There’s No Reason For Flu Season

By on January 21, 2013

Preventing the flu is so easy, it is ridiculous! I don’t remember a “flu season” growing up in the 60’s. And I had my share of colds, flu and strep throat; I just don’t remember being a part of a, season. I do remember my diet (and digestion) growing up – I ate a lot of highly mucus forming foods (cheese, the gluey gluten filled white bread and white pastas) and I was chronically constipated (and didn’t know it). Like a baby eats and poops, we should too. If we are not pooping at least once a day, we are constipated.

I grew up as a vegetarian – not to save the animals or planet. I simply did not like meat (or the smell of it). Into my late 20’s I began improving my diet, then in my 30’s I started learning the wonderful world of detox. These changes have virtually made cold and flu a thing of the past. Even more of a surprise to these changes were getting rid of gallstones and parasites I never knew I had, but we all do. I also had allergies so bad I was given shots in my nose, with… I kid you not… a 10”+ needle. The allergy induced headaches put me in the hospital overnight for some testing, which led to going into anaphylactic shock (and numerous medical staff thinking I was faking). Thankfully a doctor “in the know” yelled at them to stop – he literally saved my life with a shot and some oxygen to counteract me going into the light (dying)! Then came the constant bloating, several diagnoses of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and more.

I’m thankful I began solving my own health issues – they are what started me on my journey of helping others. Health care should be just that, HEALTH CARE, not sick care. A clean gut can get anyone out of the “flu season” rut and/or lessen the symptoms dramatically. Clients I’ve helped are no longer bedridden with the flu. Repeated bouts of my eyeballs and every hair on my head hurting, a swollen and infected throat, and mucus galore were enough for me to turn my health around. Looking back now, these were mild in comparison to what was brewing inside of me. If cold and flu are a season for you, heed the warning signs that your body is in dire need of cleaning out. If you still don’t agree, ask a kid (see photo).

I remember getting the flu shot once and of course I got sick. Getting the flu every season is somehow expected, like fat and fatigue as a normal part of aging have been accepted. A flu shot is not a green light to be careless with your health. Flu season comes when it does for good reason. It follows the infection feeding sugary treats of Halloween, then Thanksgiving, December, and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Add to that… cozy indoors, cold outdoors, and the dreaded breathing in and exchanging of recycled indoor air.  Still, these are no excuse for preventing the flu. Winter causes everyone to want to eat more. This is why winter crops are hardier (squash, potatoes, etc). And by the grace of creation, we also have citrus to help get us through the cold and flu months – those months where we sometimes can’t get enough comfort food. Holiday dining is wonderful and something I look forward to, but I for one tend to eat more than usual, mix too many foods at once, indulge in some baked goods, and on select occasions, I may top it off with a sip of alcohol. These can wreak havoc on the digestive and immune systems of those not having done any cleaning out/detox.

Got bloating? If so, that’s a great indication there may be an imbalance of the good and bad bacteria, and/or some… fermenting waste from constipation. Probiotics/fermented foods and drinks with your meals will help digestion. The best way to improve your immune system is with detox – since our gut is responsible for approximately 80% of our immune system, keeping it clean is key in dis-ease prevention. A clean body, not only circulates clean blood, it also improves the absorption and benefits of any nutrients we take in. Our blood is pumped throughout our body by our heart. Our lymph fluid (part of immune system) does not have a pump, so it can become sluggish more easily. It is up to us to keep it clean and moving. Ever have swollen lymph nodes? This is a good sign the lymph system, gut, and organs need cleaning. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

If sickness does get the best of you or a loved one, there’s absolutely no reason to remain sick for days on end (or run to the doctors). If vomiting or diarrhea are an issue, think charcoal tablets. They can come in very handy and help prevent dehydration and deficiencies. In an emergency, you can put the fire out on both by eating a piece of burnt toast. An added side effect to this remedy is whiter teeth! If fever comes on, by all means try to allow it to run its course (within reason) and sweat it out! Doing this more often than not can and will help strengthen the immune system.

“When someone is sick, more drugs are NOT what they need. A sick person already has an overload of toxins… Illness is not caused from a deficiency of a certain pill.” ~Sherry Rogers, author of Detoxify or Die~

***no artist name given, photo shared with me on Facebook.

 

About Carmen

Author, Coach, and Herbalsita POWERED BY: Real Food and barefoot walking/running. Connect with Carmen on Google+

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