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It’s Cold and Flu Season- Let’s Talk Immunity!

By January 9, 2018April 25th, 2018The Health & Wellness Corner

The start of a new year brings a chance to start over and develop nourishing practices for mind, body and spirit. This is a great time to make a commitment to increasing your immunity holistically. This is cold and flu season and North Texas is one of the front runners in the flu epidemic. That’s a good place to start! The CDC just put out the report card for the 2017 flu vaccine- it got an F. The least effective vaccination season to date. Why? Well, first, vaccines are not a fix all nor do they guarantee you are safe from the flu. Quite the opposite in fact. They create more strains of the virus. It’s like the antibiotic effect. Second, the flu vaccine creates the most law suits for a vaccine which we can directly link a negative outcome.

Next, we have colds, coughs, virus and bacteria. Winter months are designed to slow down, take it easy and rest. In ancient times, the harvest was complete, and the hard work of spring and summer was done. The days are shorter, the weather is typically colder. Our world doesn’t work that way anymore. We are Go! Go! Go! 24/7. Our bodies can’t keep up and our immunity becomes compromised. On any given day, if our toxic load, physically, mentally and emotionally becomes to great, our body can’t fight all the bugs it encounters. That’s why in a room of 20 people, only 5 may get the flu even though all are exposed.

What is a body to do? Here are some great practices to adopt:

1.      Get a solid 8-9 hours of sleep. This is when you detoxify.

2.      Eat real food- whole, organic freshly made. During winter it is best for your body to eat warm, easy to digest foods.

3.      Meditate! This allows down time, rest for mental and emotional welfare. And, it’s a mini vacation anywhere you are!

4.      Use herbs, yogi teas and essential oils to boost immunity. This is straight from Mother Earth’s medicine cabinet. Try, olive leaf, oregano, echinacea, ashwagandha, and turmeric. Diffuse frankincense, lavender and eucalyptus oils. These are just a few to choose from!

5.      Take Influenzinum to prevent flu and Oscillococcinum to manage flu symptoms. These are homeopathic treatments that have no side effects but are very powerful.

6.      Practice yoga, tai chi or qigong. Sit in a sunny window, start a gratitude journal, make kind acts part of your day and smile! Your mental wellness affects your physical health.

What about food? Try adding these immune boosting foods:

Honey: antiviral, antibacterial, full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, Berries: antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber

Onions: antiviral, antioxidant, most cancer fighting components of any vegetable, Garlic: antiviral, antibacterial, high on the cancer fighting gage

Oregano: antioxidant capacity is 20 times higher than any other herb,  Turmeric: anti-inflammatory, high on the cancer fighting gage.

All green leafy colorful veggies- these provide protection and fuel for your body!

Nurturing your body is not a luxury but a necessity during the cold and flu season! Come visit us at CFH for some healthy healing food. 

Happy Healthy Wellness!  Dana

 

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