8 Ways To Boost Your Immune System – Now
The news about the flu is saying this year’s version is going to be rough. In addition, the vaccine, which I’m not a proponate of, is only 10% effective, but they are encouraging people to get it anyway. This means that for 90% of people, the flu vaccine will be ineffective. Why would you get the vaccine with those statistics?
This is not great news. Where does that leave you? There are proven supplements readily available to support your immune system during this cold and flu season.
People who can come to see me in my office, receive acupuncture, individualized homeopathic remedies, and pharmaceutical grade supplements.
But for my online community, there are many options readily available for you from your local health food store.
I went to Whole Foods up the street from my office. Here is what I found on their shelves that I know can help you.
Flu vs. cold: the difference
Most of us have experienced a cold at some point in our lives and remember the symptoms of a sore throat, cough, sneezing and runny nose.
The common cold is transmitted by infected airborne droplets or direct contact with infected secretions (someone who is sick sneezes into their hands and then touches something you come into contact with, such as a door knob).
However, the similarities stop there. While colds are upper respiratory infections caused by adeno or corona viruses, the flu, or influenza, is caused by Influenza A or B virus. The flu is also spread through air and direct contact with infected droplets. And the flu usually lasts much longer, the severity of the symptoms are more intense and recovery can be prolonged for weeks.
Using Chinese Medicine to Treat the Flu
If you have access to a Chinese Medicine practitioner, I encourage you to call for an appointment. One of the beautiful aspects of Chinese Medicine is the way it references nature to differentiate treatment.
In Chinese Medicine, there is not just “one cold”; people exhibit different symptoms with different kinds of colds.
With “wind cold with dampness”, the person will feel cold, and have chills, headache and neck pain. They will desire warmth, wanting to drink warm drinks and stay under the covers.
With “heat and dry heat”, the symptoms will be a fever, sweating, desire for cool or cold drinks. The headache will be in the front of the head and the feet will want to be out of the covers.
These may be the same medical diagnosis, but in Chinese Medicine, they would receive different herb formulas and acupuncture treatments would also vary differently.
Integrative Treatment of the Cold and Flu
People are often told there is nothing they can do for a cold, but an integrative approach has a great deal to offer. Here is what I found on the shelves of Whole Foods which I know can help you lessen the symptoms and recover quickly.
Immune System Support
Zinc
Zinc is involved in many basic cellular functions as well as several aspects of your immune system. When you are sick, your immune system’s requirements for zinc increase dramatically. The thymus gland, responsible for development of T-lymphocytes and T cells, is dependent on Zinc to function. T cells are extremely important for your immune health, for they defend the body from bacteria, viruses and fungi.
There are also Zinc lozenges which you can use to help relieve sore throat.
DOSAGE
I recommend 15-20mg three times daily.
Turmeric or Curcumin
The medicinal benefit of this ancient spice comes from the curcuminoids present in the ground rhizome. Unfortunately, there’s often only 3% of curcumin by weight, so it’s important to read the labels when you are buying a turmeric product. Turmeric products often have black pepper in them. Black paper contains piperine, which has been shown to dramatically increase the absorption and effects of turmeric. The flu is an inflammatory process, which explains the severe bone aching, fatigue and high fever. This inflammatory process involves a cytokine called TN alpha, or Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha. This cytokine stimulates interferon production, resulting in achy bones and body aches. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and it specifically modulates TNF alpha 1, relieving the bone pain that so often occurs with the flu.
DOSAGE
In the midst of an active flu, I would take 2 tablets 3 to 4 times a day.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a native plant that was discovered by the American Indians over 400 years ago. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, Echinacea was used extensively for its anti-bacteria properties. There are two components of this plant. The above-ground component is used to treat colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and slow-healing wounds. It can be used as a gargle for tonsillitis and sore throat. The root, or below ground part, of the Echinacea pallida plant, is used to treat flu-like infections.
DOSAGE
In acute phase, 2 capsules 4 times a day. Echinacea also comes in tincture form, which some people prefer. Take ½ tsp. in boiling water, let cool to the temperature you can drink it as a warm tea and drink 4 times a day
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is often thought of as important for calcium and bone health. The truth is, Vitamin D is equally important for immune responses, for promoting antimicrobial responses to pathogens in macrophages and deficiency in vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as an increased susceptibility to infection.3
DOSAGE
5000 iu/day of D3
Astragalus
As a Chinese Medicine practitioner, Astragalus, or Huang Qi, is one of my most used herbs. In China, Astragalus has been used for thousands of years to boost immunity, and it is particularly helpful to prevent and treat colds, upper respiratory infections and the flu.
Astragalus is a warm herb. If you are sick with a cold or flu, and are feeling cold and chilled, Astragalus will not only fight the bacteria and virus, but it’s warming action will “warm your center”.
If you have been sick for a while with a chronic infection and your immune system is deficient, Astragalus can work to overcome or make the virus dormant.
Astragalus can also be used to treat inflammation but if you have symptoms of heat, such as a rash or high blood pressure, please don’t use Astragalus without seeking professional guidance.
DOSAGE
As a tincture: 5-10 drops in boiled water (it removes the alcohol content) 3 times a day, during the acute phase. Decrease to twice daily for an additional three days, as you recover.
As a capsule: 2 capsules 3 times a day during the acute phase. Decrease to twice daily for an additional three days, as you recover.
You can also put the herb into chicken soup!
General Considerations
- Once you start taking supplements for your cold or flu, please continue for an additional three days after you feel you’ve recovered. This insures you don’t experience a relapse.
- Stay hydrated with warm lemon water, ginger tea and diluted fruit juice.
- It’s better to eat very lightly when you are sick; soup, steamed veggies, rice, apples or pears are good fruits.
- Please seek appropriate medical care if you continue to have a high fever, productive cough, severe pain and body aches.
- Acupuncture is very helpful to restore your energy and health after the flu.
Lastly, here is my recipe for chicken soup!
Get an organic chicken and have them cut it into quarters and remove the skin.
Wash the chicken very well in cold water prior to putting into a large pot. Cover the chicken with cold water, then slice and add the following ingredients to the pot: (all organic, of course!)
INGREDIENTS
3 Celery stalks
4 Carrots
1 Onion
2 Slices of fresh ginger, skin removed
1-2 Bay Leaves
I head of Italian parsley, well chopped-just the leaves, no stems
1/2 cup of organic rice (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Simmer on a low heat for about 2 to 3 hours until everything is well cooked. You don’t want the soup to boil. As the soup simmers, remove the film that forms along the top of the pot.
Remove the large chicken pieces from the pot. Remove the meat from the bone, cut into pieces, and return to pot. Check seasoning and adjust if necessary.
When the soup has cooled down, put in refrigerator.
References
1. Curcumin: an orally bioavailable blocker of TNF and other pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Aggarwal BB et al. Br J Pharmacol. (2013)
2. Ayu. 2014 Jan;35(1):71-8. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.141944. Anti-oxidant studies and anti-microbial effect of Origanum vulgare Linn in combination with standard antibiotics. Bharti V1, Vasudeva N1, Kumar S1.
3. Vitamin D and immune function: an overview. – NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21849106Proc Nutr Soc. 2012 Feb;71(1):50-61. doi: 10.1017/S0029665111001650. Epub 2011 Aug 18.
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