Natural Cold & Flu Prevention

Prevention is key, and this is especially true during cold and flu season. Living a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutrient dense diet, consistent exercise, stress relief, and enough sleep will go a long way in ensuring your immune system can defend itself. However, when things don’t go as planned, we need to travel, or the kids keep us up at night, our immune system suffers and we may need extra support to stay healthy during these cold (and damp) months.

There are a few standbys that we turn to at the office – if you’re looking for extra defense, check out these natural remedies:

IV Push

This treatment combines vitamins, minerals, and homeopathics to strengthen your immune system, ward off infections, and improve your production of energy. Great for prevention, during stressful times or air travel, as well as in the acute phases of illness, this treatment takes only 15 minutes.

Boost Immune by Inspirit Wellness

Formulated by our very own Dr Katie Leah, ND, this tincture is rich in medicinal herbs and mushrooms such as Echinacea, Reishi, and Astragalus that strengthen the immune system during periods of prolonged stress.

Sterol 117 by Promedics

An incredibly popular favorite among staff and patients, this product is rich in antioxidants as well as plant sterols that help to regulate our immune system. Sterols increase T cells, immune cells in our body that help to kill viruses and bacteria directly, help our B cells make antibodies, and naturally eradicate cancer cells.

Astragalus 10+ by Seven Forest

Astragalus, a traditional Chinese remedy for immune enhancement, provides the foundation of this herbal complex. Combined with high doses of herbs such as Ginseng, Licorice, and Eleuthero, this product aims to increase Qi, the life force behind our health, and can be used long-term for those of us who seem to ‘catch every cold’ that goes around.

Vitamin D3

This vitamin is actually a hormone that influences over 3000 genes in your body. It plays a critical role in regulating your immune system, influencing the production of over 200 antimicrobial peptides that help fight off a wide range of infections.

Natural Treatment of Cold and Flu

Uh-oh – you follow a healthy lifestyle and include some of our remedies above, and you still got sick? No need to worry, it happens to the best of us and there are many natural remedies that can help you get back on your feet in no time. Depending on recommendations from your doctor, you may need to increase the frequency that you get an IV Push, or increase the dose of your immune support, while including some of these trusted natural remedies:

Hot fluids & Rest

This old standby has stuck around for one reason: it works. Your body has an increased need for fluids and rest when ill. Additionally, if you are running a fever, you run the risk of dehydration. You can increase your fluid intake by including soup full of chicken, garlic, and leafy greens, all shown to improve our immune system. Or check out medicinal herbal teas, such as those by Inspirit Wellness, to improve the quality of your sleep, de-stress, and calm your nervous system.

Facial Steam

All you need is a pot of water, a stove, and essential oils to loosen congestion and kill viruses and bacteria throughout the respiratory tract. Even kitchen herbs such as rosemary and thyme can be used. Place a large pot of water along with a few drops of Rosemary or Thyme essential oil (or herb) on the stove until boiling, cover and remove from heat. Remove the lid and place your face over the pot with a towel over your head. Aim for 15 minutes of inhaling the steam; use this time to relax and take deep breaths. Ensure that someone else is nearby as the heat can make some people feel lightheaded; be cautious and don’t overdo it.

Netipot

If nasal and sinus congestion has got you down, a netipot may become your new best friend. Using the netipot with distilled saltwater soothes dry nasal passages, helps to remove excess mucous, and gently washes away nasal passage irritants.

Echinacea Throat Spray by Inspirit Wellness

As soon as we feel the familiar scratch of a sore throat, we reach for this spray. It works double-duty by both soothing irritation and providing the medicinal immune-boosting effect of Echinacea right at the source. Check out our Natural Dispensary for these and many other products that can help you get through these colder months unscathed.