syrup: This one is from Dr Low Dog
4 Tbsp Fresh Thyme
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup water
1/4 cup honey, preferably raw and local
Pour near-boiling water over thyme and steep, covered for 15 minutes. Strain. Add honey and lemon juice. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week
For children over 12 months, give 1-2 tsp every 2-3 hours
For teens and adults: 1-2 Tbsp every 2-3 hours as needed.
When to see a doctor:
Support specific to you or your child for healing and support in resolving individual symptoms.
If you notice that you frequently become ill at a certain time of year, or symptoms last longer than seems normal, or symptoms tend to be very extreme in a particular way, it is very helpful to understand and to assist your body in adapting in an efficient and healthy way. This may not eliminate ever getting sick, but can reduce the frequency and duration of these pesky colds and flus.
Symptoms not resolving within 2 weeks.
Child under the age of 6 months, or person who is elderly who is experiencing fever.
Return of a fever after apparent resolution of symptoms.
Fevers over 104.
Inability to stay hydrated.
Please call if you have questions or need assistance.
Dr Amy
The information in this email is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THIS MESSAGE. Dr Amy makes these general recommendations from years of practice experience, but cannot speak to the individual needs of you and your family in this format.