Natural Treatments May Shorten Duration of Colds, Flu, Viruses

Cold and flu season is here. Many people are getting sick more often this year, despite normal measures of washing hands and sanitizing. Although those efforts can prevent illness for those diligent and consistent with the habit, some people require natural ways to boost their immunity through cold and flu season. Here is a list of my favorite immune boosters to help shorten the duration of a cold, flu or virus. It can also be used for preventative enhancement.

Do the wet sock treatment. Take a thin pair of socks, get them wet with cold water, wring them out well. Put the wet socks on your feet and then put a thicker drier pair on top. Go to bed, in the morning the socks will be dry. It is a hydrotherapy technique that can be done nightly to boost your immune system when you are sick or as preventative. It helps with improving your energy levels the next day and can help you get better faster. This treatment is great for any age – in babies through elderly. You can also add some immune boosting essential oils to the bottoms of your feet such as thieves blend.

Rotate antiviral herbs. Oil of oregano, grapefruit seed extract, Monolaurin, power mushroom blends, immunoberry, Umba care, immune wellness formulas or Immunocaps are combinations that are powerful immune modulators. You may have noticed that many immune herbs are hard to find or may be backordered because of the high demand and production of herbal combinations since COVID. You can take once or more daily for one to two weeks and then rotate to a different herb as preventative. If you are not well, increase to four times per day.  Some herbs may be contraindicated during pregnancy or may interfere with medications, so consult a physician before starting.

Take your vitamins. Quercitin 250mg-1000mg, Vitamin D (5000-10000iu daily), NAC (600mg twice daily) Zinc 20mg per day, Beta-carotene 150,000iu daily, and Vitamin C- 2-3grams (2000-3000mg in divided doses to bowel tolerance) can help ward off viruses, boost the immune system and shorten the duration of a cold or flu. Make sure to consult your naturopath if you are on multiple medications or are pregnant to adjust dosing.

Take a good quality probiotic. Not all probiotics are the same! Taking 10 to 50 billion/capsule of a good quality probiotic and prebiotic can keep your good gut bacteria and your immune system happy.

Drink cayenne lemon honey tea. Squeezing half to a whole lemon in hot water with a pinch- 1/16tsp cayenne pepper and honey to taste will help ease a sore throat, cough or phlegm. It can also be a great source of vitamin C. You can drink it one to four times per day as needed. (Not a fan of cayenne? Use cinnamon or ginger.)

Practice mindfulness and meditation daily. It will help calm you, reduce anxiety, boost your immune system and help you create a more optimistic outlook on life. Download a free meditation app like Calm, Insight timer or Brain.fm.

Use a Far-infrared sauna/mat therapy for 20 minutes. Infrared heat penetrates the cells and promotes healing, reduces inflammation and pain, boosts the immune system, improves lymphatics and detoxification and can promote fat loss. It can be a challenge at times to bask in the sun in the winter in Flagstaff so a sauna or warming mat may be more practical. The Infrared warming mat can be used during acupuncture sessions to give even more of an immune kick.

Get regular acupuncture and cupping treatments. Acupuncture is great at boosting the lung qi or energy that keeps your immune system strong. It can treat many aliments such as headaches, sore throat, allergies, sinus congestion, hormone imbalance, depression, anxiety, stress and pain. Acupuncture in conjunction with cupping are great at opening up the lungs if you have a cough as well as relieve any back tension or reduce stress.

Get some IV nutrients. The Myers Cocktail is a power-packed vitamin punch to knock out an infection or boost your immune system. It can be combined with B vitamins, glutathione or NAD shot to increase antioxidants to your system. It can shorten the duration of a cold, flu or COVID virus and decrease whole-body fatigue after infection. FBN

By Christina Kovalik NMD, Lac

Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020. For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.