Teach me about "natural" ways to prevent cold & flu...... - Page 2

[mbravebird]

I would add olive leaf extract (the liquid kind) to your medicine cabinet. It's done amazing stuff for us over here, and has been found to have some of the same immune-boosting effects as siberian ginseng (which is so great to learn about, thanks!!). The other great thing about it is that it doesn't destroy beneficial bacteria, like oregano oil does.

[subtlycrunchy]

Some of my go-to sources: 

Natural Flu Prevention (foods, herbs)

Vitamin D and flu prevention — shining a light on seasonal flu bugs

[GoddessKristie]

I saw my midwife today and asked her about taking Siberian Ginseng while pregnant and she looked it up while I stood there and said that it would be fine. In fact she said "This sounds like a perfect pregnancy herb." So, she said I could take up to 500mg twice a day. I'm really glad about this because I have a cold right now, my second one this season and I do not want another! I'm starting on it today.

[GoddessKristie]

This was on the Today Show Health calendar today:

Go out for Italian. Garlic contains the active ingredient allicin, which fights infection and bacteria. British researchers gave 146 people either a placebo or a garlic extract for 12 weeks; the garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold. Other studies suggest that garlic lovers who chow more than siz cloves a week have a 30% lower rate of colorectal cancer and a 50% lower rate of stomach cancer.

Wow!

[lovebeingamomma]

I take garlic pills...a bit easier than going out for Italian everyday ;)  Garlic is AMAZING!

[heatherdeg]

Originally Posted by 1love4ever 

This does remind me of something though that I think I should share- my friends DS is the same age as DD.  She is and always has been a stay at home mom with him, and he gets sick ALL THE TIME(he is rarely around other kids/people and does not even go outside that much).  I mean, even during the summer he only goes a few weeks without at least a minor cold, flu, or ear infection, and he is constantly on antibiotics.  My DD is around him quite a bit and has NEVER gotten sick from him, even when they share cups.  There is nothing wrong or abnormal with him.  Here is the only difference between our families: My family eats fresh organic fruits and veggies all the time, we drink raw milk (I didnt start giving DD probiotics until about a month ago so I'm not counting that here), and we dont eat processed foods/drinks.  We eat meat, bread, etc just like them, but it is all organic and whole foods.  So, because of this(and other similar experiences), I truely believe that GOOD nutrition has a lot to do with preventing as well as treating illness.

  My son has an immune deficiency that most doctors estimate should have him hospitalized 4x/year.  He will be 8yo in January and has been hospitalized ONCE (at 15mo--and in retro, probably not necessary).  He also had food intolerances that left us unable to eat most things that have a label or that are prepared out.  I mean, we DO it, but it's by no means the bulk of our diet (it's more of a "treat" we do once in a while).

His current ped said that it was undoubtedly due to our diet and homeschooling (ability to let his body rest when he's fighting off illness).

[1love4ever]

Originally Posted by heatherdeg 

  My son has an immune deficiency that most doctors estimate should have him hospitalized 4x/year.  He will be 8yo in January and has been hospitalized ONCE (at 15mo--and in retro, probably not necessary).  He also had food intolerances that left us unable to eat most things that have a label or that are prepared out.  I mean, we DO it, but it's by no means the bulk of our diet (it's more of a "treat" we do once in a while).

His current ped said that it was undoubtedly due to our diet and homeschooling (ability to let his body rest when he's fighting off illness).

Wow that is great!