I recently watched a news channel a few days ago that mentioned how bad flu season will be this year. Without me standing on the vaccination train of yay or nay, they obviously mentioned how everyone should get the flu vaccine, and they mentioned that the public should visit their doctor immediately upon feeling the first signs of the flu so they can get some help with antiviral medications. I don’t know too many doctors that will see you immediately (within the 48 hours recommended), nor do I know too many people that are willing to pay the doctor for a visit every time they think they might be getting sick. The best bet is to have the herbal resources in your home or near you that you can immediately start implementing. What the general public is missing is knowledge of plant medicine and immune system health.
Perfectly timed, a recent study has been circulating that says elderberries can inhibit the flu virus’ entry, minimize symptoms and replication, and help to strengthen the immune system. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190423133644.htm This is knowledge that our ancestors have known and utilized for a very long time. They might not have been able to isolate the virus itself and test replication, but they knew it worked. They used terms like diaphoretic, alterative, or purging instead. They didn’t have knowledge of the immune system at that time so were unaware of its effect on it. Of course, it is not just the berries that are effective on the flu virus, but the flowers as well. It is a well known combination in the herbal community of dried elder flowers, dried yarrow leaves/flowers, and dried peppermint leaves to be a fast remedy for influenza in its first stage. I personally use the dried berries in a glycerite or syrup and the flowers in an infusion or tincture.
There are many other herbs available in your area that can help with a viral infection as well as many scientific studies to back up the antiviral capabilities if you need to have them. Garlic, peppermint, sage, thyme, sweet leaf (Monarda fistulosa), and rosemary are just a few. This study said fifty four medicinal plants belonging to thirty six families were documented to have antiviral potential (and this was just a small amount of plants studied). They also stated “In this context, the herbal formulations as alternative medicine may contribute to the eradication of complicated viral infection significantly”. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=herbs+to+combat+flu+virus
One of the best things to do during cold and flu season is to keep your own immune system healthy! As long as you don’t have a compromised immune system, the average person can take different steps to ensure their immune system is working properly. Getting proper nutrition, proper sleep, enough hydration, and having a healthy digestive system is the first step. Herbs can help as well. With as many medicinal plants considered to be antiviral, there are just as many to help with the immune system. They just haven’t all been tested yet. Echinacea and Elderberry are the most tested and popular in Western Herbalism, but are far from the only ones. Scientists are finding more and more from many different cultures, medical systems, and lands. A search and scroll through PubMed will give you many of these studies.
My point for this blog is to show the public there is another way to take control of your own health especially during the flu season whether it is a bad one or not. I felt the need after constantly hearing about the flu season, the flu vaccine, and ways the medical community says to protect yourself. You can be proactive and add another arsenal to your defense. Take some classes, search online, go to your local health food store, visit an herbalist in your area, become a member of the American Herbalist Guild, read health magazines, and purchase or borrow books on herbal remedies/herbal medicine to start gaining the knowledge you need! Modern medicine doesn’t always have the answers or capabilites. Having your own herbal knowledge and having the option to utilize modern medicine when needed is the best way to combat many of these virus and bacterial infections circulating right now and in the future.