End the Flu!

Every year, the flu epidemic hits with great intensity. The virus, particularly unstable, evolves rapidly and causes the sudden onset of symptoms such as fever, chills, intense fatigue, muscle aches, body pains, coughing, and headaches. In naturopathy, the flu is often seen as a sign of a global imbalance in the body, which is trying to eliminate toxins through the emunctories (skin, urine, and respiration). Rest and fasting are crucial to activate the body’s self-healing abilities. As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is essential to act quickly, even if the situation seems moderate.

Here are some actions to adopt:

1. A Suitable Diet

Naturopathy views the flu as a colloidal condition, with refined sugars and fats generating colloidal waste that leads to inflammation. During this crisis period, it is recommended to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet. Certain acidic foods, such as citrus fruits or tomato sauce, and vegetables like spinach and asparagus, should be avoided. It is advised to focus on foods rich in vitamin C (like kiwi, watercress, and parsley), as well as foods containing sulfur compounds with anti-infective properties, such as garlic, onion, shallots, and leeks. Essential minerals like selenium, zinc, and copper, found in seafood and algae, are also important. Additionally, spicy foods like chili, mustard, or radishes can boost immune defenses but should be avoided by those with a sensitive digestive system.

A 16-hour fasting regimen, skipping breakfast, is also recommended. Lunch should adhere to the nutritional principles outlined above, while dinner, for three days, can consist solely of vegetable soups to help remineralize the body. Here are three soup ideas to alternate: steam the ingredients or cook in minimal water to preserve their nutrients, then blend them with the broth to create a nourishing and restorative soup.

Detoxifying Cabbage Soup: Detoxifying and digestive.
Ingredients:

• 1/2 small green cabbage
• 1 leek
• 1/2 bulb of celeriac
• 1 green apple
• 1 tbsp of brown miso, diluted in 1 liter of water for broth
• 1 tbsp of dried thyme

Sweet Potato Soup: Rich in vitamin A, strengthens the immune system and helps tissue regeneration.
Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 2 leeks (white and light green parts), cleaned and sliced
• 1 medium onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 liter of homemade vegetable broth, organic
• 1 tsp of ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp of grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 tsp of black pepper
• 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small bunch of chopped fresh coriander

Shiitake Mushroom Soup: Ideal for boosting the immune system.
Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion
• 2 carrots
• 150g shiitake mushrooms
• 1 handful of kale or fresh spinach
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp of pumpkin seeds
• 1 liter of homemade vegetable broth, organic
• 1 tbsp of walnut oil
• Fresh parsley leaves for garnish

These soups should be consumed hot to provide your body with the essential nutrients it needs for recovery.

2. Detoxifying Herbal Tea:

Acts as a diuretic, helping to eliminate accumulated toxins from your body. Here’s a plant blend particularly suited for this purpose:

• 20g of sarsaparilla root
• 20g of fumitory herb
• 3g of ash tree leaves
• 3g of greater celandine
• 5g of walnut leaves
• 5g of rhubarb root

Boil this mixture in 1 liter of water and let it reduce by half. Drink 10 cl every morning on an empty stomach for five days, then take a five-day break before repeating the cure if necessary.

3. Respiratory Herbal Teas:

To ease expectoration, prepare a tea with pine buds, flowering tops of hyssop, and plantain leaves.
Method: Mix these three plants in equal parts and add a pinch of the blend to each cup of boiling water (20 cl). Let it infuse for 10 minutes and drink three to four cups per day.

3. Buds and Shoots to Treat Infection and Regenerate:

Alder bud macerate: It has antiviral, antibiotic, and anti-infective properties and works on respiratory infections and inflammation, in combination with rose hip bud macerate, which targets ENT problems, viral infections, and helps drain the lungs during a productive cough.

15-day cure: Take 15 drops of each in a bit of water each morning (start with 5 drops and increase by 2 drops daily).
Follow with blackberry shoot macerate: It oxygenates tissues and regenerates the body, with beneficial effects on the ENT system and lungs, supporting convalescence from bronchitis.

15-day cure: Take 15 drops per day in a bit of water each morning (start with 5 drops and increase by 2 drops daily).

5. Essential Oil Shield:

Inhalation:
For respiratory support, use a synergy of essential oils in a steam diffuser. Add 5 drops of ravintsara essential oil and 3 drops of radiated eucalyptus essential oil. Diffuse for 30 minutes, three times a day, for three days to provide oxygenating, disinfecting, and anti-inflammatory effects. If you don’t have a diffuser, place a drop of this synergy on a tissue and inhale deeply three times a day.

Application:
Mix 12 drops of ravintsara essential oil and 12 drops of radiated eucalyptus essential oil with sweet almond oil in a 10 ml bottle.
Apply 2 drops on your wrists two to three times a day, massaging your chest and back.

6. Nasal Washes:

Nasal washing is an effective practice to purify the airways and eliminate pathogens. Several solutions can be used for this:

• Quinton plasma: A hypermineralized seawater solution that helps restore electrolyte balance in the body.
• Saline solution: A sodium chloride solution that promotes mucus circulation and helps clear nasal passages.
• Clay water: Prepare a solution by letting clay settle at the bottom of a glass, then use it to irrigate your nasal cavities.

Alternate these solutions with the use of an oligoelement ampoule (copper or silver) in each nostril, up to four times a day, to strengthen the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect.

7. Hydrate Properly:

Hydration is crucial during the flu. Regularly drink homemade vegetable broths or water to maintain adequate hydration levels. Also, consume three cups per day of hot water with a tablespoon of mountain savory hydrosol and another tablespoon of orange blossom hydrosol. This blend is both refreshing and relaxing, helping to alleviate flu symptoms.

7. Origan Kaliteri Essential Oil:

This essential oil, both powerful and gentle, is perfect for a prolonged cure to combat viral infections. It also helps to strengthen the immune system.

Take 1 drop three times a day in a spoon of olive oil or on a piece of bread until symptoms subside.

9. Cod Liver Oil:

The vitamins A and D, as well as omega-3s it contains, work synergistically to strengthen the immune system. Together, they stimulate the production of essential immune cells, like lymphocytes and macrophages, that fight viral infections while also helping to reduce inflammatory responses.

4-week cure: Take 500 mg per day, during or after meals.

10. Magnesium Chloride:

Magnesium chloride is an excellent antiviral.

21-day cure: Helps reduce stress and strengthen the immune system.
Mix 40g of nigari in 2 liters of water and drink 100 ml per day.

11. Granions of Zinc:

Zinc is a crucial trace element for proper immune function. Taking zinc granions helps strengthen the body’s natural defenses.

1-month cure: Take one ampoule per day.

12. Humidify the Air:

Dry, confined environments worsen flu symptoms like congestion and sinusitis. To prevent this, it’s recommended to use a humidifier in your main room to maintain optimal humidity levels. This will relieve pressure on your sinuses and prevent further discomfort.

   13. Support the Fever:

It is essential not to block the rise in temperature because, up to 39°C, fever helps the body eliminate pathogens. Orange blossom hydrosol is an excellent remedy for cooling your body. Use it as a compress on your neck and temples, as often as necessary, to relieve heat and promote rapid comfort.

  14. Walk to Oxygenate the Body:

A 10-minute walk outdoors every day helps oxygenate the body while activating blood and lymphatic circulation, which helps eliminate toxins and strengthen the immune system.

  15. Air the Room:

Even in winter, airing your room for 10 minutes every day is essential to renew the air and eliminate germs, ensuring a healthier environment.

  16. Practice Gratitude:

Stress and anxiety weaken immune function. Conversely, positive emotions like gratitude, love, and compassion stimulate the production of NK cells and immunoglobulin A, which are crucial for fighting infections. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can improve your well-being and support your immune system. Here are some ideas for practicing gratitude:

• Keep a gratitude journal: Write down three to five things you’re grateful for each day, whether it’s a good meal, a smile shared, or a moment of calm.
• Express your thanks: Say “thank you” to those around you, even for small acts.
• Reflect on your blessings: Before bed, identify three good things that happened during the day to end on a positive note.
• Practice mindfulness: Be present in the moment and appreciate your surroundings.
• Reframe your thoughts: Turn negative thoughts into positive affirmations.
• Share your gratitude with others: Express your thanks through a letter, message, or call.
• Be thankful for yourself: Appreciate your efforts and progress, nourishing your self-esteem.

Opt for your well-being!