Dear Susan and Doves,
Regarding your post on Swine flu (which certainly seems suspicious to me for some kind of germ warfare or at least more "planned chaos"), I have some advice.....
I have been using herbs, homeopathy and supplements for over 30 years, and whenever one of my kids would come down with flu symptoms, I could always knock it out 90% within 36 hours with an echinacea/elderberry tincture mix. You can buy Sambucol, which is an elderberry extract, or you can make your own tinctures (as I do). Olive leaf capsules or extract is also a good antiviral preventative.
Basic Herb Tincture Recipe:
50 grams of dried herb
170 ml of 190 proof alcohol
80 ml of water
(you can also substitute 250 ml of vodka for the alcohol and water mix)
Put in a closed jar in a dark place for 2 weeks, occasionally stirring. Then strain and use at the rate of 1 dropperful of tincture in 1 tablespoon of water (approximately--doesn't matter that much on the water) and take it 4-6 times per day for 2-3 days--more often if the flu is really severe. Then taper off to fewer times per day for the next 4 or 5 days.
You can get the dried herbs at www.herbal.com or www.mountainroseherbs.com or many other places online.
The homeopathy remedies gelsemium and oscillococcium are also good.
And lastly, I do massage a couple of days a week in a naturopath's office, and she sent out these recommendations for dealing with the flu:
From Dr. Helene Pulnik (Glastonbury, CT):1. Nonpharmacologic strategies:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaners. Wash for 15-20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you or anyone in your family develop a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, diarrhea or vomiting, STAY HOME and call me - I can suggest additional therapies to help you get better sooner.
- Stay home for at least 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep you from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
- Avoid crowds
- Wipe down toys and surfaces used by others with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label
- Avoid sugar and sweets. Sugar may impair your immune system. Get adequate rest and exercise at a moderate intensity several times a week.
- 2. Pharmacologic strategies
- Take a supplement that helps strengthen your immune system. My recommended products are Immunokinoko and EHB. For optimal protection we recommend that people take both products.
- Immunokinoko is a product containing AHCC, a compound derived from several species of mushrooms including shiitake. A study in the Journal of Nutrition 2006 demonstrated that a daily dose of 5000mg/day of AHCC greatly reduced influenza H1N1 replication in the lungs compared to placebo. It did this by increasing natural killer cell activity. Natural killer cells are cells in our body that destroy viruses. 5000mg/day is equal to 10 caps a day. We recommend 3 caps before breakfast, 3 caps before lunch and 4 caps before dinner for adults. Child dose is 33mg/pound/day.
EHB is a product with a combination of the herbs Echinacea, Goldenseal, Oregon Grape and garlic with the nutrients vitamin B6, vitamin C, citrus bioflavonoids, zinc and beta-carotene. Many of our patients have stated that they felt this product shortened the duration of their flu. The substances found in this product, if given in substantial doses and at the beginning of the flu, can help white blood cells engulf influenza viruses more efficiently and speed up the production of antibodies. I recommend 4 capsules three times a day at the first onset of the flu to help shorten the duration and 2 capsules three times a day everyday to prevent the flu. For children I recommend a chewable tablet called Echinacea Vitamin C w/Elderberry or a liquid called Echinacea Vitamin C by Integrative Therapeutics. Both products are similar to EHB and dosage instructions are listed on the bottle. Contrary to what you may have heard, there is no conclusive evidence that it is detrimental to use Echinacea for long periods. This rumor started because of a misinterpretation of a study done in Germany. Another study in the Alternative Medicine Review 1997, showed that Echinacea is even more effective at enhancing the immune system if given long term.
- Take a combination of the natural anti-virals Sambucus Pro and Quercetin
- Sambucus Pro (a patented Elderberry Syrup) is an extract from the berries of the plant Black Elder and contains substances called anthocyanidins, which have been shown to prevent influenza A viruses from replicating. In a study in The Journal of International Medical Research 2004, Elderberry Syrup was found to shorten the duration of influenza A by 4 days in 26 patients compared to placebo. The dose used in the study was 1 tablespoon four times a day. It is unknown how much Elderberry syrup is needed to prevent influenza, but the manufacturer of Sambucus Pro recommends 2 teaspoons daily.
- Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in apples and onions. Research shows that quercetin inhibits the replication of many viruses including influenza A. One study in American Journal of Physiology 2008 demonstrated that a daily dose of 1000mg/day of quercetin could provide some protection against the H1N1 flu virus in people under stress. 6mg/pound for children is an adequate dose.
- Have your vitamin D level tested in your blood. A healthy blood level of the vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is 50-60ng/ml. Ask Dr. P or your primary doctor for this test. Many people are deficient in vitamin D nowadays because we don’t get enough sunlight and we don’t eat fishes like herring and sardines daily. A study in Epidemiol. Infect 2006 discusses a correlation with increased influenza illnesses and low vitamin D blood levels in the winter. Vitamin D increases the anti-viral effects of white blood cells. Vitamin D blood levels increase about 10ng/ml for every 1000IU’s ingested. If your vitamin D blood level is 30, you would thus, need about 2000IU extra daily to increase your blood level to 50ng/ml. Always supplement with Vitamin D3, not Vitamin D2 because it’s more active and always take vitamin D3 with a food that contains fat so it will get absorbed.
- Resveratrol-2 capsules twice a day and Curcumin 3gm daily-to prevent 'cytokine storm'-this is the mechanism by which the Spanish flu of 1918 killed healthy young adults.
And, OF COURSE, we have the best "ammo" of all--the WORD OF GOD! "Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation, There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling..." Psalm 91:9-10 There are many, many more verses in His precious Word that declare His love and protection for His own--Praise God!
Stay well--until we all go Home!
Maranatha,
YSIC Dawn