Holistic Flu Season Support
(herbal, homeopathic, and common sense remedies I turn to every fall and winter to help keep my family well!)
“Sick day soup” from my Tot’s e-book!
Hey guys, Fallon here! If you’re new here, welcome! I’m a certified functional nutritionist (in training!) who helps women feel empowered in their health journey, learn how to confidently eat well, find healing and support during chronic illness, and gain kitchen confidence through simple, delicious recipes for you and your family!
The “Ber” months are upon us, my friend.
They happen to be my absolute favorite. I’m an autumn color palette, a November birthday, and a sweata’ weatha’ kinda gal..what’s not to love?!
Oh right…the flu and sickness.
I’m happy to say my family has stayed strong these last several years and have not needed many sick visits at ALL thanks to the tools we keep on hand, the way we nourish our bodies all year, and keep our home free of a heavy toxin load as much as we can!
Today let’s cover my favorite remedies & supplements as a preventative flu approach and also what I keep on hand if we ever do fall prey to this virus!
The information provided here is not medical advice. Please work with a qualified provider when needed.
Flu Prevention Remedies & Strategies
Listen, I know every time I talk about this you conjure up an image of a dorky girl with glasses snorting this up her nose. That image is me. Because I do this almost EVERY day and it stinking WORKS!
Keeping our nasal passages clear can help clean out viruses and germs, hydrate nasal tissue, and provide relief very quickly when needed.
Saline spray is my preferred choice for safety of ingredients and is non-habit forming like medication-based nasal sprays!
The adult version is linked above, the kids’ version is here!
Please note - you do want each person in your home to have their own bottle…in case that’s not obvious ; ]
Propolis throat spray
This is another great daily tool for sick season - you can use 3-4 sprays per day and increase to several times a day in times of illness!Propolis is high in antioxidants, can help support the immune system, and is antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial.
Have you ever read a fantasy book where you just gloss over the character names?
… I admittedly did this with this homeopathic remedy until this year. As someone who has used and practiced homeopathy for five years. Oopsie!
Say it with me: “Aw-sillo-cock-sin-um” (I’m so sorry for how that’s spelled there’s just no other way).
I have heard Joette Calabrese say that this remedy is great taken prophylactically (ie, to help prevent infection) once a week for a month once the flu season starts, and then once a month from then on (dosing is 5-7 small pellets under the tongue; 30 minutes away from food, drink, or dental care). It is also known for being able to lessen the severity and longevity of the virus if it does happen to hit if taken at the first sign of illness.
This truly can’t be over-emphasized. Our food serves as the building blocks for our cells as they regenerate, the fuel for our body’s energy, and either provide defense or harm when it comes to fighting off illness.
I don’t think it’s any wonder that during times of increased processed food consumption (ie, winter and holidays) is when we also see virus and sickness spike.
Building your nourishment around foundations like whole foods, quality animal products, fresh in season fruits, herbs, and vegetables, healing spices, bone broth, organic or raw dairy, etc - this is where the preparedness really starts.
If that feels like new territory or you need fresh inspiration for warming and nourishing meals, you have come to the right blog my friend.
My Batch e-cookbook is THE fall cookbook of your dreams. Soups and stews, casseroles, pumpkin recipes, it’s healthy comfort in a book!
Fresh air and sunshine
I know not everyone has the same mild year-round weather as I do in North Texas, but as MUCH as you can in these gorgeous days, open those windows, get that sunshine, breathe in that fresh air.
Spend as MANY hours outside as you can! And if sickness does hit your house, opening the windows can drastically help clear the air and help prevent the spread.
Sauna therapy
This is a bougie one and I fully know that, BUT, if there’s one health tool you can swing splurging on or finding locally, it should be sauna therapy.Sauna and sweat-inducing can be an amazing tool for detoxing, promoting cellular health, and overall inflammation reduction and wellness.
The one I have a love is here.
If you do use a sauna, be mindful of mineral rich hydration and do not use in time of fever! My husband and I find it helpful to clear out a virus without a fever, and we do not use this with our kiddos.
We try to have a sauna session weekly!
Of course, use all your other common sense prep tips alongside this: handwashing after outings especially, keeping your home clean, removing shoes before entering your home, etc!
And if I DID get the flu, here’s what I’d do!Nose and throat spray several times a day
Immediately begin taking one of these:
- Oscillococcinum (the box recommends 1 tube every 6 hours or 3 times a day)
- Arsenicum Album 12c twice daily - this remedy needs to be used within 12-24 hours of the symptom’s onset!
- Or Cold Calm
(I would pick whatever you have access to and stop taking it better!)Drink lots of homemade bone broth, soups (like my Sick Day Soup shown above!), and stews
Consider adding in Rapid Rescue daily (always check contra-indictions for herbs and any prescription medicine you are taking)
Get outside as much as possible, and REST as much as possible
Focus on hydration through coconut water, fresh juice, herbal teas, etc
High dose Vitamin C (2-3 caps of this daily for adults, stop if any digestive upset occurs)
Epsom salt baths, castor oils packs, and other calming support
Wear only organic or natural fiber clothing (which I already do!)
This isn’t all-encompassing! Just giving you free insight on how I would handle it personally! And of course, if you or a family member needs additional medical help, please get that!
I hope this helps you stay well this season!
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