Influenza

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory viral infection. Spread easily by coughing, sneezing, and poor hygiene. Vaccines have been only partially effective because of new and different viral strains that are constantly changing.

Symptoms

Early stages, similar to the common cold, are headache, weakness, and aching of back, arms, and legs. Dry throat and cough, tired quickly, loss of appetite, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Rarely fatal, flu does make the patient more susceptible to ear infections, pneumonia, and sinus problems. Flu lasts for 7-10 days. Patients who have heart or lung diseases or are pregnant are prone to viral pneumonia. The system should be built up with good nutrition following a bout with the flu.

Treatment

Go to bed and stop eating. If treatment is started when early symptoms appear, recovery will be in 24-36 hrs. Mix 1 tbsp. yarrow, 1 tsp. pleurisy root and a small pinch of cayenne; steep in a pint of boiling water for 20 minutes; drink a cupful every hour. This tea will cause profuse perspiration, bed clothes being changed as needed. Tepid sponge bath will bring down fever, care should be taken not to chill the patient. Alternate the herb tea with fruit juices; orange, grapefruit, or lemon. Keep bowels open. Fresh air in patient's room if possible.

Eucalyptus oil: Put 5 drops in a hot bath or 6 drops in boiling water, put a towel over your head and inhale vapors.

One tbsp. slippery elm bark powder mixed with 1 part boiling water and 1/2 cup honey will relieve cough and sore throat. Store in a jar and give 1 tsp. every 3-4 hours.

A tincture of goldenseal and echinacea is recommended for children. 8-10 drops in liquid every 3 hours until flu symptoms are gone.

Nutrients

Vitamin C, 5,000-10,000 mg. per day in divided doses. Vitamin A, 15,000 IU daily, is a powerful antioxidant and helps immune system. Zinc Gluconate lozenges, every 2 hrs. dissolve lozenge under tongue. Use until symptoms stop, follow directions for children. Stimulant for immune system. Garlic capsules, 2 capsules 3 times per day, acts as an antibiotic and immune system stimulant. Multivitamins, taken as directed on label, gives aid to healing. Kelp, 5-10 tablets per day, has an antiviral action and helps in reduction of inflammation. Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. daily, a necessity in cellular enzyme function.

Herbs

Agrimony
Ague weed
Angelica, European
Basil
Bayberry
Birch
Blood root
Boneset
Borage
Bryony, white
Burdock, great
Burnet
Calendula
Calla, wild (water-arum)
Catnip
Cayenne
Celandine
Celery seeds
Centaury
Chamomile
Chrysanthemum flowers
Cinnamon
Clover, red
Coltsfoot
Costmary
Cow-parsnip
Culver's root
Dayflower, Asiatic
Dropwort
Echinacea
Elder, black flowers
Elm, slippery
Ephedra (Ma huang)
Eryngo
Eucalyptus
Fenugreek
Fern, maidenhair
Feverfew
Flag, sweet
Garlic
Ginger, wild
Golden seal
Goose grass
Holly, mountain
Honeysuckle flowers
Horsemint
Horsetail
Hyssop
Indigo, wild
Jasmine, yellow
Juniper berries
Kudzu root
Lady's slipper
Lavender
Life everlasting
Lobelia
Lungwort
Male fern
Mallow
Marjoram
Meadowsweet
Milkweed
Mint
Motherwort
Mulberry leaves
Mullein
Nettle, hedge
Oak
Oats
Onion
Osha
Pansy
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Persimmon bark
Plantain, lance-leaf
Pleurisy root
Poke root
Primrose
Raspberry, leaves
Rosemary
Sage
Sallow bark
Sassafras root
Senega snakeroot
Spruce, Norway
Sticklewort
Stillingia
Tamarack
Tansy
Thyme, garden
Vervain, blue
Violet, garden
White pine
Yarrow root
Yerba santa

Recommendations

Wash hands often, flush tissues after use, do not give aspirin to children with a fever. Check children with frequent colds and flu, for thyroid malfunctions and/or allergies.

Suggestions

Drink potato peeling soup twice a day, made fresh daily. Potato peelings (the skins) should be peeled 1/2 inch thick. Discard center of potato. Boil peelings for about 20-30 minutes, strain, cool, and drink. Carrot or celery stick in the soup is optional.