10 tips during a cold or flu

1. First consult your Naturopathic Doctor

2. Bathe in a warm bath and include Epsom salts, Dead Sea salts or essential oils such as thyme or eucalyptus (not for children or infants). Then get to bed early.

3. Follow 10 Tips for Staying Healthy During Cold & Flu Season – get adequate rest, avoid sugar and drink plenty of liquids.

4. Eat lightly – broths, congee (overcooked rice), and simple foods

5. Drink fluids - drink herbal teas liberally such as: lemon balm, ginger, licorice, thyme, elderberry, mint, lemon geranium.
   Make a hot beverage of hot water, lemon, fresh crushed garlic and honey (add in some propolis, ginger or cayenne for extra zing!)

6. Herbs to have on hand: Echinacea, Astragalus (not if feverish), Elderberry, Propolis

7. Vitamin & mineral supplements: Vitamin A, C, E, selenium and Zinc

8. Homeopathics: prevention includes the use of Oscillococcinum or other potentised flu products or Ferrum phos cell salt for early stages of feverish conditions. Sometimes these homeopathic medicines can stop an illness in the early stages.

9. Warming socks (aka wet socks) treatment – relieves congestion in face & head as well as bringing down fever.

10. Sinus irrigation using a neti pot (watch video) – gently washes away excess mucous, bacteria, pollen, allergens and viruses from the sinuses. (FYI: I do not work for this neti pot company, it is just provides a good demonstration!)