How to boost your Immunity
(Useful report for flu season)
The Flu Season is Now Open Season
Swine flu, bird flu, SARS, seasonal flu, rhinovirus... Lately, it seems that it is open season on the human population for viruses. The CDC and the World Health Organization have long warned of an impending, deadly, global pandemic. Will it be this year? Next year?
Conspiracy theories abound. Whispers about laboratory mutated militarized flu abound. Contaminated vaccines have been found, people are up in arms with concerns about toxic vaccines...
We do not enjoy wasting our time with problems. We would rather place ourselves within a sphere of solutions. It is for those brave souls who are also solution-oriented that we present this article. We do not present with nor do we side with any political agenda or ideology. We do not present with nor do we side with or against any medical model or ideology, nor do we present with or against any nutritional philosophy. The sole purpose of this presentation is to educate people to empowerment and to help alleviate suffering.
In this article, we suggest a solution-oriented approach to managing the flu scare for a worse case scenario: A deadly flu outbreak where no medical assistance is available.
The learning curve for some of the methods outlined below can be very high for those not familiar with the natural and alternative approach to dealing with acute illness. We strongly suggest that proactive individuals study the methods and become familiar with them... well before they become needed.
The outline below is not purported to be a flu cure; rather, it is the most advanced natural flu management system that we have been able to develop over the years for our own family. We feel moved to share it with you.
It is NOT a substitute for professional medical assistance.
What is the Flu?
The flu is an illness associated with an attack on a host organism by a particular group of viruses (the influenza viruses). There is no medically known cure for a flu viral infection; medical treatment is limited to palliative care managing potentially lethal symptoms of the infection.
A virus is an infectious organism that invades a host in order to replicate itself. Viruses consist of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated in a protective coating made from protein. Viruses are extremely small, ranging in size from between 30 - 450 nanometers in diameter. This is between 20 and 100 times smaller than bacteria.
A virus attaches and invades a healthy cell during an attack. It does this in order to replicate its own genetic material; a virus is not capable of reproducing outside of a living cell. The virus attaches itself to a cell by docking. Viruses use a sort of chemical locking mechanism in order to identify and attach to vulnerable cells. During this replication process, the virus enters the host's cell and the invaded cell is often either damaged or killed.
There are three primary versions of the flu virus: Influenza A, B, and C. Influenza types A and B are the more dangerous viruses responsible for the pandemics. Infections in human populations are cyclic, occurring once to twice yearly. These viruses are constantly mutating, which is why they are so successful at evading a host's immune system response. The body must "relearn" to fight each new strain that the host comes in contact with.
In people, a flu infection is identified by the set of symptoms that an individual presents with. The symptoms are generalized, and infected individuals may have some or all of the symptoms:
It is generally considered that vomiting and diarrhea are not prevalent in flu cases. However, we have seen a rise in extreme flu cases that include vomiting.
Complications from a flu infection, including pneumonia and dehydration, can lead to death.
In the "old days", the flu virus predominately killed the older and weaker members of society. However, the newer strains are threatening younger populations.
How Is the Flu Transmitted?
It is generally believed that the flu viruses are transmitted as airborne organisms that invade the upper respiratory tract. However, there is an important theory that states that the flu virus, or an accompanying co-infection, may actually incubate in an individual's ear canal.
Infection can also occur via surface contamination. Droplets from the respiratory system can land on surfaces via a cough or a sneeze.
How can Flu be prevented?
The flu can be prevented by effective vaccination. However, there are an increasing number of people who believe that flu vaccines are neither safe nor effective. Others believe that vaccination itself is going to be responsible for the next deadly pandemic. The choice to vaccinate or not should be an informed, individual one.
Obviously, the flu can be prevented by isolation/quarantine, although this option is rarely feasible.
In some countries, individuals who have a cold or the flu wear masks to help prevent the spreading of the virus. Individuals coughing and/or sneezing is the primary method that the viruses are transmitted among human populations.
Proper sanitation methods can also help reduce the spread of viruses. Keeping surfaces clean is an important step in reducing the chance of infection, including an individual's hands.
Stage I: Flu Prevention Protocol
The best way to prevent a dangerous flu infection is to cultivate a strong immune system. A few suggestions:
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Eliminate processed sugars and food from the diet
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Get plenty of exercise, even if the exercises are non-cardio (such as Qi Gong or Tai Chi)
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Supplementing with silver: Take one to three ounces of isolated, "colloidal silver", each day. The dose should be spread out through the day (such as one ounce taken three times daily)
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At least two grams of vitamin C daily as a supplement.
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Add immune-system boosting foods to the diet, including raw garlic, and metabolism stimulating substances such as cayenne pepper.
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Take two to six tablespoons Barlean’s Olive Leaf Extract daily.
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Properly hydrate the body by drinking plenty of clean water.
Vitamin C Therapy
It is important to start increasing the amount of vitamin C immediately. Take 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily to address an influenza infection.
Oral Use of Colloidal Silver
Increase the amount of colloidal silver taken; CS should be taken in one to two ounce doses, also throughout the day. For short term use, there is no danger in ingesting large amounts of colloidal silver provided that the product has been created properly. If a sore throat is present, the two ounce dose should be taken in sips whereby the silver hydrosol trickles down the throat, coating it; this "trickle down" dosage method should be done, if possible, every fifteen to thirty minutes.
Echinacea
A key ingredient is Echinacea, which is truly a miracle herb. For one thing, it contains echinacoside (a natural antibiotic, comparable to penicillin in effect) that can kill a broad range of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which makes it invaluable in wound healing and the treatment of infectious diseases. Research has also reported echinacea's efficacy in treating colds, flu, bronchitis, tuberculosis, infections, etc.
Echinacea also contains echinacein, a biochemical that protects against germ attack by neutralizing the tissue dissolving enzyme, hyaluronidase, produced by many germs. Also, studies, such as the one published in Infection and Immunology, show that echinacea contains substances that boost the ability of your body's macrophages to destroy germs. And other studies from the University of Munich have shown that echinacea extracts boost T-cell production by as much as 30% more than other immune boosting drugs.
Pau d'arco
Pau d'arco (Tabebuia heptophylla) comes from the rain forests of Brazil and other areas of South America. This amazing herb nourishes the body's defense system and helps protect against pathogenic organisms. It has been used for centuries to improve immune function, detoxify, and reduce pain throughout the body -- especially in the joints.
Research has shown that it contains a natural antibacterial agent, has a healing effect on the entire body, cleanses the blood, and kills viruses.
It has been used as a treatment for AIDS, allergies, infections and inflammations, anemia, asthma, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, as a blood builder, bronchitis, all types of cancer, candidiasis, colitis, cystitis, smoker's cough, diabetes, eczema, paralysis of the eyelids, fistulas, gastritis, gonorrhea, hemorrhages, hernias, Hodgkin's disease, liver disease, leukemia, lupus, malaria, multiple sclerosis, nephritis, osteomyelitis, pain, Parkinson's disease, polyps, prostatitis, psoriasis, pyorrhea, rheumatism, ringworm, skin cancer, skin sores, spleen infections, snake bites, ulcers including varicose ulcers, varicose veins, warts, and wounds.
Suma
Natives of the Amazon jungle have used Suma for at least the last 300 years. It wasn't until 1975, however, that Suma was introduced to the 20th century and tested at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.
The studies, conducted by Dr. Milton Brazzach, concluded that although it was not a cure, it nevertheless brought significant relief for cancer, diabetes, and gout sufferers -- with no undesirable side effects.
Since then, studies at the American College of the Healing Arts by Dr. Michael Tierra, author of The Way of Herbs, indicated that consistent use of Suma may help combat fatigue (including treatment of chronic fatigue and low energy conditions), prevent colds and flu, speed healing, regulate blood sugar, and stimulate the sex drive.
The key working ingredients in Suma are
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Pfaffic acid, which prevents the spread of various cells disorders.
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Pfaffocides and other saponins, which help stop diseases already in progress.
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The plant hormones sitosterol and stigmasterol, which prevent cholesterol absorption and improve blood circulation.
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Alantoin, which helps accelerate healing
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And most important of all: Germanium. Suma has one of the highest concentrations of Ge-132 of any plant in existence.
What's the big deal with Ge-132? It was actually discovered about 20 years ago by a Japanese research chemist named Kazuhiko Asai. It's full name is bis-Carboxyethylgermanium Ses- quioxide (or Germanium Sesquioxide, for short).
According to studies by Dr. Parris M. Kidd, "This substance, while free of major side effects, can apparently invigorate, rejuvenate, restore sexual function, protect against miscarriages during pregnancy, heal burns without scarring, cure radiation sickness, restore eyesight and hearing, kill the pain of advanced cancer, and shrink cancers within weeks. Circulatory disorders, including heart attacks, angina pectoris, stroke, and peripheral impairments response well to Ge-132, as do hepatitis and cirrhosis and several behavior disorders."
Cordyceps
Many of the compounds found in the medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi, Maitake, and Cordyceps are classified as Host Defense Potentiators (HDP). These compounds include: active hemicellulose (AHCC), polysaccharides, polysaccharide-peptides, nucleosides, triterpeniods, complex starches, and other metabolites. It is believed that combinations of these products target and strengthen the human immune system as well as aid in neuron transmission, metabolism, hormonal balance and the transport of nutrients and oxygen. Through a host-mediated (T cell) immune mechanism, they help the body regulate the development of lymphoid stem cells and other important defense responses.
Cordyceps, the final ingredient in the tonic, has properties similar to those of ginseng and has been used to strengthen and rebuild the body after exhaustion or long-term illness. It has also been used traditionally for impotence, neurasthenia, and backache.
Recent research with extracts of Cordyceps has yielded a protein-bound polysaccharide with high oral activity against tumors, as well as immunological enhancement. Cordyceps is one of the most valued medicinal fungi in all Chinese medicine, among the most potent, and also one of the most expensive (costing as much as $249 per kilogram). Cordyceps is widely employed to treat upper respiratory problems, impotence, weakened immune systems, and by athletes to increase endurance.
Astragalus
Astragalus root is an immunostimulant used in the treatment of chronic viral infections, hepatitis, edema, common cold, and flu. In vitro, Astragalus increases the interferon response to viral infection and works synergistically with administered interferon. It increases phagocytic activity and antibody levels and improves the functioning of natural killer cells.
Perrila Frutescens
Perilla extract can help restore the healthy Th1/Th2 balance thereby enhancing your body's immune system and minimizing the possibility of autoimmune disorders.
Colds and flu are not only inconvenient and uncomfortable; they can also be extremely dangerous -- especially to the very young and the very old. Unfortunately, modern medicine has little to offer in the treatment of colds and flu. Fortunately, we do. There is no need to suffer from colds and flu for days, or weeks at a time.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the best infection fighters available for both bacterial and viral infections. One of its many ingredients, allicin, is a natural antibiotic that does not appear to create resistant bacteria strains. In addition, fresh garlic extract has been shown to be virucidal to many viruses.
Garlic possesses the ability to stimulate the immune system. It can stimulate the activity of the macrophages (white blood cells), which engulf foreign organisms, such as: viruses, bacteria, and yeast. Furthermore, garlic increases the activity of the T-helper cells (immune cells which are central to the activity of the entire immune system). Garlic may be particularly effective in treating upper respiratory viral infections due to its immune-enhancing properties and its ability to clear mucous from the lungs
The same component that gives garlic its strong odor is the one that destroys, or inhibits various bacteria and fungi. The component is allicin, and when crushed, combines with the enzyme allinase and results in antibacterial action equivalent to 1% penicillin.
Garlic is also effective against strep, staph, and even anthrax bacteria
Onion
Everything that's been said about Garlic can be said about onion. Onions and garlic share many of the same powerful sulfur bearing compounds that work so effectively as anti-viral and anti-bacterial agents.
Ginger
Ginger has been traditionally used to treat colds and flu. Chinese studies have shown that ginger helps kill influenza viruses, and an Indian report shows that it increases the immune system's ability to fight infection.
Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf extract has a long history of being used against illnesses in which microorganisms play a major role. In more recent years, a drug company discovered that in vitro (test tube) an extract from olive leaf (calcium elenolate) was effective in eliminating a very broad range of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and yeast/mold/fungus.
Habenero and Horseradish
These are stimulants that quicken and excite the body. They energize the body (helping it to marshal its defenses against invading viruses). In addition, they help to carry blood to all parts of the body.
They are also diaphoretics and thus help raise the temperature of the body, which increases the activity of the body's immune system.
Horseradish, in partidcular, contains volatile oils that are similar to those found in mustard. These include glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides), gluconasturtiin, and sinigrin, which yield allyl isothiocynate when broken down in the stomach. In test tubes, the volatile oils in horseradish have shown antibiotic properties, which may account for its effectiveness in treating throat and upper respiratory tract infections. At levels attainable in human urine after taking the volatile oil of horseradish, the oil has been shown to kill bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections, and one early trial found that horseradish extract may be a useful treatment for people with urinary tract infections.
Oil of Wild Mountain Oregano
Numerous studies have shown wild mountain oregano oil (not to be confused with the oregano found in your kitchen) to be a potent antimicrobial. It has been proven useful as an antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal agent rivaling even pharmaceutical antibiotics such as streptomycin, penicillin, vacnomycin, nystatin, and amphotericin in its ability to eliminate microbes. Remarkably it accomplishes this without promoting the development of drug resistant strains and other problems often attributed to the use of standard antibiotics. In addition to this already impressive list of abilities Oregano Oil is also a powerful parasitic expellant.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract was originally developed as an antiparasitic, but studies quickly showed that it had the ability to inhibit the growth of not only parasites, but fungi, viruses, and bacteria as well. The active ingredients of grapefruit seed extract are non-toxic and are synthesized from the seed and pulp of certified organically grown grapefruit. The process converts the grapefruit bioflavonoids (polyphenolics) into an extremely potent compound that is being used to kill strep, staph, salmonella, E. Coli, Candida, herpes, influenza, parasites, fungi, and more.
Apple-Cider Vinegar
ACV (Apple-Cider Vinegar) serves several functions in the garlic tonic formula:
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It's the tincture medium for the formula, as opposed to alcohol (which is the tincture medium in an immune tonic).
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ACV is anathema to all kinds of germs that attack the throat. In effect, it acts like a sponge and draws out throat germs and toxins from the surrounding tissue.
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And finally, ACV stimulates a condition called acetolysis -- in which toxic wastes that are harmful to the body are broken down and rendered harmless.
Stage II: Flu Recovery
With extremely severe cases of the flu, the body can become critically fatigued. The body still needs an abundance of balanced electrolytes for the detoxification process. The body's immune system still needs full support (olive leaf extract, colloidal silver, etc.) during the early stages of recovery.
The most critical component to a rapid recovery is to provide the body with rich nutrients without overwhelming the body's digestive organs. The body still needs to spend what little energy it has for the healing and recovery process, not in trying to digest foods.
The best way to deliver the much needed nutrients to the body while supporting the cleansing and detox process is with specialty soups.
A chicken bone broth is the perfect starting point and I have a few recipes for you. For those individuals who have difficulty finding the kitchen, organic soup stock can be purchased from stores such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market.
The following recipe, built upon a quality chicken broth stock, is our recipe which was custom developed for critical care situations for severe acute illness. Prior to using the recipe, please make certain that the individual is not sensitive to any of the ingredients.
For those individuals who need to eat gluten free, rice noodles can be used (or no noodles at all).
While lower quality ingredients can be used successfully, the higher quality the ingredients, the better the end result. The core ideas behind this soup recipe were taken from the principles outlined by Raymond Dextreit, the famous French Naturopath.
The instructions must be followed correctly in order to preserve the healing properties of the soup, following the precepts of herbology; in fact, what the soup actually is a decoction of precious volatile oils and active enzymes in a well cooked broth.
STEP ONE
Place two quarts of chicken soup stock in a medium sized pot. Turn the heat on to bring the soup stock to a boil. While waiting for the soup to heat, add:
1 ½ tsp of inland sea salt (such as Redmond Salt; non-ocean)
½ tsp cayenne (high heat - 90,000 - 145,000 HU, such as provided by Dr. Schulze)
1/8 tsp red chili pepper - dried peppers are fine
1/8 tsp of turmeric - powdered turmeric is fine
1/8 tsp oregano - dried oregano is fine
1/8 cup finely chopped root vegetables (such as carrots)
½ - 1 cup Shitake mushrooms
8 slices of ginger
Bring all of the above ingredients to a boil.
STEP TWO
(Optional) Once the soup stock is boiling, add 6 oz. of extremely fine noodles. Organic Japanese noodles is an excellent choice for those who are Gluten tolerant; organic rice noodles are an alternative. Or, the noodles can just be omitted. The only purpose the noodles serve is to provide some carbs.
Boil all the ingredients for three to four minutes.
STEP THREE
Remove the pot from heat, and allow the soup to set for about two minutes. Next, add the following pre-prepared ingredients to the soup:
¼ cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup chopped onion
The juice of 5-6 small lemons
3/4 cup first cold pressed olive oil
2 bulbs of finely chopped garlic
Add all above ingredients and let sit for 5 minutes remove ginger root, and then serve.
Clay and sea salt baths may be used at this point to assist the body in cleansing and detoxification.