When you first feel yourself becoming sick there are holistic remedies you can start to avoid becoming ill or to shorten the duration of illness. These suggestions are especially helpful if you do them early on – as early as possible. They will help you fend off flus, colds, or minor infections. Call a doctor if your symptoms become severe or if you do not improve. If you are interested in natural remedies, then you will want to seek out one of our San Diego Naturopathic Doctors. There are some steps you can take to boost your immunity.
Eat Very Lightly or Not at All – With most illnesses the appetite is diminished, this is a natural response of the body. Energy is needed to fight off the “bug” and the body doesn’t have the energy to process food. Give your digestive tract a rest! Simple home remedy.
Get Rest as Soon as Possible – Many people ignore the early warning signs of illness and keep on working until they “drop.” You will take longer to heal if you allow the illness to get a foothold. If you feel a sore throat, headache, congestion, etc., coming on, take it easy. If possible, take a day off from work. This may prevent you from having to take three days later on.
Drink Plenty of Fluids – This standard advice is good advice. You can clear the toxins from a “bug” out of your system with large amounts of filtered water and herbal teas. Our favorite herbal tea in our holistic office is respitussive tea.
Take Immunity-Boosting Supplements and Homeopathics*
Vitamin C is a great alternative medicine option for a decongestant. Take 500 mg every 3-4 hours with a small amount of food. Cut back on dosage if stools become loose. Great home remedy option.
Vitamin A is another natural remedy but can cause dryness of your mucus membranes. Take 10,000 IU daily with food. Your naturopathic doctor can give more specific advise for proper dosing for your wellness. (Women who are pregnant should not take high doses of Vitamin A as it can have adverse affects on the fetus.)
Zinc lozenges are my favorite way to get zinc in for repairing cells. Take 5-30 mg spread throughout the day. This home remedy can be continued for 1-2 weeks without depleting copper stores in the body.
Oscillococcinum can be a general option but our naturopathic doctors can advise on more specific homeopathic treatments for you. Take 6 pellets of this homeopathic remedy every 6 hours at the first onset of flu or cold symptoms. Take away from food.
Take Immunity-Enhancing Herbs* – These herbs can be taken as teas (3-5 cups/day), tinctures (30 drops 4 times a day), or in freeze-fried capsules (1-2 capsules 4 times a day). Our naturopathic medicine clinic can help you choose the herbal remedies that are appropriate for you and your illness.
Echinacea (Purple Cone Flower) Hydrastis (Goldenseal)
Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Trifolium (Red Clover)
Ligusticum (Osha)
*These are adult dosages. Consult your physician regarding dosages for infants and children.
Give Yourself a Home Hydrotherapy Treatment (A Hot Foot Bath) – Soak feet in hot water while wrapped in a warm wool blanket. Put a cold cloth on your head and relax while you sit in a comfortable position for 10-15 minutes. Take care to avoid getting chilled after this home remedy. Or another alternative medicine option is the…
Throat or Chest Compress – Warm the throat or chest with a warm washcloth or hot shower. Dry the skin thoroughly and apply a thin cotton wrap (to throat) or a thin cotton T-shirt (to chest) that has been soaked in cold water and wrung out so that it is not dripping wet. Cover this with a wool scarf (throat) or a wool sweater (chest). Go to bed this way. By morning the scarf or T-shirt will be dry. This treatment increases circulation and increases white blood cell activity.
Naturopathic medicine is a holistic way of supporting the body’s natural healing ability from illness. If you have questions about naturopathic doctors or holistic medicine, we are happy to help you find your answers. Please reach out to us by calling (619) 772-1164 or emailing info@journeyofhealth.org
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