Immune
Building Tips – Stay Well This Winter!
by
Margaret Durst
The Green House
Previously
by Margaret Durst: Castor
Oil Packs – An Old Remedy That Still Works
Cold, dreary weather and flu season have a lot in common. I recommend
building immunity during this time.
My first tip
during weather like this is up your intake of vitamin D. It always
seems like the worst cold and flu bugs circulate around the school
after one of these spells.
Build your
immune system by taking extra vitamin C, zinc (if you tend to be
deficient) and something that keeps viruses from taking over the
body I recommend a very high quality olive leaf, elderberry
or a grapefruitseed extract combination called Defense Plus.
I also recommend
keeping your body on the more alkaline side since viruses such as
the flu will thrive in an acid environment. Here is a short summary
on acid/alkaline.
Good
or alkalizing includes vegetables and fruits (raw being the most
alkaline), raw vegetable juices, kombucha tea, coral calcium, green
supplements, enzymes, raw lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar and
raw almonds.
Bad
or acid forming foods include sodas (diet sodas are the worst),
tea, coffee, chocolate, smoking, and foods made with white flour
and/or white sugar. Meat and dairy products are also acid forming.
I do not recommend avoiding meat and dairy, but do keep the portions
you eat balanced with plenty of vegetables.
Alkalizing
really works. It is one of the main tenets of natural health. Alkalizing
helps any disease condition. If you want to know if you are alkaline
or acid, measure the pH of your first morning urine using special
pH paper.
Olive leaf
has terrific anti-viral properties. I recommend taking one 500 mg
olive leaf capsule per day to stay well. Dosage can be increased
when you feel flu-like. Many rely on olive for its immune
building properties and take it throughout flu season and never
get sick. The form of olive leaf is very important it must
have at least 18% oleuropein content, or it will not be effective.
Read the label. Cheaper olive leaf is not the same and is a waste
of money.
I also like
elderberry for immune building. It is a natural fruit extract that
keeps viruses from reproducing. My favorite is Elderberry Defense
which also contains 2000 IU of vitamin D. My son has a great
attendance record at school on this product.
There are
also homeopathic formulas. The biggest benefit of the homeopathic
formulas is that they do not interact with prescription medications
and are generally safe for all ages. The single best selling flu
product in America is a homeopathic called Oscillococcinum. Oscillo
speeds recovery from flu symptoms to within 48 hours when taken
at first sign of cold or flu this is backed by clinical trials.
Remember that
diseases such as the flu are opportunistic. If the host is full
of acid waste and other toxins, then the flu will love their body
and thrive. If the host is healthy and alkaline, then the flu will
have a hard time and will move on.
Stress and
the typical American diet tend to make us good homes for viruses
because they make our pH acid and deplete our vitamins and minerals.
We are also inundated with chemicals that are bodies cannot break
down and eliminate. To stay in balance, alkalize your diet, use
herbal cleanses periodically to get rid of excess toxins, and take
good high quality supplements that help keep you balanced.
December 15, 2011
Margaret
Durst owns The
Green House, a vitamin, herb and health food store in Mason,
Texas.
Copyright
© 2011 Margaret
Durst
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