My son is coming home from first grade with the constant sniffles; my spa therapist had very cold hands and a mild cough. I’m already dosing out on extra Vitamin C, sleeping at least seven hours per night and washing my hands with antibacterial tea tree oils literally every chance I get. How else can I–how else can you?– protect your family with more natural anti-cold ingredients and wage war against cold and flu season?
Dr. Brian Clement is co-director of the Hippocrates Health Institute (HHI) in West Palm Beach, Florida, and he says I’m doing pretty well for starters.
Here, Dr. Clement offers his top tips for building immunity and sidestepping cold and flu bugs all season long:
1. Osha: Take 10 drops of this bio botanical every day. Osha root is commonly used as a multi-therapy for cold and flu symptoms. The root has antiviral and antibacterial properties and, when taken at the onset of cold or flu, may help reduce the window of time in which symptoms are experienced. Osha root helps clear mucus from the sinuses and lungs by increasing expectoration; this relieves congestion and makes breathing easier.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Twice a day mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 8-12 oz. of water. This soothes the stomach, fights colds and gives an incredible boost of energy. Apple cider vinegar is available at your local grocery store.
3. Sprouts: Use sprouted garlic and onion in a green veggie juice or in salads to cure the flu. Sprouted garlic and onions are available at most local health food stores. Garlic and onion boost cells in the body that destroy infection-causing viruses and bacteria.
4. Cayenne: Sprinkle dried cayenne pepper on your salad at lunch, use in your favorite dinner recipe or take 10 drops a day in liquid form. The active ingredient in cayenne is capsaicin. Capsaicin alleviates congestion and thins the mucus in your nasal passages so you can breathe again.
What do you do at home to sidestep cold and flu bugs?